Fall in the Shenandoah

See the Shenandoah in Autumn and pick your own apples!  (or see it in the summer and pick your own peaches)

Shenandoah National Park - Meadow Spring (Point B),

Front Royal (Point C), Stribling Orchard in Markham (Point D) 

THINGS TO DO:

1.  Drive to Shenandoah National Park, specifically the Meadow Spring area (83 miles, 1 hour 44 minutes)

• Park at Meadow Spring Parking
• Explore this area with its network of trails through woods, streams, and cascades (easily tailored based on your interests and ability)
• Eat a picnic lunch either before you leave or during the upcoming drive

2.  Drive through Shenandoah National Park towards Front Royal, VA (34 miles, 1 hour 2 minutes)

• Stop at overlooks to enjoy the view
• Take time to enjoy other points of interest
• If time, stop at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center

3.  Drive to Stribling Orchard in Markham, VA (12 miles, 20 minutes)

• Check-in, receive a picking pole, select the type of apples you want to pick, and walk or drive to the area of the orchard with those type of apples
• Have fun picking apples
• Visit the store

4.  At home, make Apple Crisp (recipe below)

APPLE CRISP

Ingredients:

1/2 box of yellow cake mix

4 cups of tart apples, peeled and sliced

3/4 cup of brown sugar

1 tsp of cinnamon

1/2 cup of melted butter

whipped cream or ice cream

Directions:

Grease a deep baking dish.  Place apples in bottom.  Combine sugar, cinnamon, cake mix, and butter.  Spread evenly over apples.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes (until apples are tender and crust is brown).  Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.


THINGS TO KNOW:

As promised, this is another activity where you’ll be glad to have a National Parks Pass.  You will be charged a fee for your entire car at Shenandoah National Park unless you’ve purchased a parks pass.  Something that we really love about Shenandoah National Park is that it is so easy to enjoy, regardless of your age and physical abilities.  There are plenty of difficult hikes for those eager for a workout, but you’ll also find easier hikes if you’re more in the mood for a stroll through the woods. (The easiest hikes are near the Northern Entrance). If you have no desire to leave your car, you’ll still be able to enjoy the beauty on the windy roads and the scenic over-looks.  

You’ll find picnic areas at a few different places within this drive: at the Pinnacles, just south of the Thorton Gap Entrance; at Elkwallow, several miles north of Thorton Gap Entrance; and at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, which is only a few miles south of the Front Royal (North) Entrance.  The Dickey Ridge Visitor Center has a small gift shop and a few educational exhibits on the Park. 

Stribling Orchard is a beautiful orchard operated by the Stribling family for several generations. When you check in, make sure to get the map of the orchard so you can park near the trees where you plan to pick.  Don’t forget to stop by the charming store where you can buy several jams and honey from the beehives located in the orchard.  There are picnic tables available in case you just can’t wait until you get home to eat your fresh apples or the yummy bakery items.