Apples, Apples, Apples

APPLES, APPLES, APPLES

 

Nelson County in Central Virginia has so much to offer in the Autumn months and it sure is nice to be outdoors without humidity.

 

The Apple Orchards have their festival weekends planned. Drumheller’s Orchard, just a couple of miles from us, has two special weekends.  One is the weekend of September 26^th and 27^th and the other is October 17^th & 18^th.  They offer hay rides, a hay maze, several varieties of apples, applebutter, cider, food, crafts, honey, etc. and Country and Blue Grass Music to enjoy.  There is no admission fee.

 

Dickie Brother’s Orchard offers “pick your own apples” now through the beginning of November and they offer pick your own pumpkins the entire month of October.  What a beautiful drive out there as well!

 

Silver Creek Orchard offers “pick your own” on Sept. 12 & 13 and again on Oct. 10 and 11.

 

Seaman’s Orchard offers “Pick your own” on Sept. 19 & 20.

 

Saunder’s Brother’s Orchard does not allow you to pick your own, but they have a wonderful variety as well as a great farm shop, including, the “SCOOP”, just about the best icecream ever.

Quilt Retreat

Last week we had a new quilt group here out of the Chesapeake Bay area of Virginia. What a delightful group they were! It was our first quilt group that included a male quilter. He happened to be the husband of one of the girls and he is also a math teacher, so you can see the connection. His quilt pattern choice was lovely and near flawless. I’d say perfect, but I believe only Jesus is perfect, so we’ll leave it at that. What fun it was to hear them all singing, laughing, and kidding one another. They worked late into the night and were up at dawn. Here for three days, I believe they accomplished allot and we got to know them well. We can’t wait for their return, which they’ve already booked! Until then, happy quilting!

An Innkeeper’s Typical Holiday

For at least a week prior to the holiday, we’ve been having friends, family, and guests wish us a Happy Fourth of July and ask what are plans are for the day. As innkeepers, holidays don’t really exist unless you just don’t take any reservations. Presently, the only day we do that is Christmas.

So this is how our 4th has gone so far. Woke up at 7:00 am. Beautiful blue skies, low humidity…just perfect for someone wanting to go hiking, wine tasting, enjoy a picnic, a ballgame, a crafts fair, a dip in the pool or just a summer’s drive. After taking our showers, grabbing a quick bite to eat while standing up, we made three pots of coffee, set the tables for ten, sliced and diced peppers, onions, ham, and sweet potatoes and then made the egg batter for the frittata. I cut into the watermelon, washed and trimmed the grapes, peeled and sliced kiwi, went out to the garden to cut some parsley, garnished the plates and washed dishes as we went along. Then we poured juices and water in pitchers for the table. We made and baked biscuits. In the meantime, I went up and started a load of laundry. We greeted our guests for the day and fed them and then Richard provided them with ideas for their day and directions. We made a batch of cookies. We cleared the tables, and washed the dishes and swept the floor. I drove to the dump to get rid of the garbage only to be turned around due to the parade going through town. Richard went out and worked in the vineyard for two hours. I went to the fruit stand to pick up fresh peaches for tomorrow’s breakfast and one of probably a few stops at the grocery store to get something I need and don’t know about yet. When I returned home, most of the guests were gone for the day so we made their beds, emptied their trash, cleaned up their dishes and tidied the bathrooms. I continued with the laundry and restocked the beverages in the fridge for guests. After a quick 5 minute lunch break, we prepared our overnight peaches and cream French toast for breakfast tomorrow. Back to more dishes from lunch, breakfast preparation for tomorrow and the ones we took out of guest rooms. After lunch, we visited a few minutes with a couple of guests who were sitting outside and took them a glass of iced tea. Then it was off to the guest house to clean from this morning’s check-outs. Richard took on the three bathrooms and I made the three beds. We then swiffered the floors and ran the vac, emptied the trash, and emptied the dishwasher down there and stocked the fridge with items for guests checking in there tomorrow. More laundry to gather up and back to the main inn to continue washing sheets and towels. After that we checked the chemicals in the hot tub, straightened up the pool deck from the guests who used it earlier, pulled a few weeds around the patio and back to folding laundry. Finally, we got to take off for a couple of hours to enjoy a quick bite to eat with good friends. Happy Fourth of July!

Starry Nights

Summer is in full swing with plenty to do in the beautiful countryside of Nelson County. We still have availability for the July 10th weekend for anyone who was too late for their 4th of July plans. Veritas Vineyards & Winery is having another fabulous Starry Nights on the 11th. Stay with us and we’ll supply you with a couple of nice lawn chairs or a blanket where you can sit and picnic, listen to music, dance, drink some fine Virginia wine, and wait for the stars to come out. This runs from 7:00 pm until 11:00 pm so if you really wanta party, hit the Cardinal Point Winery Concert series beginning at 5:00 pm before going to Veritas.

