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...

Monday, September 20, 2010

Shenandoah Valley--Part II


Well Friends, my birthday trip posts are over... Sigh!!!! But---I guess 15 posts from beginning to end is enough though.... For this to only be a four-day trip (three really --plus driving), I guess I have shared enough pictures... But--as you know if you have followed these posts, this was an incredibly wonderful Birthday trip this year that my husband totally planned and surprised me with... If you want to see any of the posts from this trip, just go to my sidebar, to labels, and click on BIRTHDAY 2010.

Today, I will share a few more pictures from our day driving on the back roads through the Shenandoah Valley. Above is just a gorgeous picture of the valley with the mountains in the background. We played "Shenandoah" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on our CD player in the car while traveling through the valley... AWESOME!!!! Below are more pictures for you to enjoy.





Wouldn't this be a perfect place to have a farm??? I love seeing the rolling hills in the valley ---and yet, the mountains are close by.. Just PERFECT!!!!




We were totally surprised to see Bike Races on the back roads that day. This picture is not a great one since I took it from inside our car ---but I wanted you to see how many bikers were out there, enjoying the day!!!!




Oh My Heart... This is one house in the Shenandoah Valley which I would have loved to own!!!!! Gorgeous home with trees around it --and a beautiful yard!!!!! Just my idea of awesome!



Here's one more picture of 'our' mountain. Up there somewhere is Skyland Resort --where we stayed the night before.




Here is a close-up of the cute little church in the Shenandoah Valley which so many of you (and I) loved --from last Friday's post. I also love seeing the puffy clouds that day.




Finally, this picture was taken from an overlook on Skyline Drive... I dedicate this post (and the entire trip) to the greatest man in the world, my loving husband, George. "Honey, I adore you.. Thanks for the fabulous trip."


++++++++++
Hope you all had a great weekend. We got some much-needed rain on Thursday, but now (and for the entire week), the temperatures have turned extremely hot again. The hot summer just keeps hanging on.... SO--any of you who are experiencing FALL, please post your beautiful pictures---so that I can DREAM. I'm sure it will eventually get here --but I'm not a very patient person!!!! ha

Have a wonderful Monday.
Hugs,

57 comments:

Jane said...

Good morning Betsy,

For a minute there, I thought that you and George had managed to swing a trip to the Tour de France! Great shots, especially the one of you and George,

Jane

T said...

what a lovely surprise….a bit of home in this blog!

A belated happy birthday!

June said...

Boy, that's just beautiful...

BTW, Husband told me "there" looks JUST LIKE "here." But warmer. :-P

pam said...

I feel relaxed just looking at these pics!

Neal said...

We need some rain also. Haven't really had any since July 27th.

Your hubby really spoils you don't he? :)

Arkansas Patti said...

Boy, you really had a ring side seat for the races. Good timing.
Such beautiful country but think I liked the last picture the best. What a wonderful way to end the series of posts.

linda m said...

Great pictures. I agree, the house is perfect, wish I could live there. So peaceful!!!

From the Kitchen said...

I LOVE today's post. I felt so secure growing up in the "arms" of those mountains. It was such a comfort to be surrounded by them. And i LOVE those country roads and houses and churches. I LOVE the loving photo of your and George. It makes me happy.

And, I found that I just put photos on the computer from the new camera the same as the old one. I just misread a disc that actually says "Step Up Photography". Thought it said "Set Up Photography". Otherwise, I'm moving right along!!

Best,
Bonnie

Unknown said...

I should send you a picture of one our "picked" fields as a sign of fall.

Oh! We LOVE those old brick three story homes too! It's a pipe dream, as we probably won't live anywhere else than where we are, but they are beautiful old homes!

Have a great week! This hot weather is trying to get back up here too! Sounds like we will be in the 90's tomorrow. It's really drying out our crops TOO MUCH! ACK!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Beautiful!!! What a sweet tribute to George!!! Have a wonderful week!!!
We were in the nineties again yesterday!!!

Catherine said...

Beautiful sky and the sweetest couple! You and George always know how to have a good time Betsy!

