It's been a long few years since my last visit to Charlottesville, and I was happy to make the trip to UVA country this past weekend. Happily, it was a gorgeous day, and a pleasant drive through primarily pretty scenery (rolling hills, plenty of cows grazing in fields, a peppering of antique shops - I do my best to ignore things like communities full of eyesore generic, box-like houses) gets you to Charlottesville within two and a half hours from the sprawl of eastern Fairfax County.
My time there was definitely too brief - consisting only of a visit to the Caspari store (I left laden with Christmas cards for 2015, thanks to their delightful half off holiday sale), a stroll around downtown, and a brief saunter around part of the hallowed Jeffersonian campus of the University of Virginia.
The stroll downtown included lunch, and I must pause to heartily recommend The Nook - a charming, cozy diner with worn wooden booth seating, friendly staff, and delicious grub. I don't often have them, but I'm pleased to have ordered the veggie burger. It would make a believer out of even the most ardent meat eater. And the chocolate shake was so amazing that even my mother, who is incredibly picky having grown up in the era of genuine malt shop milkshakes, gave it a rousing two thumbs up.
After lunch, a short drive (and longer hunt for parking) landed us near the campus. Charlottesville is one of those lucky university towns that isn't just a university town, however, the influence of the Wahoos is great.
UVA has an unquestionably impressive campus, especially the Jefferson-approved buildings around the Rotunda.
Sadly, the Rotunda wasn't open, it being in the middle of a lengthy restoration project. But the curves and lines are still classic and graceful, and between the heavenly sunshine, fresh mountain air, and classical architecture, I was a happy girl indeed.
More shots from Charlottesville below. I definitely must make it back there sooner rather than later.
All photos copyright Megan Petty
