Grayson Highlands Getaway

March 17, 2014 by LB

Grayson County, located in the Blue Ridge Highlands of Southwest Virginia, was the location of this past weekend’s gathering of the BGs, a group of women who meet a few times a year to celebrate birthdays and friendship.

We enjoy delicious food and drink, take walks, read books, play games, and sometimes do a little crafting.

All this, plus plenty of time for talk, is typically done in a cabin or farmhouse in a rural part of Virginia.

We worried about this little one – he seemed so sluggish – but maybe he was just enjoying being able to catch some rays on a 50 degree day.

We surely enjoyed our time in the sun.

Cheers! Spring is coming!

Little House in Shiloh

February 20, 2014 by LB

I’ve driven by these old cabins many times

and I’ve stopped to take photos before

but this time, the character of these old structures spoke to me.

and against the backdrop of snow, I couldn’t help but think of days gone by.

I Just Couldn’t Do It

December 22, 2013 by LB

Another image from that beautiful day in Shiloh (see here and here).

I specifically stopped to shoot this ramshackle structure with the idea of converting it to B&W. I follow a few bloggers who seem to instincitvely know what works in B&W and I wanted them to know they have influenced me.

I just couldn’t do it though … I loved the green framing, the red roof, and the blue sky, all highlighted in the setting sun, and with the addition of those shadows that I love so well.

The Merc

September 28, 2013 by LB

The Draper Mercantile is a lovingly restored, 125 year old building in Southwest Virginia. It currently serves as a place to hear local music, enjoy a fine meal, and as a showplace for regional arts and crafts. The Merc has been providing goods and services to Pulaski County and the surrounding communities for over a century and according to the website “visitors could purchase just about anything”.

A receipt found in a desk by the current owners summarizes an eclectic purchase: sugar, burial clothes, salmon, lemons, and a coffin. At various times, The Merc has housed a barber shop, a blacksmith, the post office, and a dress shop. In the spring the farmers brought in their lambs to sell and in the fall their hogs, turkey, potatoes etc., which went towards settling their accounts (drapermerc.com).

One evening last week, I met my friend Amy on the upstairs porch and enjoyed a glass of wine in a beautiful setting.

Some would have used photoshop to rid the images of powerlines. Despite the fact that I don’t have photoshop, I think that the powerlines add historic accuracy to The Merc and the community of Draper.

If you’re ever in the area, check it out!!

It’s Coming!

September 21, 2013 by LB

As I head off to Charlottesville for a Saturday meeting, I’ll hope that you all are outside somewhere, enjoying the beauty of early fall.

Burke’s Garden

September 10, 2013 by LB

This past Sunday found me needing some time on the bike, in a long, solo ride. Too many thoughts were jumbled around in my head and I needed to sort some things out. So I plotted my route and headed out for Burkes Garden.

Bowl-shaped Burke’s Garden is the highest valley in Virginia, and is named after James Burke who “discovered” the area during the 1740s (of course the Native Americans discovered it first). The historical marker notes that “the threat of Indian attack and the remoteness of the area discouraged permanent white settlement until the early 19th century”. It is still a very small community and the only store is closed on Sunday.

The ride to Burke’s Garden and back is one photo opportunity after another.

Old churches

Farms and the product of farming

Images that harken back to another time and warnings about eternity

I loved her little face peeking back at me.

While these 4 photos all have an organized religion theme, they represent 3 different churches.

And of course some fun, twisty roads.

By the time I arrived home, 5 hours and 150 miles later, I was in a much more peaceful frame of mind

Southwest Virginia: Big Sky Country!

July 1, 2013 by LB

I know … you thought that Montana was Big Sky Country. Well, we’ve got a little bit of that going on right here in Southwest Virginia, too!

You pull the bike over to take a few shots and you fall in love with the close up …

and then you marvel at the colors of the various grasses in the field.

You look up and notice how beautiful the grasses look against the clouds …

And then it hits you … you are indeed in big sky country!

Hangin’ With the Big Dogs: A 500 Mile Weekend

June 26, 2013 by LB

I just LOVE the first long rides of the summer!

Those who truly love riding motorcycles, will ride all year long. Even on cold winter days, as long as the sun is shining. Winter rides are incredibly satisfying but they’re often shorter in duration, with far fewer miles covered. So when the warm weather arrives, the long riding begins, and there is nothing like it!

This past Saturday, during the middle of an early morning hair appointment, I got the call to ride. My two favorite bikers, Dave and Michael (My Guys) are great friends, awesome mentors, and have taught me so much about riding these past 5 years. They told me I had 10 minutes to be ready (I made it in 15) and off we went!

We rode 350 miles, through 8 counties, and on too many country roads to count.

This bridge was built in 1896 and was just closed to traffic this past year.

I’m told that this tower was used to measure river water levels.

It was a glorious day for riding!

Lunch at Devils Backbone Brewery offered much needed fuel for our bodies, and then we turned and headed for home.

We hit the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) and pulled back into Radford around 8pm that evening.

Sunday morning found us back on the bikes, this time joined by our good (and fun!) friends Cherie, Tim, Diana, and Jeff. Dave always leads the way and while I may not always know where we are headed, I am always confident that the ride will be a blast!

Total mileage today was 145 miles.

After a brief stop at Tuggles Gap, a restaurant and motel serving BRP customers for over 70 years, we took off in earnest.

Wide sweeping curves on the BRP and much tighter curves on Rt 8 in Floyd and Patrick Counties, eventually took us to Squirrel Spur.

Our final stop was the Kanawha Valley Arena. The arena “was formed in the interest of Equestrian Enthusiasts” and in addition to the professional arena, barn, and corrals, Kanawha has a Carriage House Museum and a Carriage House Saloon.

And a covered bridge!

This scene just made me chuckle and I had to take a picture!

What a weekend on the bike! I simply can’t wait for the next one!

The Shot Tower

May 3, 2013 by LB

After traveling toward home from Raleigh NC in 3 hours of driving rain, I was glad to see the clouds finally part. In the distance, visible from the interstate was Shot Tower Historical State Park, located in Wythe County, Virginia. Even though I’d driven by it many times, I’d never visited and decided it was time.

Overlooking the New River, The Shot Tower was built more than 150 years ago to make ammunition for the firearms of the early settlers. http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/shottowr.shtml

Doesn’t it figure that the park was closed for roof repairs!

Disappointment was brief however because right there at the intersection of Shot Tower Rd and Pauley-Flatwood Road, were several old farm buildings that begged attention from my camera.

Though the rain had stopped, the mists over the mountains created a beautiful backdrop.

Annual Mammogram: Reward for Getting it Done!

April 29, 2013 by LB

Last Friday, I had to be out of the house earlier than normal in order to get my annual mammogram. Because of that appointment, I also traveled a slightly different route than is typical. This pastoral scene was my lovely reward.