Carter’s Mountain, Charlotteville, Virginia. Follow Carter’s Mountain trail to the orchard for seasonal fruit picking…You can also visit the lovely country store and bakery. One of the special treats they offer is apple cider doughnuts. So good! (You can buy apples already picked or go into the orchard to gather your own.)
Michie Tavern
Mitchie Tavern ca. 1784, located 1/2 mile below Jefferson’s Monticello (Seven minutes from Carter Mountain via Carter’s Mountain Trail.) Michie Tavern is a Virginia landmark, and was established by Scotsman, William Michie.
Very tasty apples!
Beautiful autumn colors!
So many fallen apples…
It is a wonderful thing to visit an apple orchard! It is fun for the little ones to pick apples, but it is also a treat for the grown-ups. We are immersed in the wonder of the natural world, and freshly-picked fruit has a taste all its own.
Standing on a mountain top is a great experience in itself; the panoramic view is amazing! On a blue-sky day, serenity reigns. The air smells so fresh and clean, and the world feels brand-new.
It is a funny thing in life, but sometimes we take for granted the simple pleasures available to us. I do love the ocean, and I try to spend as much time as possible near the sea. Still, the mountains are only a few hours away, and I could surely visit more often. It happens that whenever I visit the mountains, I feel so refreshed, as if I had taken a long vacation…
It is certainly too early for New Year’s resolutions, but I have decided to create a list of Autumnal resolutions. It is nothing elaborate, but more so a kind of ‘wish list’. It includes things to ‘let go of’, as well as things to ‘add in’.
Time is fleeting. If we wait to make only really big changes in our lives, we may never make the changes. If we take little steps in the right direction, we might go a lot further in reaching our goals and dreams. If we give ourselves more opportunities for rest and refreshment, we may accomplish more…and savor the moments along the way.
God has given us this awesome opportunity to embrace life as fully as we can. There are mountains and valleys, oceans and rivers, fields and sandy shores. There are so many places in our midst that we sometimes overlook or don’t fully appreciate.
We may not always be on the top of a mountain or cruising on a boat in the open sea. But, we can keep our hearts open to the beauty around us. Even from the front porch, there is a ‘universe’ of wonder…birds that sing to us, squirrels that entertain us, owls that hoot in the dark night.
There is wonder everywhere when we look for it on a daily basis. I have always tried to live that way, but sometimes I get caught up in the drama of always trying to do too much, always trying to get it all right, that I miss the magic of the hour. And, every hour does hold its own magic, its own incredible once in a lifetime magic.
I am making my list of ‘autumn resolutions’, things I don’t want to miss in this grand season. It includes fun things, like taking more long walks in the autumn foliage, reading more of my favorite books, taking the time to learn something new that I have never tried before, and taking more trips close to home…places I have always wanted to visit, and never have.
It is almost Thanksgiving, a time for counting our many blessings. Our blessings do overflow! Sometimes, the simplest things can bring so much joy. After our apple-picking day, I made a pie and brought it to a friend’s house who had invited us for dinner. I shared the news of our trip to the mountains. We all agreed that when it comes to food, there is nothing like eating produce you have hand-picked yourself.
We are closer to the ‘mountains’ than we know. Perhaps, God gifted us with mountains so we would keep climbing, knowing that life is not easy, but the climb itself is awesome. He climbs each mountain with us, steadies us when we feel like we are falling, calls to us when darkness descends on our path.
One thing is for sure. God does know that we need rest and refreshment along the way. If we never rest, we cannot enjoy the panoramic view around us. The magic is there for the taking. Sometimes, it is enough to just pause and enjoy the view…
Ashville, North Carolina
Isaiah 55:12-13: For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
A beautiful post. I love the idea of autumnal resolutions! And such a good point about making small attainable goals. Was this place off of the Blue Ridge Parkway? I’m wondering if I’ve been there. But it would’ve been over 20 years ago, so it’s fuzzy in my memories. Thank you for this lovely reflection.
Thank you! Charlottesville is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is not officially part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, but it would be a fantastic place to start the trip!!! Skyline Drive is a 105- mile picturesque drive through the Shenandoah National Park and that is only about an hour away from Charlottesville. Not long ago, we attended a wedding in Shenandoah Park and it was beautiful!
