Carter Mountain Orchard offers Virginia apples, pumpkins, and views

 

Last night’s low temperature west of Staunton was 39 degrees so today seemed perfect to visit Carter Mountain outside Charlottesville. The mountaintop orchard offers not only apples, pumpkins, gourds, and country store goods but it also provides one of the most outstanding long-range views in central Virginia — east toward Richmond and west toward.... (Photos, continue reading here)

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)

Nelson County: A trip to Saunders Brothers for Virginia apples and peaches and garden veggies

 One of the best things about summer in Virginia is the fresh produce available from local growers. My Richmond sister and I met up in Charlottesville Wednesday and headed down Rt. 29 to Saunders Brothers Produce in southern Nelson County. The ride was gorgeous through the rolling countryside with vistas of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. We passed through Lovingston and on to Rt. 56 where we turned toward the mountains. Just a couple of miles up the road on the right was Saunders Brothers.

 What a treat to find Gala apples available as well as late summer peaches -- white and yellow -- and a variety of other fruits and vegetables. We loaded up on Galas, peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe, corn on the cob, and yellow squash. Who needs meat for dinner with all those veggies?

 So for lunch and dinner I've been cooking squash and onions and corn on the cob, and adding them to the tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers out of our garden. Oh man ... that's good stuff. I'm trying to enjoy as much of this as possible because it's getting late in the summer growing season which means the fresh goodies will begin to play out. My kitchen smells like ripe peaches as I wait for them to get to just the right ripeness to peel and cut up for the freezer. That will extend summer for a little longer.

 Saunders has lots of fall apples that will be coming in through October plus whatever other produce will be available. This was our third trip this summer ... we'll be back before too long.

Saunders Brothers is a family business that started in 1915. Through trials and tribulations, they have made it to the point where they are today. Virginians supporting Virginia businesses....

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
August 21, 2013

Pick you own blueberries in Roseland, Va

Overcast skies and cooler temperatures were perfect as my sister and I stopped by Seaman's Orchards to pick blueberries on Thursday. The mountains in the distance were fog-shrouded and beautiful as we gazed toward the Blue Ridge.

Blueberry bushes were loaded with ripe, plump berries that drew my sister like a moth to flame. In years past, it was a 4th of July tradition to pick blueberries on the Northern Neck of Virginia since our family spent that holiday with family who owned a summer home. The tradition died when they did and we sold the house and, thus, the beginning of new Independence Day traditions.

Along a ridge are apple and cherry trees as well as blueberries and strawberries.

The scenic views are an added plus.

Seaman's Orchards in Roseland.

And then we headed toward the mountains in the distance to explore the hollows.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
July 11, 2013

2008 Apple Festival at Graves Mountain Lodge this weekend

It's apple season in the mountains of Virginia and nowhere is that celebrated more than at the Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival. For the 39th year, this popular October event will offer apples, music, food, and the stunning colors of fall leaves.

This year's festival will run October 11-12, 2008, and October 18-19, 2008, rain or shine.

Entertainment will feature bluegrass music, cloggers, arts and crafts, hayrides, and horseback rides.

Pick your own Red and Golden Delicious, Stayman, York, Winesap, Mutsu Fuji, Granny Smith and Empire apples in the Graves family's orchards, or buy them bagged and ready to go. The old way of making apple butter can be experienced with kettles over an open fire.

Lunch is served in the festival area and reservations are not required. Home cooked meals will be served in the covered picnic pavilion each Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am- 4:30 pm or as long as the food stores hold out! The menu is Brunswick Stew, Cornbread, Applebutter, Applesauce and Apple cider. Hamburgers, hotdogs and fries are also available

Meals at the lodge:
At the main lodge lunch is served from 12:00 pm- 1:30 pm, dinner from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Please call 540-923-4231 for reservations.

Gift Shop located in at the main lodge offers clothing, gift items, preserves, toys, jewelry, and country gifts.

Free Admission/Free Parking

Graves’ Mountain Lodge Inc.
205 Graves' Mountain Lane
Route 670Syria, Virginia 22743
540-923-4231/ Fax 540-923-4312

Apple Festival at Graves Mountain Lodge

It's apple season in the mountains of Virginia and nowhere is that celebrated more than at the Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival. For the 39th year, this popular October event will offer apples, music, food, and the stunning colors of fall leaves.

This year's festival will run October 11-12, 2008, and October 18-19, 2008, rain or shine. Entertainment will feature bluegrass music, cloggers, arts and crafts, hayrides, and horseback rides.

Pick your own Red and Golden Delicious, Stayman, York, Winesap, Mutsu Fuji, Granny Smith and Empire apples in the Graves family's orchards, or buy them bagged and ready to go. The old way of making apple butter can be experienced with kettles over an open fire.

Lunch is served in the festival area and reservations are not required. Home cooked meals will be served in the covered picnic pavilion each Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am- 4:30 pm or as long as the food stores hold out! The menu is Brunswick Stew, Cornbread, Applebutter, Applesauce and Apple cider. Hamburgers, hotdogs and fries are also available

Meals at the lodge:
At the main lodge lunch is served from 12:00 pm- 1:30 pm, dinner from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Please call 540-923-4231 for reservations.

Gift Shop located in at the main lodge offers clothing, gift items, preserves, toys, jewelry, and country gifts.

Free Admission/Free Parking

Graves’ Mountain Lodge Inc.
205 Graves' Mountain Lane
Route 670
Syria, Virginia 22743
540-923-4231/ Fax 540-923-4312

Graves' Mountain "Apple Harvest Festival" in the Blue Ridge

A 38-year tradition, Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria (north of Charlottesville) celebrates autumn with their annual "Apple Harvest Festival" held this weekend Oct. 13-14 and next weekend, Oct. 20-21. Nestled at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it offers a wonderful taste of fall in a festive atmosphere.

Watch apple butter and Brunswick stew as it is cooked in kettles over an open fire. Food, entertainment, cloggers, arts and crafts, hay maze, hay mountain, hayrides, horseback rides, pick your own apples, apple products, and an educational farm are all part of the fun that is Graves Mountain Lodge.

I was introduced to Graves Mountain years ago by a friend from Richmond whose family had spent every summer vacationing at the lodge, horseback riding, eating the scruptious country cooking ... and she relayed many happy childhood memories of that special place. It was run by the Graves family and was a small operation in those days but has since grown to a much larger business reflecting the popularity they have enjoyed over the years.

Apple Harvest at Graves' Mountain Lodge ... you will come away amazed.

Graves Mountain Lodge
Rt. 670
Syria, VA 22743
Festival runs 10 am-4:30 pm

Autumn in the Valley ... Apple Days at Christ UMC in Staunton

Apple Days
Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007
7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Breakfast Buffet
Apples, pies, dumplings, apple butter, crafts

I drove by Christ United Methodist Church this morning and the Methodist Men were out in force preparing for Saturday's "Apple Days" which is always a huge event for them.

Christ United Methodist Church is located on Rt. 250 (Churchville Avenue) west of Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton.

From I-81 take Exit 225 and go west on Rt. 262 bypass until you reach Rt. 250 exit; turn left and go for about one mile. The church will be on the right.