Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Friday, September 17, 2010

Shenandoah Valley


You are probably VERY tired of hearing me talk about my August Birthday trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. This will only be my 14th post from this trip... Yipes!!!! BUT--the good news is that there is only one more post after today...

It was a fabulous trip--and if you are new to my blog, I hope that you will go to my sidebar, scroll down to labels and click on Birthday 2010.

In today's post, we are finally OFF of the mountain (came off of the Skyline Drive near Front Royal, VA) ---and are driving through the fabulous Shenandoah Valley. In the above picture, you can see the beautiful valley ---with the mountains (which we had just been on) in the distance. Below are more pictures of the 'valley'.





In this picture, you can see Skyline Drive (where we were) on the mountain. It felt strange being in the valley--after being on the mountain for two days.





Like we always do, we drove on all of the 'back roads' in the valley--so that we could enjoy seeing the farms and communities along our way. This is a little church (Limeton Community Church) which we saw. I didn't realize until after I took the picture that there was a power line in the picture... Oh Well--it's still a pretty, little church.




The Shenandoah River wanders in an "S" shape throughout the valley in this area. Since I wanted a picture of the river, I tried to take one from the car --while we were driving That didn't work--as you can see. But---out of all of the pictures we took that day, this is the ONLY one we have showing the river.... SO---Close your eyes and just think of this picture as an 'artsy' one!!!! ha






All of my life, I have heard about the beautiful Shenandoah Valley... The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version of "Shenandoah" has always been a favorite of mine. Dotted throughout this valley were many gorgeous homes and ranches and farms. This is one I'd love to see up close!!!





This is one of my favorite pictures of the valley because most of you know how much I love seeing little country churches. The location of this one is fabulous I think...

AND--the highest mountain in the background just happens to be near where we had spent the night the night before, Skyland Resort... It was fun looking up and comparing how different things look being down in the valley instead of looking at the view from above.

IF you ever get a chance to visit this area, please do so. I'm sure it is fabulous in the Fall--but like the Smokies, the traffic will be much worse then.

Have a wonderful weekend. I'll be back on Monday morning.
Hugs,

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures Betsy! I especially love the churches. Hope you have a nice weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful photos, Betsy! I love Shenandoah, one of my favorite places to visit.

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful photos, Betsy! I love Shenandoah, one of my favorite places to visit.

Anonymous said...

This place is just beautiful. I don't know which is prettier the mountain or the valley. What a great trip to go on. I have enjoyed your photos a lot. Have a good weekend.

diane b said...

It certainly is beautiful country the rolling mountains clad in green and the fertile valley with its snaking river. I for one never tire of following other people's trips and adventures. The little churches are so picturesque snuggled in the valley.

Valerie said...

Oh I don't think I will ever tire of seeing the wonderful beauty in your part of the country (and on your special trips)! I love the last shot too!

Jane said...

Good morning Betsy - You certainly do have some early risers who comment on your blog! You guys have fun this weekend. Great photos as always,

Jane

penny said...

I had forgotten just how beautiful the Shenandoah Valley is, Betsy.
Thanks for the gorgeous ride. I love the area with the church, also.. its looks so peaceful.

MadSnapper said...

each time i come to a post on Shennondoah, i start to hum the song. i have always loved that song and also the movie of that name with Jimmy Stewart.
the valley is just plain magnificent, as are those lovely mountains. i like that shot of the little white church with the mountain looming in the background. a mountain fit for Moses to come down off of. i like that stone church to. the power line can be removed with photshop.

Bill S. said...

Great pictures of the countryside and the sky. Have a great weekend.

Neal said...

Nah....we aren't tired of hearing about your birthday trip. That really is a beautiful area so I would never get tired of seeing it.

Arkansas Patti said...

Nope, I am not tired and appreciate you saving me all that gas money.
Love the picture of the church with the mountains in the back ground.
Have a good weekend.

Unknown said...

Thanks for taking us along on your trip! It was a beautiful one. The only thing my little piece of God's country is missing up here is a mountain to look at. Now I can look at yours!

You have a great weekend too!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

"Oh Shenandoah, I long to cross you..... Something.... Might river"
Or a variation on those words. :-)

I know the tune, but not the words and couldn't sing it. But it isssss haunting. It must be lovely country.

From the Kitchen said...

You know I'd never get tired of seeing your photos of this area so keep them coming. Those country roads are dotted with small churches and you know the congregations are close knit and hardworking people that you'd want to sit down with and "take supper".

Best,
Bonnie

Unknown said...

Beautiful pictures. Pretty neat being in the valley and looking up to see the outline of the road.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

The chances of me ever getting to this area are not very likely,so I am enjoying my virtual travels with you.I like the 'artsy' picture.
Hope your weekend will be fabulous.
Blessings,Ruth

Dorothy said...

Betsy, I never tire of seeing your pictures! They are all beautiful. Like you, I love to see and photograph little country churches. Hope your weekend is special.

Small City Scenes said...

The whole valley is full of wonder,Betsy. And just the name Shenandoah conjures up beauty. thanks for the tour. MB

Anonymous said...

Lovely photographs of the valley! I especially like the the church in the last photograph. The steeple of the church looks almost as tall as the length of the church.

Velvet Over Steel said...

I am Never tired of seeing your beautiful pictures and hearing about All your awesome Adventures!!

Love all of these post!!! So glad you had a wonderful 'birthday' trip! :-)

Have a Great Friday and a Wonderful weekend!
HUGS,
Coreen

Busy Bee Suz said...

