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Wintergreen Tips….
Kim Chappell is a graduate from
the Realtor Institute and is an agent 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
Nelson County Photo Tours
Today’s post is actually a photo
tour of Nelson County. Below are links to two tours.
Sit back and watch the tours…
Nelson County Photo Tour:
Click on this link to watch a photo
tour of Nelson County:
http://www.ubuildtours.com/natour.php?id=14DD
Wintergreen Resort Real Estate Tour:
Click on
this link to see real estate listed for sale in
Wintergreen Resort:
http://www.ubuildtours.com/tour.php?id=16E2
New Wintergreen Web Site
Launches
I am happy to announce the launch
of a new “Kim Chappell” web site dedicated to activities
and real estate in Wintergreen Resort. The new web site
can be found at
www.ExperienceWintergreen.com Of course, the legacy
web site at
www.ExperienceNelsonCounty.com will continue. The
Nelson County web site receives hundreds of visitors
each week.
The Free Daily Blog and Blog
Archive will be posted on both web sites every morning.
The Blog has over a thousand readers every week. Both
web sites will receive some upgrades in August to
include some new features and benefits.
The new web site has information
about activities in Wintergreen Resort. The activities
are divided between Summer and Winter on the site. In
the Winter section, we are in the process of building
sections on skiing, tubing and the Terrain Park. Ski
season is forecasted to open the last week of November,
and we will be posting count-down information.
The web site,
www.ExperienceWintergreen.com, also has a search
feature to browse real estate listings. There is also a
showcased property of the week in the upper right corner
of the home page. Click on the photo to read
information about the property. Real Estate is divided
between condos, houses and building lots. There is also
a special section for properties in Stoney Creek.
Starting for Labor Day, there will
be special holiday banners on both home pages. Click on
the banner to read the schedule of activities. The
holiday activity guides are one of the most popular
“attractions” on the Experience Nelson web site.
I have FREE kits about Nelson
County and Wintergreen Resort. The kits include
information about Summer activities, wineries, real
estate and lodging. To request a kit, send an email to
kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com. Also, send me any
questions about Nelson County or Wintergreen Resort. It
is reader’s questions that provide topics for this daily
blog.
Experience Wintergreen on
Twitter
What
is Twitter? It is a “social media” like blogs, Facebook
and My Space. Twitter allows the poster to post a
mini-blog quickly to the web or directly to the phones
or PDAs of those who want to follow the stories.
The New York Times calls Twitter,
“one of the fastest-growing phenomena on the Internet”.
And we are going to be using Twitter to bring
Wintergreen Resort to you every day.
Visit
www.Twitter.com to sign up to follow
ExpWintergreen.
How will “Experience Wintergreen”
use Twitter:
Snow Reports: Know when the
natural snow falls in Wintergreen Resort
Ski & Ride Reports live from the
slopes
Live reports from restaurants,
wineries and micro-brewerie
Live reports from events or
announcements of upcoming events
You decide how to receive Twitter.
You can get updates pushed to your computer (through an
RSS Feed), you can check out the Twitter web site to
follow ExpWintergreen or you can have Twitter push our
updates directly to your phone, BlackBerry or PDA by
instant message. ExpWintergreen launches TODAY on
Twitter. Join in the fun.
Wintergreen’s Name
If you are interested in learning
about the history of Nelson County, Heartbeats of Nelson
is a “must read” book by Paul Saunders. I first
purchased the book because my great grandfather Houston
Loving of Roseland is mentioned a few times. The book
has provided hours of reading about Nelson County for
our whole family.
A copy of the book is in the
reading library at the Wintergreen Nature Foundation in
Wintergreen Resort. Stop by and browse through the
book.
Here is the history of the name
“Wintergreen” in Nelson County from Mr. Saunders’ book:
Among the first settlers in the
Rockfish Valley of Nelson County were the Coleman and
the Ewing families. Around 1812, Hawes Coleman built
the home “Wintergreen” near the corner of Rt. 151 and
Spruce Creek Road. The house is on the hill over
looking the old Wintergreen Store that is now the Spruce
Creek Art Gallery. You can still see the house on the
hill today.