Summer Activities in Central Virginia

With the arrival of summer comes the opportunity for a lot of activities here in Central Virginia in Nelson County and beyond. Starry Nights at Veritas Winery and Vineyard is among our guests favorites. Once a month they have a band that comes in around dinner time. You take your picnic or you can purchase one from them, bring a blanket or chairs, and sit out in their spectacular vineyards with magnificent views all around you while you listen to some great music, chat with others, watch the fireflies dance and finally gaze at the stars that light up the skies of the country without the city lights.

Another Nelson County Winery, Cardinal Point, has a summer concert series as well where they have live music and encourage you to bring a picnic and enjoy the view of their mountainous backdrop.

Wintergreen Resort has their annual Festival of Wines where you can not only enjoy sampling many local wines, but listen to jazz, feast on a light fare and cool off with the fresh mountain air. And don’t miss their spectacular 4th of July fireworks. The best ever! You sit on top of the mountain while they shoot the fireworks off from below so they are exploding at eye level. No cricked necks after these fireworks.

With all the rain this spring has brought us, the waterfall flows at Crabtree Falls should be plentiful and make your hike up the mountain cool and refreshing on a hot summer day.

Consider renting our inflatable Coleman Kayak and paddle around beautiful Sherando Lake where you hike, paddle, picnic and swim.

Don’t feel like going anywhere? Then just lay out in our hammocks and catch up on those summer novels and take a dip in the pool. We’re sure you’ll see why so many return again and again to rural Virginia and the Orchard House Bed & Breakfast.

SPRING is Ending

We have had a pretty wet spring here in Central Virginia. We sure needed it though. We’ve had a drought here for the last few years. I am ready for some dryer days though. We have enjoyed the daffodils, tulips, cherry blossoms, dogwood blooms, azaleas, rhododendrums, peonies, and irisis over the past couple of months. They are gone now and the air lingers with the smell of the honeysuckle which grows all around the property. We have yet to see the Butterfly bushes, the wisteria, and the hydrangeas. Hopefully Richard won’t mow down my beautiful blue hydrangea this year and maybe the deer will leave it alone. The vineyard is doing magnificent and for now we haven’t had too much of a problem with the deer. Although we’ve had many rabbits around, the population is much less than it was last year at this time. Could be due to the fox I saw crossing the driveway this week. There have been a few ducks make their home on our pond for a few weeks and then they were gone. The bluebirds seem to enjoy the vineyard. They like landing on the wire fencing. Evenings still bring the singing of the peepers and crickets. With the end of cooler temperatures brings an end to our population explosion of ladybugs and stink bugs. Can’t be too soon for me. Of course, now the bees are abundant and Richard does not like bees. Most of the people who know us aren’t surprised when they drive by on a hot summer day and see Richard riding the mower in his bee suit. He looks so funny, but at least he’s not getting stung. And another week or so should bring the lightening bugs. They light up the sky around here like the fourth of July. Just amazing!
Now, if only the pool would heat up.

Strawberries!

My favorite season is here! I love it when everything is green, the flowers are blooming and activity abounds all around us. Here at the Orchard House we try to use as many local products as we can, including coffee, eggs, fruits, herbs, vegetables, etc. Seaman’s Orchard and strawberry patch just opened for the season. Over the next several weeks, I’ll be heading out there about twice a week to get the freshest, juiciest strawberries ever. For me, the best part of going there is the view. It is totally encircled by farmlands and rolling hills dotted with cows leading to the Blue Ridge Mountains. I usually get there early before the heat moves in and the air is fresh and crisp. It is a great way to start my day and the end results will be a great way for you to start yours when you stay with us.

Navy 3, Army 1 (B&B Military Discount)

We have always had quite a few military people stay with us either just prior to deployment or while on leave. However, this past week we had four couples in a three day period. One eloped while here, one recently eloped, one was expecting a baby and another was about to be deployed. We always feel so sad when they tell us where they are headed or where they have come from, but none of them complain or express fear. They are doing their duty and they are not about to speak ill of that. We are so proud and honored to have any of our military branches, whether Navy, Army, Marines, Coast Guard or Air Force and we offer a 10% discount and promise to treat you well. Thank you for Serving our Country. USA!!

Spring Happenings

We’ve finally been getting some sunny and warm days. Along with warm weather comes lots of outside work that we get to take a bit of a break from in the colder months. Richard and I got the vines tied up in the vineyard. Lacey and Cali helped by following us up and down the rows. Richard power washed the back and side of the house, and the patio. Then he repainted the patio. We brought the hammocks up out of the basement. Richard mowed the yard today and after I cleaned up from last nights guests and got things ready for today’s incoming guests, which was about 2:30 this afternoon, I went out for a quick reprieve in the hammock and just let the sun beat down on me. We’ll be getting things ready for opening the pool next month too. The daffodils have about seen their last days. The tulips are still hanging on while the Bradford Pears white flowers became green leaves, the dogwoods and crabapple trees blossomed. The azaleas are opening as well. If only flowers lasted for more than a couple of weeks.

