Peaks of Otter

The day after we got back from our road trip, we all slept in and didn't do much. We went for lunch at Red Robins (mom wanted another burger - they are good). Other than that, we watched movies and unpacked.

On Friday we went up to the Peaks of Otter in the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mom and Dad have been wanting to see the mountains and the Blue Ridge is beautiful. I have a few books on waterfalls in Virginia, West Virginia, and North Caroline and found the Falling Water Cascades in the parkway at the Peaks of Otter (I have no idea why it is called that). It would have been nice if the leaves had turned (and I will be going back when they have) but it was a nice drive in the mountains. We took a picnic to eat in the mountains. The view wasn't great from the parking lot but it was really peaceful.

The waterfall was only a short walk from the parking lot, though the round trip in total was longer and mom was really not impressed.

At the start of the trail 

Top of the waterfall

On the bridge over the upper waterfall

Our shadows from the bridge

Fungi.

We crossed the upper falls and headed down to the base of the main waterfall. There have been lots of storms this year so there was a lot of debris. But I liked this waterfall because you could climb all around it.

Falling Water Cascades 

Falling Water Cascades

We walked along and down cascades to the bottom and crossed the bridge at the bottom. The bridge was a little shaky and was only partly rebuilt as it got washed away earlier in the year.

Lower falls bridge

Another camera war

Waiting for Dad to finish taking photos.

We then had to walk back and it was mostly up hill. Mom was not happy. And we had forgotten to take water with us so we were all really thirsty.

Mom's super fake smile!

Taking a break.

Me and dad

Tree hugger.

Mom hugger

 We were all very happy to get back to the car. :-)
On the way back we detoured to a vineyard (Peaks of Otter Vineyard) I have been wanting to visit for some time. They specialize in fruit wines. The drive there was down a narrow grave path through the mountains. The GPS had a few issues but there was only one road so it was impossible to get lost. At one point we turned left and out of the corner of my eye I saw this thing flying out of a drive to my right. It was a crazy Shitzu. My dad hit the gas and we ran away form the shitzu. Yes, we ran away in a car from a Shitzu! We had images of it biting the wheel and not letting go while we drove off. :-/
We also past what looked like a scrap yard surrounded by barbed wire, with the name "Bad Bobs" on the mail box. Hillbilly area!

The tasting finished at 4.30 and we arrived a little after but they were really nice and gave us a tasting anyway. And we ended up buying about 7 bottles. My parents brought 4 and I got 3 though one of those has been sent home for my sister.

Dad with our wine outside Peaks of Otter

Mom not very impressed with the amount of wine we brought

 For dinner that evening, I cooked the soft shell crabs I had massacred earlier in the year.

Cooking

They looked really good.

Ready to enjoy our dinner

Unfortunately we didn't enjoy the crabs as much as we had hoped. We were all looking forward to them but we think they might be a more acquired taste. But the Semillion-Chardonnay I picked up for it was nice so we didn't mind too much. And we opened one of my fruit wines too. :-) I doubt many will make it to after my parents leave!