Mini Golf at Bryce Resort

We recently discovered that Bryce Resort has moved its mini golf course to just outside the main resort buildings.  According to the web site, it appears to be open on weekends in the fall & spring, with more availability in the summer.  We decided to check it out, and the kids had a great time.

Peggy's Recipe and Paugh's Orchard

The Shenandoah Valley has numerous orchards, and we are blessed with a wonderful, family-owned orchard right near the cabin. We stop at Paugh's Orchard (off of 42) whenever we are in the area. This fall, Mr. and Mrs. Paugh have a wonderful selection of apples, cider, pumpkins, mums, and even butternut squash. They've recently expanded their operation and are even offering "pick your own" apples this year.

Earlier in the season, we bought bushels and bushels of apples to make our own applesauce. On our last trip, we bought Gala and Stayman apples -- perfect for apple pies. And, I don't make apple pie without having my Cousin Peggy's recipe close by. Cousin Peggy makes the best apple pie.

I haven't managed to make a decent homemade pie crust yet, but I rely on Peggy for the filling. Here is her simple, but wonderful, recipe:

Sometimes, I make a crumb crust. Other times, I use a double-crust, like last time.

Either way, it's good!

It's a beautful, fall day and more apples are waiting on the kitchen counter. Apple pie, anyone?

What a Beautiful View!

We love to visit the town of Luray, right near the entrance to Shenandoah National Park. It also offers great food, wonderful shops, attractions like Luray Caverns, and beautiful views like the one above.

Don't Miss Route 11 Chips!

Our cabin is a wonderful place to relax, reading in front of the fireplace or sitting in one of the deck chairs admiring the beautiful scenery. However, with two young kids, I don't get a lot of "down time" to enjoy that aspect of the cabin. Instead, I get to do lots of fun activities, like visit the Route 11 Potato Chip factory.

Route 11 chips are great, and we are lucky to have a factory with a new retail section just down the road from the cabin. Off of I-81 (exit 269), the factory offers self-guided tours (& lots of samples!).



We checked it out on a dreary Friday afternoon, and my kids had a wonderful time watching the chip-making process from the picture windows around the factory. They also tried out lots of chips, finally deciding that Sweet Potato was their favorite. We bought a bunch of mini-packets of the different varieties to make everyone in the family happy!

A Covered Bridge Among Corn Fields

Off of Route 11, four miles north of New Market and about two miles south of Mount Jackson, lies Meem's Bottom Covered Bridge. The bridge was originally built in 1894. According to this article on Virginia's covered bridges, the bridge was burned by vandals on Halloween 1976 so what we see now is a reconstruction.



Nestled among corn fields, the covered bridge (which is still in use) is worth a visit. My kids particularly liked playing in the water below the bridge!