Have a Happy week!
xo Catherine

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Such beautiful views and that second home is especially lovely. Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip with us. That's a sweet photo of you and George! Enjoy your day.

MadSnapper said...

Love that red house and of course he church. the bestest of all is that cute couple at the end. the bikes are great, i love the angle of the photo.

Susie said...

Sorry Betsy but no fall pics here either. It's the summer that just keeps on going and going. Suppose to be 98 here today.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Beautiful... But the last pic is the best. :-)))))))))

D said...

Betsy, beautiful country, God's country, ;) and two beautiful people. Thank you for sharing the love with us.

diane b said...

Oh you are such a romantic. It is so refreshing to see and hear. The landscapes could easily turn anyone into a romantic. So green and serene. The house and the church are adorable. Suddenly a burst of energy in the form of a bunch of cyclists adds to the atmosphere. What a great trip and a great man of yours.

Small City Scenes said...

Wonderful series, Betsy. We all enjoy your travels too.
The clouds are stunning. Well the hills and everything else is too but I do love clouds.
The picture og you two lovebirds is priceless. MB

Cicero Sings said...

Well Betsy, you'll never guess what is on the ground here this morning! Yes, S N O W !!!

That trip to the Shannendoah Valley looked wonderful. You have so many beautiful places over your side.

amelia said...

What a surprise seeing all those cyclists on such quiet back roads!! I'll bet you had a shock!

Lovely pictures again, you're one lucky lady!

We got down to 0 last night and it's going to stay that way now I'm guessing and hoping! It's warming up form anywhere around 10 to 15 in the daytime and that suits me just fine!!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I love all these photos Betsy, especially of you and George.

15 posts for a weekend trip? ha-Ha. that might just be a world record. :)
Have a great day!

Glenda said...

The pic of you and George is another "frame worthy" shot! All of them are just beautiful!

I looked again of your St. Simon pics. Some of your shots are very similar to mine! The church is no longer open to the public - except for services, of course - so we didn't get to go inside :-( We attended church at the Wesley Methodist Church near Ft. Frederica, where the Wesley brothers preached, and enjoyed it so much! Maybe next time we can visit Epworth; it looks beautiful, too!

Kelly said...

...just gorgeous...and what a wonderful trip. I need to send this post (and the previous 15 to Rick!!!). I can't even imagine him planning a trip for me. My birthday is in Feb...if I send it to him every month until then...
:-)

Sunny said...

Beautiful scenery + lovely weather + wonderful couple = perfect trip!
Great pictures, Betsy :)
☼ Sunny

Randy said...

I love that last picture of you and George! What a perfect couple.-- Randy

KathyA said...

Love that house, too! And the one in the valley!

Karin said...

We've got a cool and rainy day up here and the clean 4 letter word SNOW is threatening. Maybe not with this cloud cover! It will be here before long!

You two incurable romantics take the most wonderful trips and documenting everything on the camera gives lots of opportunity to go down memory lane any time you choose! Love it - especially that last shot! Bless you!

Jo said...

Oh Betsy what a lovely valley. (Guess what song I'm humming?) I loved all your birthday posts - reminded me that I've had about a dozen posts on our desert trips and we're probably going out there again this weekend so MORE posts! Thanks for visiting my blog today again. My cats at home also "think vet" and hate being in a vehicle. Here, the vet came to the flat to operate on Shadow so he doesn't equate the car with pain/fear. Have a wonderful day. Blessings Jo

Ginny Hartzler said...

How much I love you and George snuggling in front of the mountains, so cute!!!!

Gretchen said...

Absolutely stunning photos! Thanks for sharing them. :)

Harriet said...

Wow! Love all the old farm houses they are beautiful! We missed the rain on Thursday. The last I heard we are 10 inches behind on rainfall and it is HOT in the 90's we really need rain soon. The leaves on one of my Dogwood trees are just turning brown and the red berries also are turning brown. I'm not sure how much color we will have this fall. Let's all pray for rain!

I Am Woody said...

