Weekend Getaway

[Rockrolex]

This is where we have been going the third weekend of October for the past 25 years. It's called Graves Mountain Lodge and it's located in Syria, Virginia in the Blue Ridge mountains.

This is the view looking slightly Northeast from the porch of our room.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/edkessler/Family/DSC_0014.jpg

And this is looking slightly southeast.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/edkessler/Family/DSC_0016.jpg

This is higher up of two motel-like buildings that are the rooms (ours is lower on the mountain). The rooms are rustic. We liken them to a walk-in closet with two double beds and a bathroom.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/edkessler/Family/DSC_0015.jpg

This is the main lodge, containing two large common rooms on the first floor and the dining rooms upstairs.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/edkessler/Family/e901b961.jpg

This is the porch dining room in the main building; dining is communal at tables of 8 - all you can eat, family style.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/edkessler/Family/DSC_0025.jpg

This is the main dining room.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/edkessler/Family/DSC_0026.jpg

It's a great getaway place, with no phones, no TVs and no cellular service. The reason we go at this time is because it is apple season. They have orchards across the road where you can pick apples off the trees. They make and package their own apple butter and a variety of fruit jams. And the food is just plain ol' good down home cookin'. It's a cardiologist's nightmare, but really good tasting.

Oh, don't bother trying to get a room next year. They are sold out during the apple season every year. Over the years I have accumulated 5 rooms (I feel like a real estate magnate). Between family and friends we fill them year after year. :lol: :clap: :thumbsup:

[Rockrolex]

This is our crew of family and friends. This is the latest group portrait. We have them going back 25 years, but we've added to the group over the years.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/edkessler/Family/DSC_0069.jpg

[JJ Irani]

Very nice, Ed, thanks for sharing.

Those pics do look very good and remind me of some of the "Hill Stations" which were built by the British back home in India.

These "hill stations" are just that.....beautiful holiday resorts stowed away in the hills, high up and away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Fine holiday homes and excellent food all the way. Rustic roads, very little traffic, plenty of horse-riding, golf, etc. And the climate.....gorgeous!!:thumbsup:

Those pics above are very nostalgic for me. Thanks!!:thumbsup:

[Rockrolex]

I wouldn't say these are "fine" holiday homes, JJ. Unless you call a pine paneled motel room fine. But except for the golf, you got it right. Horseback riding, nature trails for walking, local wineries for sampling different varietals, local craft shopping, and just all around relaxation. I look forward to going every year, rain or shine. We've been fortunate in having very little rain over the years, although one year we woke up to snow on the ground - mainly a light dusting. Most of the time the weather is stunningly beautiful. Cool and crisp in the morning, warming up during the day, then cold at night. On a clear night, the sky is studded with stars.

[dman]

I think that looks really cool Ed. I am not at all the outdoorsy, roughin' type of person, but that looks like beautiful county for sure. :thumbsup:

Can you get me a room next year during apple season? :read: :thinking:

[Rockrolex]

I think that looks really cool Ed. I am not at all the outdoorsy, roughin' type of person, but that looks like beautiful county for sure. :thumbsup:

Can you get me a room next year during apple season? :read: :thinking:
Didn't you read my comment: "don't bother trying to get a room next year. They are sold out during the apple season every year." What's it worth to you to get one of my 5 rooms. :lol: :clap: :cheers:

[JJ Irani]

Ed,

The weather you've just described above is typical of the one we have at our hill stations. Cool and crisp in the mornings with plenty of dew and some fog.....pleasantly warm days and once again, cool nights. :thumbsup:

A far cry from the heat and humidity of Bombay city, believe me!!!:dummy:

[dman]

Didn't you read my comment: "don't bother trying to get a room next year. They are sold out during the apple season every year." What's it worth to you to get one of my 5 rooms. :lol: :clap: :cheers:
I read it, that is why I asked. Not to mention, did you not read my comment, I hate roughing it at all, if it is not my house, I always pick the hotel. :lol: :lol:

[Rockrolex]

I read it, that is why I asked. Not to mention, did you not read my comment, I hate roughing it at all, if it is not my house, I always pick the hotel. :lol: :lol:
I wouldn't call this roughing it, Daren. They do have indoor plumbing as well as heat and air-conditioning in the rooms.

