Local Activities for Summer and School Year
Welcome back denizens of North Grounds, far-flung ’round the globe for summers of high-octane legal drama and warm-weather leisure. Now you come moping back to Charlottesville, richer in experience and cash, but potentially dreading assimilation back into the mundane life of a law student. Well, I don’t pity you at all.
Not one lick. Because while you were off gallivanting, I was here in balmy Charlottesville which during the summer is quiet as a whisper in a vestry and as hot as a forbidden boiler room tryst.[1] And, in spite of that, I managed to have a lot of fun. Even without other law students and the onslaught of activities organized by SBA, the Bar Czars, various clubs, and the gentle people of 306 Alderman (among other party enthusiasts), Charlottesville still offers a plethora of things to do.
Starting with the undeniable classic: doing Nothing. Nothing, a surprisingly popular activity even during the school year, takes on a life of its own during summer. The best thing about Nothing is its flexibility, that it can be done anytime, anyplace. Popular spots to do Nothing include the Pavillion pool, your apartment, the gazebo by Copeley, and in the Law School library. Nothing could be done alone, or with friends. Before, during, or after work. And in any weather conditions. I personally had weeks at a time where I did scant all else but Nothing. Ah, bliss.
In the non-nothing categories, outdoor activities abound. The Summer Crew had several hiking adventures and misadventures (involving snakes) in Shenandoah national park. Many members gallantly offered to suck Copperhead venom from each other’s wounds, but fortunately this selfless act was not necessary. I can personally endorse Shenandoah hikes of Turk Mountain and Bearfence Rock Scramble, which offer exhilarating climbs and stunning views, all within 40 minutes of the Law School. Even closer are the seven miles of trails around the Ragged Mountain Reservoir, which this intrepid reporter accidentally completed while attempting to go for a brief walk to clear his head. When I emerged from the forest tired and dehydrated, I was very grateful. Both for the beautiful walk (which I completed, unwisely, in Tevas) and to have found the parking lot again.
For those inclined to sport, Charlottesville again abounds. More Golf courses than you can shake a stick at: Boars Head’s Birdwood, Farmington’s North & South Nines, Keswick’s Full Cry, and Spring Creek are all within spitting distance of Charlottesville, and are some of the finest courses in the state. If you aren’t so inclined to go hunting around for tiny balls, we recommend you expand your dating pool beyond those who golf. But if you prefer racquet sports, the Summer Crew found good success in Tennis, and tennis’ oft maligned kid cousin from Bainbridge Island, Pickleball. More than once, strangers have joined in, completing a doubles match bereft of a fourth, or simply to kick ass and jeer. But not all sports need be active. And if you thought that we would limit ourselves to Country Club fodder, think twice because the foo-fooiest of all activities, best described as horse soccer via croquet, is here in Charlottesville too. Yes, Polo, played weekly on Sundays in the summer and early fall at the King Family Vineyard’s Rosewood Polo Club, is not only an extremely pleasant time, but entirely free. An afternoon there affords you a very pleasant experience watching horses run very fast while little people in colored uniforms whack wildly at clods of dirt. You ooh and aah while sipping wine underneath a picnic table umbrella, as one in your party inevitably googles the rules to the game.
There’s simply no shortage to the number of vineyards and wine tasting rooms either. I couldn’t even begin to list them all. Just join the wine society, and they’ll get you squared away.
If you’re craving the indoors (or AC) there are several fabulous spots for that too. There are many movie theaters in Charlottesville, such as the Alamo Drafthouse (where they serve food to go with the flicks, like, for instance, the Grasshopper, a chemical green boozy mint milkshake right out of 1950) and Regal Stonefield (just up Emmet/Seminole, and home to several IMAX theaters—which I just learned simply means a slightly larger screen and more resolution than normal). Trips to these were great outings to beat the heat, and to see the newest summer blockbusters. Though 1Ls may find it hard to stray from their texts and set aside three hours just to stare at a (different) screen, it would be hypocritical to ward them off completely. This author did go to a re-release of Revenge of the Sith during finals week instead of studying for federal income tax. All attendees agreed it was worth it.
So, while C’ville may not have cosmopolitan assets such as the “Statue of Liberty” or the “National Mall” or “The Bean,” we do have the bust of Arthur J. Morris, and the Charlottesville Mall, and the bathroom mirror at Virg. Chin up, and remember to sample what this place has to offer while you’re here.
[1] I’ve been told, It’s not the heat, but the humidity. True, but that doesn’t seem to apply here. Either way.
