Sai Kulkarni ‘23
Culture Editor
Charlottesville provides many outstanding outdoor recreational activities between all of the trails, hiking, and wineries. One excellent limited-time opportunity over the past few months, though, has been the Sunset Series at Carter Mountain Orchard. With the last one coming up this Thursday, September 30, I wanted to take a look back at the event, review it, and encourage you to take advantage of it while it lasts. From great drinks and great views to awesome local eats and vibes, this experience is exactly what you need on a Thursday evening to kick off a great weekend.
Over the last year, there have been a dearth of opportunities to hang out with our fellow law students, but this is one event that provides not only a safe, outdoor environment to get to know all your fellow cool people, it also allows you to experience local culture. That all begins with the drive. Considering the location is about thirty minutes away from grounds and the main apartment complexes where we all live, it is guaranteed that you will spend some time on a long drive interacting with Charlottesville drivers. The merge onto I-64 gives you the opportunity to experience what it is like to be cut off by the excellent drivers that live here and their fantastic decision-making skills. Now this has nothing to do with Carter Mountain; I just couldn’t let the opportunity pass by to make some social commentary.
Back to the event. As soon as you park, you know you are in for a good time, from the string lights to the carefully cropped bushes to the smell of apples and general fall (which sets up perfectly for this week, considering temperatures are finally fall-level). As you walk in, it is very clear that they are trying to serve farm vibes and succeeding. The barn look with various fruits and baked goods set up for purchase are an instant draw. Once you get past the entrance area, you are greeted with the two food trucks for the week. The lines may seem long, but they move fast and it makes sense: everyone is trying to get a bite of the deliciously fried foods available. When you make it past this temptation, you are greeted with the main attraction.
If you make it early enough, you can get a spot on the deck where you are greeted by a live band. Live music is always a treat, and the bands are always making sure everyone is having a good time with a great tone set every week. The deck spot has the best view at the location and provides the prime spot to take those landscape Insta stories that we all love so much.[1] Great views are a major selling point at Carter Mountain, and I think after these last few months, that is exactly the kind of outdoor relaxation we all need.
If you are really early, you can grab one of the picnic tables available either on the grass slope itself or on the stone patio. The comfort mixed with the same great vibes make coming early a definite must. It also helps in the early part of the event when the giant umbrellas provide just the shade you need.[2] If you get there a little bit into the event, don’t forget your blanket because the grass is definitely a great spot to sit as well. No matter where you end up, it’s a great place to chill with your friends and watch the titular sunset over a magnificent view of the City of Charlottesville.[3] All this is without mentioning the amazing drink offerings in Carter Mountain Wine and our beloved Virginia Bold Rock Hard Cider. If nothing else has drawn you in, I hope that at least makes the sale.
All in all, the Sunset Series has been a great event to have for the last few months and I look forward to seeing if there is a spring version of the event next semester. All of you should take advantage of the last one this week if you can. I know I will; I haven’t made an Instagram post since September 18.[4]
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omk6cg@virginia.edu
[1] Yes. This refers to me. Yes. I am basic. But follow me on insta anyways to see my posts and stories about Carter Mountain; my tag is @omkarlos (although many of you follow me already).
[2] Although as fellow Law Weekly members Jon Peterson, Clint Roscoe, and myself found out, it is incredibly hard to angle them so as to avoid the sun hitting everyone’s eyes.
[3] I’m not entirely sure if it is Charlottesville you are seeing. I worked for the Albemarle County Attorney this summer; I should know this place better.
[4] I know this seems recent, but I was popping out like two a week during Summer Series, so this was effectively a lifetime ago.