Foggy Ridge Cider in southwestern Virginia

The back roads of Virginia never disappoint, and this adventure was no exception. Foggy Ridge Cider … what a delightful discovery on the back roads of Virginia as we explored.... (see photos, read more here)

Exploring a wintry Skyline Drive on the first day of February

 Heed the sign. Skyline Drive reopened for the weekend after being closed for a while due to snow and ice. While most of it was clear, there were definitely areas in shady curves that were covered. Easy going took care of it on this first day of February 2014. It's unusual for the National Park Service to plow the Drive so we took advantage of the break in the harsh winter weather and the cleared road to check it out.

 Winter in the Blue Ridge Mountains ... Shenandoah National Park did not disappoint.

 This flock of wild turkeys was crossing the road ahead of us. Half of them had already disappeared into the woods by the time I took this picture.

 Countless deer were on the road and looked at us almost as if they were perturbed at the disturbance of their solitude when vehicles were not normally in the Park.

 I love the winter woods where the views never quit and you can see the mountain terrain ... rocks and boulders, trees, laurel, streams, the Appalachian Trail as it meanders the ridges, old road beds, and forgotten stone walls.

 These mountain laurel bushes will be a riot of color in June, and I'll be back to again take photos of their beautiful pink flowers.

 Footprints in the snow ... memories.

 There were a number of hikers enjoying the warm winter day.

Critter count: 2 dozen wild turkeys, almost that many deer, 2 squirrels, and 1 opossum.

Byrd Visitor Center located at Big Meadows (Mile Post 51) is open weekends. However, we stayed on the south end of the Drive. No one was at the Afton Mountain entrance station when we arrived at mid-morning but he was there when we left in the afternoon. Pit toilets were available at Dundo picnic area, and the overlooks were plowed as well as the trail parking lots. The temperature at mid-day hit 40 degrees with bright sunshine, clear skies, and slightly blustery conditions. While many concentrate on Super Bowl Sunday, some may want to take advantage of a day in the mountains.

The Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed at the Afton entrance.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
February 1, 2014

Virginia back roads ... Foggy Ridge Cider

"It is indeed bad to eat apples. It is better to make them all into cider ."
--Benjamin Franklin

 Foggy Ridge Cider ... what a delightful discovery on the back roads of Virginia as we explored communities near the Blue Ridge Parkway! You've heard of Dugspur, right? No? It's a tiny little community tucked away off Rt. 58 in Carroll County, and that was where we were headed to check out this award-winning cider. After all, September is apple season in the Commonwealth.

The website had an inviting greeting that intrigued me: "At Foggy Ridge Cider we value a rural life. Dirt roads, starry skies and plenty of wildlife are more important to us than WalMart, Hardees or a shopping mall. The surrounding three counties average 1.3 traffic lights and less than 20,000 people per county. This is a good thing.While we're not on the beaten path, we are easy to find and will greet all visitors with a warm and gracious welcome."

I like places that are off the beaten path so we set out in search of Foggy Ridge Cider, following Buffalo Mountain in the distance and the wildflowers along the roadways and the occasional brightly-colored tree signaling fall had arrived. It was late September and the weather was sunny and cool.

We arrived just in time for a tasting with two other couples. Lynn was our warm and friendly server and entertainer, providing an excellent presentation of artisan cider and story-telling that kept everyone laughing as they tossed out verbal observations after each offering. The comfortable feeling was of seven friends enjoying an afternoon drinking hand-crafted cider while overlooking the orchard with Buffalo Mountain in the background.

 Buffalo Mountain. It was said that in pioneer days, children were given permission to roam as long as they had Buffalo Mountain in their sights. It can be seen from a thirty-mile radius. It looms over the orchard at Foggy Ridge.

Reviews over the years have been numerous and glowing, as seen in the framed copies on the walls of the tasting room.

