Wednesday, April 27, 2016

A walk in the park

I know this particular portion of the Roanoke Valley Greenway almost blindfolded.
It's the section that runs from the tennis courts at River's Edge Sports Complex and ends across the bridge in Wasena, next to the The Green Goat Restaurant.
The walking is easy, flat, scenic, friendly, and not quite 2 miles round-trip.
Today, I carried my camera (oh are you surprised? ha!).
Instead of looking at the river, trees, skies, people, I looked DOWN.ON.THE.GROUND.
Other than looking at my tennis shoes, checking occasionally on my Fitbit, I practiced using my macro lens, on my camera.
Yes, I got down on the ground.........actually, a few times, I laid on the ground.....ahhhhhhhchew.
When I started looking around, there was lots to see.....weeds, dandelions, clover, clover flowers, red clover, wild daisies.
What do you see when you are looking down?
You should go for a short walk in the park!
I took my camera, but phones work great, too.
Oh yes, when you get home, check for ticks!
Happy Walking!








Sunday, April 3, 2016

A Brown Orchard, A Shoe House, A Round Barn, Pork Belly, and a Rainbow

It is always a treat for us to visit out-of-the-way places, on side roads, not traveled by many. It doesn't have to be world renown, famous, or a big tourist attraction.... just a little sidebar.
Our trip destination was York, Pennsylvania. Included were Biglerville, Dallastown, Orrtanna, Loganville, Hellam, and Springettsbury.

(Don't forget to click on the highlighted site words, for further information about these fabulous places to visit!) 1.***BROWN'S ORCHARDS*** was anything but brown! This gem is famous for their killer, to-die-for, 5" chocolate chip sugar cookies. Ron and I been receiving these treats for many years from our son-in-law's parents, who live in York.  Brown's is loaded with orchard fresh fruits, bakery gift baskets, as well as deli foods, flowers, jellies, jams, candies, veggies, plants, trees, trinkets, clothing, cookbooks, cards... everything you can think of, plus more.






















2.***THE SHOE HOUSE***.... Who would expect a house to actually look like a shoe! The Shoe House was build in 1948. The place provides guided tours, hand-dipped ice cream, and a gift shop!
The old woman in the shoe?












3. ***THE ROUND BARN ***is  a historic barn and market, that is family owned. The orchard-covered hills nearby provide a picturesque backdrop for the round barn. I loved reading about the history in the above site. Our son-in-law's GREAT GRANDFATHER worked here. What a small world it is!








4. THE FIRST POST ***This was the restaurant where the rehearsal dinner was held. I'd give this place 5 stars! The service, the presentation, the taste....YUMMY! I could have made a meal on the Asian Pork Belly Tacos, but saved myself for the Salmon with the brown sugar glaze, sweet corn relish, warm potato crab salad, and sauteed spinach! Be sure to check out the menu available in the above site!











5.The last, but certainly not least, was the WYNDRIDGE FARM ***.... a picture-perfect setting for an outdoor wedding at the Chapel, as well as reception in the restored barn, complete with chandeliers, farm to table menus, and handmade farm tables!



























This was my favorite site for the weekend.... 
the rainbow over the chapel.