Over the years, The Wintergreen
community had a church, a mill, general store and a post
office. The small community is marked with a
“Wintergreen” road sign today. Maps and GPS systems
refer to the corner of Rt. 151 and Spruce Creek Road as
the official Wintergreen, which is confusing to resort
visitors.
When the resort was created in the
1970s, it used the name Wintergreen Resort. So, the
resort was not named for the small green plant with red
berries but for a grand home on the hill overlooking the
community of Wintergreen near Nellysford. When you are
driving along Rt. 151 look for the Wintergreen township
sign.
Wintergreen Resort’s VIP
Passport to Fun
I am always on the look-out for
good deals in Wintergreen and Nelson County. If you
have kids under 12 years old, I think that Wintergreen’s
VIP Passport to Fun is a good deal. This passport lets
you create your own vacation package, and kids under 12
years old can ride on their parents’ passport. This VIP
Passport provides special rates on just about everything
in the resort. (must purchase at least one passport per
bedroom to qualify and the passports are $25)
The Passport includes the following
discounts:
20% off of recreation and
children’s programs
10% off of spa services
10% off of purchases at the golf
and tennis pro shop and Wintergarden Spa Shop
10% off of breakfast in the Copper
Mine.
If you have kids under 12 years
old, and you purchase a VIP Passport, your savings start
as soon as you make reservations for the kid’s Treehouse.
In April, I will be posting information about upcoming
Treehouse activities for kids of all ages. They do have
some excellent activities planned for kids under twelve
this summer.
Wintergreen’s Amazing Race
After the blog about GeoCaching in
Wintergreen and Nelson County, I received many emails
with questions about GeoCaching for groups.
Wintergreen’s new Amazing Race is exactly what you are
looking for as a group activity. Add the Amazing Race
to your next group meeting or family reunion in the
resort. Wintergreen’s Amazing Race combines GPS
orienteering, logic puzzles and physical obstacles to
provide participants with a full filled and awarding
day.
Teams receive cards providing clues
and GPS points that lead them to specific tasks in the
resort. Some of the tasks may include paintball,
Sudoku, a high ropes course and trivia questions. All
can be tailored to the specific group. The team that
can outsmart their competition will be the winner of
this race.
The Amazing Race makes a great
addition to any corporate retreat in the resort. As an
added bonus, the meeting planner who books the group
will receive a personal GPS tracking device.
For a tamer adventure, Wintergreen
can also plan a resort-wide scavenger hunt for your
group. This is another perfect activity for scout
troupes or family reunions.
Need Groceries?
“Where can I buy groceries?” This
has been the most popular question this week from those
visiting Wintergreen Resort.
If you are staying on Wintergreen
mountain, stop by the Black Rock Market to pick up the
basics such as bread, milk, eggs and chips. The market
also has a deli with sandwiches and pizza. If you
arrive early, you can buy a newspaper at this location.
They have coffee and are open early to late.
If you need a selection of
groceries, and want to stay local, visit the IGA, Blue
Ridge Grocery in Nellysford. (about 8 miles from the
guard house at the foot of Wintergreen mountain) The
IGA has a few brands of just about any grocery need.
There is a produce department, a meat and dairy
department, beer and wine and general groceries. It is
not a large store, but fits the need for general
groceries.
Head over to Waynesboro for
city-style grocery shopping at Martins. Many of the
locals travel to Waynesboro for serious grocery shopping
at this large store. There is a huge produce department
(including salad and prepared foods bar), a large
seafood department, meat department, large bakery, a
whole isle of wine and beer, a “drug store” department
and many isles of general groceries.
Also in Waynesboro, you will find
WalMart and Target in the same region. There is a
“short-cut” from Wintergreen the this shopping area in
Waynesboro. Send me an email at
kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com for details.
Spa Parties
Let the Wintergarden Spa plan the
perfect Spa Party for you and your friends. You will
have the full use of the Aquatics and Fitness Center as
well as the services listed below. Wedding Season is
here and any of these parties would make a great treat
for your wedding party. (Having your wedding at
Wintergreen or in Nelson County is a whole new topic of
discussion as there are many options)
Simple Celebration
This party is for 5-10 people.
