Today was a busy day as we attended the 8th grade award ceremony at Granddaughter Ariana's Middle School and took the family out for dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse which was very good. It was good to have the entire family together and to catch up on all the family activities. The grandchildren have grown so much since Kathy was here 4 years ago.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
While daughter in law, Lisa and granddaughter Ariana attend a band day function at Six Flags, Bill and Sarah take us for a day trip in the area. Our first stop was at the Chiles Peach Orchard and Farm Market which grows various fruits (apples, peaches, cherries and strawberries) and allows the public to come and pick each in its season.
We had never picked strawberries so this was a new venture for us. After picking up a cardboard flat box, we were told to cross the road and pick in the rows to the far right which we did while also sampling a few strawberries along the way. There is nothing better than a vine ripened warm strawberry. We purchased our berries as well as some strawberry doughnuts for dessert for this evening. Yum!
After leaving the Farm we traveled along the same road, stopped at an antique store for a bit and then stopped at the Albermarle Ciderworks Tasting Room. We had never tried this before and to be honest, neither of us was too crazy about the tastings we sampled though Bill seems to like it. It all tasted like apple cider vinegar to me. While the adults were doing the tasting, Sarah was offered regular apple cider left from last falls crushing. It was very tasty. There was also a local blue grass band that was playing. Great music. Note the feet of the lady bass fiddle player.
We then drove into Charlottesville to see the University of Virginia where Bill works. Charlottesville was founded in 1819 as an academia village by Thomas Jefferson. The old part of the University of Vrginia was designed by Thomas Jefferson with the Rotunda (a domed library modeled after the Pantheon in Rome) designed in a neoclassical style. It opened in 1825 with 123 students and a hand picked faculty of American and European scholars. At the present time; however, the Rotunda is undergoing some renovation with scaffolding surrounding the outside not allowing for good picture taking. The remainder of the campus buildings are beautiful old red brick with lots of trees, flowers and grasses. The university design is considered an outstanding accomplishment in American architecture. Like most large campuses today, the University buildings are spread out far and wide with a campus transportation system to help students get from one building to another.
A short stop for some lunch and then a drive back to our RV completed our day. Another day we will return to Charlottesville to see Jefferson's home, Monticello and other historic sites in the area.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
We spent the day in the RV getting food prepared for a dinner here with the family. Sarah is surprised that Grammie can bake like she did in her sticks and bricks house. Though we had a hard rain shower several times during the afternoon, we were able to eat dinner at the picnic table outside. Hamburgers with cheese and NM green chili that Bill roasted and peeled last fall. along with tossed salad and fresh strawberry shortcake for dessert. What a treat that was. Bill has found a place to purchase Hatch green chili here each fall.
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