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. 

Mini Safari

For the past few weeks (read: months!), Steve and I have both been so busy, neither of us have had any time to do anything fun. For him, the hard part is now over. For me... well it never seems to end but I need a life!

So to start off the Memorial Day weekend (the same as the UK Whitson weekend), we took Eva to Fort Chiswell Animal park as she loves animals.  

Ready!

Saying hi to sleepy goat.

 As usual it was not as good as advertised but it was still fun.

Eva riding the Rhino

Springbok/gazelle 

 But Eva and I both loved the parrots - such posers! -until one of them make me scream. I didn't notice it and it squawked in my ear and I jumped a mile.

They also have some of the prettiest llamas I have seen (at least I think that is what they were). We brought  some food (of course!) and got very slobbered on. 

Feeding

 But we all loved the tortoise.

Saying hello

Though I did feel sorry for him. As is usual with these little places, they do the best they can (maybe) but they just don't give some of the animals enough room.

Trying to escape.

Staring contest

 The high light of the park was the safari bus. They had 3 acres of land with free roaming animals and a few old school buses you can take a tour on. There were a couple of ostriches and a camel (Puff) who hung around the bus loading area, knowing there will be food available.

On the look out

 And if you weren't on the look out, Puff got close. And he seemed to have saved up a huge glob of slobber just for Steve. He wasn't very amused. (I thought it was hysterical!)

Looking for food.

Puff

A little too close here.

 Going around there were bison and water buffalo coming up to the bus for food.

Spotted.

And there were some families of pot belly pigs which were so cute. The babies were adorable.

Getting their food.

"And where's my food?"

 I think it was around this time Steve just fell asleep. So Eva and I feed the animals and took some photos.

Turtles

For the most part Eva hasn't quite got the hang of using a DSLR (with me holding it just in case).

Eva's photo

But I have to say some of her shots were really good. A budding photographer!

Brilliant Eva shot.

 We were hoping the big guy (a water buffalo maybe - Eva would be able to tell me) would come over but he was too hot. (And I ended up more amused by the pigs - look at the photo carefully!).

In the shade.

Deer - a nearly extinct variety.

 But I loved the Zebra. They are so photogenic!

Having a snack.

After the park (other than the safari, the rest of the park only took 10 mins), we headed back to Christiansburg. Driving back, my passengers were fast asleep (I wish I could have taken photos - Eva's position looked like a puppet with it's strings cut) so I amused myself with the radio and singing along. After ice-cream, we also found a great little "mom 'n' pop" grocery store. They couple were adorable and gave Eva a little purse. And I got some great looking corn and ham for dinner.