Helene cleanup and recovery. Updates on local areas affected by the storm.

[@AppalachianDiscovery]

Hello Beautiful Virginia. Just wanted to say thanks for showing creek junction, and grassy ridge (my parents own the house down at creek junction and it got flooded) but we appreciate you getting out and showing KZbin, and by extension, the world the damage from the storm.

[@beautifulvirginia9629]

@@AppalachianDiscovery Thank you my friend for watching and commenting on this video. Hope all is well for your fam. Sucks they got caught up in all the carnage. You guys have a great day.

[@AppalachianDiscovery]

@ I appreciate it! Not too long before this mess I posted a video down there on my KZbin channel. It may give a little insight to what it was like before Helene. 👍🏼

[@beautifulvirginia9629]

@AppalachianDiscovery I'll check it out after work.

[@dougscamo2032]

A small ray of sunshine, the trout surviving inthe deeper pool at Creek Junction! Great video! Thanks

[@beautifulvirginia9629]

Thanks, bud. Appreciate you.

[@LeslieRobillard]

Thank you for this video. I love how you narrate & educate. It’s amazing how a storm can cause so much destruction. I’ll never get used to watching the damage. You seee something new every time. Hope you have a great week and I’m looking forward to your next video. Stay safe❤😊

[@beautifulvirginia9629]

@@LeslieRobillard Thank you for watching Leslie.

[@garycallahan7867]

If you look at the upper end of the campground across from Bicycle Junction there are 2 large concrete slabs that were part of the trail where it went under the 91 Bridge. Those huge slabs are over 1/4 mile downstream. That is the force of the water that came down. We also saw the Bald Eagle at Alverado Station Tuesday afternoon. Another great video.

[@kat.b.3556]

I loved walking with you today!

[@beautifulvirginia9629]

Thanks for the company. I love walking with all of you!!!

[@Curated_Properties_Explores]

Really enjoy seeing where you explore and what you share for those who can't get out. I was bummed to miss exploring with you. #fishing #Virginiacreepertrail #damascusva #HurricaneHelene #BeautifulVirginia9629

[@weezydoesit9399]

You know you da best right???

[@Curated_Properties_Explores]

@weezydoesit9399 Thank you baby!

[@patmcgraw-nb7lg]

Thanks for documenting the progress on repairs!

[@robingastonia9192]

It is really amazing to see just how peaceful the stream is now but then you see all the damage done by the raging waters during the storm. There is so much tree damage, how is it ever going to all be cleaned up? I know it will take a very long time. I know there was so many chemicals in the water, is it even safe to burn the firewood for people to even keep warm this winter? It really breaks my heart to see all of the damage. My heart is crying for our mountain communities

[@roquinn6824]

Have you considered going down by Grindsone campground and seeing any damage done to the creek in that area?

[@beautifulvirginia9629]

I will try to check it out.

[@Squium]

Thanks for your great work ! I have been thinking that there might be some surviving portion of the Creeper Trail from White Top Station down toward Green Cove since there is no close-by creek following the trail way up there. Surely the High Trestle is OK. I have been told that the Creeper is "off-limits" from White Top to Damascus but what about that upper-most part? It would be great if you could checkout that part, assuming you could drive up to it.

[@Curated_Properties_Explores]

We hope to go do that this coming weekend! Our first hike/video was from the lowest Christmas tree farm on the Creeper and down.

[@rt3box6tx74]

Poo on correct pronunciation. Regional differences give our regions their charm. What is wrong with people who insist on correcting us. It's not like we didn't know what you were talkin about. Bless you for showing us the good and bad you find along the way. Even though it's sad for them, it makes sense that some places will be off limits for rebuilding. Thanks again for your videos.

[@beautifulvirginia9629]

Thank you.

[@RedRubyFarm]

I agree on the pronunciation critique, we really don’t need to hear you & really don’t want your opinion, I just don’t like people that have nothing else to do but correct others, it’s just a real sour smell to me!

[@JoshBlevins-y9b]

If you're interested in seeing a real debris flow go to upper end of the creek junction lot. Across the creek on the a.t. it started on grassy ridge road and traveled a long way down the mountain. Half mile or more.

[@beautifulvirginia9629]

@@JoshBlevins-y9b I'll check it out

[@GraceCook-g1l]

Seeing those pictures of missing people on that story board reminds me of 911. So much gone. So many missing and dead.

[@beautifulvirginia9629]

I think that was a family photo that got caught up in the flood waters. Very sad to see none the less.

[@BruceEllmaker]

💞

[@IAmYouProveMeWrong]

