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Welcome to Fall Foliage Season in the Blue Ridge
Mountains
Fall is a
popular season in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Thousands travel to our region for the “Fall
Foliage Season”. This year, it is predicted
that the peak weeks for viewing the Fall foliage
will be the second and third weeks of October.
Plan for Fall Foliage Season
Recently, I read a list of the Top 10 Places
in Virginia to view Fall Leaves. Wintergreen
Resort and the Blue Ridge Parkway were two of
the Top 10 Places. Stay in Wintergreen and be
close the Blue Ridge Parkway.
When is the best time to visit Wintergreen
for Fall Foliage Season? It’s a little bit too
early to predict when to see the best color and
leaves, but it is usually from the second week
of October through early November in Nelson
County. We have received a lot rain this Summer
which should bring beautiful Fall color.
When should we make Fall reservations in
Wintergreen or Nelson County? NOW. Make your
reservations now. We are already starting to
get a lot of calls from visitors planning to
visit during the Fall season. To make lodging
reservations in Wintergreen Resort, visit
www.WintergreenResort.com or
www.VRBO.com (visit VRBO to find homes and
condos that allow dogs) Where can I find a
rental that sleeps more than 10 people? Call
the reservations department at Wintergreen
Resort. The resort does have rental homes that
sleep more than 10 people that are not shown on
their web site.
Virginia Fall Foliage Information:
Here are some resources to plan travel through
Virginia for Fall 2009:
Check out these two web sites:
www.FallInVirginia.org and also
www.Virginia.org or call a toll free number
that releases updates on Fall colors:
1-800-424-LOVE
For information about Nelson County, visit
www.ExperienceNelsonCounty.com,
www.NelsonCountyLife.com or
www.NelsonCounty.com (For complete updates
on local weather, visit NelsonCountyLife)
For information about Wintergreen Resort,
visit
www.ExperienceWintergreen.com or
www.WintergreenResort.com
Best Fall Photo Spots
If you are visiting Nelson County or
Wintergreen Resort this Fall, be sure to bring
your camera. Fall is the most photographed
season in the region. Here are a few of our
favorite photo spots in Nelson County.
The Blue Ridge Parkway: America’s most
scenic highway runs through Nelson County. Take
a drive and stop at some of the many overlooks.
Humpback Rocks Hike: Stop on the Blue
Ridge Parkway for the Humpback Rocks Hike. This
summit hike provides 50 mile views.
Wintergreen Overlooks: Stop by the
Mountain Inn and pick up a map of Wintergreen
Resort. (Stop by the Wintergreen Resort Premier
Properties office and pick up a map) Stop by
one of Wintergreen’s popular overlooks.
Wintergreen Lodging: Rent a condo
along the “view ridge” in Wintergreen. Some of
the best views can be found in the High Ridge
communities.
Hike in Wintergreen: We think that
the hike “The Plunge” in Wintergreen has great
Fall Foliage views. Pick up a hiking may at the
Wintergreen Resort Premier Properties office.
Crabtree Falls Hike: Hike the
Crabtree Falls trail for beautiful views from
the top of the trail. (Also beautiful photos of
the Fall leaves and the waterfall along the
trail)
Favorite Fall Foliage Drive:
Every year, I try to take this Fall Foliage
Drive. Be sure to bring your camera as you will
see the Beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway,
Montebello, Crabtree Falls, Rt. 56, Brent’s
Mountain and the Rockfish Valley on this drive
through Nelson County.
From the entrance to Wintergreen
Resort, take a left on Rt. 664 and head down the
mountain to Beech Grove. You will pass
Wintergreen Winery on your left. Stop by and
taste some great local wine and enjoy the
river view.
At the intersection of Rt. 664
and Rt. 151, you will see the Ski Barn with the
blue roof. Stop at the Ski Barn for some great
values on gear. Coming soon, there will be a
coffee shop in a new commercial area at this
intersection.
Turn right onto Rt. 151 and go
over Brent’s Mountain. Watch out for those
curvy roads. Driving along Rt. 151 you will see
some great views of county farmland and pass the
small community of Bryant. Pass through the
town of Roseland and head to Rt 56 West. This
is the true country living of Nelson County.