Beautiful. We lived in for Virginia for many years. Carter’s Mountain was a favorite place for picking apples. 🙂
It is a wonderful place! We have been there many times, and it is always special. We have never made it for the peach season! (I hope to get there sometime for that.) Thanks for stopping by! Happy (almost) Thanksgiving!
I love this post. So true and very inspiring. Have a blessed Thanksgiving Linda.
I am happy you enjoyed the post! Autumn is a beautiful season! I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving as well. 🙂
I love your idea of Autumnal resolutions! Why wait for New Years to resolve to live life more fully? And thank you for the reminder to enjoy the little things as well as the big. Sometimes things get so hectic that I forget to look for the good, to enjoy all the gifts I have, and above all, to be grateful. Also, I have now added visiting the mountains to my list of places I want to go in the not too distant future……. Thank you, Linda!
I am glad you are contemplating a trip to the mountains! A few years back, when we were in Cass, West Virginia, we were hoping to take a train ride through the Appalachian Mountains. It did not work out on that occasion, but we did enjoy our stay in the mountains!!! A train ride on a steam-driven locomotive would be so much fun!!! (Cass Scenic Railroad) Anyway, wishing you blessings at Thanksgiving and throughout this autumnal season!
There’s nothing like mountains to remind me of the majesty of God. Mountains also bring me to a place of humility. Looking up at them from the foothills, even if through only photographs, never fails to remind me of both the greatness of God and my small spot in the world. Linda, the verse you shared – Isaiah 55:12-13 – has proven prophetic for me. It seems as if song has come from the mountains for me over an issue I have long prayed about!
I am so glad that there is a song in your heart and that a weight has been lifted. God is good. He is always good. This verse is one of my favorites. So much joy in these passages, so much promise! Wishing you blessings at Thanksgiving!!!
“Autumnal resolutions”–great idea, Linda. I’m thinking for 1926 my husband and I should make a list for each season–a couple of day trips we’d like to make, a project to tackle together, a book for both of us to read, a recipe hunt for new, healthy dishes to try, etc. More intentionality for how we spend our days would be good for us! (We certainly enjoy our quiet days at home, after decades of nonstop activity as a teacher (me), a pastor (my husband), and three kids!)
I am always a little surprised when I look back at my planner at the end of the week. (I keep a journal and a planner.) A week goes by so quickly! I like your suggestion of resolutions for each season. Each season of the year offers so many possibilities! I think people often feel ‘rushed’ through the seasons, especially over the holidays. We do need to set intentions for what is most meaningful to us personally. Also, some of the happiest times of our lives are the moments that catch us unaware…all unplanned!!! So, some blank space in the planner is a good thing! 🙂
When I lived in Buffalo, NY, I loved this time of year when the orchards were open for self-picking. I truly felt there was a better flavor in the apple 🍎 right of the tree vs one on the ground. Those memories are very fond in my head. Beautiful photos. In His Grip – Alan
An apple orchard is a magical place! You are so right…an apple picked straight off the tree is delicious! I will be making more apple pies for Thanksgiving, and I wish I had more of those Carter’s Mountain apples! I do wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I love road trips, and mountains, and taverns. So many things to enjoy as well as your beautiful photos, Linda. I loved your line: “we can keep our hearts open to the beauty around us. Even from the front porch, there is a ‘universe’ of wonder…” Yes, we don’t even need to leave the yard. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. There’s a lot to be grateful for.
I hope you had a good Thanksgiving! 🙂 There is something awesome about the open road. There is always the promise of discovering something new. Often, enroute to a particular destination, the sights and scenes along the way prove to be a spectacular part of the trip. Wishing you a great start to December!!!
Thanks so much, Linda. Happy Holidays.
It looks like a lovely trip! I especially like the misty photo at the end. I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving!
The misty photo at the end is from another mountain trip. We attended a wedding at Shenandoah National Park. We took our time down the mountain that day with all the fog!!!
I’m sure you did! 💙
Linda, your post is so inspirational, as usual. It really seems to capture the late fall season, too. Did you have a good Thanksgiving?
Thank you, Luanne! We got a little bit of snow this morning! We did have a nice Thanksgiving. We had all of our children and grandchildren over and we also decorated the tree. (I still have lots to do, but we are enjoying the tree!)
Oh, that sounds so lovely! I am so happy for you and your family!