For a traveler at heart, not going anywhere by plane, train or even automobile for the last few months has been hard! This past week while scrolling through Facebook, a page I follow for Spring Valley Orchard announced that cherry season had arrived. I love fresh cherries and thought it would be a fun day trip to check out the orchard. A change in latitude was sure to help my attitude!
So on Saturday morning, my friend Jenn and I left Windsor at 7:30am headed towards Charlottesville. A short two and half hours later and the last few miles on some crazy winding roads, we arrived at Spring Valley Orchard. Spring Valley Orchard is owned by the same group that owns Carter Mountain Orchard, famous for the fall apple season and Chiles Peach Orchard, all within about 30 minutes of each other just outside of Charlottesville. This area is also well known for many wineries and breweries.
Spring Valley Orchard is nestled into the rolling hills, about 30 minutes from Afton Mountain and offers a variety of cherries for picking during the month of June and into July, depending on the weather. We stayed here a little over an hour picking cherries and taking photos. The orchard was easy to navigate and the cherries quite delicious.
So on Saturday morning, my friend Jenn and I left Windsor at 7:30am headed towards Charlottesville. A short two and half hours later and the last few miles on some crazy winding roads, we arrived at Spring Valley Orchard. Spring Valley Orchard is owned by the same group that owns Carter Mountain Orchard, famous for the fall apple season and Chiles Peach Orchard, all within about 30 minutes of each other just outside of Charlottesville. This area is also well known for many wineries and breweries.
Spring Valley Orchard is nestled into the rolling hills, about 30 minutes from Afton Mountain and offers a variety of cherries for picking during the month of June and into July, depending on the weather. We stayed here a little over an hour picking cherries and taking photos. The orchard was easy to navigate and the cherries quite delicious.
After picking cherries, we traveled to Bold Rock Hard Cider for lunch and a delicious pint. Their seasonal cider is pineapple and not to be missed if you are visiting this summer. Bold Rock can also be found in many local grocery stores and Mike has already found the pineapple at our local Kroger.
Bold Rock is the perfect location to spend a few hours with friends and enjoy the beautiful views!
Bold Rock is the perfect location to spend a few hours with friends and enjoy the beautiful views!
After a lovely lunch, our last stop of the day took us to Chiles Peach Orchard. The peach season is just starting and pick your own peaches were on our radar. Besides peaches, they also offered pick your own strawberries and blueberries. In the fall, they offer apples and pumpkins. Our first stop was in the peach orchard to stroll through the trees, take a few photos and pick our peck of peaches. Say that three times!
After peach picking, we ventured inside to check out their selection of jams, jellies, salsas, baked goods and other produce. I dare you not to take home a dozen apple cider donuts! We rounded out the adventure by grabbing a peach and vanilla twist ice cream before we began the journey home.
After peach picking, we ventured inside to check out their selection of jams, jellies, salsas, baked goods and other produce. I dare you not to take home a dozen apple cider donuts! We rounded out the adventure by grabbing a peach and vanilla twist ice cream before we began the journey home.
With summer here, I would encourage you to get out of the area code for the day for a change of scenery. While travel will be a bit limited this summer, it is the perfect time to explore all of these great places that are just a stones throw away. Believe me when I say that changing your area code for the day is good for the soul!
Until next time!
Courtney
Photo credits:
Courtney Roggmann
Jenn @ Orange Tree Square - check out her blog about our day at http://www.orangetreesquare.com/
Until next time!
Courtney
Photo credits:
Courtney Roggmann
Jenn @ Orange Tree Square - check out her blog about our day at http://www.orangetreesquare.com/