A Few Excellent Hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia

The proprietor of B-Boyz, LLC, in Forest, Virginia, Ralph Beck invests in local real estate and develops land and homes. Recreationally, Ralph Beck enjoys keeping active, especially by hiking in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

One of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ great hikes, McAfee Knob is a celebrated part of the Appalachian Trail known for its beauty. Although a challenge, the trail is rewarding, particularly at sunset. For a longer trek, hikers can tack on the Dragon’s Tooth and Tinker Cliffs trails to McAfee Knob.

Another great option, the 8.3-mile Devil’s Marbleyard Trail requires more than five hours to complete, especially for those who want to play around on its giant boulders. Determined hikers can tack on another hour for an Appalachian Trail side trip that offers an incredible panorama of the mountains.

For something easier, individuals can check out the Otter Creek and Otter Lake Loop trails that start at the James River Visitor Center, where hikers can learn about the surrounding area. The former trail passes by several pools and an old railroad bed before linking up with the Otter Lake Loop Trail. The complete circuit, along which visitors may see beavers, amounts to just a few miles.

Local Virginia Whiskeys Available at Fifth and Federal

Financial professional Ralph Beck is a Virginia-based investor. Ralph Beck's holdings include interest in Fifth and Federal, a popular eatery known for its selection of spirits, including the following whiskeys made in Virginia: 

- Bowman Brothers Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey, from A. Smith Bowman Distillery in Fredericksburg. This small-batch, 90-proof bourbon whiskey is triple distilled to produce a refined flavor. The drink carries notes of oak and vanilla and features a pure amber color. 

- Virginia Highland Malt Whiskey, from the Virginia Distillery Company in Lovingston. This Scottish-style single malt is hand-distilled from pure malted barley and made in authentic handmade Scottish copper pot stills. The whiskey contains notes of cocoa and toffee and is aged in bourbon casks. 

- Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye, from Catoctin Creek Distilling Company in Purcellville. This 80-proof rye whiskey is made in-house using locally grown grain. The beverage is aged in white oak casts and carries both sweet and spicy flavors.