Recently, I discovered Hipcamp, which is like Airbnb except for finding campsites. So, leading up to our gig at DuCard Vineyards this past Friday, I decided to try it out, and booked a site for us. We usually make a weekend of it when we play out that way, because it's a longish drive and the area is so beautiful.
So Friday afternoon, after attending a conservation conference downtown, I biked back home and frenziedly packed up the van with all the camping gear, mounted the bike on the back, and picked up John at his house. He was also a little frenzied. We didn't hit the road until after 2, which was later than we would have liked, given that we had to first go to the camp site and set up a tent, before heading over to DuCard to set up. Of course we had to stop for gas which set us back even farther.
Anyway, we arrived at our site about 4 pm, got a quick orientation from the owner, set up the tent as fast as we possibly could, then drove to DuCard and got set up there. It was beautiful, even hot, while we were setting up, but by 8:30 when we finished playing, the weather forecast for a cold night was definitely coming true. In addition to supplying us with food and wine, the kind folks there lent us some blankets to make sure we'd survive the night.
We stayed warm enough overnight despite temperatures down to about 35 degrees, and woke up to wood thrushes, ovenbirds, pileated woodpeckers, and other forest residents. The campsite did not disappoint!
After breakfast we strolled around the property and checked out the other 3 campsites. None of the others were occupied, and given that circumstance, our site overlooking the pond was definitely the prime pick. Had there been other people around, we might have opted for one of the more secluded sites.
Saturday was for exploring. We first went to Sperryville, because we knew that Sperryfest was going on that day. We wandered past the vendors, checking out their wares, saw kids decorating rubber duckies that would later be raced down the Thornton River, admired some classic cars, and had lunch at the Headmaster's Pub where we used to play.
As we were going back to the van, getting ready to leave, we saw a grassy path with a sign indicating that it would take us up to Pen Druid Brewery. We pedaled our bikes up there, had a round of drinks, and enjoyed the scenery.
After that we swung by DuCard Vineyards to drop off the blankets we had borrowed. They were having a big oyster festival, and although we were not in the mood for oysters, we stayed for a drink and listened to the band for bit. Next we visited Blue Quartz Winery/Shotwell Run Brewing Co., had another drink and listened to another band.
Finally, continuing the drinks-with-awesome-scenery motif, we ended up at Bald Top Brewing for dinner (they have fantastic pizza), beer, and another band, which we enjoyed while staying warm by one of several fire rings as the evening chill settled in.
Sunday after breaking camp, we explored two parks in Culpeper. We biked through Rockwater Park, and then walked the loops at Yowell Meadow Park. Just before we got back to the van, we were caught in a sudden downpour, so we were somewhat damp when we went to lunch at the Country Cafe. After lunch we headed home to Richmond. Weekends are always way too short!
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