Oh all the YARN!!!! (with pictures)

The field trip to Raphine, VA was a success! It was a beautiful day and the drive was wonderful. The only complaint was that the trees weren't dawning their full fall colors just yet. The yarn shop (Orchardside) was so quaint and had TONS of yarn! The lady was very helpful and we used her expertise quite a bit today. But, we rewarded her well by spending a good bit of money in her shop. I finally got the merino wool for the tunic I have been wanting to make. I am so excited! I also got some yarn for a baby sweater I want to knit. And no, I don't really know how to knit just yet. We all found something we "needed" and each left there with a bag in hand.
On the way there we had passed the Apple Butter Festival which we all agreed to stop by on our way back. It was a small festival but had some really neat things. It was held at a mill. We talked to the owner and found out he and his wife bought it 16 years ago...knowing nothing about a mill. They were just tired of the city life and decided to do something else. That idea in itself deserves a blog of its own! The Amish were there selling things. I bought something very non-Amish from them but I can't post what it was since it is a Christmas present for someone in my family.
Then there was an herb farm with a great little shop and wonderful gardens to walk through.
I think we should take a field trip once a quarter! I have already started looking up places to take our next one!!

Ashley, Pam, Virgina, and me outside the Orchardside Yarn Shop.

A blacksmith at work.

A little Bluegrass band. They played In The Jail House Now and I knew it after about 3 notes :)

What is Pam gnawing on??? Actually, she's biting open a chestnut :).
Just down the driveway from the mill is the Herb Farm.
Here we are walking in the herb gardens. They were beautiful!
Our day was done. Time to go home. But not without one more look back at the "simple life."