Our Shenandoah National Park day trip planner covers stops, food, and fun in the Central District, perfect for a leisurely scenic drive or an active outing.
Are you looking for something amazing (and delicious!) to do after visiting Shenandoah? These are the best wineries near Shenandoah National Park (map included)!
Top things to do in Charlottesville VA include hiking, amazing restaurants, scenic drives, craft brew, wineries, and history at Monticello.
This beautiful forested hike features mountain overlooks and a mesmerizing suspended bridge.
Sharing the best green paint colors, ranging from pale green all the way to deep and rich dark green paints! Also includes real-life images of each color.
Earlier in the week we drove over to the Iwo Jima monument and Netherlands Carillon by Arlington Cemetery. I was hoping to get a “leading lines” image for the weekly 52Frames photo challenge. Unfortunately it didn’t turn out although there was an attempt to make one work. So I knew I would need to find something when we took a weekend trip to UVA to visit our grandson and then on to central Virginia to visit our son and DIL. I was disappointed in the photos around the campus in Charlottesville even though there were columns everywhere. And I have used photos from the warehouse home along the James River. That would only leave the “cabin” along the river as an option. We always take a walk along the property. As luck would have it my husband and son were walking a good distance in front of me and our DIL along the dirt road. It ended up being the submission for the week for sentimental reasons. I really didn’t have the time I wanted to focus on the challenge this week because we were out of town. But this photo reflects the serenity of the place and is a great image of father and son.
Richmond is Virginia’s state capital, housing a list of historic attractions, museums and war monuments dating back to the 1700s. Much of the nation’s early history can be better understood after visiting. However, the trendy fairy has waved her magic wand, and voila, a plethora of artisanal restaurants, coffee cafes and ethnic eateries have swept […]
A vineyard guide to Albemarle County
Looking for a new place to live? Consider moving to Richmond, Virginia. Here are all the reasons why.
For a truly romantic wine country experience, stay at one of these 5 Central Virginia Wineries with vineyard lodging.
Time travel back to the 1860s to visit the spot where the Civil War ended at McLean House in Appomattox, VA, and learn how to make the best of your time exploring the area and absorbing the history.
Orange County VA - the towns of Orange, Gordonsville, and Somerset in Central Virginia - is so stunning, you’ll want to visit for its beauty alone.
Time travel back to the 1860s to visit the spot where the Civil War ended at McLean House in Appomattox, VA, and learn how to make the best of your time exploring the area and absorbing the history.
It’s no secret that we’ve been compiling listicles of things to do, cool places to stay, close getaways, etc. Especially after our last glamping experience in Cape Charles, we were hooked on finding the coolest glamping sites in Virginia. We figured it would be better to share some of these bucket-list items with you all!
For an unforgettable experience at a park in Virginia, head to York River State Park, complete with a playground, trails, and more.
Hiking has a special place in both Sam and I’s hearts! I have always LOVED hiking since I was in middle school. I was ecstatic to find out that Sam...
There are miles of hiking trails at Wintergreen Resort, allowing for year-round exploration at a resort known for skiing and snow tubing.
If you're traveling to southwest Virginia or looking for the next craft beer trail, here's a peek at the 10 Roanoke breweries calling this area home.
Nestled underneath the Blue Ridge Mountains and alongside the James River, Lynchburgers love to be outdoors enjoying the natural surroundings. With
Hiking has a special place in both Sam and I’s hearts! I have always LOVED hiking since I was in middle school. I was ecstatic to find out that Sam...
The Nelson 151 trail packs Charlottesville wine, beer, & liquor into a 15-mile stretch. Check out our guide for how to plan your visit!
Time travel back to the 1860s to visit the spot where the Civil War ended at McLean House in Appomattox, VA, and learn how to make the best of your time exploring the area and absorbing the history.
Muscadine Grape Juice I have written about muscadine grapes before (you can use the search function on the opening page of this blog to find a previous post). Muscadines are a grape native to the United States. They are not table grapes and, most notoriously, have been used to make a sweet, grapey wine. Muscadines can be used in preserves, and I have made muscadine syrup for waffles and pancakes and muscadine sorbet. Muscadines come into season in mid September and you can even forage for them. The "problem" with muscadines is they produce abundant amounts of fruit. I thought I would give making and canning my own grape juice a shot. Here is how to do it: Fill a large stainless steel stockpot 3/4ths full of washed muscadines, making sure all stems have been picked off. Pour boiling water over the top . Cover, and boil gently, for 30 minutes. Let cool. Here is the fun part. If you want pulp juice, like you get with pulpy OJ, this is all you need to do regarding straining: pour the muscadines and liquid through a fine, mesh strainer or sieve that is set in a large bowl. Take a wooden spoon or potato masher and stir and gently press the grapes, until all you have left in the sieve are skins and seeds. Pour the pulpy juice back into the stockpot, sugar to taste (muscadines can be sour) and heat it up to 190 degrees and hold at the temp for 5 minutes. Assuming you have already prepared your canning jars [go to http://www.freshpreserving.com/getting-started.aspx for COMPLETE directions,] ladle the juice into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rim, center lid on jar, screw on ring. Process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes. Turn off the canner, remove lid. Wait 5 minutes to remove jars onto a folded towel. Let cool overnight. The next morning, check the lids for a seal and store. Alternately, cool the juice and store in the fridge. If you do not want pulp, there is a additional step after running the juice through the sieve: you need to strain the juice through a the sieve, now lined with several layers of dampened cheesecloth for several hours. Then proceed with the recipe. Happy eating...er drinking!
ADVENTURES IN TRAVEL AND CULTURE
Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion is a fan favorite across the state and visitors return year after year for a new take on their best scares. Hundreds of monsters will be unleashed, making the most terrifying nightmares come alive. Featuring a terrifying lineup of thrilling rides, haunted mazes, ter
QuiltCon 2020 is almost here! Recently I remembered taking a number of photos of quilts from the 2019 Modern Quilt Guild Charity Quilt Challenge and never shared them. Better late than never! Each year, the Modern Quilt Guild encourages local chapters from around the world and individual members
Enjoy an unforgettable West Virginia waterfront getaway at Stonewall Resort. When was the last time you escaped for some rest and relaxation?
Time travel back to the 1860s to visit the spot where the Civil War ended at McLean House in Appomattox, VA, and learn how to make the best of your time exploring the area and absorbing the history.
In Virginia's 5th Congressional District, a tight GOP primary race unfolds between Bob Good and John McGuire. Both candidates are neck-and-neck, making the
Thinking about starting a home orchard in Virginia? Check out these tips before you get started.
