Nelson County Rocks

The weather this summer was unusually cooperative, and pest problems were far less than last summer, when it rained almost every day.  Beans were our number one crop: so many bushels that we gave many away after filling much of the freezer with parboiled beans.  Squash and tomatoes were plentiful; onions, garlic, peppers, cucumbers, and potatoes did reasonably well, although I had to toss out the late-season potatoes because of extensive pest damage.  Mexican bean beetles did in the lima beans late in the season.  Parsley and basil grew in abundance, and there are many bags of spring snap peas in the freezer (and still getting some turnips and chard planted in the spring).   Overall, a good harvest with lots of good eating!

Holly canned mixed pickles with veggies from both the garden and from the local farmer’s market.  She planted a variety of vegetables in her garden at her Lake Monticello home; brussel sprouts and others are coming along.

Flowers and a new friendship bloomed nicely as well!

We drove over the challenging road to Crabtree Meadows, where we were quite surprised to run into Barbara and Marion from Grace Church.   Holly and I then walked a mile down the trail to the top of Crabtree Falls, and then explored the Crabtree Meadows and its wildflowers.   Later in the month we walked around beautiful Lake Sherando on the other side of the Blue Ridge.  We’ve been blessed with many perfect days this summer: sunny but not too humid or hot.

We ended our little outing that day at Milmont Nurseries where I snapped the picture below of Holly getting ready to snap her own of the beautiful Blue Ridge to the east.

(note: as with all pictures on this blog, click on image for an enlarged version in a separate window)

 

In mid-July, Holly took me up to the Eastern Shore of Delaware to meet her longstanding close friends, Robert and Barbara.  We spent several days talking, eating, walking, and sunbathing and had a delightful time.  Eleanor came down in mid-August, and one place we took her to was Woodson’s Mill, the fascinating water-powered mill that produces stone-ground grits and flours.  We had a great tour from Dave Woodson.  Nic and Alison visited for dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holly and I spent two nights in Luray, staying at the stately Mimslyn Inn.  We visited Luray Caverns and the quite interesting historical museum and buildings associated with it, and explored the relatively new Hawksbill Greenway, a walking and biking trail that weaves around the town, with impressive wildlife, resting and viewing places, a gathering space for music and performances, and beautiful murals on old farm and industrial buildings.  (Query: can you find me in one?)  Very nicely done; the town is clearly and understandably proud of its creation.  We returned on the third day via Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.  There were many beautiful sights, but we were particularly taken with the flowering Turks Caps along the way.