Each person chooses two 30 minute treatments and spends
2-3 hours in the Spa. Each partygoer will also be given
a gift. (refresher facial, or a Swedish massage, a
manicure or a make-up application.
Grand Gala
This party is also for 5-10
people. Each partygoer will choose two one-hour
services or choose four thirty minutes services. Each
partygoer also receives a gift from the spa.
Enjoying the Indoors at
Wintergreen Resort
Here are just a few ideas for
enjoying the indoors while visiting Wintergreen Resort:
Stop by
the reception desk in The Mountain Inn and pick up a
weekly guide to all activities. While you are there,
enjoy some shopping or a cup of coffee at Colony
Coffee. Remember that we have free WiFi in the
Grist Mill and Colony Coffee.
Pick up a
deck of cards at Necessities in the Mountain Inn or
bring some board games and play in the Grist Mill.
Go by
The Wintergreen Nature Foundation and look at their
exhibits, books and educational materials. My family
especially enjoys the upstairs and I think any kid (or
adult) would love this visit. Check out the wildlife
photographs taken by visitors and residents of the
resort. Also be sure to check out the white board with
the list of all of the “wildlife spottings”. I look at
this board every time I visit the foundation. (PS:
They have many Burt’s Bees products for sale with great
prices)
The
WinterGarden Spa has a full menu of spa services. I
think that I could spend the entire day at this spa.
There are even some spa packages for kids.
The
Fitness and Aquatics Center has an indoor pool, a
full fitness
center and many
exercise classes, from water aerobics to belly dancing.
(also check out the outdoor hot tubs. They are fun,
even in the rain) So, pack your bathing suit, even if
you are visiting the resort in Spring.
Indoor
tennis is very popular and classes and events are
provided each day
There is
the golf fire-side chat each afternoon
The
Treehouse for kids. Check out the Treehouse for a
wide-range of activities from games to crafts to
movies. In coming weeks, I will be posting information
about the Treehouse and summer activities.
New and
the favorite for kids of all ages: The Adventure
Dome. One of my friends just told me that this is
now his kids’ favorite place in the resort. Here is
what they have to offer:
- 12 Stations - 10 Xbox 360s and
2 Nintendo Wiis
- 42-inch plasma TVs and comfy
game rocker chairs at every station.
- Wifi Lounge
- Mechanical Bull
- Foosball
- Pool Table
- Air Hockey
- Basketball 2-Man Game
- Theatre showing sporting
events
- Children's interactive games
You can even purchase tickets on
line for The Dome at
www.WintergreenResort.com
Stoney Creek at Wintergreen
Stoney Creek is the valley
community of Wintergreen Resort. It sits in the
Rockfish Valley, at the foot of Wintergreen Mountain.
This is part of the resort that should be included in
your Spring-Fall visit to the resort. Activities
abound.
No, there are no rental condos in
Stoney Creek. (I get that question often) But, Stoney
Creek is only a short drive from the top of Wintergreen
Mountain.
As you enter Stoney Creek, off of
Rt. 151, you will see a large grassy field on your
left. On Saturdays, starting in May, that field is the
home to the Nellysford Farmer’s Market. It opens at 8AM
and runs until Noon. This is a “don’t miss event”. The
market has really been growing over the years and now
has fresh fruits and vegetables, home baked breads and
desserts, fresh cut flowers and plants, crafts, local
cheese, eggs and meats…and the list could go on from
there. I will be covering this in blogs, starting in
May. I always suggest to get to this farmers’ market
early in the morning. (I will be discussing amFogs new
farmers market in a blog in early April. They are
located in Afton, VA)
As you drive along in Stoney Creek,
you see Rosewood which is our 55+ community in
Wintergreen Resort. I will be mentioning this community
in future blogs. I have a client that just purchased a
golf-side home in this community and really loves being
in the resort.
The next center of activity that
you will reach is the golf-tennis-and pool area. The
outdoor tennis courts are scheduled to open on April 7th.