Make a right on Rt. 56 West
(just past the Exxon station). As you enter Rt.
56 West, this is one of my favorite views. The
Tye River will be on your right, a large farm on
your left and an expanse of Blue Ridge
Mountains ahead.
Travel on Rt. 56 West through
the towns of Massie’s Mill and Tyro. The Tye
River meanders from your right to your left.
Look-out for places to stop and enjoy the
river. This river provides great fishing.
(remember that you need a VA Fishing License in
this area) Stop at Seaman’s Orchard for some
apples.
You will pass the Tye River
Cottage Rental on your left. (This cabin is
available for rentals and sleeps 4). Just past
the cottage, you will begin to climb the
mountains.
The Rt. 56 Appalachian Trial
Head will be on your left as you head up the
mountain. There is a small gravel parking lot
at the trail head. Park and take a hike on the
trail.
Farther up the mountain, stop
and see Crabtree Falls. Even if you don’t have
time to take the entire hike, the bottom
observation area is worth the stop. $3 to park
per car. The walkway is paved to the lower
observation deck.
Climb the mountain and stop at
the Montebello Fish Hatchery. Kids love this
stop to feed the fish. Parking is free but
bring some change for some fish snacks. There
is also camping in this area. Call 540-377-2650
for information about fishing and camping.
Farther up the road, stop at the
Montebello Country Store. This store has all
the mountain provisions needed, collectables,
snacks and usually hot soup. Across the street,
fish in their pond.
(fee)
From Montebello, continue up Rt.
56 to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take the Blue
Ridge Parkway north. (turn right) Stop at all
of the Overlooks for some great views. Take Rt.
644 back to Wintergreen to complete this loop.
(At the intersection of the Blue Ridge Parkway
and Rt. 644 is another trail intersection with
the Appalachian Trail. There is also a small
parking area.)
Nelson County Apples
October is the official
Virginia apple month, but I have already started
receiving many requests for information about
apple orchards in Nelson County. There are many
varieties of apples, there is apple butter,
apple pies and muffins…. Later in the season, I
will be posting some of our favorite Nelson
County apple recipes.
Nelson County families have
been growing apples for generations. The apple
orchards have been a source of Nelson County
commerce since back in the late 1700’s. There
are even family stories of our ancestors trading
land for the promise of growing apples in
Nelson. My grandmother often spoke about
getting days off from school in Nelson County to
assist in the apple harvest.
Many of the families are
still growing apples and exporting them outside
of Virginia. The orchards also have farm
markets that are always popular in the Fall
season. You can purchase apples by the bag or
bushel, apple cider and home-made apple butter.
Some of the orchards have pick-your-own apples.
(a great family activity) Saunders Farm Market
& Orchard sells apple pies, muffins and
turnovers baked locally. They also sell many
jarred apple products in the farm market. I
have created many gift baskets for gifts at this
market.
Apple events are starting
this season in mid-September
Shop Local and visit
any of these Nelson County orchards and events:
Critzer Family Farm: in
Afton, 540-456-4772
Dickie Brothers Orchard:
Massies Mill, 434-277-5516
Drumheller’s Orchard: Near
Lovingston, 434-263-5036
Fitzgerald’s Orchard:
Tyro, 434-277-5798
Flippin-Seaman Orchard:
Tyro, 434-277-5824
Saunders Brothers Orchard:
Piney River, 434-277-5455
The Apple Shed: Lovingston,
434-263-8843
Calendar of Fall Events
Nelson County Farm
Market:
September 5,12,19,26
Music, fresh local produce,
baked goods, fresh local cheese, meat and
poultry, fine crafts, plants, cut flowers and
more. Open every Saturday under the big white
tents in downtown Nellysford. 8AM-Noon
September 12: Starry
Nights at Veritas Winery: An evening of
live music and wine. Bring your blankets and
chairs and picnic baskets. 7PM-11PM. Fee
includes live music and wine glass. Call
540-456-8000 for all the details.
September 12-20: Pick
Your Own Apples at Dickie Brothers Orchard: Come
to the mountains and pick Golden Delicious, Red
Delicious and Jonagold apples. Open 8AM-5PM.
Call 434-277-5516 for details.
