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Formerly YB-2 05-09-2017 04:18 PM

Western VA
 
We were booked in Ottawa for this week to enjoy the tulip festival. But......... snow and cold and rain changed our mind (Brrrrrrrrrr - May is too late for snow & freezing temps & floods). So we booked Charleston, SC for a few days. And........... bingo, the forecast changed from mid-70s to low 90s. Too late for snow....... too early for the 90s for us. So, we decided to drive a bit of the Skyline Drive from Front Royal, VA to Luray, VA and visit the Luray Cavern. We took the last scheduled tour (6pm) of the day and we were the only two. Private tour and it was very good. Some of the formations reminded us of the the art in Alhambra, being so intricate and lavish.

doguniverse 05-09-2017 04:39 PM

Fantastic cavern and good choice.

ylee 05-09-2017 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2 (Post 846086)
We were booked in Ottawa for this week to enjoy the tulip festival. But......... snow and cold and rain changed our mind (Brrrrrrrrrr - May is too late for snow & freezing temps & floods). So we booked Charleston, SC for a few days. And........... bingo, the forecast changed from mid-70s to low 90s. Too late for snow....... too early for the 90s for us. So, we decided to drive a bit of the Skyline Drive from Front Royal, VA to Luray, VA and visit the Luray Cavern. We took the last scheduled tour (6pm) of the day and we were the only two. Private tour and it was very good. Some of the formations reminded us of the the art in Alhambra, they%

Shenandoah valley is beautiful this time of year.

Formerly YB-2 05-09-2017 09:59 PM

It was very interesting to contrast the leaf growth at the various altitudes. At the highest point on Skyline Drive (3700') there are essentially no leaves and just some budding. At 3000' the leaves are just starting to pop and below 2500' the are about fully out.

We had a terrific meal at the Waterwheel restaurant. The pork pate with their mustard, cornichon, pickled onions & very thin rye toast was as good as we've had in the U.S. Their food is all sourced as locally as possible and is fresh and close to organic. The Caroline salad I had was unique and excellent. Almost as good as the pate. Karen had the trout and I had the hanger steak. Again, both were excellent. We selected a sparkling Oregon pinot noir/chardonnay blend from their modest, but decent wine cellar. If we had any complaint, it would be that the wine wasn't cold enough. Not sure what was up with the ice bucket. We will definitely be returning for a more extended stay (leaves in the fall?). Very friendly, helpful staff. And, a babbling brook just outside our room. Most relaxing. Breakfast in our room tomorrow. Just call when ready and they bring it over. Have to beat the rain home.

Formerly YB-2 05-10-2017 07:37 PM

Breakfast was also terrific. Call the desk anytime from 7 - 9 a.m. and it is brought to your room in about 10min. Coffee, OJ, hot quiche, hot crumbcake, a large helping of vanilla yogurt with granola and fresh fruit. More than I could finish. The bit of leftover sparking wine from dinner did very well in the OJ.

Formerly YB-2 10-21-2019 07:34 PM

Two & a half years later we are back at the Grist Mill Square in Warm Springs. After a 6+ hrs drive down we chilled for a couple of hours before having a light dinner (excellent Spainish Granache, pate & Ceasar salad topped off with a shared piece of chocolate cake & ice cream) in the small (seats 8) bar. Back to our delightful room (wife likes the Quilt room) for a glass of port and reading. Dinner in the Waterwheel tomorrow with dinner at the Omni Resort the next night. Into the warm springs one of the days.

Looking forward to the most excellent breakfast that is served in our room each morning at any time between 8 & 10.


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