Beautiful! And those roads look perfect for cyling:)

Diane AZ said...

Hi, what a great idea to listen to "Shenandoah" while traveling through the valley. The last picture of you and George is the perfect way to end your enjoyable 15 post birthday trip series. Have a happy week! :D

Linda said...

You and I have much the same taste in houses;) Happy birthday.....belatedly!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Fabulous scenery! Yes, the last picture is the best!!

penny said...

You are indeed blessed to have George for a husband, Betsy. You two are perfect for eachother in so many ways.
What a beautiful surprise Birthday trip.
I can't wait for fall either, but you get to enjoy all the beautiful colors of fall. I'm green with envy;)

Kay said...

What a beautiful place.

Unknown said...

You thought the photo with the bikers is not good...but it is actually what I liked most. There is action and I think it's a good shot.

Thanks for sharing this.

carolina nana said...

Hello Betsy,I'm finally catching up reading blogs today. We had a wonderful trip but I think I still like the NC coast better.The beaches are prettier and whiter. Think we will try Ocean Isle next year and stay on the beach.
We are dry here and hot with no chance of rain anytime soon.
They say maybe some cooler weather next week we'll see.
Loved those pictures of the farms and churches and that was an unbelievable number of bicycles, I would have hated to have been in a car behind them trying to pass.
Have a blessed day.
Marilyn

nanny said...

Oh I love your pictures but that last one brings a tear to my eyes....it is precious!!!!

Rose said...

Betsy, we are in the SE corner of Georgia, and it is hot here, too. I have got to see some terrain similar to that of your photos...but we could only pass through so no photos.

I have totally loved seeing and hearing about this trip...loved, loved, loved the photos!

imac said...

Nice pics Betsy, hey - its that Tango-ed pic again.lol

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Love the pictures of your trip. What a great time you both had! My favorite shot is that one of the old 19th Century home. Have a wonderful day!

Fred Alton said...

Love is a wonderful part of life! I'm glad that you have George and that he has you. It's obvious that you care deeply for each other. You are both fortunate. Thanks for the great pictures of the Shenandoah Valley and your trip. Loved seeing and reading about your adventures.

LV said...

Thank you Betsy for this great birthday outing with you and George. I fell as though I have been there. You do excellent pictures that makes things seem real. I think the lovely home you have now has more love and meaning than if you had one like that big one you liked. It does not matter what you live in or where as long as you are happy. There is absolutely no doubt that you and George are a very happily married couple. Your last photo says it all.

Connie said...

Such a scenic spot, Betsy! That was a wonderful birthday trip, indeed! :)

eileeninmd said...

Hello Betsy, Wonderful series of Shenandoah photos. Cool shot of the bike riders. Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

I really like that last picture of you and George; just wonderful!

Beth said...

Beautiful--I've added the Shenandoah Valley to my list of places to visit.
I agree about the house---looks perfect.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Betsy that last photo of you and George is precious! I loved seeing this trip ...George really gave you the best birthday present.

Not much autumn here as yet...middle October and the trees will begin to all change color.

Diane said...

Such a nice post and cute picture of you and George - such lovebirds! Hope your day has been good. Diane

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

I've loved these posts; brought back lots of memories for me. The last pic of you and George is just the sweetest!

Lynda said...

The picture of you and your hubby is precious! The mountains are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Mountains always feel like home to me. Isn't it amazing how they can look gentle and rolling but we know they are rugged and steep.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

You and your man in the matching T shirt, shows us what love is all about.

My son was telling me about the Domestics cycclist, how they take care of the main cyclist. All very interesting.

The Retired One said...

Ah, look at those lovebirds in that last picture...so cute!!!

SquirrelQueen said...

The valleys nestled in the mountains look so peaceful and serene. I'm with you on that house Betsy, that is beautiful. It looks as though it might have a great view too. The best photo is that sweet couple looking lovingly into each others eyes.

ruthinian said...

there is only one photo that i would like to comment on... the last one. i think it is so sweet and i love it. i can see in your eyes the love you have for each other. may you both stay so much in love with each other.