Springtime Bucket List – May Edition

May is here and what a glorious month it is!

The days are longer, sunnier, a gentle breeze stirs the air and it’s not yet stifling hot and humid – as it usually gets in Virginia during summertime, which means that it’s the best time to be outside.

Lately, I have found the greatest joy in planning things with friends, dreaming up fun activities and adventures outside, and the countdown towards something I know I’ll enjoy is keeping my spirits high and gives me something to look forward to.

Last year, I showed you how beautiful springtime is in Virginia.

This year, I wanted to share with you my May Bucket List in hopes of inspiring you to get out there, make the best of what the season has to offer in your area and make use of every warm, spring day. For a trip down memory lane, here is an older post with spring arriving in my hometown of Romania.

As per your request, I’ve also put together a playlist filled with some of my favorite songs and artists I’ve listened to lately. I’ve chosen upbeat songs, great to take with you on an energizing walk or run, or dance to. I hope you’ll discover new songs to love and perhaps, some new artists to follow.

You can check out the playlist at the end of this post so make sure to stick around until the very end.

Here’s what’s on my may bucket list:

1. Picnic at Barren Ridge Vineyards. Even though I do not drink, this vineyard close by has the best views over gently rolling hills filled with vines, as well as award winning wine for those that enjoy the beverage. I also love the fact that by just purchasing a glass/bottle of wine, you can bring your own food and have a picnic right there and then. Right now, in advance reservations are needed so I am thinking the end of May for our picnic with some croissant sandwiches filled with my favorite pepper-turkey deli, Havarti cheese, and some mini lemon-poppy seeds bundt cakes to sweeten our palates. Yum!
2. Hike at Shamokin Springs Nature Preserve. I’ve been wanting to do more of the hikes pertaining to the Appalachian Trail for a while now. If you are not familiar with it, the Appalachian Mountains range from Maine to Georgia making them the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, and they are more than 480 million years old! Waynesboro sits less than 5 miles away from the trail. Shamokin Falls Trail seems to be an easy and scenic hike and I look forward to walking it on a nice, sunny Saturday.
3. Thrift shop at local boutiques for summer dresses. Because summer is almost here, restrictions and lock downs are being lifted and I want to wear a dress every single day in celebration. Plus, it’s been a hard year. And it’s been hard on everyone. A beautiful, flowery dress made of natural materials like cotton, linen or silk is such a simple way to lift your spirits and make you feel like you’re on vacation (even when you’re not), plus it’s a one-and-done deal. Darling Boutique in Charlottesville is one of my favorites, as well as Twice as Nice, downtown Waynesboro.
4. Sunbathe at Sherando Lake Recreation Area. After so many months spent indoors, I want to soak in all the sunshine and all the Vitamin D I can! I’ve shown you glimpses of the Sherando Lake here and it’s truly one of my favorite places to be in spring/summer/fall since it has something for everyone: trails, swimming, camping, grilling and a man-made beach area. It is only 30 min away and family friendly as well.
5. Go strawberry picking at Critzer Family Farm. This is turning into a beautiful yearly tradition. One of my favorite things to do in springtime is to visit local orchards and farms. I love freshly picked fruit and we are blessed with so many family owned farms in Virginia! May is THE month to go berry picking (they are in seasons after all and best tasting!). I’ve written about this before in the life of a strawberry and a simple guide to berry picking in VA here. With the berries/fruits I pick I like to make a fruit cake, some jam and then freeze the rest to enjoy during the following fall and winter seasons.
6. Saturday mornings at the Farmer’s Market. Farmer’s Markets are opening up again so on a Saturday morning, bright and early and after a stop at my favorite coffee house downtown, you will find me, basket in hand, at our local farmer’s market. Is there anything better that the abundance of fresh, locally grown produce to nourish our bodies and delight the senses? nothing, I tell, nothing!

Thank YOU SO MUCH for being here and for reading my thoughts! you are something special, you know that?

I promised you a “springy” playlist and here it is! these are some of the songs that have helped me this past few months in raising my spirits and I hope you will find something in there you like as well.

BONUS! did I tell you how much I like you and how much I appreciate you being here? :) I’ve put together another playlist for you, but this one is a little mellow. For the days when you want to take it slow and easy, perhaps go on a nice, long walk, and for when you feel like daydreaming and escaping.

The playlists are on Spotify, which is a music streaming service, so all you have to do is sign up with your email for the basic service (which is free). They do have a premium service, but you won’t need that in order to listen to the songs. Now, depending where you are in the world, some songs may not be available. If that is the case, let me know and we’ll try Youtube.

I hope you have a lovely month of May and let me know down below some of your plans for the season.

Much love and I’ll see you here next week!

Roxi