Crabtree falls

Last weekend I took a road trip, probably my last in the US (for a while at least). I picked the car up Friday night and did some shopping. It was only when I was driving it home (and the rental place was shut) I noticed the "maintenance required" light on the dash. Apparently it is to do with requiring an oil change (which they admitted it needed when I took it back after the trip). But I was very proud of myself by checking the oil. And happy when it seemed ok (using my extensive mechanical expertise and phoning dad). 

I set out very early (for me) Saturday morning and drove up to CrabTree falls, just over 2 hours away in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. 

Lots of green.

I was looking forward to seeing the falls, but decided against climbing around them after seeing this sign.

Some others were not as well warned. And it did not look safe!

The trail is 3.4 miles round trip with falls all the way along. And after the latest rain, in good flow.

Lowest falls

Unfortunately this also meant it was all up hill on the way up.

And the stairs begin

As I was on my own, I could take my time. And did. A lot was playing with my camera. It was all so pretty.

It was so hot! And after raining the night before, really humid. So I also took a lot of breaks. And random photos of the trail.

trail

 The trail was quiet for the most part and I had a lot of it to myself. Other than the butterflies.

I stopped 3/4th of the way up for my apple and iced vanilla cappuccino . Well, it used to be iced, but was still very good and bets my normal coffee view..

View with coffee

And there was lots of flowers out. I have no idea what they were but the pink ones were every where.

Blossoms

Flowers over the fall

flower strewn waterfalls  

up close

more

Flower strewn path to the last fall.

And there were a lot of good vistas. (I took a ton of photos - often as an excuse to pause.)

Looking back on a viewing platform

view from inside a path side cave.

I was originally only going to go to the 1.4 mile mark, where the last waterfall is. But decided, as I was there, I might as well go to the top. Very near the top, there was a stone platform with lots of these stacked stones. They seem to appear all over the place these days.

Stacked Stones  

Top falls

 And the view from the top was worth the effort.

Over the forest

bridge of the top of the creek

Start of the falls

I have some amazing new hiking shoes which were amazing. And for the most part had great grip. I only slipped on muddy rocks once. But I avoided injury as I landed with my butt in a very large and soft pile of mud! Luckily I had packed 5 outfits for the 2 day trip for exactly that reason. I am also surprised considering my usual grace and style that this was my only slip!

Last view of the falls on the way down

I ended up finishing the hike quicker than expected, so after changing the back of the car (go to love tinted windows) I took the long way around avoiding the interstate to Strasburg. It was a lovely drive though my SatNav/GPS had some interesting routes. And I left just in time. The rain started shortly after. 

The original purpose for the trip was to do my balloon flight but there weather was just too windy. :-( 

But I knew this could be the case, so had booked a nice old B&B a few miles away, the Hotel Strasburg.

Hotel

The rooms were old fashion and very cute, and the staff were great. Also the hotel had a restaurant (with great reviews) and a bar which was a lot like an English pub and made me a bit homesick. So after a much needed shower, I had a nice meals and spent a few hours in the bar, sipping red wine, reading my book and chatting to some of the locals - always an interesting experience. :-)

Villa Appalachia

Sunday Steve and I went to Villa Appalachia, a vineyard I have been wanting to go to for ages. I tried to find it last time I was in the area (on the Blue Ridge ) but couldn't find it. This time we found it though it was tricky. Steve was lucky to survive the trip! :-) 

But we were so glad we did. They have the best the Virginia Wines in the State! We originally went for the BBQ as well, but got there a bit late and they had sold out. :-( But we had a cheese plate and an amazing bottle of Sangiovese. 

Wine!

 The b=vineyard was also very pretty.

heading out.

View over the Blue Ridge from the vineyard 

windows

On the way back, we got pulled over by the State cops (something very minor), but that was an interesting experience. Especially when the cop let someone else just walk up to his ca when he pulled when over at the sam time.

After the winery and adventure, we really wanted BBQ so headed back to Blacksburg to meet up with Eva and her mom, Marty, for BBQ at Bull & Bones. 

Mabry Mills and vineyards

This past weekend I hired a car and managed to get out a bit. Friday night (when I picked up the car) involved a trip to Walmart. Not very exciting but I did find pumpkin flavored marshmallows! They actually taste like ginger bread to me but still good! I also got some bits for Thanksgiving. And takeout from Red Robin.

Most exciting Walmart find!

On Saturday, after brunch with Cait and a trip to Bollos (for treats) and Home depot (window insulation - not very exciting but my bank account will thank me later),  I headed to the south section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I have been wanting to go for Mabry Mill for a while, apparently the most photograph place in Virginia for a while. Though my photographs don't look like any I have seen. It has been a little chilly recent!

Mabry Mill and frozen pond

Really big Icicles. 

And I mean huge!

All over the place.

A small broken off section, with my bag for scaling purposes.

I want to go back when it is open. (There weren't many people there but I was not the only one very sad when the restaurant and bathrooms weren't open.) In the summer that have demonstrations and activities on. And I had been planning on the hot chocolate. :-(

Cart

Mill pond.

More ice

I loved the wheel and icicles though.

It's been very cold.

And had a lot of fun watching the ducks ice skating.

Much sliding involved (though annoyingly more graceful than me on ice!)

The mill

After the mill, I attempted to get to a winery I have been wanting to visit for a while. But my GPS said not happening. Maybe next time. I ended up at Chateau Morissette. This is the local wine you find in the supermarket. And not very good. Still the tasting room was pretty.

Chateau Morissette

Inside.

I ended up with some sweet wines, including a ice wine which were ok and pretty cheap (VA wines are usually seriously overpriced). And I got some final christmas presents so not a bad stop. After the vineyard I went to a Meade winery. It was an interesting trip. (Alongside "find fastest route" on my GPS, I want a setting saying "Route I am most likely to live through". Currently we disagree on what route that is!) I also spent most of that trip wishing for a bring orange car as it was as hunting area.

I was a bit nervous when I got there and it looked like someones house. Thankfully there were other people there doing a tasting so I figured I was in the right place and my GPS hadn't sent me to the middle of nowhere. (Seriously around some of these places you have to be careful. They will come out with a shotgun if the think you are trespassing.)

The Meade winery

Different Meades

Meade is a honey wine and I didn't realize there were so many different types. (Honestly I went there hoping they were selling the honey too. But it seemed rude not to try them as I was there!) I got 2 different ones, a pumpkin spice Meade and a raspberry Meade.
I just managed to get to my last stop before they shut (and 2 other groups had the same last minute idea) at Foggy Ridge Cider.

Outside

Inside

Tasting options

This was the first good cider I have had in a while. (Most of the cider here is apple juice - I have been disappointed here more than once.) I got a few plus the one on the end in the photo above, an apple brandy. very tasty.

I ended up sitting outside for a while before driving home for obvious reasons!

On the evening, it was work and takeout. (Most places here don't deliver, assuming everyone has their own car so I took advantage and got thai from my favorite place.) And some more wine, of course. :-)