Let’s get out of town together! The Friends of the Roanoke County Public Library is sponsoring another exciting bus trip, this year to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

The motorcoach will depart South County Library at 7 a.m.–come a couple minutes early for doughnuts and coffee!–and will return at 7:30 p.m. A boxed lunch will be provided at the pavilion at the Frontier Culture Museum. Dinner will be on your own at Mrs. Rowe’s Family Restaurant and Bakery in Staunton. Cost is $65 for Friends members and $80 for non-members. Not a member? This is a perfect opportunity to join Friends now to take advantage of the $65 trip fee. Walking is involved, so please wear comfortable shoes.

To register, call 772-7507 by Wednesday, May 9.

Submitted by Roanoke County Public Libraries.

Read on to learn what you’ll enjoy during this day-long excursion:

Frontier Culture Museum
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The Frontier Culture Museum, an authentic outdoor living history museum in Staunton, tells the story of the thousands of people who migrated to colonial America and of the life they created here for themselves and their descendents. These first pioneers came to America during the 1600s and 1700s from communities in the hinterlands of England, Germany, Ireland, and West Africa. Many were farmers and rural craftsmen, set in motion by changing conditions in their homelands and drawn to the American colonies by opportunities for a better life. Others came as unwilling captives to work on farms and plantations. Regardless of how they arrived, all became Americans and all contributed to the success of the colonies and of the United States.

Viette Nurseries
1:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Learn about the Viette’s top gardening tips for the most beautiful gardens at Viette Nurseries in Fishersville! Andre will share the Viette’s top secrets for achieving the very best gardens for 2012. During his talk, Andre will discuss lawn care, sun gardens, woodland gardens, vegetable gardens, container gardens, trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, bulbs, and much more.

At this lecture you’ll also learn the Viette’s secrets: proper soil preparation with the best amendments, proper watering practices, pruning techniques, planting, and garden designs. We’ll tour the nurseries afterward.

Barren Ridge Vineyards
3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Near the end of our adventure we’ll slip over to Barren Ridge Vineyards, also in Fishersville. Located on the family’s former apple orchard, Barren Ridge Vineyards is now home to Augusta County’s premier winery. John and Shelby Higgs converted their old apple barn into a state-of-the-art winery, preserving the original structure and wood beams. The tasting room features wonderful wines that are available daily for complimentary tours and tastings.