The Queen’s Chronicles – Sweet Virginia

Blogging has definitely taken a back seat to actually living in the moment lately but that is not to say there hasn’t been anything going on! I updated you guys at the beginning of June as I roadtripped to Charlottesville, Virginia with Dillon where he would be playing summer ball. Dillon has been growing on and off the field all summer and we were missing his face! We headed up for an extended weekend to enjoy a little of sweet Virginia and of course to see him pitch!

The thing that is hard to remember as the parent of an athlete is that the game really is like a job. It’s not just the time they spend on the field but the time they have to devote daily to working out, recovery, etc. I suck at not remembering that after all these years of being a baseball mom! So while our mission was to spend some time with Dillon, we also had time to fill with some fun on our own.

This trip I truly left the planning to the family and when Keith and Carly woke up on Friday morning asking me fo a plan they thought I was joking when I said I didn’t make one! Keith came in clutch and found the Sugar Hollow Loop a short drive away. It was an easy hike with an easy elevation change that never felt too steep. We found a couple of water falls and some wild berries to snack on!

We also took a short drive to visit Carter Mountain Orchard where the peaches were ripe for picking. After picking enough to fill the smallest bag, we enjoyed the views and the snacks! Carly tried the apple cider slush and Keith had a slice of apple pie. I had been dying to try an apple cider donut and holy moly y’all….how have I made it this long in life without trying one!! So good! I also had a peach and pomegranite wine slushie.

On our last day we finally had an extended time with Dillon and he took us on a hike his local friends took him too previously. Humpback Rock along the Blueridge Parkway was definitely a much steeper hike than our first. Dillon is also 6’4″ and has a really long stride and trying to keep up with him initially about did Carly & I in! My heart rate literally got higher than it does in one of my heaviest cardio Hiit classes and Carly was really worried she was about to lose her guacamole!

We slowed down a bit and it became much more enjoyable! The views at the top were worth the climp and, while it looks a little daunting, it was a different feeling than standing at the edge of a deep canyon. My watch noted 65 flights of stairs for our climb!

We saw Dillon pitch 3 innings on our first night in town and they clenched 1st place for their division with the win. They will finish the regular season this week and head into playoffs next week. We will be excited to have him back home soon!

Charlottesville is home to the University of Virginia, so if you are ever in the area here is where we stayed and the places we enjoyed a few meals. I decided to stay at the Hyatt Place as it just always seems to give us a little extra room. It was a newer hotel, nice and clean with free breakfast and right across the street from a shopping mall with restaurants, shopping and even live music on Friday and Saturday. We walked to lunch and dinner multiple times and enjoyed Burger Bach, Burtons Grill & Bar and Matchbox Pizza.

We ate breakfast in downtown Charlottesville at The Nook and it was delicious! On vacation a brunchy breakfast is one of my favorite things and the mimosas with fresh squeezed oj were so good. So many restaurants, farmers market and even a theater downtown in this closed off market square type area. We had Citizen Burger on the list for food but never made it.

One night we headed to Lampo pizza based on a local recommendation but they were dine out only. Luckily just around the corner was Brazos Tacos and imagine our surprise when all the merchandise reflected the state of Texas. How crazy that the owners are from Texas and we live in the Brazos valley and just happened upon them. We are always up for tacos and I highly recommend the skinny watermelon margarita!

Near UVA there is Asado which Dillon and I had on our trip too. Tacos and wings seems like a strange combo but it works! So many wing sauce options and they are all delicious. I also think the chips and guac are a must! The chips are amazing.

Bodo Bagels has a line out the door at every location so we definitely hopped in to try this local favorite for breakfast on our last morning. Keith & Carly loved theirs and I liked mine but still think Bagelmania in Vegas had them beat.

Y’all, I checked off two new states so far this summer and that has been so exciting! We have one more trip already planned which will lead me to a third state I’ve never been to. So happy too be on the go again and seeing more of our beautiful country!

Are you back on the road (or in the air)? Tell me where you are heading!