The pools of Stoney Creek will open over Memorial Day
weekend. If you are a guest of Wintergreen Resort via a
rental through the Resort’s Home & Villa rental program,
you may use the pool and tennis courts. (rentals
through
www.WintergreenResort.com) Many private rentals
also include passes to these amenities.
Stoney Creek Golf is open
year-round but has really been greening up this past
week. There were many playing golf yesterday. Be sure
to read some of my earlier blogs on Stoney Creek Golf
and there will be a few new posts in coming weeks.
There is also a pro-shop just below the Stoney Creek Bar
& Grill.
Speaking of the Stoney Creek Bar &
Grill, it is open every day for lunch plus dinner on
Friday and Saturday nights and brunch on Sunday. The
hours will be extended, starting in May. Try the Cobb
Salad for lunch and they also have a great salad bar for
weekend dinners. We have enjoyed many of the entrees on
Friday and Saturday nights. Can’t wait for the outdoor,
patio seating to open as the views are great.
Stoney Creek has a network of
walking trails, which I was out enjoying yesterday. In
addition, there is a new nature preserve. I will be
posting information on both the walking trails and the
nature preserve in the next few weeks. The walking
trails are well marked, and some are even paved. If you
are walking for exercise, or even to just enjoy the
views, I recommend these trails.
Lake Monocan is a 20 acre lake in
the heart of Stoney Creek. It will also be opening over
Memorial Day weekend. (or some weekends in May, weather
permitting) Hours are from 9AM-6PM. Families with kids
of all ages enjoy this lake. Activities include
paddleboats, canoes, electric fun boats, inner tubes,
kayaks, fishing equipment, standard road bike rentals,
horseshoe pits, sand volleyball court, and a sand beach
with lounge chairs. There is also a snack bar, a picnic
area and a charcoal grill area.
The stables at Rodes Farm is our
next stop in Stoney Creek. The stables are now open for
the season and offer trail rides for all abilities.
This is a great place to introduce your family to
horseback riding. Later in the season, they will even
offer dinner trial rides that includes dinner beside one
of Stoney Creeks beautiful lakes as the sun sets.
As you can see, there is a lot to
do in Stoney Creek. In coming weeks, I will be posting
in-depth information about each of these activities.
(also be sure to read yesterday’s blog for information
about fishing in Stoney Creek)
A Week Vacation in Nelson
Yes, there is plenty of activities
to keep a family entertained for days or even weeks.
Visiting Nelson County can also be educational,
challenging with rock climbing, mountain biking or
hiking or just relaxing.
If you need assistance planning a
family vacation, send me an email to kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com
and I can put you in touch with resources to plan the
perfect vacation. I can also send you an Experience
Nelson County Vacation Kit. The kit contains maps
and brochures.
Nelson County has camping, Bed &
Breakfasts, and condo or home rentals. For a week
vacation, check out either
www.WintergreenResort.com or
www.VRBO.com. Once in VRBO.com, click on Virginia
and then select Wintergreen Resort. VRBO has several
homes and condos that are available for a week-long
rental.
Next week, I will be posting a blog
about Wintergreen Resort condos that have been recently
renovated and are available for rental through the
resort. These condos have all new furnishings,
flooring, kitchens and baths.
Earlier this week, I wrote about a
private rental of a fishing cottage on the Tye River.
There are many private rentals and the Nelson County
Visitor’s Center can assist with putting you in
contact with the owners.
Check out my Blog Archive
for many stories about activities to fill your vacation
week. There are also several day camps that kids can
visit during your vacation. (See the blog archive about
kid’s activities) There is even a world-class spa.
