The Blue Ridge Mountains, Tim Janis
There are two places in this world that fill my heart with awe. The first is the ocean. Oh how I adore its wonder and majesty. The second is the mountains.
"We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm, making every nerve quiver, filling every pore and cell of us."
John Muir
Saturday was a lovely day to take a drive to the mountains. Although still quite warm, the mornings and the evenings are telling us that Autumn is coming.
The beautiful last quarter moon rose high in the sky and lead us to our destination, the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Sperryville, Virginia. Sperryville is a small little town with a population of around 350. There are small little antique stores and shops and small little roadside stands that sell apples and peaches and cider. We've been going here since our children were small. They tell stories of how a man at the apple stand gave them a apple to eat on the way home. The fun part for them was he told them to throw the core out the window when they were finished. I don't think I'd tell my children to do that, but we allowed it that trip! I'm a stickler for not throwing out trash, but allowed it since it decomposes.
The fields and farms we passed along the way show signs of Autumn.
The soybean fields are turning a rich golden yellow.
You can see why these mountains are called the Blue Ridge.
You can see why these mountains are called the Blue Ridge.
Hay bales ready for the Winter ahead were spotted everywhere.
As you can see the leaves are still quite green, but look at those mountains!
We spotted so many lovely fences along our drive.
Leaving Sperryville we see the pretty last roses of Summer with the mums of Autumn on the interesting white picket fence.
It was a lovely drive to the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains.
Absolutely stunning! (Oh, yes, perfectly acceptable, even good, depending on where, to toss an apple core out the window. ☺)
ReplyDeleteVee, I can imagine there are more signs of Fall around you now. Maybe you can take a drive with a fresh new apple and toss the core out for the birds.
DeleteMy heart is also divided between the high mountains and the ocean. In many ways the area looks not dissimilar to parts of Wales or England, but for the distant Blue Ridge Mountains. I can feel that clean, crisply clear mountain air as I look at each perfect picture where I feel so at home. Beautiful music too. What a treat this afternoon, no wonder you love it so much.
ReplyDelete~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Some places just tug at our hearts, don't they, Deb? I agree about looking similar to England. Hopefully one day I'll see for myself your lovely Wales. xoxo
DeleteIt's looking beautiful in your world. And oh, how I do love that moon shot!
ReplyDeleteJeanie, some days are just perfect for a ride to the mountains. The moon obliged me with a photo and made me even happier.
DeleteWhat a wonderful drive to the mountains, Martha Ellen. I LOVE the mountains, and it has always been a dream of mine to live there. The small town you spent the day at sounds so charming. I loved the hay bale picture. Oh, and that white picket fence with the roses is so pretty. I'm glad you had a nice day in the mountains. It's nice to get up in the high elevation and smell the clean fresh air. I plan to do the same thing with the family very soon. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Autumn really calls me to the mountains, Sheri. My Nanny grew up in the mountains, I think I feel her there. I'm so glad to hear you are going with your family soon.
DeleteI also wanted to thank you for sharing your thoughts on compassion. I appreciated your words and the little story you told about waving to the neighbors. It seems that neighbors aren't as friendly as when I grew up in my little town. Remember going to the neighbors and borrowing a cup of sugar or something?
DeleteWe sure enjoy drives like these. Looks like you picked a good day for that drive. Lovely views!
ReplyDeleteEllen, I enjoy your drives in the Pacific Northwest. I guess we are alike in that fashion.
DeleteI'm glad you have those gorgeous mountains and countryside close enough to drive to and enjoy. The area actually reminds me of our countryside and mountains here. We're both lucky!
ReplyDelete((hugs)), Teresa :-)
That's true, Teresa. It's nothing like seeing the countryside on a beautiful day.
DeleteWe both love the same things the sea and the mountains. What a spectacular tour you took us on the mountains were a feast for the eyes.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed seeing our mountains, Loraine. Seeing where we both enjoy connects us all!
DeleteWe live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on Catoctin Mountain. In the distance we can see the part that runs through Harpers Ferry, WV. I love driving Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway which I've driven from Tennessee through North Carolina to Virginia. Every Autumn we go to the Mountains either in PA, VA, MD or WV. It's so wonderful to live close enough to do this. I've always dreamed of having a cabin in the mountains, but have settled for renting one whenever we can.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely for you to view the mountains in the distance, Cathy. We love going on the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway as well. When our children were at home we often would hike the trails along those roads. It's a beautiful part of our country. ♥
DeleteIt is so refreshing to have time in the mountains. It looks like a lovely drive and your photos are wonderful! Nice to see signs of autumn.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is refreshing to take time in the mountains. It's always a little cooler, but on Saturday it was still quite warm. Autumn, please come!
DeleteWhat a lovely trip! Sometimes those things that are near to us are the best. I think that I need to take a drive to buy some fresh apples and cider (and maybe an apple cider donut?). I am hoping that autumnal temperatures arrive soon . . . it would make for a happier fall outing!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I know it's always this warm in early Autumn, but I really want cooler temperatures. You are so right, it would make for a happier fall outing!
DeleteOh how beautiful those mountains are! What a nice trip you had. We went out today and got some cider and doughnuts! It’s definitely feeling like fall around here!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a nice day out for you, Liz. I'm really ready for cooler temperatures like you have!
DeleteThanks for sharing one of my favorite places to visit, the Blue Ridge Mountains are one of our favorite places to visit, Martha, we usually visit twice a year, but haven't in a few years due to not having anyone to care for our animals, the last caretaker past away, we are now looking for someone. Fall is my favorite time to visit, we used to take all of our grands there, we visited Boone and loved the outdoor drama, "Horn In The West" a fantastic play.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Sue
Sue, you have some fantastic memories of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We love them so much and hopefully we'll take a drive up on the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. My Nanny was born in the mountains, I think I feel her presence there. Have a nice week.
DeleteFabulous post! Thank you Martha Ellen. It has been a while since we went to Sperryville and now you have sown the seed. This time of the year that would be an ideal destination. Your photos are gorgeous! I enjoyed reading about your sweet memories and took note of throwing the apple core out the window. I’m the same way about trash but maybe the man knew that it would feed some woodland creature :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your lovely comments, Denise. Autumn certainly calls for visit to the mountains. Hopefully the leaves will peak when you visit.
DeleteThe Blue Ridge Mountains look fabulous and lovely to see the different fences too.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan