Today we took a spin on Skyline Drive. 105 miles long, winding along the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with numerous pullouts for admiring views and hiking trails for attaining summits. With a speed limit of 35 mph, we thought perhaps we’d take in the first 20 miles or so then turn around. We discovered there is a monotony in all that greenery. But some lovely views from the pullouts.
We did one hike to Little Calf Summit. While admiring the flora, four runners came barreling up the trail. They’d just run 10 miles up the mountain from Afton and took a short break before running 10 miles back down. Oh to be young. Which 3 of them were. The fourth was an elder, perhaps even as old as we.
This area is filled with wineries, breweries and distilleries. I suggested a stop on the way home at the Silverback Distillery. It’s generally whisky country but they don’t discriminate. There was also gin and vodka on offer.
Silverback is one of the ABC stores…state controlled liquor outlet. So there were rules. Only 3 ounces of alcohol per person per day. Straight pours contained 1/2 ounce of alcohol and each cocktail contained 1 ounce. That way, the bartender openly admitted, people would stick around for awhile. One might be tempted to order more drinks.
I had a “Honey I’m Home” with honey rye whiskey, espresso and cream. Then I moved onto a “Toasted S’More” with the honey rye whiskey, toasted marshmallow syrup, chocolate bitters and garnished with a freshly toasted marshmallow. Like drinking dessert. After some animated conversations with other clientele, we staggered home. I guess we are all pretty lightweight drinkers.