Here is a sample of
activities:
Tennis & Tennis Lessons from
Wintergreen’s nationally-known program
Swimming in indoor and outdoor
pools
45 holes of golf and golf lessons
for all ability levels
Horseback riding and lessons for
all ability levels
Hiking on marked trails
The Wintergreen Tree House is open
year-round for crafts and adventures
The new Wintergreen Adventure Dome
with many games, including Wii
Miniature golf at the Wintergreen
Adventure Center
Rock climbing wall
Mountain biking on marked trails
The WinterGarden Spa
Lake Monocan with its beach and
boats
Paint ball sessions
Music and fireworks
Camping at Crabtree Falls
Fishing Nelson County’s many rivers
and streams
Tubing on the James River
Day trips to many interesting sites
in Charlottesville, Staunton and Waynesboro
The Blue Ridge Parkway
Farmers Markets and Apple Festivals
Wineries and Micro-Brew
Antique Shopping
Local Art Galleries
Wintergreen Resort Rentals
I get questions about resort
rentals a few times a week. Many people are looking for
rentals for Summer vacations in Wintergreen Resort. All
condos and homes within the resort are privately owned,
but many owners do rent their property.
There are a few rental companies
covering Wintergreen Resort, but the most popular are
the following:
Wintergreen Resort Official
Program:
www.WintergreenResort.com
Vacation Rentals by Owner:
www.VRBO.com
Rentals are available in a wide
range of sizes and shapes…from a studio condo in The
Mountain Inn to 9 bedroom houses that are large enough
to entertain a crowd. Some real estate agents,
including myself, can help you find a long-term rental
if you are interested in staying in the resort for the
entire summer. All rentals have a kitchen that ranges
in size from a kitchenette to a large chef’s kitchen.
You can plan to cook at home or dine in any of our local
restaurants. Many of the rentals have large decks or
patios to enjoy the views of Wintergreen. There are
also rentals close to specific resort amenities such as
golf, tennis, hiking and the Wintergarden Spa. (There
are also slope-side rentals for ski season
Many condo or home owners use a
rental to program to gain income to off-set the cost of
home ownership. Anyone who owns a property within the
resort may rent their property through any program for
which the property qualifies. I offer clients a “condo
worksheet” that reviews both possible costs of ownership
and possible rental income. I also offer home owner
references to anyone interested in purchasing in the
resort. Contact me at
kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com for the condo
worksheet or additional information about property
ownership or property renovations.
Condos and homes that have been
renovated usually produce a higher rental income.
Renovation projects have become popular in the resort
and include the following upgrades:
Interior paint and upgraded
flooring
New furniture
Upgraded kitchens and baths
In the past year, I have seen a
surge of condo renovations in the resort. These owners
have all seen an increase in their rental income. In
the Mountain Inn, condos that have been recently sold
and renovated included: 184, 186 and 194. All three of
these condos are rated Gold and are available through
www.WintergreenResort.com These condos include new
furniture and flat panel TVs. Condos 184 and 186 have a
door that can be unlocked to provide an interior access
through both condos. This is perfect for a family or
group that needs to share space.
A recently renovated VRBO.com condo
is 326 Dobie. You can view that condo at
www.IIMoose.com. This is an example of an owner
purchasing a condo, renovating it and then placing it on
VRBO as a private rental with its own web site. This
condo has some special summer rates. Ask the owner
about week-long rentals.
There are several local companies
that can assist in the renovation of your condo or
home. I am a member in the Lowes Real Estate Program
with HGTV, and offer the program to my clients. This
program includes a renovation discount program.
A Perfect Weekend in Nelson
County
Saturday
Breakfast
Wake up to breakfast at
the Copper Mine (7AM-11AM) in the Wintergreen resort
adjacent to the Blue Ridge Terrace at the Mountain Inn.
Or, if you are looking for great pastries and coffee,
try Ambrosia Bakery and Deli in the town of Nellysford,
VA. (opens at 9AM) You will want to pick up a to-go menu
from this spot for later use.
Before leaving Nellysford
or the Wintergreen resort, stop by the Black Rock Market
or the Valleymont Market in Nellysford to pick up
beverages and snacks. The morning adventure will take
you out of town and away from supplies. You will need
water and snacks.
The Saturday morning
adventure is a hike at Crabtree Falls. This has been a
popular spot for decades and is the tallest waterfall
east of the Mississippi River. Be sure to bring your
camera and good walking shoes.
Directions:
From Wintergreen Resort, go east on Rt. 664 for 3.1
miles to Rt. 680. Turn right and go 5.1 miles on Rt. 680
to Rt. 699. Turn right on Rt. 699 and proceed 1.4 miles
to SR 56. Go west on SR 56 for 6.5 miles to Crabtree
Falls on the left. Parking is $3 per car.
