Matt and I had one final celebration for my birthday over the weekend: a climbing + vineyard day date! (For the opposite celebrations we had, take a look at this weblog submit: All the Birthday Things!)
I like climbing with Matt, and particularly within the fall with the stunning climate it’s one among my absolute favourite dates. So, it’s what I requested for my birthday!
Matt deliberate the journey out for us and selected a hike referred to as Bear’s Den to start out the afternoon. We’d hiked on this space earlier than however had by no means performed this path, so it was enjoyable to take a look at one thing new!
The climate forecast within the afternoon was calling for storms, and it ended up raining just a little on our drive out to the hike, however fortunately as soon as we have been on the market it was a wonderful day.
We did the Bear’s Den Overlook Hike, which takes you alongside a part of the Appalachian Path. I’ve at all times thought it could be cool to do some in a single day hikes on the AT… perhaps sometime.
Have any of you hiked the AT?
It wasn’t too lengthy of a hike as much as the beautiful overlook. The sky had cleared and we had some very nice views!
We sat and loved it for awhile and had some snacks.
After which we carried on alongside the Appalachian Path.
The Bear’s Den Path Middle we got here throughout alongside the way in which was cool – you possibly can’t actually inform on this image however the again of it was like a small fortress. Apparently via hikers can keep in a single day right here!
This a part of the AT was fairly steep and a bit rocky (I undoubtedly slipped at one level and bashed my foot a bit, however fortunately didn’t twist an ankle), but it surely was actually lovely and plush within the forest.
We took the path down down down down down down till we reached this cute little bridge on the backside.
It was down deep sufficient within the forest that there wasn’t lots of solar down there – it was good and quiet and peaceable, too (that’s one of many bummers about this path, that for a big portion of it you possibly can hear the vehicles on the close by street).
From there we went again up and up and up and up and up! Oof, that bought us respiratory laborious!
Again to the overlook to say farewell…
And from there we headed again to the automobile and drove over to close by Bluemont Winery! We’ve at all times heard about this place and couldn’t bear in mind if we had been there earlier than, however once we arrived we realized we had undoubtedly by no means been.
It’s up a steep hill and has some actually beautiful views of the countryside beneath. I see why it at all times comes extremely beneficial!
Hiya, grapes!
We bought there round 5:30, so a bit late within the day (they shut at 7), and that mixed with the truth that the forecast had been just a little bizarre all day meant it wasn’t mobbed, which was tremendous good.
I’ve had charcuterie boards on the mind recently (take a look at my Simple Small Charcuterie Board submit for those who missed it), so after all we needed to strive the one on the vineyard!
It was all very scrumptious, and I beloved the addition of a heat pre-sliced baguette on the facet. The truth that it was heat and toasty actually took it up a notch.
Plus we every bought a flight of wine to take pleasure in as effectively.
We ended up transferring to a extra scenic spot (each for the views and in addition as a result of there have been some actually rowdy youngsters over the place we began and when we aren’t with our youngsters we don’t actually need different youngsters yelling in our ears and working laps round us, both, simply sayin’…), which was pretty.
It was a extremely great strategy to finish a day. I haven’t felt that relaxed in a very long time.
As soon as we completed our wine flights we ended up hanging out within the Adirondack chairs and watching the actually distinctive cloud formations – they have been transferring rapidly and form of mesmerizing/meditative to look at.
It ended up being a extremely cool sundown with all of the completely different clouds within the combine.
So beautiful. Have a look at all these colours!
We have been tremendous unhappy to go away after they closed at 7, however grateful for a beautiful afternoon.
Till subsequent time, Bluemont!
Do you favor wineries or breweries? (Or neither?!)
I normally choose wineries when it’s simply me and Matt as a result of it feels extra like a date vibe, however when we have now associates with us and/or the youngsters breweries could be lots of enjoyable, too.
