From Oak Ridge, turn left on Rte 653 and go to Hwy 29. Turn right on Hwy 29 and go north for 5 miles to Rt 718 (Mtn Cove Rd) Turn left on Mtn Cove Rd.  As the road comes around the curve, notice the breathtaking view of Mountain Cove apple orchards on the hillside to your right.  After approximately one mile the road curves to the left and becomes Rt 651.  Bear left on 651 and continue until it comes back to Hwy 29.  Turn right on Hwy 29 and go south to the next right turn which is Rt 741 at Nelson County High School.  Stay on Rte 741 (Drumheller Orchard Lane) which goes behind the high school for 2 miles to the Drumheller apple packing shed.  For a better view of the orchard on the hillside, go behind the packing shed and follow the gravel path beside the fence.  At the end, turn around and retrace your steps back out to Hwy 29.

Turn right on Hwy 29 and go South back to Rt 653 and continue back towards Oak Ridge for 2 miles.  When the Oak Ridge Road road curves to the left, bear to the right to stay on Rt 653 (becomes Wilson Rd.)  The Oak Ridge Catholic Chapel is on the right.  Continuing on Wilson Road, you will cross over the steel bridge - a Virginia Landmark, built in 1882 and is considered the best example of a single span Pratt truss bridge.  When the road ends, turn left on Rte 655.  Right after the cement bridge you will see the 1700s Variety Mill on the left.  While most utilitarian buildings feature little detailing, Variety Mill hosts jackarches with keystones over the first floor openings and elaborate quoining on the main block.

Continuing on Rte 655, you will soon come to Rte 722 (Williamstown Rd).  Turn left on 722 and immediately left into the driveway of Hungry Hill, a family farm of honeybees and shiitake mushrooms.  The Clayton family welcomes you to tour their beekeeping and mushroom farm.  The Claytons manage about 150 bee colonies for honey and pollination of local apple orchards.  Their mushroom operation involves 2000 oak logs which are inoculated with shiitake mushrooms and are kept outdoors in a shaded wood yard.  The Claytons may or may not be available to show you around.  It's best to call first (804-263-5336) and see if they can give you a tour.  When you are ready to leave Hungry Hill, turn right on Rt 722 and left on Rt 655 and continue until the road ends in Norwood. 

Turn left on Rt 626 (Norwood Rd.)  On your right you will see Christ Episcopal Church, which was built in 1765 by Dr. William Cabell on the original Cabell estate.  The village of Norwood on the James River was once the site of a large warehouse in which tobacco from Oak Ridge was stored until it could be transported by batteau to Richmond.  Continue on Norwood Road, paralleling the James River and the CSX railroad line.  You will pass by several private estates and plantations that were homes to Nelson County's early settlers.  The estates are well off the road and private homes are not open the the public.  When the road ends at Rt 56 (James River Rd.) notice the Wingina Store on your left.

The Wingina Store was built as a general store and post office in 1920 and is still owned by the same family.  Now in addition to the post office, it is home to Wingina Water Sports, a canoe and tube rental business.  The building also has collection of local Monacan Indian artifacts.  From the Wingina Store, turn left on Rt 56 and continue for 13 miles to Shipman.  Turn left at Rt 650 (Oak Ridge Rd. - BP Station) to go back to Oak Ridge.