I always try to be at
Crabtree Falls no later than 10AM. Plan 2 hours, at
least, to really enjoy this hike. Take time for photos
and the view from the top is outstanding. You will want
to take a few moments to soak up this view. The trail is
well marked and maintained. There are several places
along the way to stop and rest, if needed. You may also
link to the Appalachian Trial.
Lunch
When you leave Crabtree
Falls, and you are in immediate need of either food,
beverages or a nice restroom, turn left out of the
Crabtree parking lot and head up the mountain on SR 56.
Head just a few miles to Montebello, VA and the general
store. They have snacks, including soup, beverages and a
restroom. They also have some unique gift items.
I suggest that you don’t
miss lunch at the Blue Ridge Pig. It has been showcased
on the Food Network and in the Washington Post. The
bar-b-que is the best and you need to order the potato
salad. (bring cash as they don’t take charge cards.) It
is located under the big pink pig just a few doors down
from the True Value Hardware in Nellysford. There are a
few inside and outside tables for dining, but I suggest
that you take your bar-b-que to go.
Take your bar-b-que and
head to the Wintergreen Winery on Rt 664, heading back
to the Wintergreen resort area. The Wintergreen Winery
has outside seating with a river view. They also have a
great selection of wines to pair with any lunch with
prices from $12-$25 per bottle. Tastings are also
available as well as a gift shop and additional food.
Afternoon
Here are some suggestions
for your afternoon:
Continue
exploring Nelson County Wine at the Hill Top Berry Farm
and Winery. (2800 Berry Hill Road, Nellysford). Don’t
miss the Pear Sangria.
Play some
tennis at the Wintergreen resort. There are 19 clay
courts and 3 indoor courts.
Go horseback
riding. The resort offers lessons for both adults and
children.
Relax and
enjoy the spring weather from your deck or outside of
the Mountain Inn.
Dinner
I highly suggest making a
reservation for dinner at any restaurant within
Wintergreen Resort. The Edge offers casual dining while
overlooking the mountains. The Copper Mine is an
American steakhouse at night with casual but elegant
dining. The Devil's Grill has southern American food.
For dinner outside of the
resort, I suggest Basic Necessities in Nellysford. They
serve full-course European dinners on Saturday (and
Friday) night with live music. A reservation is a must.
434-361-1766
Night
Check at the Mountain Inn
for Saturday Night entertainment. Often, a live band or
comedian will be scheduled.
There is a Game Room for
all ages that is open to 11PM. Its in the breezeway
below the Copper Mine. Games include NASCAR, Sopranos
Pinball, pool and air hockey.
Rent a movie at the Black
Rock Market. They are open on Saturday nights until 9PM.
You may arrange for a
babysitter in your unit 48 hours in advance through the
resort.
Sunday
If you have to return to
work on Monday, spend Sunday pampering yourself.
The Aquatics and Fitness
Center opens at 7AM on Sunday morning. (additional fee)
There is a fitness center, indoor pool and hot tubs.
Call in advance to join a yoga session. The Wintergarden
Spa opens at 9AM on Sunday morning.
Brunch
Take the short drive to
Stoney Creek for Sunday Brunch. Served 10AM to 3PM.
Enjoy the Spring weather with their outdoor seating.
Afternoon
Right after brunch, stay
at Stoney Creek for a round of golf. A 27-hole course
designed by Rees Jones. Or golf at Devils Knob at
Wintergreen resort after April 1st.
Take the family to the
Out of Bounds Adventure Center at Wintergreen Resort. It
is open from 12-5PM on Sunday. There is a rock wall for
climbing, a skate park and mini golf.
View Art and Antiques.
The Spruce Creek Gallery (434-361-1859) and the Tuckahoe
Antique Mall (434-361-2121) are both open on Sunday and
are a short drive from Wintergreen resort.
Email Kim Chappell
at
kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com in advance to
schedule an area homes tour. See the best homes for sale
in Wintergreen Resort and the surrounding Nelson County
area. View condos, mountain homes, and houses in Stoney
Creek. Receive Kim’s Experience Nelson County Kit.
