Kathryn Querner ‘22
Executive Editor
Carter Mountain Orchard, boasting fall treats and some of the best panoramic views in Charlottesville, has adapted to offer fall fun in a pandemic-friendly manner. Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Carter Mountain with my sectionmates during its Sunset Series and again in early November with an out-of-town friend to pick apples, so I was excited to make another trip up and curious to see how this experience would differ.
Pictured: Carter Mountain never fails to impress with its views. Photo Courtesy of Kathryn Querner '22.
Having visited this past Thursday, October 22, I can say that yes, in fact, the experience differed in several ways. It was a fun and fall-filled experience nonetheless, though, and I highly recommend that those looking for a socially-distanced and fall-themed activity for the season check it out.
A few differences of note: For one, you need to book a time-slot ahead of time on the Carter Mountain Orchard webpage to visit the Orchard. There are offerings every day of the week, and you simply select either a morning, mid-day, or afternoon three-hour slot. For certain weekdays, the ticket price is waived; weekends and Fridays require a paid ticket. Second, if you choose to pick apples, you prepay for either a small bag or a larger box, and then you are free to fill the bag or box up as much as you’d like. Also, masks are required when you are within six feet of another party.
Carter Mountain offers all sorts of fall activities. From a small pumpkin patch to picking many apple varieties in the Orchard, shopping for fresh-baked apple pies, apple cider donuts, and other fall treats—the three-hour time limit barely allows time to engage in all of the activities. For those coming at mealtime, a small food menu and drinks are available at the front. And of course, the scenic views from various overlook points at the entrance and throughout the Orchard provide spectacular landscape views that aren’t easy to find in Charlottesville.
I walked away from the Orchard on Thursday with a bag of about twenty apples —mostly Granny Smith and Fuji —and feeling invigorated from the wholesome fall experience. Now onto the next fall endeavor—making apple pie!
Kolleen Gladden ‘21
Photographer
If you’re looking to get out of the Charlottesville area without traveling too far, I highly recommend the Blue Ridge Mountain Maze, located by Wood Ridge Farm Brewery in Lovingston, Virginia. I first learned of Wood Ridge when the Outdoor Club stopped there after a hike in early February. I was surprised to be hearing of it for the first time and have been more surprised to hear that this brewery is somewhat of a hidden gem.
Pictured: Good luck getting out of this corn-maze. Photo Courtesy of Kolleen Gladden '21.
Overlooking the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains (as the name suggests), the Blue Ridge Maze is a new, seasonal feature of the brewery, open until November 8. Christian Sorenson ’21 and I visited in mid-October and were delighted by the experience. The open atmosphere made it easy to socially distance, and there were a plethora of fun fall activities. We began with the maze. Before entering, maze-travelers are equipped with a crayon and sheet of paper with Virginia trivia on it. The goal is to find trivia “posts” set up throughout the maze and attempt to answer the questions posed. Depending on the answer you give, the maze will instruct you to take a different turn (for example, if you choose “Answer C”, it may tell you to turn left), with successful answers leading you in the correct direction to complete the maze. We somehow finished the maze without visiting each of the posts, which baffled us all. We chose to go in the early evening, but the maze becomes a “night maze” after dark. How the “night maze” differs from the day maze is a question we never had answered, so proceed at your own risk.
Along with the maze, the Blue Ridge extension has a pumpkin patch where you can even slingshot pumpkins, admire farm animals, and eat plenty of fall treats such as caramel apples (which were reasonably priced and delicious) as well as pies from the Pie Guy. Once we exhausted these activities, we ventured over to Wood Ridge for food and drinks. The brewery has an outdoor food truck from which you can order and plenty of spaced outdoor seating. I am in no way a beer connoisseur, but I was told that the drinks were very good. I can attest to the quality of the food, which was also delicious. They have a variety of options that can be made vegan, including totchos and veggie burgers, which I thought were great. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and a great way to get out of the house in a distanced manner.
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