Anna will have to correct any errors I post in this particular blog relating to the name of the little town we stopped in to explore. In my mind I call it The Plains. If you use your imagination I'm sure you could come up with a cute name you like as well!
We were able to sleep in a bit and then Anna took me to one of her favorite spots. Just an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C., Sky Meadows State Park in Clarke and Fauquier (Pronounced fock-yer) counties, offers a peaceful getaway on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With rolling pastures and woodlands, the park boasts beautiful vistas of the foothills and access to the Appalachian Trail. Its rich history is shaped by the development of agriculture and the impact of the Civil War. Activities include hiking, fishing, picnicking, horseback riding, primitive camping, and nature and history programs. We of course only participated in the hiking and picnicking. No fishing, horses, or primitive camping for us.
Great tragedy struck when Clara, quite suddenly, couldn't walk anymore because she didn't know how! Can you imagine? There were many tears shed from all parties involved. We were able to take a break at the top of the hill to eat a home packed picnic of tuna sandwiches and clementines. It were DELISH! We continued the walk back down, fortunately Clara remembered how to walk once her blood sugar was back up and we were on a decline. It was a great overcast sort of day for a fine hike and the views were beautiful. Sky Meadows has a right to boast of its vistas!
The great tragedy struck and we all took a moment to ponder what it really means to be able to walk.
Oh Mah Heck! Aren't we so dang cute?!
After our hike we proceeded to take a tour about The Plains, a town in Fauquier (Pronounced fock-yer) County, Virginia, United States. The population was 266 at the 2000 census. It is centered around Virginia Route 55 (John Marshall Highway) and Virginia Route 245 (Old Tavern Road). The mayor of The Plains is Robert Gurtler. The Plains is home to Great Meadow, a large open-air and open-field facility that hosts several large events throughout the year, including the Virginia Gold Cupsteeplechase horse race, which attracts over 50,000 guests on the first Saturday of each May. A museum dedicated to the history of slavery in the area is located near the train tracks that go through town. Long Branch Baptist Church (est. 1786), the third oldest Baptist Church in Virginia, lies a little bit to the north, in the unincorporated area called 'Halfway.' The evangelist William Broaddus, founder of Southwestern Seminary in Louisville, was pastor there in the 1830s. His nephew, John Broadus is often called 'the father of homiletics (preaching)'. Wakefield School, a pre-school through grade 12 independent school, makes its home in The Plains, VA. Actor Robert Duvall once owned a restaurant in the Plains called "The Rail Stop." He still makes his residence north of town at his 360-acre (1.5 km2) Brindley Farm.
Such a postcard worthy little town.
Thence to Wegmans, the greatest grocery store that ever was. Have you been to Wegmans? I didn't think so... We enjoyed a yummy eclair and pain au chocolat there, or as the American's say "chocolate croissant" (pronounced cross-ont) from their bakery.
Thanks for the great day and all the fun Anska!
7 comments:
Ah hah! First post! You guys had such a great time. I really like the photo of the cabin interior. You are such a wonderful blogger. I am glad to see more of the VA trip.
Now I will read the whole post carefully. I promise.
D.
Sky Meadows is beautiful...Love that place.
So....you've been to Wegmans????
Hahahahaha. Love the brochure bits.
And it was soooo terribly tragic when Clara's inability to walk interrupted our delightful conversation.
PS It is called The Plains.
OK. So now I've read it carefully, and I will stick with my original comment and simply add that Sky Meadows is really beautiful.
D.
(sorry this is a bit late)
Just wanted to let you know the hardest part about Graham graduating was that it meant no more Wegmans (there was one about ten minutes from his school, so he used to go all the time. And we used to beneift whenever we went to visit him)
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