Happy Trails

October: When Festivals Abound

Last weekend, we enjoyed what I believe will be a new yearly tradition: the Fall Festival at Carter Mountain Orchard, outside of Charlottesville, VA. 

Even though I lived in C'ville for four years, we never made it out to the orchard. Having driven past it many times on our trips wine tasting, we knew we wanted to check it out this season. Saturday morning we got up early, took River for a long walk so she'd be set for the day at home, and we headed out. It was very, very crowded, but the view was stunning.

These are shots from both sides of the mountain. This last one is from the slope where we picked our apples--we chose to focus primarily on Golden Delicious and Jonagolds. The GD were incredible--they tasted as though they were basted in honey, and were firm and juicy. We picked about ten pounds of those. The Jonagolds ended up going into an apple crisp (I thought they would be good baking apples--but they ended up turning into something much more akin to apple SAUCE). 

Even so, they look pretty beautiful on the branch, don't they?

We stayed for a while, enjoying the views and the plinkety plink of a bluegrass band. There is also a vast vineyard on the top of the mountain, and while I wish I could have walked through the vines, the electric fencing served as a successful deterrent.

In addition to the apple picking, there was also a nice selection of mums from local greenhouses, and other types of organic produce from local farms. We picked up some acorn squash that I'm hoping to stuff with something delicious very soon, and a pint of homemade apple cider. The pièce de résistance if you will, was the apple cider doughnut--OH. MY. GOD. We were eating them on our way back to the car, and the ecstasy must have shown on our faces--a complete stranger came up, jabbed me in the arm and said, "Like a little piece of heaven, ain't it?". Oh yes. Divine. 

This weekend we met up with my parents at a local eatery in Waynesboro, VA, and checked out the Fall Festival there. I'd like to say we enjoyed browsing leisurely among booths filled with unique and beautiful art, but alas, we were kicked out! One block in, we were approached by a local police officer, who looked at us like were were dumbasses, saying, "Um, I'm not sure if you've seen the signs, but we aren't allowing dogs at this event." Well, maybe he was on point, because I was pretty damned dumbfounded. It's an outdoor event, a FESTIVAL for God's sake, in VIRGINIA!!!!! And you're not allowing DOGS!?!?!?! And of course we didn't see the sign, we were busy looking at the booths--it isn't a SIGN festival bub, it's a CRAFTS festival. *deep breath*. I was peeved. And River felt bad, I know she did. We left. But not before a very nice lady came up and said, "I think it's RIDICULOUS they're not allowing dogs this year, especially one as gorgeous and well behaved as she is!" Lady? I don't know who you are, but I like you. Power to the dog people!

In keeping with the autumnal festivities, here is a WIP that I've enjoyed knitting to and from these fun events--I'm calling it Fall Festival.

Hopefully it will be done by the end of this month, so I can wear it while the leaves are still on the trees. I better hurry.

My Grass is Blue

A few weekends ago Salmaan and I headed on down to Puny Bueny (the rolling hills from which I hail) to check out some bluegrass and local organic cooking. The Punch Brothers were playing at Lime Kiln, and I purchased the tickets months ago. I'd never really heard anything from the Punch Brothers previously, but I had heard numerous live performances by Nickel Creek involving Chris Thile, and knew that if Punch was anything like NC, it would be a great show.

First, though, we headed to The Red Hen--a relatively new establishment that has found its home in an old law office in historic downtown Lexington. The location is pretty awesome--walking inside it's very small, and the kitchen is open to the restaurant. Given the nice weather, we opted for the patio, which was also unique--a roughly hand carved wooden fence separates the patio from the brick sidewalk, and we were told this was the only place in Lex where you can formally eat outdoors. 

We started of course with some wine--there is an emphasis here on organic, biodynamic wines, which I thought was fabulous. We enjoyed a Napa Valley Zinfandel which I will be purchasing again, and the homemade rolls that came out, as well as the aperitif of sorts (a juice of rhubarb, beets, and vanilla) was interesting and inventive. For the first course, we enjoyed a Rabbit Osso Bucco. It was very good (I don't think I've ever had rabbit before, but there were definitely some liver and kidneys included that were very rich and flavorful). Then came the entrees, and this is where the Red Hen disappointed me. 

I had some local trout on a bed of Kale with wheat berries and bacon. Honestly? Everything was cooked very well, but there wasn't anything GREAT about it. The flavors were good but not wowing, and all in all I found it to be pretty bland. Salmaan got the pork chop with grits and broccoli, and he felt the the same way--that we could have made something more flavorful at home. I liked knowing that the trout was local, and that the kale and pork had come from a farm less than an hour away...but did that make for an amazing meal? Not so much. We dropped over $100 for dinner that night, and I felt like it was overpriced and not worth it. I would be EXCITED to drop $100 at many establishments here in Richmond--Osaka, Verbena, Ruth's Chris...I don't think we'll be back to the Red Hen again, unless it's to enjoy a few more of their appetizers, which as I mentioned before, were in fact, exceptional. 

After dinner we headed to the show. Lime Kiln is nestled back into a few acres of woods right outside of downtown Lexington, and it's a great venue. Natural and intimate, the crickets chirp as the sun sets, and the soul of bluegrass finds its home here. Most of my pictures were pretty blurry, but I got a few decent ones.

The band is fun and witty. Some of the music is difficult to understand--there are numerous tempo and key changes that don't feel very organic to me, but it's interesting, and always keeps you guessing. Thile's vocals were impressive--I didn't find him to be out of key once, and the banter between he and the rest of the band was very entertaining. It was also fun because we got to see the pianist and singer who performed at our wedding--and they each remembered us and said our wedding was the most fun they've ever had! Maybe they were just being nice, but it felt good to hear, all the same. The show lasted for a good 2.5 hours, and we enjoyed every minute of it. Seats were first come, first serve, and as you can see, we were very close to the stage. Here's a short video I took of the encore, which the crowd really enjoyed.

The next day we ambled our way home, and stopped at Veritas Vineyards for some Cabernet Franc and a cheese plate. 

So gorgeous there--we'll have to go back soon. River enjoyed it as well.

Hope your weekend is full of good music, views, and tasty wine. We have a baby shower to attend this afternoon, and I'll probably be spending the rest of the evening reviewing materials for a Trial Advocacy program that I'll be attending all next week starting Sunday. It's in a different town, and I believe this will actually be the longest amount of time that Salmaan and I have spent apart since we've been married. Not looking forward to that aspect so much, or the idea of "homework" again, but I anticipate I'll learn a lot and hopefully meet some fun people along the way! Happy Saturday.