I attended a meeting held at the Stonewall Jackson Dam project office in Roanoke, West Virginia. It involved a one night stay at the Stonewall Resort nearby.
The entrance to the resort which is a wonderful lodge.
The lobby has beautiful views of the hills and great rustic furniture.
Well, look who came with me—it’s Finn! I brought him on an impulse and I am glad that I did :). I took photos of him in the early morning before work began and the rest of the photos after the meeting ended.
This photo shows a bit of the swimming pool and beautiful scenery. I am so happy the weather is warm and sunny!
This window had a screen which affects the clarity of the photo but you can see a bit of the lake. There was a lot of boating and fishing on the lake but the Arnold Palmer golf course was really busy with golfers. They had hiking trails, paddle boats, disc golf course, camp grounds, and other recreational activities available but my trip was short and business focused. I will have to come back sometime for pleasure. They have a spa too 🙂
Finn is enjoying the sunshine outside of the project office building after the meeting was over.
Finn decided to sit a while and look at the huge Stonewall Jackson Dam. This dam impounds the water that creates all of the water recreation activities on the lake behind it.
Finn feels very small next to the dam.
Another view of the dam.
What a great day for Finn!
Finn in a grassy area.
Loving this view and there were people fishing just downstream of the dam where the water was releasing.
Another view of sweet Finn enjoying the day 🙂
Finn is walking back to the office building where the meeting was held.
Another view.
Finn loved climbing the fisherman’s access stairs both up and down.
Finn found a cool rock channel constructed on the side of the hill to manage the water run off.
Finn asked me if he could run up and down the rocks and I said “sure, as long as Mom can sit and watch!” 😉
On the outside if the building, Finn poses under a relief of General Stonewall Jackson on horse.
A closer view of the artwork.
We went inside and there was a wonderful, educational center that was very kid friendly. Finn loved it!
The mural was painted to show a Fall scene of the dam area. The birds and animals on display were either painted or preserved by taxidermy. The birds and animals were found deceased and preserved to help educate people and to increase their appreciation of the outdoors and the creatures that live there. It was a lot to take in but we tried 🙂
Finn stopped for a photo by the mural scene.
This is a close up of Finn by the “Food Chain” notebook.
Finn admiring the beauty of the birds indigenous to the area.
Lovely creatures with Finn peeking 😉
Finn loved this interactive, domed display of the watershed.
When you push the button beside a location, the area lights up where you will find it. You could see the lodge location as compared to the office location. Really neat!
A closer view of the watershed display that shows the topographic relief and how the water flows.
Finn loved the fish display too. The cubes are seats when schools or groups visit and receive a tour.
When the button is pushed by the fish name, it lights up the picture of that fish.
Closer view.
Finn loved the aquarium best of all. This blue gill was very friendly and came over to Finn immediatly to say hello.
The sweet fish really liked Finn.
In fact, this sweet blue gill could also be called a kissing fish. He gave Finn a big kiss and Finn is now a fish lover too 😉
My co-worker kindly took this photo before we left to go home. I had a great time and so did Finn! We both wish you a Happy Mother’s Day weekend! 🙂
Sasha Shangri-La 
What a great place to visit! And it looks like there was lots to keep Finn happy.
It was lovely to see you and Finn at the end. Have a great Mother’s Day.
Hugs Dee xx
Thank you Dee! I hope to go back and go to the spa! I know your Mother’s Day was a few weeks ago but I think the wonderful mothers of the world can and should celebrate with each country’s day 🙂 xx
What a super place to ‘have to go to’ for work Ginger. Lovely that you took Finn as well. He sure had a great time, so much to learn and do, and see and take in. Beautiful scenery.
Thanks Lorraine! Yes, most meetings are in office buildings in the cities and you don’t leave the buildings. It was a real treat to meet in such a lovely area and enjoy the beautiful weather and views. So glad I took Finn because, as you know, the boys love to play outdoors 🙂
This was a great blog post Ginger, I loved seeing all the activities that Finn was able to enjoy! What a lovely trip for him. It looks so very green there at the moment, after your harsh winter. I loved the photo of you both at the end, you look lovely….as I expected you would! Love that pink on you, so bright and cheerful…but then you know me and bright colours!
Big hugs, Sharon xx
Oh thank you Sharon! :). It is wonderful that winter is over and the trees are turning green. I still wear long sleeved tops because the rooms are usually very cool from the air conditioning. I plan to post more outdoor stories. Finn loves your socks 🙂 xxxx
Hi Ginger looks like you and Fin had a great time, there is always a plus side to a business meeting when it involves an over night stay xx
Hi Theresa, we did have a great time. The weather was so nice too 🙂
Don’t our Sasha Dolls just love going ‘out and about’ with us and it’s such a special treat when our cameras are on board too to take shots of our wonderful dolls enjoying their little adventures.
(Hoping though that Finn didn’t have to endure the actual meeting too but was perhaps allowed to explore the building…..although of course keeping within calling distance.)
Lovely happy photo of you and Finn.
Have a super Mother’s Day on tomorrow.
Thank you Kendal. Lucky Finn! He was spared the meeting and was very patient waiting on Mom! It was a lovely, short trip 🙂 xxxx
How enjoyable! I loved it all! This looks like such a pretty area. It reminded me of my days with The Corps of Engineers, inspecting dams… so long ago! It looks like Finn learned quite a lot. A very Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!
Hi Karen! Yes, Finn learned so very much. He may become a fish biologist now and he loves the outdoors very much 😉 xxxx
Fantastic Ginger and Finn, most educational and lovely to read all about this project. I am glad Finn came along too.
Me too Janet. It looks like I have found more opportunties for Finn photos 🙂 Have a great week! Hugs, xx
Great Pictures G!! What a fantastic place…and it was lovely to see a picture of you and Finn at the end 🙂
Oh thank you Ronny! I am a bit camera shy but Finn insisted 😉 Your boy, Quinn, will be next up on the blog helping me and the boys to celebrate Mother’s Day. Thanks for stopping by 🙂 xx