Heavenly Light Culpeper VA

Today's rainbow was a brilliant broad stroke of colors across Culpeper. The clarity in the midst of the sapphire blue skies and iridescent white clouds brought travelers to a pause in appreciation for the wonder of this unique moment in creation. The National Cemetery, shown in the foreground, perfectly trimmed in honor of those that have served, adorned by the heavenly light.

Sperryville Virginia - High on the Hog Restaurant

Traveling from Culpeper we took a planned scenic drive to Jenkins Orchard to stock up on local apples, pumpkins, and preserves. When we finished we went up to Sperryville to visit Glassworks Gallery for  Christmas ornaments. Look for later posts. 

At this point we were ready for a good lunch. We were amazed at the "High on the Hog" restaurant. The pulled pork sandwich was outstanding. We wanted to try a sample of everything on the menu. The seafood is "brought in daily" according to the waitress. The service was fast and the staff friendly. The music backdrop included Rolling Stones and tracks friendly to the boomers that retreat from DC and NOVA. As we were leaving, a flock of twenty somethings from Georgetown stood at the counter to order ( the word is out!!). 

SPERRYVILLE VA JENKINS ORCHARD HIGHLIGHTS

CULPEPER AIRFEST 2011 SLIDESHOW

Culpeper Fest 2010 Warbirds Takeoff

Davis Street Culpeper VA - APA's Top 10 "Great Streets" of 2011

Lake Pelham - History with a View

Lake Pelham in Culpeper Virginia, named after  John Pelham who served under J.E.B. Stuart in the American Civil War. Pelham fought in many battles as a feared and respected artillery man. He was known for revolutionizing the use of horses and artillery together. Among the battles that he fought were The First Battle of Bull Run, Battle of Antietam, and the Battle of Kelly's Ford. He was mortally injured at the Battle of Kelly's Ford and later passed away at a house on Main Street in Culpeper Virginia.

Lake Pelham is 255 acres with ample access via a public boat ramp. The Lake is owned by the Town of Culpeper where fishing and boat licenses may be purchased. Fishing is especially good in the lake for catfish and large mouth bass. Just ask the Bald Eagles and Hawks as you picture them diving for dinner. The scenery is peaceful and air is fresh making a trip to the lake most enjoyable.

Sleepy Hallow Hut? Culpeper VA

The sleepy hut comes alive with the look of two eyes, a nose, and jagged dark teeth in a reflection giving the impression of an erie smile. Just in time for Halloween!!!

The image is a glimpse of the quiet beauty along one of the Culpeper water way shorelines. The leaves will change soon and the shorelines will be full of vibrant fall colors. Trees of the Northern Piedmont include some of the most colorful Birch, Oak, Maples, and Fruit varieties.

Lightening Fast Bees caught on on camera - Culpeper Bee Hive

Went fishing this morning and as we parked we noticed big Bee's flying in and out of this tree. Needless to say we moved the car and parked a good distance from the tree. Later as we were leaving, I eased near the tree to capture this with a telephoto lens. The setting on the camera allowed the photo to capture the light of the bees departing and taking off from the nest. It is hard to say how big this bee hive is. As you can see the tree is hollow and the bees were traveling in and out of the hollow area. Another day in Culpeper.

Culpeper Earthquake - Levy Building Demolition

The Historic Levy Building is in the process of being torn down. The building was condemned by the Town of Culpeper this week. Main and Davis streets are closed as contractors begin the demolition. Timing is critical as hurricane Irene is approaching in the next 24 - 48 hours. The facade has been a classic building front along Main Street in Culpeper giving the town a quaint small town look. Main and Davis Streets were fortunate that this is one of the few classic structures that did not survive the 5.8 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday of this week. The demolition process is also expedited because main street is a primary traffic route thru town. The route is deemed unsafe in front of the building until it is removed.

Culpeper Earthquake 2011 Cleanup

The Earthquake in Culpeper yesterday has taken on new urgency. Category 3 - 4 Hurricane Irene is bearing down on the east coast expected to arrive later in the week in Culpeper. Repairs or temporary repairs are an urgency in order to protect property from further damage. A worker takes a moment to rest as he prepared to remove one of the 2 quake damaged chimneys at the Depot in downtown Culpeper today.

Earthquake in Culpeper

Culpeper Virginia experienced a 5.8 Richter Scale Earthquake today. The building is one of those that sustained damage. Most of the downtown streets are blocked off by authorities in order to inspect the buildings for damage. It is said that the historic St. Stephens Church sustained some damage as well as several of the older buildings and residences in downtown Culpeper. Washington Fox News Channel 5 was on hand this afternoon interviewing local residents and covering the damage.

Culpeper International & Sprint Triathlon 2011

The picture says it all. This is the beginning of the Culpeper Sprint Triathlon July 30th 2011. The race expanded this year to add the International length on Saturday to make it a full weekend of racing in Culpeper. Unofficially over 800 Triathletes this year.
Both the Saturday and Sunday races were well attended. The views alone for the bike and run are worth the trip. Culpeper County is one of the most picturesque areas in the world. The setting is approximately 80 miles outside of Washington DC in the famous and historic Virginia Piedmont. Triathletes come from around the country and "Dare to Tri" in Culpeper. Setup Events is the race organizer and runs an excellent well organized race. The stay in the Town of Culpeper is comfortable with many world class restaurants to enjoy before or after the race.

