A micro brewery in Virginia and the local brew tastes like Bishop's Farewell so a reminder of home. Food was good too. We celebrated our second bear siting last night - the locals cannot believe our luck. Walked to Turk Mountain about 4.00pm and saw the baby bear on our way down then saw a couple of white tailed deer. Tuesday we went to Monticello, Jefferson's home and plantation. Interesting guides, didn't realise he had 200 slaves. We're finding it difficult t...

For fans of Bill Bryson this was our 'Walk in the Woods'. The trail is well marked and easy to access at various points along the Skyline Drive. We did a couple of circular routes yesterday and met others doing the same. The fact we are English intrigues the locals who are puzzled at us being in the area. Although lots of civil war activity was centred here and Monticello, Jefferson's home is nearby, it is not really on the tourist route which is great for us. F...

Yes we did take the photo this afternoon - the bear was about 20 yards from us as we walked down the path from Blackrocks! We experienced a mixture of delight and fear, especially when it looked up and seemed to move towards us. I had said seeing a bear would make my day but neither of us thought it would happen on our first walk in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Drove about 40 miles on the Skyline drive - magnificent scenery and the colours are beginning to change a...

We love the Little House and the weather is still great. Sat out till nearly 7.00pm tonight and it was only biting insects forced us in. The darkness now is amazing. Been to University of Virginia today - beautiul and then onto the Blue Ridge Parkway - stopped at the Visitors Centre and ended up listening to a blue grass concert! Fabulous countryside. Will get some walking in this week and look out or the bears in the oak trees. Apparently they feed 20 hours a d...