The Mountains are Calling...And I Must Go

Show of hands please if you're a mountain person?  My hand is definitely raised!

I have always loved the mountains...from our annual vacation trek to the Great Smoky Mountains when I was growing up...to currently living here in the Shenandoah Valley for the past 17 years:This is the Valley...and this photo was taken atop the Blue Ridge Parkway looking west towards the Allegheny Mountains:

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you."  ~ Isaiah 54:10

Whenever we have guests, we like to take them for either a picnic on the Parkway or just driving to see the scenery. Tom's sister Ellen and husband Ed were here recently so we went leaf peeping...along with lots of other folk it seemed! A kind fellow traveler took a photo of all of us at this overlook: It was a beautiful, but slightly chilly, afternoon at that elevation...perfect for some leisure time spent exploring:
The leaves were definitely past their peak color, but it was still a very fun outing: The guys: Hannah surveying the beauty:

A photo of the two oldsters: This picture below reminds me of our time on the Parkway with Tom's brother, Steve. He's a real camera guy and loved the photographic opportunities in this area. You can find that post of his visit exactly 5 years ago here:

It was getting too late in the day for a hike up Humpback Rock as we've done many times in the past, so we opted for a stroll through the Appalachian Farm area: Hannah, of course, found the herb garden behind the house and checked out the offerings:

Such a beautiful fall season: Once we were back home, it was time to start celebrating Jonathan's birthday...of course, he asked for a cookout, so we turned on the festive lights and the party commenced! Turtle cake....always on the menu for his birthday. It was great having guests here to help celebrate with him and play games afterwards: One final photo...the next day Jonathan invited us all to his work to take an airport tour. We went inside the first presidential Air Force One--Columbine, the plane that shuttled President Eisenhower. It was so very interesting to see first-hand the restoration of this plane: Special thanks to Ed and Ellen for making the big trip down from Connecticut to visit! It was great seeing you! 

~Deb

Comments

[Toni]

Hi Deb! My hands are up and waving. We love the mountains Your photos are really good and show off the spectacular views so well.

Like Hannah, I always end up perusing the herb gardens to sniff and touch the plants when we do a tour. I love to use them in the kitchen and in medicine.

Have a great week!

[Barbara J.]

Hi Deb, I think the mountains are beautiful but except for my time in Atlanta, I have always lived close to the shore and think I prefer that. My ancestors were from West Virginia and the drive from here through the mountains is amazing. I always wonder how the pioneers made the trip across those mountains. As always, love seeing your pictures.

[Amy, a redeemed sheep]

I love the mountains, too, but as a flatlander, I get nervous when driving in them. I have gotten better about it over the years.

Beautiful pictures!!

[victoria]

Miss seeing those beautiful mountains in their fall splendor. So pretty! Glad you were able to have Tom's sister and hubby up for a visit.

[Tammy C]

Lovely mountain pictures.Wow your deck is big.Hard to tell sometimes by the crowd of people when you have had other parties. Way cool about Air Force One -Columbine.

Glad you were able to have some of Tom's family in for a visit.