September 19: Rib-eye
Round Up at Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery:
Enjoy thick rib-eye steaks cooked to order with
salad, baked potato, bread and dessert along
with a glass of wine and local bluegrass music.
Reservations only. 6PM-9PM. Fee Call
434-361-1266.
September 26:
Oktoberfest with the Wintergreen Performing
Arts in Wintergreen. Join us for a celebration
of German culture and food for a family event.
Feast on brats, wursts, German potato salad and
kraut. Enjoy traditional “om-pah” band music
and local micro-brews. Call 434-325-8292.
Tickets sold at the door.
Nelson County Farm
Market
October 3,10,17
Music, fresh local produce,
baked goods, fresh local cheese, meat and
poultry, fine crafts, plants, cut flowers and
more. Open every Saturday under the big white
tents in downtown Nellysford. 8AM-Noon
October 3: Fall Foliage
Open House at Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery
Bring a picnic for this rain or shine event.
Enjoy a wine and food tasting. No fee.
Saturday 11AM-5PM, Sunday open 1PM-5PM
October 3: Apple Butter
Makin Festival at Flippin-Seaman Pick your
own pumpkins and Virginia grown apples. Corn
maze, cider, jams, jellies, crafts, baskets,
gifts and watch apple butter being made.
10AM-5PM. Call 434-277-5824 for details.
October 3, 4, 10, 11,
17, 18, 24 and 25th: Celebrate
Virginia Wine Month at Wintergreen Winery
Join us for a complimentary wine tasting,
samples of gourmet food, cheeseboard offerings
and specials on wine and gifts. Open 10AM-5PM.
Call 434-361-2519 for details.
October 10: Walton’s
Mountain Museum Anniversary Celebration:
Includes live bluegrass and gospel bands all
day, hayrides, crafters, food vendors. Open
10AM-4PM Call 434-831-2000
October 10-25: Pick
your Own Apples at Dickie Brothers Orchard
Apple Butter, fresh cider and 10 varieties of
apples. Call 434-277-5516.
Fall Real Estate Listings
Fall is a great time to
visit Wintergreen Resort and listed real
estate. It is a buyers market in Wintergreen
Resort, but we are seeing signs of a real estate
re-bound in the resort. For the best prices,
buy real estate before Ski Season. Here is a
list of my real estate listings for Fall 2009:
Building Lots:
487 Cedar Glen Close in
Stoney Creek for $88,000
5 Dripping Rock on WTG
Mountain for $75,000 REDUCED
78 Deer Springs Lane on WTG
Mountain for $89,900
781 Cedar Meadow Drive in
Stoney Creek for $104,000
4 Logan Place, Stoney Creek
for $179,900 NEW
Condos:
2210 Tanner’s Ridge on WTG
Mountain for $115,000 REDUCED
2204 Tanners Ridge on WTG
Mountain for $120,000
3216 North Ridge on WTG
Mountain for $169,000 NEW
186 Mountain Inn on WTG
Mountain for $170,000
490 Three Ridges on WTG
Mountain $174,900 REDUCED
754 Laurelwood on WTG
Mountain for $219,000 NEW
801 Laurelwood on WTG
Mountain for $225,000
2006 Stone Ridge Woods on
WTG Mountain for $266,600
1416 Highlands on
Wintergreen Mountain for $275,000 REDUCED
Townhouse Listings:
The Seasons at Wintergreen
starting at $690,000 REDUCED
Resort Homes:
25 Stem Lane on WTG
Mountain for $339,900
26 Den Tree on WTG Mountain
for $355,900
441 Deer Springs on WTG
Mountain for $349,000 REDUCED
24 Stone Crop Lane on WTG
Mountain for $675,000
148 White Oak on WTG
Mountain for 875,000
21 Indian Point on WTG
Mountain for 1,299,000
Hope to see you in
Nelson County this Fall…
Kim Chappell is a
graduate from the Realtor Institute and is an
Associate Broker with Wintergreen Resort Premier
Properties, the official real estate office of
Wintergreen Resort. Kim also lists and sells
property in beautiful Nelson County. Contact
Kim Chappell at
kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com or
434-238-2430. The Free Daily Blog is posted on
both
www.ExperienceNelsonCounty.com and
www.ExperienceWintergreen.com
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