It is not easy to walk alone in the country without musing upon something.
Charles Dickens
A little wiggle room in your travel itinerary just might do what it did for us: produce a great stand-out memory. At Frederick House in Staunton, VA, our first stop for Road Trip 2020, we asked the owner if he had a favorite, don’t-miss place that might not be “on the radar” for area tourists. He smiled as if to say, “I know just the place,” and replied “Just up the road a bit is Pebble Hall Wildflowers — pick your own bouquet, leave a donation in the Honor System bucket, and enjoy the scenery! One of my favorites.”
So Pebble Hall became, for us, a serendipitous find and more: a privately owned 15-acre farm complete with, as the owner told us later, a wildflower garden tended by his wife, corn fields and cows tended to by himself, with a house, museum, fairy garden, silo and tractor — available to all with free roaming on the property.
“Photographers,” the owner told us, “love our place for capturing shots of families, brides and grooms, and children laughing as they play among the flowers, corn stalks, and farm implements. One girl from Mary Baldwin wanted to pose with the cows and post her photo on Instagram. Of course, we let her — they’re friendly,” he said with a smile.
We strolled the flower fields noting their natural state in seemingly random (yet pleasing to the eye) plantings. At the end of the prime summer season, their vivid colors heralded one last grand show before fall.
Photo ops appeared at every turn: corn fields, silo, tractor, fencing, and we could see why this place, natural and unpretentious as it is, would appeal to many. For two city slickers as we are, Pebble Hall was a heavenly treat — a chance to stand still and breathe country air rather than just pointing at barns and farms from our car. We took it all in.
The owner asked us as we approached the back side of the farm, “Have you seen the museum and fairy garden yet?” We hadn’t. But did so, with great reward.
The museum held the owner’s collections: stones, castings of animal footprints, bones, skulls, feathers, you name it. If it was natural and nearby, he put it into the museum.
His wife developed the fairy garden alongside the house as another area to show off a sweet collection of figures and fairy huts among the perennials.
Pebble Hall Wildflowers may take some of you back to your childhood, if farm experiences were part of your growing up. For us, it was a chance to linger and look lovingly at America’s heartland and better understand the joy of living simply.
The owner told us that he and his wife hope to sell the farm in three or four years, so you heard it here: Another lifestyle may await you in Weyers Cave, Virginia, if the sweet sounds and natural vibes of country living appeal to you.
But even if you’re not in a buying mood, take a couple of hours to decompress as you wander the fields and land around Pebble Hall. As you can see, a tip from a bed-and-breakfast owner paid off for us. All we had to do was ask!
Travel serendipitously,
Rusha & Bert
How to get to Pebble Hall: Take I-81 from Staunton, VA. At Exit 235, go East. When you come to the stoplight in downtown Weyers Cave, turn left. Turn right on Chapel Hill Lane (Route 996) to the first right.
From the website: “You won’t fight traffic, but there might be a cow or turtle in the road!”
Hope you’ll check out other posts in this series: Road Trip 2020
Dawn M. Miller
I love Staunton! I don’t mean to keep posting links but you were in my neck of the woods and I am just so excited. Staunton is a couple of hours south of me and I have been many times but never to this place. I’ll have to check it out.
One of my favorite Staunton stories involves this find
https://wordpress.com/block-editor/post/lingeringvisions.wordpress.com/35501
Oh, the Places We See
Staunton has some amazing buildings. We kept looking up at rooflines, steeples, etc. so much great architecture preserved. We shopped downtown and loved the people who worked in Staunton. I’d love a return trip. I’ll check out your link. Right now I’m unable to access on my phone. Stay tuned!
Oh, the Places We See
Dawn, I tried again to click on your link above and read your post. But something’s not working. Please try again. I may not be able to check for a couple of days since we’re traveling, but I will when I return. All the best.
Dawn M. Miller
Sorry, try this.
https://lingeringvisions.wordpress.com/2016/05/25/architecture-in-staunton-virginia/
Karen (Back Road Journal)
What an unexpected treasure to discover during your travels.
Oh, the Places We See
You’re so right. And I’m kind of glad that not many people know about it. We had the whole farm to ourselves for a couple of hours.
We Travel Happy
I would love this place. Such a great find, Rusha. So many interesting things in there. I especially like the tractor! 🙂 – Amor
Oh, the Places We See
I love that tractor, too. When we were told that photographers used the farm for family photo shoots, I could see a couple of cute kids posed on it it standing beside it. It was a happy place fir us to explore. Thanks fir touring the country with us!
We Travel Happy
Oh that’s indeed cute! Yes I’m looking forward to your next posts. 🙂
WanderingCanadians
Pebble Hall Wildflowers sounds (and looks) absolutely charming. I’ve never heard of a pick-your-own bouquet of wildflowers before. How adorable. Farms provide such fantastic photo ops.
Oh, the Places We See
It was a refreshingly simple, sweet experience in a country setting. I was smiling at every turn!!! ( And if we hadn’t been traveling, I would have picked a bouquet, for sure.)
gallivance.net
What a wonderful find, Rusha! We’ve been through Staunton a million times and never knew about this place. Your photos really capture the beauty and serenity of the place. And the museum reminds me of a Cabinet of Curiosities – one of my favorite things! 🙂 ~Terri
Oh, the Places We See
That museum was a cabinet of curiosities!!! Bones, skulls, pelts. Almost a bit creepy. But science nonetheless. This is not a highly advertised nor commercial endeavor for this couple, so it may not have even been open when you passed through previously. We’re just glad to have seen it.
Ohana and Friends Travel
What a beautiful American treasure. With all that is going on in the news right now, this place sounds like heaven and reminds me of how awesome the people of the the US are. It is easy to forget that right now. I have made a note and added it to my “see some day” travel bucket list. Thank you for making me aware of this treasure.
Oh, the Places We See
There’s nothing pretentious about this place. It’s aging. It’s simple. But that is all part of the charm to me. The couple us thinking if renting a room/ suite like an AirBnB rental. Wouldn’t that be a good little treat for a night or two?
natureandphotography
Lovely wildflowers!
Oh, the Places We See
They really were lovely, and if we hadn’t been traveling, I would have made myself a bouquet!
kzmcb
What a great find. You’re right about having flexibility in your plans, in order to discover such gems.
Oh, the Places We See
So glad we were able to stop by. A great little memory!
maristravels
What a delightful place to find. I would love to visit that farm and see it as you did.
Oh, the Places We See
It was a joy — not glitzy, not materialistic. Just a plain little farm with fresh air and pretty scenery. A great chance for us to relax and enjoy.
The Wandering RVer
What a great find! Peaceful and homey. I have photographed many farms over the years, but have seldom been encouraged to wander about. Very special.
Oh, the Places We See
It was a surprise that the whole farm (except the interior of the home) that was open to all. Unheard of today, actually. But I felt as if I was staying there, enjoying every country moment!