Friday, November 25, 2011

Charlottesville in the Fall

This past Wednesday I attended the eighth annual Thanksgiving potluck with some of my friends from high school. This potluck tradition dates back to our first semester of college, when we gathered for a feast during the Thanksgiving holiday. This year's host unearthed a video from that very first potluck and in the spirit of sentimentality, we relived our past. Rather serendipitously, there I was, proclaiming thanks for the privilege of attending the University of Virginia (where I attended as an undergrad).

I still feel just as privileged eight years later. After spending a fall in Charlottesville, it is very easy to understand why people find fall such a festive season. With Charlottesville nestled along the Blue Ridge mountains, the foliage is overwhelmingly beautiful. Don't want to take my word? Check out here or here or here. It would be a shame to not take advantage of this autumnal weather, so when the weekend rolls around, I find time to get away from the Darden classroom. Here are a few of my fall favorites:

Apple Picking: A few weeks ago my friends and I travelled to Carter Mountain Orchard. We left around midday and grabbed some sandwiches before ascending the mountain. After picnicking with a panoramic view of Charlottesville, we set off through the mountainside, filling our bags with Granny Smith and Fuji apples.


Wine Tasting: Of course, if you are a wine drinker, Charlottesville doesn't disappoint. With over 25 vineyards in the area, wine tasting and wine tours are favorite weekend activities. Just this past Friday, I was fortunate enough to be invited on a wine tasting tour for a company networking event. We met in front of Darden at noon, boarded the bus with prepared bag-lunches from Feast! (a delicious sandwich shop), and for the rest of the afternoon, enjoyed some of the best vineyards and views of Charlottesville.

Football: This year, with Coach London in his second season, watching the UVA football team has been enjoyable. On home game days, it's always fun to tailgate and go watch the team play in Scott Stadium. And for the first time since 2007, UVA is bowl eligible and will be extending its football season into the winter!


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