Applewood Inn, Lexington, Virginia

Applewood Inn (Photo from their website.)

A few weeks ago, Marcia and I spent a couple of days in Virginia at the Applewood Inn .  Our main goal was to go llama trekking, but the beautiful scenery and the gracious hospitality of owners Chris and Linda Best were actually the highlight of the trip.  I've convinced Dan that he and I should go just for a quiet weekend (I might hike with the llamas again though).

Pretty bottles in the kitchen window.

More pretty bottles in the window of porch.

If you are looking for a nice getaway you will not be disappointed with the Applewood Inn.

Quilters Room.

Wonderful and healthy fruit cup for breakfast.

Linda's tulips.

I love this unusual color of the quince.

Lovely garden with a huge willow tree in the background.

Chaos, the llama for our trek.

Here's what my friend Marcia said about the Inn 

"Lexington VA is a beautiful mountain town, home to Washington and Lee U. and various historical attractions. The Applewood Inn is nestled among a scenic natural wonderland, almost surreally beautiful, amplified by redbuds at their delicious peak, tenderly cultivated gardens. It's about 4 hours from Raleigh; I'd recommend a 2-day stay, if possible, to enjoy lunch and dinner meals in Lexington. Take kids/grandkids and friendly pets along. This was a truly unforgettable birthday celebration thanks to long-time friend Pat Palmer. I'm so glad she decided to put llama trekking on her bucket list"

Checked This Off My "Bucket List"

Chaos, our llama for the trek.

Chris Best of Applewood Inn giving us instructions on handling Chaos.

Hiking with llamas was something I had wanted to do for some time, and when I saw an article in the News and Observer, I decided this was my chance.  I convinced friend, Marcia, to go with me for this adventure.  And now I can check this off my "bucket list".  It was great fun.

Getting acquainted with Chaos.

Chaos' name belies his nature.  He is not chaotic at all, but quite gentle and very easy to lead. Once we had climbed a rather steep hill and reached the ridge, we had level ground for much of the two-mile hike.  And the scenery on this beautiful spring morning was spectacular.

Pat and Marcia at top of ridge with Chaos.

Our shadows.

Beautiful scenery. Note the mowed hiking trail along the ridge.

Linda of Applewood Inn joined us on the hike.

The last part of the hike took his down a steep hill and into the woods where we welcomed the shade.  It had gotten pretty hot.

In the woods.

Finally we reached the driveway back to the house and past a lovely weeping willow.

Whew, back at the Inn for a little rest before heading home.  But the hike was so much fun and the llama was adorable.

Marcia back at Inn for a rest before heading home.

Trekking With Llamas

Llamas at the Applewood Inn. (Photo by ApplewoodBB.com)

Today Marcia and I are going to be trekking with llamas.  We're are at the Applewood Inn in Lexington, Virginia where they have Llama Trekking hikes.   So we're going out this morning for an adventure.

A llama looks out over the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru.

Photograph by Mattias Klum

The llama is a South American relative of the camel. These sturdy creatures are domestic animals used by the peoples of the Andes Mountain. Native peoples have used llamas as pack animals for centuries. Typically, they are saddled with loads of 50 to 75 pound.

Llamas are willing pack animals but only to a point. An overloaded llama will simply refuse to move. These animals often lie down on the ground and they may spit, hiss, or even kick at their owners until their burden is lessened.  (National Geographic Website).

You can be sure that we won't be overloading them with a pack during our hike.  And the only thing I'm worried about is getting "spit" at by the llama.  That and hiking for two miles!

Anyway I hope by the end of the morning I can check this off my "bucket list".  I'll post photos tomorrow. 

In any case, we've enjoyed our stay at the beautiful Applewood Inn.

Photo by ApplewoodBB.com.

Gadding About in Virginia

Applewood Inn, Lexington, Va. (Photo from their website).

Friend Marcia and I are on our way to Virginia where we'll celebrate a belated birthday for her.  We will be staying at the Applewood Inn near Lexington, Virginia.  Recently the News and Observer had an article about llama trekking,  and hiking with these exotic animals had been on my bucket list.  Dan's response was "No thanks!", but I had no problem convincing Marcia that this would be fun.  So on Wednesday after breakfast at the Inn, we will be trekking with llamas.

We're looking forward to breakfast at the Inn. (Photo from their website).

Maybe Happy will be one of the llamas joining us.

Happy, one of the llamas. (Photo from their website).