Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Little Afternoon Trip






We decided to take a little short trip to a little town that is not too far from us.  It's up near the mountains. We are lucky in that we can visit the ocean or the mountains without too much traveling.  It's been rather hot and muggy and we thought it might be nice to feel a little mountain air.  In less than an hour we reached the little town that reminds us of our own, but 40 years ago before all of the sprawl.





 The quicker we humans learn that saving open space and wildlife is critical to our welfare and quality of life, maybe we'll start thinking of doing something about it. Jim Fowler 


The town of Culpeper has an old town USA feel.  With little quaint antique shops and stores and great little restaurants.  Little is the key word for the day.  Do you sometime long for a place that doesn't have big box stores and traffic?  This was the perfect spot for us to enjoy a leisurely afternoon.  After driving through farm land and wide open spaces we parked the car and began to explore this sweet little place.







The "Reel LOVE" sign highlights the emerging arts in Culpeper and the Virginia is for Lovers brand throughout Virginia.




 

The planters filled with red geraniums and lobelia were so pretty.  Isn't this combination perfect?  There were many lovely flowers in front of most of the shops.





This lovely fuchsia in the black cast iron planter looked so graceful in front of this shop.





This little alley cafe reminds me of  our time in France. 








We stopped in a little coffee shop to have a sandwich.








After lunch we wandered in and out of a few of the antique shops.  There were so many lovely items to tempt.


















I can't believe I didn't bring home this child's plate!


We really wanted to have tea at Miss Minerva's but she was closed for the day.  We've been here before and enjoyed her lovely tearoom.





We enjoyed our little getaway so much.  I hope you have the chance to seize a few moments to enjoy short little trips.  This little poster was in one of the shops and I think it says so much!











28 comments:

  1. We've been near Culpepper but have never had occasion to go through Culpepper. It looks like a lovely place visit....but I'll make sure Miss Minerva's is open if we are in the vicinity.

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    1. Cathy, I think you would enjoy Miss Minerva's. It's a sweet little place. ♥

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  2. It looks like the perfect little get away. My husband and I enjoy the same thing--driving to another small town and enjoying the ambience, Always come back refreshed. A mini vacation!

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    1. It did feel like a mini vacation, Dotsie. A little date with my hubby is always nice. ♥

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  3. What a charming little village, and how lucky to have such a haven for respite from the heat so nearby. I cannot believe you didn't buy that sweet little plate either. Maybe the earlier heat got to you? I could not have resisted at that price too!
    I wonder if Culpeper Virginia has any connection to Nicholas Culpeper the English astrologer and herbalist?
    ~~~Deb xo

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    1. Deb, I may "need" to go back and buy that plate! I've been on a rampage clearing out things lately and am trying hard not to bring more into our home. I don't know if Nicholas Culpeper has any connection or not. All of our cities do have a connection to Great Britain in some way or another.
      Sending you warmer days. xo ♥

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  4. My kind of fun! It looks like a great place to visit. We did something similar last weekend. Our community is a big tourism area for Michigan so when the town fills up we often go out of town to a smaller community to explore and get away. Love that poster :-)

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    1. Our area is the same, Liz. Sounds like we enjoyed the same respite. The poster really spoke to me that afternoon. Enjoy every moment! ♥

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  5. Culpeper... that has a ring to it...

    The planters filled with red geraniums and lobelia, just need a line of a white flowers, between them. Red, White and Blue!!!

    The old time coffee shop has tin ceiling! Our "Civil War Era" old corner pharmacy, has tin ceiling and old time black and white checked floor. Still!!!!

    Tessa

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    1. I love the old tin ceilings, Tessa. There are many buildings in our town that sound just like your pharmacy. I'm so glad they have been preserved along with the brick walls it adds a charm that sheet rock will never have! ♥

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  6. It does the heart, soul, mind and body good to enjoy days like this ...

    Your photo's are so lovely and I could imagine me walking around this lovely town.

