Monday 30 March

The weather was fresh as we met outside the YMCA to start our travels into Nelson County. It became even fresher about 10miles down the road in sight of Humpback Rock when we stepped out the car to look at the old wood cabins made by early settlers in the area. Norah's face was hard to see, hidden as it was deep in the folds of her scarf and jacket.

A picturesque drive along mountain roads ensued and came to an end at the Wintergreen Resort. Unfortunately for Grant and Trevor who had been hoping to ski the slopes had been closed 2 weeks earlier. However desperate as they were they still walked out onto the icy, browning snow for a photo opportunity. Wintergreen is a co-operative holiday resort where private individuals allow there houses to be leased to tourists within an 11 000 acre area which includes the aforementioned ski-slopes, 2 golf courses, 35miles of hiking trails, a spa and much more.

After a good lunch at The Edge restaurant the team headed down the mountain along gravelled back roads to Pharsalia. Pharsalia is a 40 acre wine and apple farm that was started in 1814. The current resident and our gracious guide is the great-great-grandaughter of the original farmer and she described to us a number of stories of their families early farm life.

On our return to Staunton we stopped off at an Apple-packing factory where we ate Red Delicious and Pink Ladies whilst having the packing process described to us by the amiable owner and demonstrated to us by capable Mexican Labourers. We then drove past Crab-Tree falls (the tallest waterfalls on the East Coast) before being delivered safely back into the arms of our waiting hosts.

Tuesday sees us all off on our vocational visits, before Wednesday is spent visiting the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Centre and Virginia Wildlife Centre. In the evening we present to the Area 4 Rotary Clubs at a banquet on Barrenridge Winery.