I love all the beautiful churches; big and small.
Have a great weekend Betsy!

CottonLady said...

Betsy, I will never get tired of your beautiful photos!! I, too, love to see little country churches, new and old. Love the scenery-both mountain and valley. Thanks.

Blessings!
CottonLady

Sunny said...

Lovely scenery, I imagine it's amazing in the fall.
I love the picture of the river, it looks like you were going 80mph! Haha!
Happy Weekend.
☼ Sunny

I Am Woody said...

Back roads make for the BEST travel experiences!!

Diane said...

Yes, I love that song, too. In fact I was humming it in my head while I was looking at your pretty pictures. Diane

Karin said...

Humming now, Oh,Shenandoah and then There's a church in the valley by the Wildwood! Great way to start my day! What beautiful scenes you've expertly captured again! I even like the fly-by pic of the river!

Cheryl said...

Oh Betsy I would never get tired of hearing of your birthday trip! Your words and beautiful photos take me right along with you! I would so love to visit your part of the country. My mom has family from Tennessee so perhaps that is why I so enjoy learning more about your state and its beauty! Have a lovely weekend.

Ginny Hartzler said...

You have GOT to be kidding! This is the 14th post? It seems like maybe four!! They are going too fast, that's what! Of course I'm loving all these, even though I live here, I like these posts even better to see what you've snapped that I know and have been to.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Very lucky people get to live in a place as beautiful as this Betsy!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Fred Alton said...

Fantastic pictures of the valley, Betsy - even the "artsy" one of the river. Just the way I remember it looking a few years back when I did lots of itinerating in small churches from one end to the other for our missions department! Thanks for sharing your perspective. Beautiful all around.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Wow! What beautiful photos of the mountains, churches, trees, and Shenandoah Valley. What a lovely place. This is one of my favorite places to visit.

Janie said...

I've heard of the Shenandoah Valley, and the name always sounded so romantic to me. I must say, the photos are even more beautiful than I imagined!

Catherine said...

Never tired of your photos Betsy ~ have a terrific weekend! :)
xo Catherine

amelia said...

I have heard of this lovely place in many songs but have never seen it.

Lovely pictures again Betsy and thank you for posting them!!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

A little piece of heaven on earth....surely.

Together We Save said...

Oh my goodness... I don't think I could ever get tired of all these beautiful pictures!

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, What a lovely place! I have several spots now to be sure I get to visit! Have a fantastic day and coming weekend!

LV said...

I cannot imagine anyone getting tried of the beautiful country sides you visit. I enjoy them and feel like I have had a vacation too.

Lola said...

I never get tired of your pics, especially since they are from places that I know very well.
Skyline Dr. is a little scary to me. Maybe it's because I was tired.
I have movie camera pics coming down Interstate 81 from N.J. I remember 1 was a country church. So pretty.

Anonymous said...

There's no way I'd ever get bored of hearing about your holiday. It looks like you had a great time. I've never been to those places so am loving seeing another part of the world. Thank you for sharing :)

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

I saved the best blog for the last today...wow...loved these photos Betsy!!! I've found a lot of churches that have power lines in front of them...and they're so hard to move!!!
Have a wonderful weekend!!!

SquirrelQueen said...

I will never grow tired of seeing such beautiful scenery. One of the reasons I like driving on the back roads is seeing the little country churches, but I don't see them here like I did in the south.

Have a fantastic weekend!

The Retired One said...

It sure does look fabulous, Betsy. I just love those rolling mountains and the churches, too.

Kirigalpoththa said...

This valley is superb. Wish I could see this place in person one day!

Connie said...

I love the pretty little churches, Betsy. They remind me of the little church that I attended when I was growing up. These are in such gorgeous settings too, of course. Have a lovely weekend!

ruthinian said...

the little country church in the last photo is simply stunning. the scenic background of lush mountain made the white church stood out.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Can you imagine a teen age girl singing Oh Shenandoah in school in Borneo?

Yes, I sang Oh Shenandoah , and I am singing it now. It's been so long, but often you don't forget,

Elenka said...

We took that drive in 1976 and it was fabulous.

penny said...

I never tire of seeing your beautiful photos of the mountains, Betsy.

Have a blessed weekend :)

Tipper said...

So pretty! A place I've always wanted to visit too. Now I want to go even more!! Enjoy your weekend.

KathyA said...

Sitting here singing "Shenandoah" to myself!

Unknown said...

Betsy, you are capturing the valley so beautifully ... wish I knew where you live as we soon will head S.

Have a great weekend.
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Glenda said...

Even the word "shenandoah" makes me think of peace and beauty! Great pics! I love the one of the picturesque little white church.

Have a blessed, restful Sunday!

Rose said...

Oh, Betsy, I have so enjoyed your photos from your trip...and I love the first and last photo here so much. All are nice...just pretend the river is flowing very fast!

nanny said...

Oh I love the churches in the valley. So peaceful! I would love to see that house with you, isn't it beautiful. I could sit on that porch for hours. The setting is perfect.

nanny said...

I just googled shenandoah valley and they have a digital dvd postcard on the site.....it looks like you provided many of the pictures for it....so awesome! Their are so many places I want to go and now this one is on my list...if only my husband didn't work so much!

Love Of Quilts said...

You do take good photo on your trips almost as good as being there. God Bless Trish

Lisa said...

I have seen a few photos of this area and yours really show the beauty of it all. Love the church.
Very Nice