    I agree with you the red geraniums and lobelia look so pretty.
    Be sure to go back and visit again soon ...

    All the best Jan

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    1. Jan, you are so right, little getaways are so good for us! I do hope you are able to do the same in your lovely part of the world. I might just have to go back soon and buy that child's plate! Have a wonderful evening, Jan. ♥

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  7. What a glorious getaway, Martha Ellen! The main street reminds me of my favorite small town ~ Cedarburg, Wisconsin (without the mountains, of course!). The very same things always catch my eye, the colorful flower planters, vintage, tin ceilings, and wonderful antiques. Miss Minerva's Tea Room looks just wonderful! The poster you discovered holds so much inspiration for a well-lived life. So happy that you and Grayden made time for this well-deserved, little afternoon trip... and that you brought us all along! Warm hugs! ♡Dawn@Petals.Paper.SimpleThymes

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    1. I remember your posts about Cedarburg, Dawn. What a glorious place you and John visited. I hope you can return sometime soon. It's so much fun to take time to enjoy the little things that life has to offer. Have a wonderful afternoon, dear one. ♥

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  8. I love this...really love this! Just a beautiful little town with amazing charm....I want to visit! Thank you ever so much for taking us along Martha Ellen!!!

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    1. Betsy, if you come this way, Virginia is full of little towns like Culpeper. I must do a post about our own little town. It's lovely as well. Thank you for stopping by, dear one. ♥

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  9. Martha Ellen, your afternoon trip sounds fantastic. The planters with the purple lobelia are so pretty. I really like that LOVE sign. The café is charming, and this antique shop is wonderful. Just my kind of place to browse and shop. I got a tear in my eye when I saw the 'Let It Be' words, as I have a story that has to do with this song.

    Yes, it's important and necessary to get out of our own towns and explore and eat and enjoy. I was thinking the same thing lately.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Oh Sheri, I would love to hear your story about "Let it Be!" There is certainly a lot of meaning in that song.
      You have taken me to lovely little towns in your area. I hope you can go and explore one of them soon. Have a lovely evening, Sheri. ♥

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  10. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon! Thanks for taking us along.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Amalia, I'm so glad to have you here. Have a lovely weekend. ♥

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  11. What a delightful road trip. We love exploring little towns. Loving the pretty planters. I think it's great you took some time away to explore and take in some sights. Thanks for sharing your fun road trip. Have a fabulous weekend.

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    1. Linda, it was a nice little getaway for us! I hope you have a great weekend. ♥

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  12. Oh, a little getaway is often the best kind! Simple preparations...not a lot of travel (of course, that's me!)...but a getaway none the less!

    Judging from your photos, Culpepper is a charming little town! Thanks for sharing it with us!

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    1. Culpeper is the size of our town 40 some years ago, Cheryl. It was a nice afternoon trip. Have a nice weekend. ♥

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  13. I sooooo need to do something like this soon. I am chomping at the bit to get away.

    Loved your pics - flowers and shops are so nice - but you totally had me with the teapots!

    I am so sorry Miss Minerva's was closed - what a shame, I hate that for you.

    You will just need to plan to go there again soon.

    Hugs. ♥

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    1. I do hope you get to take a little trip sometime soon, Michele. A pretty tearoom would be just right for you! Enjoy your evening. ♥

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  14. Martha<I bet a cup of tea in Miss Minervas was much less expensive that those you drank in England! I love these quaint American towns. As James and I travel to shows,we often pass thru little towns such as this. Sometimes we stop and stroll,if time allows.I have found many treasures in the antique shops across the country. Now why didn't you buy that plate?!

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    1. Jeri, I can just imagine you have been to many small towns across America. I love visiting small towns. Miss Minerva's has a wide variety of prices as do many of the tearooms we visited in England. I am still wondering the same thing about that child's plate. I've been trying very hard to watch what I bring into our home. But I must have lost my mind over that one. ♥

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