Spartan Race and winners of the Fenton Inn.

Congratulation to all the Spartans.  We had a busy week end here at the Fenton Inn.   It was a very lively and International group.  We had people from Sweden, Belgium, England, Cuba and Mexico.  Guests came from different states as well, Georgia, Maryland, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Washington DC and Virginia.   Many who raced at other Spartan Events placed the Wintergreen course as one of the most challenging in the country, both with the steep terrain and number of obstacles.  Temperatures were good and the rain held off for the race, but there was plenty of man-made mud on the course.

One guest, after losing over 100 pounds in training, has now completed the trifecta.  Each medal comes with a third part of a larger medal, that when joined make the circle in the middle.  He has inspired many others with his story and Spartan Victor—y.

Ah, the bigger they are, the harder they crawl.  Being 6.5 feet tall is not always an advantage when crawling under the barb wire.  

       The rope climb was a tough one.  Many people had to do the 30 burpees instead on this one.

                                           One of the ladder climbs on the 8.8 mile long course.

                                                  Raising a sand bag with the rope pull.

               No matter how the race goes, looking strong at the finish line makes it all seem easy.

A guest proudly shows off his first Spartan medal back at the Fenton Inn.    Now, off to the hot tub!

A trip to the Virginia Distillery near the Fenton Inn.

Nelson County is rapidly adding more places to visit.  This newly opened distillery is built in a first class way, with stone fountains and a very nice tasting building separate from the actual Distillery.  I have to admit I couldn’t tell you much about one type of whiskey over another.  I therefore must judge the whiskey on presentation and architecture and on this it gets high marks.   As to the whiskey itself, well they are currently tasting a Scottish Whiskey due to the simple fact that the whiskey they are making now in the distillery must be aged in barrels for around three more years to taste the local results.   In the meantime it really is all about the buildings and the tour of the distillery.

The central area of the tasting room has a large stone fireplace and some comfortable leather furniture.  Unlike some less appointed places, arriving inside makes you feel like you have entered somewhere important.  There is a lot of space, with some interesting architectural elements and bathrooms that make you think you in some New York law office.

The Scottish born whiskey stands above locally made soapstone bar tops.  The staff was very nice                         and we commented on the many finishing touches around the place.

                                                     I suppose the label explains it all. 

Large grain tanks outside the main distillery building.  It is a four year process to get a bottle in the shop on the other end of the distillery.   We rank this among the top places around to see the distilling

  process, based on the nice buildings and friendly staff.