(If you want to
experience adventure in Nelson County, including Spring
hunting, trout fishing, Appalachian Trail hiking, wine
tours, orchards and berry farms as well as Virginia
southern cuisine, contact Kim Chappell to receive
community information.)
To
watch a tour of Nelson County, click on this link:
http://www.ubuildtours.com/natour.php?id=14DD
Lake Monocan Park
Lake Monocan is a 20 acre lake at
Stoney Creek in the valley.
The lake and park is open to the
public and is $12 for adults, $8 for children aged
6-12, and free for children under the age of 5. (2008
Summer Prices) Wintergreen Resort Members, and all
registered resort guests have complimentary access to
Lake Monocan park. You will need to present a proper ID
or pass for complimentary access. Each guest will pick
up a wrist band. There are also multi-visit passes
available at a discount and an individual Season Pass.
For example, an adult can purchase a Season Pass for
only $99 to cover the entire Summer.
The lake and park has a full-time
life guard, snack bar, paddleboats, canoes, electric fun
boats, inner tubes, kayaks, fishing equipment, standard
road bike rentals, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball
court, sand beach, lounge chairs, picnic area and
outdoor charcoal grills are available. (some fees
apply) Bring your own towel.
There is a two-mile bike trail that
follows the lake and the Stoney Creek Golf Course. The
park offers hourly rentals of bikes or you can bring
your own.
Any of the six picnic areas can be
reserved for a fee. Each picnic area has an 8ft long
table, charcoal grill and trash can. Half day rentals
are $20 and an All Day rental is $30. To reserve one,
call 434-325-8181. This is a perfect area for a family
party, office event, birthday party or picnic with
friends. (attendees also pay the daily entrance fee)
During the Summer, there are also
several Summer Kid’s Camps planned with activities at
the lake and park. For details, see my Blog Archive and
the Kid’s Activities library of past blog posts.
WiFi Spots in Nelson County
Even though we are a rural
community, we do have several wireless Internet spots
in the county. Here is a list:
Lovingston Café: 165 Front Street
in Lovingston. Open 10:30-9PM Everyday
McDonalds: In the Lovingston
shopping center on Rt. 29. This is also our only
fast-food chain restaurant in the county. They are open
everyday from 6AM-11PM
Rapunzels: 924 Front Street in
Lovingston. Open Tuesday and Thursday from 12PM-6PM;
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from Noon-10PM. They
also have great coffee drinks and a nice used book
collection.
Devil’s Grill: At the Devil’s Knob
Golf Course on Wintergreen mountain. Open for lunch
during the Summer and dinner from 5:30-9:30.
The Edge: Located behind the
Mountain Inn in Wintergreen Resort. Open everyday from
11AM-10PM
The Mountain Inn & Colony Coffee:
Located on Wintergreen mountain and the main lodge. The
lodge and tables are open 24X7.
Visit the Nelson Memorial
Library in the hot summer and pick out some great
books or join one of their fun events for kids. On June
11th, the library will have bug stories for
kids ages 3-5. (10:30AM) The library is open six days a
week:
Monday - Tuesday: 12 - 8pm
Wednesday - Thursday: 10am - 5:30pm
Friday: 10am - 5pm | Saturday: 10am - 2pm
Sunday – Closed
Many Maps of Nelson County
and Wintergreen Resort
Maps can help you find your way
around Nelson County or Wintergreen Resort. They can
also be fun and educational. Here are some places to
find maps of our region:
Wintergreen Resort Premier
Properties: Located in the Mountain Inn of
Wintergreen Resort and the official real estate office
of the resort. This office is open 10AM-5PM, seven days
a week. FREE Maps available include:
- Wintergreen Resort driving map
including map of all of the condo neighborhoods
- Wintergreen Resort hiking map
including 30+ miles of marked hiking trails
- Ski Trail Map
- Map of all of the dwellings
and building lots on Wintergreen mountain or Stoney
Creek
- Map for day trip to
Charlottesville and surrounding areas: Ask for the
Discovery Map/Charlottesville
Maps Available On-Line:
Here is a great web site for maps of Nelson County:
www.nelsoncountyva.org/#maps . (Look in the upper
left corner of the web site) My favorite map shows
Points of Interest across the county and it can be
found at this web link. There are also driving maps
of Nelson County that can be printed from this site.
