A couple of weeks in the past I had a enjoyable deal with: I went on a ladies weekend with a bunch of my mother mates from my children’ faculty! We spent the weekend close to Charlottesville, Virginia wine nation, only a few hours exterior of the Washington, DC space.
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Once we began planning this journey just a few months in the past, we had two necessities: We wished to remain near wineries and to hike. The Charlottesville space is ideal: verify and verify!
We left after dropping the children off in school on Friday morning and by lunch time we have been in Charlottesville! We had lunch at a spot known as Farm Bell Kitchen subsequent to the College of Virginia campus.
As a enjoyable deal with, my long-time blogger good friend Keith, who lives in Charlottesville, got here to hitch us for lunch!
We had lunch exterior on the lined patio space, it was a bit chilly however the total environment was nice. The meals is scrumptious too!
All of us shared a pitcher of grapefruit mimosas (as a result of, why not? The vacations!) and I had the Energy of Love bowl, which was a spring combine topped with roasted candy potatoes, farro, avocado, pickled Onions, tortilla strips and a creamy marinara sauce. It was scrumptious! The proper mixture of flavors and textures. I had an egg sandwich within the automobile whereas driving so it did not really feel like brunch sort meals which was good.
Nevertheless it’s not all sunshine and rainbows on this journey – wish to hear about Mother’s largest failure in life? So, on Friday morning, once I awoke, my left eye was a little bit irritated/scabbed, however as soon as I awoke, it regarded nice, no redness or something, so I figured it was okay.
Properly, from the time we sat down for lunch in Charlottesville on Friday to the time we completed our meal, my eyes have been completely exploding. So irritated, itchy, crimson, and puffy. A mother good friend of mine who’s a PA (doctor assistant) on the journey took one take a look at it on the finish of lunch and mentioned sure, it was undoubtedly pink eye.
Earlier this week, Wes had mucus in his eyes for half a day (however no redness) and we did not suppose a lot of it as a result of it went away by itself inside a day, however I should have gotten it from him. Whole failure. The following day, each of my eyes have been swollen, so swollen that I may barely see. Worst timing ever! Because of my sun shades…and many hand washing/sanitizing as a result of my mates have been in a position to keep away from getting it from me! Wow! (Additionally fortunately I threw some pinkeye antibiotic drops I had at dwelling in my suitcase “simply in case” – they’re so useful!)
Anyway! After lunch, we mentioned goodbye to Kath, after which just a few of us went to the UVA retailer to purchase some garments—the opposite mother on the journey was a UVA graduate, and long-time readers could keep in mind that Matt obtained his grasp’s diploma at UVA (< -Previous publish wanting again at his commencement weekend, it was enjoyable!
From there, we drove about half-hour additional west to an space known as Afton, which is the place we rented the Vrbo home. Our home is on a hill and it was very foggy once we drove there – we needed to drive very slowly as we may barely see just a few inches in entrance of the automobile!
We had initially deliberate to drive down the mountain and have dinner at a close-by brewery, however after seeing the foggy situations we determined it wasn’t smart to take action at nighttime. So, we stayed dwelling all night (truthfully, I used to be pleased anyway contemplating how hot-eyed I used to be).
We actually didn’t starve, that’s for positive – take a look at all of the snacks we had for simply two days. That is not all! Ought to have recognized we may depend on a staff of mothers to pack snacks… 😉
It ended up being a beautiful and comfy night. Because of some craftier mothers (not me!), we even obtained enjoyable personalised presents. 🙂
For dinner, we had an enormous plate of tacos the second night time (ordered from Balducci’s earlier than leaving), so we determined to eat early. There are lots of! They fully forgot to present us tortillas however we had rice in order that labored out properly.
Saturday morning we woke as much as cloudy skies once more, however a few of the loopy fog had lifted so we may see extra from dwelling. We all know it can clear up later too!
For breakfast we had some toast, bagels, fruit and a few massive egg muffins (additionally from Balducci’s, much like these outdated favorites scrambled egg muffins) which labored out nice so nobody needed to fear about cooking.
