Getting to know Virginia – Charlottesville (Orchards)

October 11, 2013 by anyonecantakeapicture

There is too much to do in the Charlottesville area to put into just one post, so I’ll organize by activity.

Carter Mountain Orchards not only have the pick-your-own apples, but they also have a little country store with yummy apple cider donuts, picnic tables overlooking a spectacular view of the city below and when you go in the fall, they have pumpkins!

They have become über successful over the years! The first time we went a few years ago, the road up the mountain was dirt and there were only a couple dozen cars in the lot. When we went a couple of weeks ago, they had a nicely paved road and flaggers directing traffic to one of three parking lots! But all the best to them, they have a nice operation and delicious apples!

They happen to grow my favorite type of apple, the Mutsu (Crispin), which is why I don’t mind waiting in line for 20 minutes to pay for 5 apples! They are green, crunchy like Granny Smith, but sweet. Not a fan of red apples and I hate the soft, mushy apples, so this is literally the best apple I’ve ever had. I can only find them here at CMO or at Wegmans (if they are in season). Just all kinds of yum!

Wow, never knew I was so passionate about apples, but well, there ya go! Anyhoo, on to the pictures!

White pumpkins!?!

Michie Tavern is literally right next to Carter Mountain so we stopped by and took a few pictures there.

Ordinaries? Necessaries? I guess it’s better than saying I’m going to the toilet!

For some Charlottesvile hiking, check out the Jones Run Falls hike I did a couple of years ago at https://anyonecantakeapicture.com/2013/03/06/shenandoah-jones-run-falls-may-2011/

Lots more to come from Charlottesville, stay tuned!

Best of Richmond

October 7, 2013 by anyonecantakeapicture

Thank you, Richmond, for providing THE best sunset that I’ve seen from you since I moved here 10+ years ago. Thank you for providing the pinks and reds that I have only seen in Arizona. Thank you for a gorgeous sunset!

The color has not been enhanced or altered in any way. This is exactly what my eye saw this evening.

Sunshine 2

October 7, 2013 by anyonecantakeapicture

Getting to know Virginia – Occoquan

October 4, 2013 by anyonecantakeapicture

Ock-a-kwan? Ack-a-con?!?

Awk – like awkward – a – soft aaah not a hard aaapple – quan – like quality. Occoquan!

More info can be found here: http://www.historicoccoquan.com/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occoquan,_Virginia

Only an hour and a half North of Richmond, we visited this quaint and quiet little town back in June for the Spring Craft Show. Felt more like Dante’s Craft Show as hot and humid as it was! We ate lunch first and then only walked around for a few minutes because the heat was just too stifling to enjoy ourselves. But there was a ton of architecture I would love to go back and shoot.

Most, actually all, of the shots I took were at lunch because there were at least fans blowing (we had to eat outside) and we were in the shade. But we were still puddles of grossness by the time we finished our meal. I was just not in the mood to take any more pictures after that :(

But the restaurant was right on the river, so the scenery kept us a tiny bit distracted from the heat ;-)