Wednesday, October 19, 2011

A fall drive ........

Monday was sunny and warm, a perfect day for a drive. We decided to head north toward Sperryville. We stopped for breakfast near Mineral, which was the epicenter of the east coast earthquake. A lot of houses had chimney damage and some buildings had damage to brick facades. We didn't feel any tremors while we were there, although the news said this morning that there was another aftershock last night.

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(I apologize for the poor photos. It's hard to take a picture while riding in the car at 50 mph. Hubby isn't one to stop in the middle of the road so I can take a picture.)

When we arrived in Sperryville we stopped at an antique store we like to visit. We were disappointed in what they had to offer, so we didn't stay long. Our next stop was a stand selling apples, cider, honey, jellies and jams. We got a basket of apples, two jugs of cider, and a jar of damson jelly. I love damson jelly and preserves. After stopping at a few other shops along the road, we entered Shenandoah National Park and got on Skyline Drive heading South.

The day was sunny, but it was a bit hazy in the distance. The trees have turned up on the mountain and are beginning to turn in the valley.

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We didn't continue south on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but got off near Charlottesville and headed home. It was a very pretty drive and an enjoyable outing.

While we were gone, the tree service had come and taken down our tree. I was disappointed that I hadn't been at home to watch. The tree was really, really tall and I wanted to watch as they cut it in sections from the top with the bucket truck.

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This is all that is left of the tree.

12 comments:

schmidleysscribblins,wordpress.com said...

As the tree trimmers left such a stump, don't be surprised to find sprouts around the bottome next year. The woodpeckers and sapsuckers should love what is left. Your photos remind me it is time to hit the Parkway. We are only about 45 minutes from the northern end.

CountryDew said...

Wow, such lovely pictures. I am glad you enjoyed your trip.

I need to hit the parkway, too!

Snippety Gibbet said...

I haven't driven the Skyline Drive yet this season. I love driving around rural Va. LOVE it!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Thanks for taking us along on your road trip. I do know the frustration of trying to take photos from a moving car when it's not possible to pull over :-( Glad you had such a good day and the spples, cider and jam will be a delicious reminder of your day trip. I;ve never heard of that type of jam before.

Pat said...

Loved taking a ride with you. We've never taken the trip to see the fall colors on Skyline Drive. It's always something we've talked about taking the time to do.

drypond said...

I love your photos, I live a few miles from skyline drive and love see it on my drive on Rt 340 to work everyday. We are having some big maple trees trim back this year. I hope to get photos of before and after of that. Don't you just love the local apple cider. We get a couple gallons every 2 weeks.

TheBookGirl said...

Thank you for those lovely shots of your outing...the foliage is just gorgeous :)

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

Anywhere you drive in Virginia is beautiful.

I also love damson jelly! Yum!

NitWit1 said...

Wish I lived nearer the Parkway, because I know its beauty. I have travelled through there on several occasitions different times of year, many years ago.

Sweetflutterbys3 said...

I haven't been to Sperryville for years! They have a great furniture store there I swore I'd go back to someday and never did.

Beautiful pictures!

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

Driving the Skyline and Shenandoah NP is on my To-Do list! Sounds like you mapped out a fun drive.
We're loving our first VA fall.... everywhere I turn there's a beautiful sight.
Thanks for sharing the trip.... and I DO know what you mean about the bloggers block!!

The Garden Girl said...

Beautiful Pics of Skyline Dr!
We've got to make a point of going north instead of south on the Pkwy.
- looks beautiful up that way!