Fourth of July Culpeper

The Town of Culpeper celebrates the 4th of July with a style that our forefathers would be proud of. Beginning with the Freedom 5K in the morning to the parade thru the middle of town later in the day. The events are well planned with the traditional fireworks at Yowell Meadow Park to bring the celebration to a grand finale at dusk. The bridge pictured is located at Yowell Meadow Park. One of my favorite 4th of July scenes.

Space Ship spotted in Culpeper Virginia?

If one did not know better, it might appear that there is a space ship emerging from a secret veil. However, as is obvious upon closer inspection, the water tower is being refinished. The technology in refinishing has come a long way with the veil supported by cable dropped from cantilevered assemblies. The process has taken over a month and the anticipation for the finished product is building!!!

Wine Street WWII & Korean War Memorial Dedication

The Culpeper Community displayed their love and honor for those who served in World War II and the Korean War at the dedication of the new memorial on June 18th, 2011. The statue is approximately 8' tall and reflects the larger than life qualities of those who served. The sculpture was created by Jim Brothers. Mr. Brothers has created many public sculptures with military themes including the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. 
Among the solemn quotes etched in the granite base is the following: “Almighty God - Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity . . . For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest, they fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They but yearn for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home . . . Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.“ From President Roosevelt’s D-Day prayer to the nation, 6 June 1944. 
Click here for the full story at the Wine Street Memorial website.  

Wild Morning Black Raspberries

An early morning walk in the park. The wild black raspberries are ripe and ready to be picked. Mid to Late June are ideal times to search for wild black raspberries in the Culpeper area of the Northern Virginia Piedmont.

Talkin Turkey at Yoders Market in Madison Virginia

A trip to Yoders Market in Madison Virginia can be very interestings. Goats, Turkeys, and a variety of animals are near the barn. The store is full of some of the best food in the region. Fresh, organic, or a fresh baked treat. I bought the only 2 pints of Wild Black Raspberries. Just minutes from Route 29 between Culpeper and Charlottesville. A must stop. 

Culpeper County Eastern View High School Graduation 2011 - Small Town USA

Culpeper County Eastern View High School Graduation Friday Evening, June 10th, 2011. A colorful sunset brings out the peaceful beauty of the rural setting in "Small Town USA". Temps at 80 degrees with a light breeze made a perfect evening for the 200 student graduating class. Ceremonies included a fly over by pilots from the nearby Culpeper Regional Airport. The fly over included Bi-Wing airplane aerobatics. The ROTC Color Guard proudly lead the procession. 

Germanna's Daniel Technology Center - Culpeper Virginia

Germanna's Daniel Technology Center is at the Center of advanced educational opportunities in Culpeper. As part of the Germanna Community College System, this center offers both credit and non-credit courses. It is also central to the workforce development training for employers both large and small in the region.
The image looks like an architectural rendering. However, It is actually a photograph, illustrating the timeless look of such a well designed building set among the rural countryside.

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY- SKYLINE DRIVE EASTERN VIEW VIRGINIA

This is from one of the 75 overlooks along the Skyline Drive. Mountains can be viewed to the east and to the west. This view is overlooking to the east on a beautiful spring day between the Route 33 and Route 211 entrances. Culpeper makes a great base to take a drive along the Skyline Drive. Take 522 out of Culpeper to 211 west,  enter the Skyline Drive and travel South to the Route 33 entrance (take your time), come back to Culpeper on Route 33 east then Route 29 North. Plan for a panoramic 4-6 hour excursion and back to Culpeper for dinner in town, then a movie at the Library of Congress. A great day.

CulpeperFest 2011

CulpeperFest 2011 at Germanna's Daniel Technology Center June 2. The event brings friends and family together for a fun filled afternoon. The weather was perfect for a milestone 30th anniversary event this year. Businesses set up booths both inside the big tents and outside to showcase their goods and services. Ice Cream and barbecue were included in the ticket price. With Pony rides and moon bounces entertaining kids of all ages, the family friendly event gets better every year. See everyone next year on the first Thursday in June for CulpeperFest 2012.

Culpeper National Cemetery - Inscription Honoring Gettysburg

The embossment at the entrance to the Culpeper National Cemetery honors the Address by President Lincoln at the Dedication of The Gettysburg National Cemetery on November 19, 1863. The address begins:

 "FOUR SCORE AND SEVEN YEARS AGO OUR FATHERS BROUGHT FORTH ON THIS CONTINENT A NEW NATION, CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY, AND DEDICATED TO THE PROPOSITION THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL".....

Culpeper National Cemetery - Memorial Day Weekend

Culpeper National Cemetery - Memorial Day Weekend. The cemetery is located in the heart of Culpeper reflecting the reverence felt for the veterans that serve and have served so bravely. We honor our veterans and service men and women as often as possible in Culpeper. This weekend is a tribute to our freedom and their service. A walk thru the perfectly manicured cemetery offers the solemn and patriotic remembrance due their sacrificial heritage.

