Exploring the Shenandoah Valley

The highlights are back to the east coast for the family! We spent five years in Arizona and saw and did a lot of things, but we are glad to be back on the east coast. This is a brand new area for us, so we have a lot of exploring to do!

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Now this is one unique and must see place. With over 500 animals from all over the world housed within, and roaming free, you will encounter wildlife unlike you've ever done it at any zoo! There is a three mile driving trail through the park that you slowly negotiate as you feed the animals that approach your vehicle with food purchased from the kiosk entrance. And approach your vehicle is putting it mildly! You are swarmed with various wildlife who want the food from your bucket. Everything from antelope to ostrich to water buffalo to bison and even a few pot-belly pigs! This is a must see for kids and adults of all ages and don't forget the camera.

Prices are $12 for adults and $8 for kids, but I found that it was well worth it after completing the trip. Food buckets are $3 or 4 for $10, which is the best deal because those are some hungry animals!

I would only give two disclaimers and they are first, don't wash your car BEFORE you go, do it afterward to get all of the slobber off. Second tip is that if you see an animal with buckets on the ground around him, don't stop there because those buckets were snatched by him from other people who stopped there. It is not that the animal is aggressive, but they can be brazen and you don't want to lose a whole bucket full of food. Three miles at three miles an hour can take a while.

To get to the Safari Park, take I-81 to exit 180-B, which is below Lexington, VA. Once off of the highway, you will see the signs. You can also check out the website @ http://www.virginiasafaripark.com/index.htm because they are closed for a time from late November until March.

I was pleasantly surprised by my experience at Callie's in Harrisonburg. The food was great and the house brew was great as well! I have been to quite a few brew pubs and usually one or the other is lacking or pales in comparison to the other, but this place presented a very nice balance.

When we went it was late summer and early evening, so we opted to sit out on the upper deck that has great views across the Courthouse Square. The service was prompt and very professional and the waiter had a great knowledge of the menu and the beer selections.

I started with the Scottish Red, Callie's award winning brew and on tap regular. The beer was very robust in flavor and clean and not too filling while drinking it. After that I tried the IPA, which was just as good and very powerful. The food as mentioned was delicious as well.

If you are a local or a homebrewer, I would suggest a Growler. This is a brown glass jug that has a Grolsch style clamp lid on the top that holds around five or six beers from their tap. For $20, you can take the Growler home and bring it back for $7 refills during happy hour or $9 any other time. I've been back numerous times, trying the Kolsch (fantastic) and Nut Brown Ale (Great!)

For the brew pub fan or just anyone looking for a unique dining experience in Harrisonburg, check out Callie's!

Formerly owned by Thomas Jefferson and supposedly originally surveyed by George Washington, Natural Bridge was considered a Natural Wonders of the World by early Europeans. Today, Natural Bridge is a standing testiment to the power of Mother Nature. Standing 215 ft above the creek it crosses, Natural Bridge is ninety ft long from end to end. Atop the bridge runs Route 11.

The park offers many other sights to partake, but the main attraction is the Natural Bridge itself. There is a walking trail that follows the creek that runs under the bridge back to the waterfall that feeds the creek. Along the trail is a Indian Village, a couple of mines and an underground aquifer with some of the coldest water imaginable running through it. The walking trail is uphill and not a strenuous walk if you're in decent condition, but it might be a stretch for the elderly of those with medical conditions.

Entrance to the park is $12 and after a brief walk (or shuttle bus ride) down to the creek, the walking trail begins.

For a touch of natural history and Americana, Natural Bridge cannot be beat.

We had never been to a pick your own apple orchard when we decided to check out the one just outside of Charlotte. The end result was that we had a blast! We discovered the orchard while looking for a day trip to get out and sightsee. Directions were easy to follow and the orchard was only about 15 minutes off of Interstate 64 that runs from Richmond, through Charlottesville to Interstate 81. Take exit 121A and go ½ mile on Route 20 South, then turn left onto VA-53.
Go ¾ mile, turn right at the Carter Mountain Orchard sign.

Situated on Carter Mountain, the views from the top of the mountain are spectacular.

The experience is also very quick and easy. You pay for what you pick and they provide the baskets for your own harvest. Before you head out to the orcahrds, you leave from the main barn and they tell you what is in season and where to go to find them in the orchard and you're off from there. When you return to the barn you pay for what you picked. The barn is also a souvenir shop with various country type knick knacks as well as apple and other fruit products, and pre-picked apples ready to go. Before you go, try the smoothies....Yum!!

I recommend this for anyone with children or looking for a fun family outing. My family had a blast and really enjoyed picking their own apples. We plan on going back when the winter clears out and stocking up again since it was such an enjoyable experience.