But it is roughing it if you go by my definition: Roughing it is when room service stops at midnight. :rofl: :lol:

[dman]

I wouldn't call this roughing it, Daren. They do have indoor plumbing as well as heat and air-conditioning in the rooms.

But it is roughing it if you go by my definition: Roughing it is when room service stops at midnight. :rofl: :lol:
Stop right there!! There is no TV, no cell, no outlet for my laptop and yes I happen to like the 24 hour room service. So yes I consider that roughing it. :chuckle: :agree: :agree:

[JJ Irani]

You soft little, squashy little, cute little Hawaiian.....you!!:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Rockrolex]

Stop right there!! There is no TV, no cell, no outlet for my laptop and yes I happen to like the 24 hour room service. So yes I consider that roughing it. :chuckle: :agree: :agree:
So what you're saying is, I don't have to worry about you trying to scarf up one of my rooms for next year. Not even for the pan fried fresh brook trout and best stewed tomatoes ever on Friday night, the steak, baked potatos, and corn pudding on Saturday night, and the fried chicken and smashed potatos for Sunday lunch. :thumbsup: Good, that's just more for me. :lol:

[dman]

Hell, I don't even like to leave my house, let alone go somewhere that I have LESS amenities than at my own home. :chuckle: :chuckle:

[Rockrolex]

Now I really do feel sorry for you. What are you going to do when Dylan wants to become a Boy Scout and go camping? Then you're going to have a real dilemna. As I recall from my scouting days (lo those many years ago), they didn't even have electricity at scout camps. :lol: :clap:

[JJ Irani]

DAREN IS A SOFTY, DAREN IS A SOFTY, SOFTY, SOFTY, SOFTY....AND SO SAY ALL OF US!!!:lol: :lol: :lol: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[dman]

Now I really do feel sorry for you. What are you going to do when Dylan wants to become a Boy Scout and go camping? Then you're going to have a real dilemna. As I recall from my scouting days (lo those many years ago), they didn't even have electricity at scout camps. :lol: :clap:
For him, I would sleep in my underwear under the stars, but only for him.(This is not counting college when I used to drink alcohol.):chuckle: :chuckle: :thumbsup:

[dman]

DAREN IS A SOFTY, DAREN IS A SOFTY, SOFTY, SOFTY, SOFTY....AND SO SAY ALL OF US!!!:lol: :lol: :lol: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
:agree: :agree: :chuckle: :chuckle:

[Uncle-AJ]

OK let's get back to normallity.................nice pictures Ed.:cheers:

[baseballduck]

Great pictures Ed. Sounds like you had a great time. The field trip we went on to Camp Cheerio was in the North Carolina mountains and looked just like that. If I'm not mistaken I think we were in the Blue Ridge Mountains too. Geez I live in North Carolina and couldn't even tell you what mountains we were in.:chuckle:

Tyler

[padi56]

Great picture Ed looks like my kind of place,love the country getting
close to nature,but the best bonus peace and quiet to relax and unwind
excuse pun.:cheers: :thumbsup:

[dman]

OK let's get back to normallity.................nice pictures Ed.:cheers:
Normal is so boring Adrian!! :chuckle: :chuckle: :lol:

[Rockrolex]

Great pictures Ed. Sounds like you had a great time. The field trip we went on to Camp Cheerio was in the North Carolina mountains and looked just like that. If I'm not mistaken I think we were in the Blue Ridge Mountains too. Geez I live in North Carolina and couldn't even tell you what mountains we were in.:chuckle:

Tyler
Camp Cheerio? You gotta be kidding, Tyler. What kind of a name is that for a camp? :thinking: :lol:

And, yes, you were in the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Shenendoahs, which is all part of the Appalachian chain, stretching from Maine to Georgia.

[BruceS]

Looks great Ed! We really do have a lot of lovely country in our own backyard, so to speak!
Cheers,
Bruce

[pensivedoc]

Beautiful. I've done quite a bit of hiking around Luray. Brought back memories. . .

[Earl]

Ed, Those pictures remind me of where I grew up, Vermont.