We deliberate a giant day on the vineyard beginning at 11 o’clock on Saturday. That is one in all my favourite locations – can’t miss the possibility to say hey once we’re so shut!
We initially thought we’d have the ability to hike instantly from the home, however because of heavy fog the day earlier than, we have been unable to see something to verify. Sadly, we did not depart sufficient time for the hike once we realized we would have liked to drive to the hike web site, however we nonetheless loved a fast 40-minute hike to stretch our legs.
it is stunning there! We parked at a spot known as Beagle Hole and walked alongside the path for 20 minutes and again once more for 20 minutes. Have to return again and end the entire thing someday!
At 11 a.m., all of us took a bathe and have been prepared to move to the vineyard! We determined it will be an excellent thought to lease a small “occasion bus” with a driver so we did not have to fret about driving.
First cease: Veritas Winery! The surroundings was stunning and the climate was sunny.
Veritas has a meals menu which made it the proper first cease since we knew we’d each be hungry for lunch. I had a strawberry feta salad which was scrumptious and we additionally shared a charcuterie board and a hummus and veggie board!
And naturally wine! I’ve at all times beloved bubbles, so this was the apparent selection for me.
A pleasant time out with mates plus good meals and wine = perfection. (Properly, apart from my pink eye, ha.)
Earlier than we knew it, we arrived on the second cease of our vineyard tour: Flying Fox Winery!
The outside area right here is not fairly as good as in Veritas (a lot smaller, largely only a car parking zone with a small patch of grass overlooking the highway), however the solar fully burned off the clouds and the climate was very nice, so it was all good!
I beloved a glass of rose this time – it felt like it will go so properly with the nice and cozy sunny climate!
The ultimate cease on our vineyard tour was the King Household Winery, and boy was it superb! There have been lots of people hanging on the market on such an exquisite day. The property is massive, with stunning views past, and loads of patios and grassy areas for stress-free. They even have an vintage automobile present and a few horse exhibits/competitions?
We grabbed just a few bottles of glowing wine to share (fortunately we have been in a position to take the remaining again to the home as we did not have a lot time at this vineyard earlier than our bus rental was about to run out) after which… Calm down on board. I want we may have stayed longer – all of us had a lot enjoyable at this level and it was such a enjoyable environment with all of the actions and other people!
We determined to have pizza for dinner as a result of there was an excellent place close by known as Crozet Pizza (apparently voted “one of the best on this planet” by Nationwide Geographic!) and we have been good sufficient to order pizza as we drove to the final vineyard, So our bus driver was in a position to choose it up for us whereas we have been there! Mothers, logistics are at all times on level. 😉
It was scrumptious – we each ate some once we obtained again to the rental home.
PS: As soon as the fog cleared, try the loopy view we had from the again deck of our rental! The picture beneath is from the identical location – what a distinction a day makes!
We spent just a few hours on the deck earlier than getting in to look at the brand new Imply Ladies remake. The proper strategy to finish the day! Should you’ve seen it, what did you suppose? I really like that it is a musical, and that it has some unique characters!
Sunday morning we saved it low-key: had breakfast, then packed up and headed out at 11am.
We drove again to Charlottesville and had one other lunch on the way in which dwelling. This time we ate at Bizou, which is positioned in a pedestrian mall within the metropolis heart.
My good friend Katie and I shared the fried hen sandwich and strawberry feta salad. The entire desk shared banana bread French toast. Every part was very scrumptious!
Our final cease within the automobile on the way in which dwelling from Charlottesville was a fast hike at Chris Inexperienced Lake Park, which was proper on our approach dwelling. We had initially deliberate to return to Shenandoah Nationwide Park, however others wanted to return to Washington early, so we determined to pack up. I’m so unhappy! Want I may return there once more, I miss it – Matt and I used to go yearly however have not been collectively in a very long time.
Lake Park did not have as many trails as we had hoped, however we took a fast jaunt to stretch our legs earlier than heading dwelling.
It was a enjoyable weekend with a bunch of fine mates! Apart from the entire pink eye fiasco, I had a good time. Actually glad we did this, particular because of all of the husbands who made the weekend doable for us by taking care of the children alone. 🙂
