Virtual ReNew the New 2020

 

For sixteen years ReNew The New and Giles County PSA have hosted “Fall Into The New” at the end of every summer. Thirty-seven miles of the New River run through Giles and every year one third, of those miles, was designated for cleanup. ReNew borrowed canoes from local outfitters, the Boy Scouts, and a number of recreation programs and transported them to central locations; Giles County school buses carried volunteers to and from assigned sites. Depending upon the year, there were anywhere from two hundred to almost five hundred volunteers, who cleaned and cleared the river of debris and, afterwards, were treated, by  Giles County, to lunch and a specially designed tee-shirt. Those sixteen years transformed the New River and ReNew’s stewardships will continue RENEWING the New River.

 

A COVID aware “Fall Into The New “ was planned for Saturday, August 29th and all the pieces were in place. Then two hurricanes  began crossing the Gulf of Mexico heading to the Eastern United States. Marco lessened and Laura intensified. Before putting volunteers out on a stormy river and paying for 150 box lunches, a decision had to be made: forge on with ReNew’s well-planned event, or cancel. County Administration stayed  closely in touch with the National Weather Service and AEP. At noon, on August 26th, for the first time in its sixteen year history, “Fall Into The New” was canceled.

 

But ReNew already had a complementary cleanup planned.

 

It was dubbed it the “virtual” cleanup because rather than having the large crowds expected during a normal “Fall Into The New”, dedicated volunteers can continue to clean the river on their own, and by documenting their efforts through photography and social media, virtually become the large crowd.  In support, the County Administration has placed mailboxes containing orange trash bags at all of the official boat ramps in the county.  Volunteers are encouraged to use those bags to pick up trash in and along the river and then deposit the full bags at any official boat ramp.  The county PSA will remove those bags on a regular basis.

 

 

By taking a picture of yourself with the full trash bag, you become eligible for a FREE 2020 ReNew the New River Tee-shirt.  By tagging your photo with #ReNewtheNew and posting it on social media, you will become part of the virtual crowd and help spread awareness of New River and good river stewardship.  Due to the fact that “Fall Into the New” was cancelled, the virtual cleanup will continue until the end of the year, or until the tee-shirts run out.  The tee-shirts are limited to one per volunteer.

 

 

The beautifully designed 2020 ReNew the New River tee-shirts are available at Pembroke Stop N Save adjacent to Route 460, just west of Pembroke across from the Cascades Industrial Park.  Show the trash bag selfie to the staff at Pembroke Stop N Save to receive your richly earned tee-shirt.  They have already given out a number of tee-shirts, with photos posted on their Face Book page.    Please see www.renewthenew.org. for more details.

Epic Road Trip along the New River Water Trail

Epic Road Trip along the New River Water Trail

Experience an epic outdoor road trip and staycation through Virginia’s Mountain Playground™. If you find yourself driving a motorcycle, convertible, or RV this is your map to epic outdoor adventures. Whatever your mode of transportation, Giles has your wide open adventure!

Not sure where to start on your motorcycle adventure? GearHead Moto Tours in Pearisburg can outfit your entire excursion. Looking for a totally guided experience, gear and bike included? They have that! Looking for great routes for your road or dual sport bike? They have that too! You can also pick up area motorcycle and adventure maps at their shop, GearHead Junction located in downtown Pearisburg. Motorcycle lovers bring a new sense of adventure to our playground! The Backcountry Discovery Route traverses through Giles and connects dual sport riders to the entire eastern seaboard of paved and dirt road riding.

Epic is one way to describe the feeling of experiencing Dirty Dancing for yourself! On your next staycation sleep and play at Mountain Lake Lodge. Not only is this the film location of the fan favorite film, but guests can also experience hiking trails, and the Treetop Adventure Center with archery tag, zip lines, and aerial obstacle course. Guests can enjoy access to the Appalachian Trail and the shooting sports with Clays at the Overlook. Stay in the historic stone lodge and any one of their cottages and cabins. The ride up the mountain and the sense of mountaintop escape must be added to your epic road trip! Find other great lodging options!

Sometimes the best way to experience the world around us is on foot. Park the vehicle and climb the gorge to witness the Cascades waterfall. Part of an approximate 4-mile round trip hike, this 69 foot waterfall is not to be missed. Then take it another step further- beyond the Cascades guests can hike farther up the mountain to see the Upper Cascades and even farther still to take in Barney’s Wall and the perfect views of Giles County and beyond. Be sure to be prepared for your hike and pack out what you pack in. Hike our Dismal Falls or Mill Creek Falls.

Time for a refresh and more adventure. Traveling to The Palisades Restaurant is an adventure on its own. The road trip to this destination dining experience is part of the fun! Follow mountain roads to the Village of Eggleston to enjoy contemporary, casual Appalachian food and libations in a renovate general store. Shopping next door while you wait at Gun Powder Springs Gift Shop. Also additional lodging is next door at Mr. Hunter’s Cottage. Find other Giles dining options!

Fish, float, paddle, or play along our 37 miles of the New River. Enjoy the New River Water Trail from any one of our public boat landings, or use one of our outfitters and guides to take all the guesswork out of an epic day on the water. Our outfitters and guides can direct you to the perfect section of the New River to view the majestic rock formations, enjoy still water, or the good fishing spots that don’t show up on the maps!

Wrap up your epic road trip by getting off-road to add a whole other level to your trip with ATV and UTV trails at Kairos Resort. With over 60 miles of trails on the private mountaintop resort, guests can rent a side-by-side or bring their own machines to the enjoy the trail, amazing scenic overlooks, and untouched wilderness. They have trails for dirtbikes, 4-wheelers, side-by-sides, and full size Jeeps or trucks.

So however you get here, and however your explore- whether by bike, boat, even bus! We’re right there with you, find what you love in Giles, on your epic staycation…