White Picket Fence & Pink Roses

White Picket Fences and Roses are common along the streets of Old Town Culpeper. The standing seam metal roofs, brick chimneys, and lap board siding are reminiscent of a New England setting. The pink roses and freshly painted white picket fence were an irresistible photo opp on this spring day.

Culpeper County Courthouse

The cloud profile looks as if a snow white sheep is acting as protective backdrop for the Culpeper County Courthouse. The sun reflecting on the courthouse gives it a golden hue, an appropriate adornment for the Hall of Justice.

Mountain Run thru Yowell Meadow Park - Culpeper VA

The Mountain Run runs thru Yowell Meadow Park in Culpeper Virginia. Imagine the fragrance of the flowers and honey suckle in the picture. Spring in Culpeper is like none other. Fresh Mountain air and scenic views such as this are easily accessible in the heart of Culpeper. There is a paved walking, running, and biking trail that leads around the park. If you have time you can take your hike off of the paved path to the Daughters of the American Revolution trail just across Mountain Run and thru the woods.

When Trees Talk

Take a close look at the facial expressions on the  trees. They appear to be laughing and talking. Wonder what they are saying. An audience of bright yellow buttercups, billowy white clouds, soft blue sky, a field of  lush green grass, or  the wild life on Mountain Run Lake? Certainly a peaceful setting among views of the Blue Ridge mountains on this perfect day in Virginia's Northern Piedmont for such imaginations.

Culpeper Sheep Dog On Duty

I stopped along Route 3 South of Culpeper to take the picture of the sheep. The surprise was the very protective sheep dog watching over the flock. He is in the left center of the picture and blends in well with the sheep.... until he barks...

Mountain Run Lake - Culpeper Virginia

The north western corner of Mountain Run Lake in the Spring. Saturday afternoon fishing is a favorite pastime. The lake acts as one of Culpeper's Reservoir's. The mountain views that surround the lake remind me of Colorado with tall mountain backdrops. Families use the park and recreational area for picnics most of the year. Ducks and Geese use it year round....

Blue Ridge Mountain Flowers - Mothers Day

I took this picture yesterday at an overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Shenandoah National Park.
A perfect picture to commemorate Mother's Day. Natural beauty in a bright clear setting... Happy Mothers Day.

Blue Ridge Parkway Cyclist - Shenandoah National Park

Traveling along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Shenandoah National Park - A breakaway cyclists surges over the top of the mountain. I can imagine the satisfaction as he peers to a downhill stretch. The views are magnificent. The temps in the low 60's. The air mountain fresh.... Wow what a day to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway. There were cyclists everywhere today. The Parkway entrance is just west of Culpeper approximately 30 - 40 minutes through Sperryville or through Stanardsville. Culpeper is a perfect base to experience a Blue Ridge Parkway ride adventure. Check with local experts at the Bike Stop in Culpeper for regional ride information.

Culpeper All American Yard

Spring in Culpeper brings the beauty of a wide variety of flowers and blossoms. Many of the downtown historic homes have well manicured yards. One of my favorites is shown here with a crisp American flag swaying in the breeze complimenting the traditional white porch rail. Colonial style columns fit perfectly in the traditional architecture. Nothing says stability more than towering oak trees and maple trees in the background. The serpentine brick walkway is reminiscent of a Williamsburg setting. Picture perfect!!

St. Stephens Episcopal Church - Culpeper Virginia

As we celebrate the National Day of Prayer on May 5th, 2011, I am struck by the steeple of St Stephen's Episcopal Church and what it means.  The church has stood tall for almost two centuries with it first recorded minister in 1814 and being erected in 1821. The steeple remains a visible landmark and reminder of influence whose roots date back as early as 1731 in the nearby Germanna Colony. The Church was originally located in it's current location on one acre of land willed by the Revolutionary Patriot, Brigadier-General Edward Stevens, as a memorial to his young son. The cornerstone reads: “James Madison, President U.S.A. 46th Year of American Independence.” (source:  www.StStephensCulpeper.net).

This is also a very picturesque landmark to consider with rich Civil War period history as we commemorate the Sesquicentennial of Culpeper's Civil War heritage. 

Culpeper Spring Highway

Culpeper Virginia in Spring 

Traveling on the southern part of Route 29 in Culpeper County, the Blue Ridge Mountains appear in the distance as a majestic backdrop to the Daffodils trumpeting springs arrival in the Virginia Piedmont.

Culpeper Va in March - Snow on Cherry Blossoms

We can always count on a surprise snow sometime

before Easter in Northern Virginia. This was a 

beautiful light snow in late March. Just enough to

soften the pink Cherry blossoms. The blossoms 

survived into April. A perfect snow. 

Downtown Culpeper Virginia - Snow Storm January 25, 2011

The weatherman called for snow. It hit at 3 PM with a wall of sleet. Drivers were blinded and everyone else stayed indoors. The snow storm of January 25th closed schools for 3 days. The video is of Downtown Culpeper, Virginia. Ironically the video ends at the Frost Cafe on Main and Davis Street.