I said it before, and I'll say it again, the Virginia Creeper Trail should be repaired and passable by the time that Hwy 58 is finished. 1 year. It's not a wish, it's not a promise, and its not a bet. It's an ideal that should empowered and inspire everyone to work harder on the trail. Lets also work on getting federal funding coming into this picture of devastation. What good is our federal government if it cant help out in times like this? I dont really understand allnof the politics surroundi this, but Sate funding and more grant money at a minimum. And yes, I hav seen that particular section of the Creeper mentioned in the video where it's washed out for a hundred yards. It's in my video "I Walked Up The Virginia Creeper." There are more sections like that also. You've covered most all of them, Beautiful Virginia! However, please think practically folks. In the case of that particular section mentioned in the video, two "temporary" bicycle traffic bridges could be built along with a temporary gravel trail thru the rocky area. In most cases we dont even need these massive "train" trestles to be rebuilt, other than the private property areas that use the Creeper to access their homes with cars/trucks. All we really need is lots of trail repair and smaller bridges that can support bicycle and trail maintenance vehicle weights. This is truth and anyone who expects the trestles to be rebuilt in their "original glory" is kidding themselves. Now some might say that I am kidding myself by saying the Creeper should be done by the time Hwy 58 is finished (1 year). However, like I said it is a vision not a promise. What I fear and what I hate is when people start convincing themselves of how long something is gonna take, as in "2 to 3 years" or more. This takes the emergency out of an emergency, and it takes the passion out of those who want to help. It also allows a "long fix" to sometimes become a "permanent" reality as in the trail never gets fixed, and I know that none of us want to empower that possible reality. With the right funding and the right help the Creeper could easily be rebuilt by the time Hwy 58 is finished. Its gonna take forward thinkjng not backwards thinking, and in a lot of cases, the "temporary" fixes to the trail will not be as magnificent as its original glory, but the ride will still be the same. It saddens me horrifically to think of the economic devastation that will be forced on all of the locally surrounding small towns if the Creeper actually takes "2 to 3 years, or more" to be repaired. This is unacceptable and should be fought against by every person who loves this trail and this area. We have to think smarter not harder, use your head not your back, and rebuild quicker and more practically. Again Ill say, most of the trestles do not have to be rebuilt as they were. We need smaller more easily built wooden bridges and possibly short but temporary reroutings of the Creeper trail itself. No one should be accepting a long ass timeline because thats not gonna help anything get done any quicker. Again I will also say, if the Virginia Creeper Trail is allowed to remain closed past the Spring of 2026, then it will absolutely decimate the economies of many many local small towns, possibly beyond survival. The current situation is already doing exactly that. Accept no less than 1 year folks, Spring of 2026 at the latest. Let's work on getting the right federal funding in here to help make that happen. And start thinking smarter not harder. I say all of these things not out of my own personal fears or ego. I say these things out of my deep and absolute love for Damascus and the surrounding area that I call home. -Local Damascan

[@beautifulvirginia9629]

@@IAmYouProveMeWrong like I said, it would be nice. There is a lot to do though and i just dont know where we will get the money.

[@philiphorner31]

Voting and property tax records should have been combed for missing people.

[@GraceCook-g1l]

What is the history of the Creeper Trail? Seems a strange name.

[@beautifulvirginia9629]

Name came from the old trains creeping up the mountain.

[@LindaGlenn-p1j]

No comparison to what happened in WNC we still have unpassable roads and people with no power pure devastation

[@beautifulvirginia9629]

@@LindaGlenn-p1j Here as well. I cant show everything in one video. I am also pretty sure there were sections of impassable roads in this video. There are many more in the area. They are working their butts off to get it all fixed back. I will say one last time, it's not a competition. Try telling the many people that lost everything that oh its not that bad.

[@Curated_Properties_Explores]

@LindaGlenn-p1j No one is comparing. @BeautifulVirginia9629 is documenting OUR area and on-the-ground situation. He's also showing those who can not physically explore on their own what Hurricane Helene damaged in the areas that they love. And, he is, thankfully, showing the recovery work completed or in process by the community, county, state, and the federal government working together. When a tiny community, and those nearby, loses homes, businesses, and two huge economic drivers - the Virginia Creeper Trail and Appalachian Trail - It. Is. Devastating. People near and far love the Creeper, AT, and the area. They come to hike, ride, fish, eat, and stay in Airbnbs like mine. They support all the local businesses who, in turn, buy local products, hire local team, and recommend other local businesses to our guests. Those past visitors have given private donations, traveled to physically volunteer, and lovingly sharing their fondest memories and heartfelt prayers on this channel, Facebook and beyond. That sharing of love is the glue that uplifts us all. Our area has gathered supplies for NC and shared those no longer needed as our recovery is slowly made. We've sent volunteers, driven the supplies, money, and love to NC. Thank You for sharing your 'caring' thoughts with us.

[@Curated_Properties_Explores]

@LindaGlenn-p1j No one is comparing. @BeautifulVirginia9629 is documenting OUR area and OUR on-the-ground situation. He's also showing those who can not physically explore what Hurricane Helene damaged in the areas that they love. And, he is, thankfully, showing the recovery work completed or in process by the community, county, state, and the federal government working together. When a tiny community, and those nearby, loses homes, businesses, and two huge economic drivers - the Virginia Creeper Trail and Appalachian Trail - It. Is. Devastating. Visitors from near and far Love the Creeper, AT, and the area. They come to hike, ride, fish, eat, and stay in Airbnbs like mine. They support all the local businesses who, in turn, buy local products, hire local team, and recommend other local businesses to our guests. Those Visitors along, with endless locals, have returned the LOVE they feel when they visit by donating cash and supplies and are traveling to physically volunteer. They are also sharing their fondest memories and heartfelt prayers on this channel, Facebook, and Instagram. Together, we All become the glue that connects and uplifts our community. Our area has gathered supplies and shared those no longer needed as recovery is slowly made. We've sent volunteers, driven the supplies, and love to NC. Thank you for your 'concern,' Linda. It's heartwarming to see such profound empathy for a community working tirelessly to rebuild after devastation. Your 'contribution' to the recovery has been noted.

[@dianahardin494]

I would love to help. Someone would have to get me.