Cana, VA

Jimmy and I took a trip to the mountains of VA November 1st-3rd. We took a bit of money from last year's tax return and bought a bed and breakfast deal from Groupon. Then we scheduled our visit for the fall and started counting the days!

Jimmy took Friday the 1st off work, so we loaded up early and hit the road. Our first stop was Oxford to drop the boys off with my Mom for their fun weekend. Then we were off!!!! It was so nice to be able to leisurely drive to the mountains, instead of hurrying somewhere after Jimmy got off work.

Our first stop was Lover's Leap!

The colors below.

Take 1

Take 2

The beautiful valley below.

Love these mountain views.

We ended up at Mabry Mill for "lupper" (lunch/supper), and we ate in their awesome little cafe. They serve delicious southern/country food.

After we ate we had a nice walk on the grounds.

Once we got back in the van we headed back down the Blue Ridge Parkway.

We weren't too far from the bed and breakfast when.... we blew out a tire.

Awesome.

Truthfully, I was just glad we weren't hurt. We were in a place on the parkway where we didn't get cell phone reception though, so we were a bit concerned about how we would contact AAA. Lucky for us, along came a couple that said we could ride with them the half mile to their condo and use their land line. I was thankful the lady was driving, because the man had obviously been drinking.

At least there was a nice view off their back porch....

We got things squared away with AAA and were going to head back to our van to wait for the tow truck. Both of our new friends popped open a cold one (as in, a beer), and we all got in the car. I was grateful for my seat belt and started praying that we would make it to our van safely. Who drives with a beer in hand?!?  Once we got to the van they offered to drive us to the bed and breakfast (after they returned from stopping at a nearby convenience store for another case of beer). We thanked them for their help, and I prayed that we could ride in the tow truck. I wasn't getting back in that car!

Waiting....

Trying to be patient and have a good attitude....

The steep non-shoulder where our tire bit the dust.

Puckett's cabin nearby

And.... our chariot arrives.

Jimmy rode up front with Odell and I sat in the back and took pictures. Odell had a really long beard and was a friendly old soul, and he offered to drive us to the B&B before dropping our van off at his service station. We accepted the offer just in time to tell our drinking friends who came back that we had a ride!

 My view of the sunset from the backseat.

Finally we arrived! Now how many people can say they arrived to their B&B in a tow truck?!

We settled into our room that night and watched a movie. Our host and hostess were very hospitable and offered the use of any of their movies, board games, sitting rooms, etc. We slept well and woke up to this beautiful view:

Here is our room:

We had the Isabella Mountain Suite, such a comfy, cozy room!

To the right is a "fireplace" you could turn on. Real fires are better, but it was pretty and provided warmth!

This is what we found when we went downstairs in the morning, and breakfast was a delightful treat! We really enjoyed the other two couples who were also there that weekend, and we all sat at the breakfast table about an hour each morning chatting and sharing stories. It was one of my favorite parts!

After breakfast our host drove us to Odell's service station, where we were happy to discover that our van was easily and inexpensively fixed! Thank you Lord! We were also delighted that the tire was only a minimal interruption and inconvenience to our long-awaited weekend.

Part of our Groupon deal was that we had vouchers for a wine tasting and tour at Chateau Morrisette, a winery nearby. We headed here after we picked up the van. Dad, Kacoo, Rhonda, and Jane (and often other family members too!) would annually head to Chateau Morrisette on Columbus Day, so I was familiar with it. I had been once myself. While this time I couldn't participate in the wine tasting as a student at Southeastern, I enjoyed smelling Jimmy's samples, listening to the presentation, and got a free wine glass! On the way to the Chateau we passed this beautiful stone church, and I had to stop and take pictures.

Just beautiful.

The front of the restaurant at Chateau Morrisette! We made reservations for lupper and headed to our tour and tasting.

I loved seeing all the rhododendrons everywhere (which is what's behind me).

Where wine production takes place, and where their store is.

I loved this chandelier and all of the wood detail.

Wine barrels!

After our tasting and tour we headed back to the restaurant. The foyer is so cozy and rustic!

A window in the foyer,

and one in the hall.

Lunch was delicious. Jimmy had shrimp and grits, and I had French onion soup and a fondue plate with crudites and other items to dip in it. We both enjoyed mugs of hot tea.

And then..... DESSERT!

BEFORE. 

The dessert sampler- coffee creme brulee, flourless chocolate torte, and coconut cake. 

I cannot adequately convey how a.m.a.z.i.n.g. this was. Such a perfect end to our time at the winery!

AFTER.

We savored every bite!

After we left the winery we headed to a nearby overlook to take in some more mountain scenery.

We loved this patch of yellow.

As we were headed back to the B&B, we stopped by a candy factory and store and an old country store as well.

When we arrived, we had the whole evening before us! We relaxed in some of our favorite ways... Jimmy was fiddling with some things on the computer, and I was reading. We had lots of time to talk and could go to bed whenever we wanted. It was blissful.

My "Look, it's 6PM on Saturday night and I'm reading!!!" picture.

The next morning we enjoyed another wonderful breakfast, took a picture with our hosts before leaving, and headed out to a nice walk on their property.

The front of the B&B.

We liked this tree.

This was an orchard right beside the B&B.

Once in the car we headed to Mt. Airy, NC, which was just a short drive away. We were going to spend the afternoon in Andy Griffith's hometown!

A Moravian Church I thought was picturesque, on the way down the mountain.

An Alpaca farm. A little strange to me...

Once we got to Mt. Airy we parked so we could walk around downtown. Since Andy was on pretty much every night in our home growing up, I really enjoyed our time here!

A replica of the doors in the show.

A replica of the Darlin farm!

Moonshine!

The home where Andy grew up.

Then we went here! I love a good museum!

In the foyer of the museum.

Gettin' a kiss from Thelma Lou!

This playhouse named after Andy was nearby as well.

The TV Land statue, which is in Mt. Airy and also at Pullen Park in Raleigh.

Then it was time for lupper here! They may have had the best onion rings I've ever put in my mouth.

We drove by Pilot Mountain on the way home (Mt. Pilot in the show).

We arrived home Sunday night, feeling thoroughly relaxed and refreshed, and having decided that a weekend getaway needs to become an annual tradition for us!