Diane Flynt, owner and cider artist, wrote: "Simple is often best–think of a just caught whole fish brushed with fruity olive oil and grilled on a bed of fresh herbs. Or pasta topped with fresh tomatoes, basil and a syrupy balsamic vinegar. Simple is also best with cider. Foggy Ridge Cider begins in the orchard with apples carefully selected for their unique flavors and grown for taste, not appearance. In our cidermaking, we aim to put this fruit in the bottle with minimal manipulation."

We adopted three bottles to take home for enjoying and sharing.

First Fruit cider blends early season American heirloom apples to create a rich fruity cider with lively acidity to drink, like Thomas Jefferson, on its own or with a meal.

Foggy Ridge Handmade, bottled in baby champagne bottles, is for sale only at restaurants, retailers, and at Foggy Ridge Cider Mill. This crisp cider made from Newtown Pippin apples has beautiful soft tannins and a delicate apple flavor with light pear notes. 

Award-winning medals.

Overlooking the apple orchards ... Buffalo Mountain is in the distance.

Sometimes the best treasures are found in the tucked-away corners of Virginia and beyond. Foggy Ridge is one of those treasures. Years ago I said there had never been a gravel road that I didn't want to explore and find out where it went. Thankfully, SWAC Husband indulges my free spirit and good-naturedly goes along with my curiosity which has resulted in a lifetime of special memories sharing the places we've traveled and the sights we've seen.

This was just one more stop on our September journey along the Blue Ridge Parkway as we continued south to North Carolina....

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
September 27, 2013

Peaks of Otter Lodge now OPEN

 Peaks of Otter Lodge with Sharp Top Mountain in the background.

Good news! Peaks of Otter Lodge and Restaurant have reopened amid the continued government shutdown, good news for travelers on the Blue Ridge Parkway during peak autumn leaf season.

The company that runs the concession released a statement, according to WSET TV-13:

"Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts is thrilled to announce the re-opening of Peaks of Otter Lodge effective noon Saturday, October 12. The restaurant will open with a limited menu for dinner service. The shuttle to Sharp Top Mountain will not be operating as all National Park Service services remain closed. We would like to thank our employees and our guests for their support and loyalty.

Our employees are excited to get back to work serving guests and creating memorable experiences. Fall is a beautiful time to visit Peaks of Otter Lodge and we look forward to continuing a successful first season as operators.

Peaks of Otter Lodge is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway - an open and gate-free commuter road. Because of its unique position, we were able to re-open the iconic and popular property just in time for the best views of fall foliage. The Lodge is open through December 1.

Shenandoah National Park, among other national parks where Delaware North operates, remains closed due to the government shutdown. We remain hopeful for a resolution in the near future."

Nancy's Candy Company in Meadows of Dan

We stumbled on Nancy's Candy Company while traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway in September. SWAC Husband picked up a small package of cinnamon candy at Explore Park outside Roanoke and discovered it had been made in Virginia at Meadows of Dan. We were heading south on the Parkway so decided to look it up.

Within a mile of the Parkway at Meadows of Dan, there it was -- Nancy's Candy Company -- all decorated for Halloween.

It all started with this little package of cinnamon candies.

Nancy's makes some candies and packages some bulk products. Their selection of fall and Halloween candies was impressive.

There was an even wider selection of homemade candies that are crafted on-site in the candy kitchen.

From Nancy's website:

In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a small mountain community where pride in accomplishment is still important. This is the home of my Candy Factory. With the help of caring neighbors, we make the greatest tasting fudge, chocolates and truffles.

Using the finest chocolate, fresh cream and butter and a little extra patience, I developed my original recipe for creamy fudge, decadent truffles, homestyle chocolates and lots more. Folks say our candy is the best they’ve ever had.

Come visit us and shop our three candy stores – you’ve never seen so many luscious chocolates, mouth- watering fudges, artisan truffles and handmade candies. And at factory prices!

If you're near Meadows of Dan or Mabry Mill or that part of Virginia, stop by and visit with the folks at Nancy's.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
September 27, 2013