And the countdown continues...
79. The WEATHER. I really can not emphasize this enough, this week's weather is absolute perfection, and it's like this quite often. It's cool enough to have the windows open, a slight breeze, the sun is out and the sky is blue. Sleeping when the temps drop at night is awesome, snuggled under one of the cozy comforters we have at High Meadows. For MOST of the year, it's a wonderful climate! It was one of the top three reasons we moved to Charlottesville, actually.
78. The SCHOOLS. This was another of the top 3 reasons we chose Charlottesville. No matter what you are looking for in a school for your children, you'll find it here. Private schools run the gamut and serve so many different needs...the Autism Institute, Little Keswick School, Peabody, and the Discover School help with special needs. Covenant School, Charlottesville Catholic School and a few others serve religious needs. Tandem Friends School, Renaissance School, The Charlottesville Waldorf School, several Montessorri schools, the Field School, Free Union School, St. Anne's, The Miller School...all have their individual take on education, some offering boarding. The public schools are awesome too - our little Scottsville Elementary is like a family. UVA and Piedmont Community College round out the timeline. And that's just a sampling...if you've got a family to raise - you can find the school that's right for you. Or not - the local homeschooling network is the one of the strongest I have seen anywhere!
77. Crabtree Falls. It's a great hike. People die here because they think it's Disney World, and of course it's actually nature...so be careful. But it's beautiful, peaceful, and only an hour away from the inn.
76. The Downtown Pavilion. So our Downtown is a "mall", as in a big public pedestrian place, along the lines of the National Mall in DC, but brick and smaller. It's about 10 blocks, and has tons of fun stuff to do. The eastern end is the Ntelos Pavilion, and is a covered area, that is home to free concerts as well as hosting everyone from Barack Obama when he came to town, the Dalai Llama when he came to speak, The Flaming Lips, Jack White, Alison Krauss...you get the picture. It holds several thousand people - but you always have a good view whether you are in the front row, or on the grass in the back. So lucky to have such a place in our little city!
75. Van Clief Nature Area. About 200 yards behind the Maytag store in downtown Scottsville...there is a fairly unknown treasure, a beautiful recreation lake. Recently, the Town has built some nice trails on the 60ish acres surrounding the lake, which is also stocked with trout by the state fishery several times each year. It's amazing. And its literally feet away from the bustling activity of Valley Street. So lucky to have it!
74. The James River. If the serenity of a lake isn't your thing, no worries - the wide and wonderful James River is also mere feet away. Canoe, kayak or tube - summer activities on the river are endlessly fun. And it runs right through the heart of Scottsville, and is the backdrop for the awesome annual 4th of July Fireworks.
73. WEGMANS. Technically, we don't have this yet...but it's almost ready to open, and even better it's on the South side of Charlottesville...so EASY access from Scottsville! Can't wait.
72. Splendora's. Terrific gelato. I don't know why it came to me just now, but it's definitely one of the highlights of living here, and I don't want to forget it on my list. If your kids want gelato and you need coffee, no worries - they also have one of the best lattes in town.
71. Apple Cider from Carter Mountain. I'm going to separate this out from everything else wonderful at Carter Mountain. It's not pasteurized, sold cold, and it's worth the drive up the mountain to pick up a gallon. The flavor is unmatched. It's not organic, but it is DELICIOUS. The family business up there is run with lots of love - and that's worth quite a bit in my book.
70. The overlook on the eastern side of Afton Mountain. I live here, and I still pull over regularly to just sit for a few minutes and take in the view. So so lucky to live here!
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