We had some wonderful folks here this week. Often we get service couples here while on leave and this week we had two couples. One couple was here while he was on a short leave from his service in the Army in Kuwait. Another was celebrating a last minute getaway before he heads off for another tour in Iraq with the Navy. Neither knew each other but quickly became friends and sat up till the early morning hours talking like old friends. They exchanged contact information before departing. We pray for their safe and quick return.

Jefferson’s Monticello

 

 

Thomas Jefferson would be in Awe

 

Yes, Thomas Jefferson would be in awe of the new Monticello Visitors Center due to open on April 15, 2009.  On two recent dates of March 18^th and 25^th Monticello opened the new visitor center for a private showing for their “Preferred Business Partners” like ourselves.  Yes, the Orchard House Bed and Breakfast has been a Preferred Lodging partner since the creation of the program in 2005. 

 

I (Richard) toured the new center on the 25^th of March and I have to say I was extremely impressed.  Having toured many museums and volunteered at Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, Vermont, which up until now I thought really surpassed them all, it was clear to me that Monticello has left the others in their dust.

 

Starting with the complex itself, the design and layout is warm, inviting, and very organized.  It is 100% handicap accessible and kid-safe.  It is spacious and not over powering such that it really allows the exhibits to stand out in full grandeur for you to admire and study.

 

Beginning at the ticket counter it just keeps getting better.  From there to the Visitor Center, to the shuttle ride up to and including Monticello, the house, you will meet some of the nicest and most knowledgeable people ever.  Feel free to ask them any question.  I have yet to stump any of them.

 

Your next move is onto the theater.  Here is where Jefferson would start to drool.  The inside of the theater is warm with comfortable seating and large enough to handle a good number of people.  Just before the movie starts the curtains close automatically and slowly enticing you to what is to follow.  The lights slowly dim and you could hear a pin drop as both adults and children are in silence.  The movie was very well done and amazes me how I learn something knew every time I visit Monticello.  The movie is just filled with new and exciting facts about the life of Jefferson leaving you anxious to move on to the rest of the exhibits.

 

The exhibit hall is incredible.  The first stop is at the large wall of flat panel screens to the right as you enter.  They display an impressive historical perspective of the life of Jefferson.  But that’s not all.  The wall is filled with interactive touch screen panels that display a never ending wealth of information at the touch of a finger.  You can spend hours here alone.

 

Across the hall is what I will call the architectural room.  It is filled with scaled models, artifacts and cross sectional structures depicting the building of Monticello.  There is a video screen in the room that gives a 10 minute show of how Jefferson made changes to Monticello.  It is labeled Monticello I and Monticello II.  These are all thing that are explained to you in the regular house tour but you really don’t get the magnitude of it until you visit this exhibit.

 

On the second floor are artifacts and exhibits pertaining to the day to day lives of family and workers that surrounded Jefferson.  There is a humorous video that shows the way Jefferson’s mind worked as he would think about his inventions and day to day calculations and statistics.  As you leave the exhibit center stop for a moment and look at the floor in the foyer.  I won’t tell you what you will see; you will just have to go there and look for yourself.

 

Don’t forget the Discovery Center.  It’s in the bottom level and a must see for both adults and children.  Here you can touch and play with everything. Just don’t jump on the bed.   But check this out.  Lift up the mattress on the bed and take a look.  The Virginia Drama department students made a plywood replica of the real bed’s support system.  It’s the intricate details such as this that make this place impressive.

 

Finally, stop for lunch or snacks at the coffee shop.  There is no need to pack a lunch anymore.  Everything you need is right there.  Oh, and don’t forget the gift shop.  Not something on my list, but I think my wife Deb could spend some time and money in there.  And while you are there don’t forget to buy some great local Virginia Wine!

 

The Monticello experience has increased tenfold in my opinion.  You can spend time at the Visitor Center before your house tour and I am sure will spend more time after your tour.  Not only is this now a full day experience if you like, but it is surely an experience that will bring you back again and again.  In the two and a half hours I spent at the center, I simply did not see it all.  I will surely return.

 

The Preferred Partner Program:

 

Deb and I, here at the Orchard House, are proud to have been selected and inspected by Monticello and listed as a preferred lodging partner.  We were among the first ten that were selected when the program started.  What this means for you as our guests, is an Inn that meets the high standards of Monticello.  Not only do we provide you with an outstanding Bed and Breakfast experience, we are, in a sense remote docents on behalf of Monticello.  We can provide you with tour scheduling and tickets, as well as some great breakfast conversation about Thomas Jefferson and his Monticello.