Charleston, West Virginia

For the Labor Day weekend, we make the trek to Charleston, West Virginia to hang out with our friend's Nick and Sheri and their sweet daughter, Sophia.  Let me first start by saying that the drive there had to be one of the most beautiful drives I have ever been on.  The trees are just now starting to turn colors for the fall, but there was still a lot of green.  The entire four hour drive was full of beautiful mountains and breathtaking views!  Charleston was very nice, and a bit quiet considering it was a holiday weekend. But, it was great as we were able to walk around (it is pretty small), eat A LOT of food and get caught up with everyone which was the goal.

We were pretty excited to go in a tunnel that went right through the mountain!!!

Outside the ice cream store.

Nick insisted that we stop at this old root beer joint and get the kids root beers...just look at the expression in the boys' faces!  They are not allowed to have cokes for obvious reasons.  About an hour later, Luke was fighting to stay awake at dinner! 

I don't think Logan took stopping drinking at all for fear it would be his last!

We took over a toy store.  I know they were happy to see us go. And, on the way out, Nick decided to buy the kids giant chocolate chip cookies!  We have decided not to allow him on anymore trips when the kids are with us!

On Monday, we got up early and headed home, but we took our time and made several stops along the way.  One item on my list of Fall goals this year was to visit an actual apple orchard.  The Carolinas and the states north of us have dozens of pick-your-own orchards, so I was determined to find one on the way home.  We found an amazing orchard, but what no one told us is that getting there was quite the ordeal.  We took a route very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway (one of the most beautiful drives in late fall, apparently).  That means it is on a mountain, which means it is on a very curvy road with steep hills, small lanes and roads with no markers!  We finally got to the area we were looking for but could not find the actual orchard.  We actually had to stop a man on his tractor to ask for directions.  And, since this place is not outfitted with signs, his directions included objects such as three-pronged roads, old barns, and a stop sign turned the wrong way!  We finally found the barn where they send out or sell already-picked apples, and the very sweet lady gave us baskets and more crazy directions to the orchard!  Those directions were even more fun and included going down the road a "piece," going the other direction on the three-pronged road, going the opposite direction of the orchard to the left (it was not theirs), passing the two brick houses and then following the dirt road to the apples.  A lot of work and two hours later we arrived! It was so worth it with the large supply of apples and peaches and the incredible view!

We picked red delicious and golden delicious. We took a taste of one as we strolled and picked; they were very yummy!

Precious!

The branches on several of the trees looked like these.  They were just covered! 

We had to give lessons on what to pick and what to leave alone.  Luke had a knack for picking the ones with holes and bruises!

This was our loot!  We found our way back to the shed, paid for these and also purchased a large box of Granny Smiths ($42.00 for it all!).  Needless to say, I have my work cut out for me.  My agenda includes apple butter, apple sauce, apple pie, apple crisp and apple cidar! I am sure no one will want to look at apples or anything made with apples by the end of the month! Pictures and recipes to come in the following days!