Maps Available at the Visitor’s
Center: Visit the Nelson County Visitor’s Center in
Lovingston to pick up not only maps but brochures and
information about Nelson County. The Visitor’s Center
is located in the same building as the library. At the
Visitor’s Center yo can also pick up guides to Nelson
County’s wineries and micro brewery.
Appalachian Trail Maps can
be purchased at Blue Ridge Sports in the Mountain Inn in
Wintergreen Resort.
Have a Martini at The Edge in
Wintergreen
The Edge has been a popular bar and
restaurant in Wintergreen for years. It is open daily
from 11AM until late serving both lunch and dinner. The
large bar area serves a wide variety of drinks or you
can have drinks delivered to your table. The Edge has
just updated its Martini Menu (as well as food menu)
Stop by over the holiday season.
Here is a brief list of the
martinis being served: Persian Kat, Blue Sapphire,
Pome’tini, Green with Envy, Grape Fizz, Made Martini,
Berry’tini
The Winter food menu looks great.
The popular nachos and hot soft pretzels are back! The
menu also includes several soups, new salads, Winter
Warmer drinks and new entrees.
The Edge is just behind the
Mountain Inn in Wintergreen Resort. To review their new
Winter 08/09 Menu click on this link:
http://www.wintergreenresort.com/pdf/Edge0809.pdf
Nelson County Weather
Long before TV and radio, Nelson
County locals looked to nature to predict a cold
Winter. Lots of Winter berries and nuts in the Fall
meant a cold
Winter ahead. Today, most locals go to
www.NelsonCountyLife.com for the real local
weather. That weather report is created live in Nelson
County. Tommy Stafford has professional experience in
forecasting the weather.
Tommy has a daily audio forecast
that many listen to each morning. The web site also has
an extended forecast and weather stations reporting from
around the county.
Wintergreen Resort, at
www.WintergreenResort.com, displays the temperature
on Devil’s Knob Loop on its home page. Be aware that
the “5 Day Forecast” can be accurate for the valley, but
is not reporting the weather on the mountain.
Temperatures on the mountain are usually at least 5
degrees lower. (Nelson County Life does forecast the
temperatures for the mountain tops)
Many locals buy the annual Farmer’s
Almanac. It has had a place in our home for
generations. I have found it to be rather accurate when
looking at the large picture of weather in the Blue
Ridge Mountains. In January, the almanac is predicting
a lot of wet weather. From January 5th-7th,
the book is predicting “widespread unsettled
conditions”. Another storm is predicted to arrive from
the 12th-15th of January.
My report is always a combination
of many sources, including what is going on at our home
in Beech Grove—at the foot of Wintergreen Resort.
Attention Wintergreen Fans:
Logos Available
Are you a Wintergreen fan? Check
out the Wintergreen logo gear at the Logo Shop in the
Mountain Inn. Here are some holiday gift ideas that can
be purchased inside the Mountain Inn.
A Wintergreen Coffee cup or travel
mug with a gift card from Colony Coffee in the Mountain
Inn.
Wintergreen patches for backpacks,
jackets or collecting. I took some WTG patches to a
recent real estate convention and everyone loved them.
The patches make a great trading item. (also great for
Geocaching)
Wintergreen pins for ski jackets or
trading. These pins can easily fit into an envelope
with a Wintergreen gift certificate.
Hats, hats and more hats. Ski hats
or baseball hats…there are many choices with the WTG
logo. Tuck a hat into a holiday stocking with a note
about a surprise ski trip.
How about a Wintergreen fleece
jacket with some snow tubing tickets tucked inside?
There are also Wintergreen holiday
ornaments for the tree. This makes a great gift for a
new resort home owner.
Sweatshirts for the entire family.
There are sweatshirts in many colors and all sizes—all
with the Wintergreen Resort logo. |
