Backstory
October is a busy time here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The mountains, woods, and little towns beckon those who want to capture the grandeur of autumn colors. City folks from DC mingle with Canadians, Americans, and Europeans and find a welcome in these hills.
Our Beautiful Country
We’ve been traveling our beautiful country in recent months and I am always so amazed at the variant beauty of this great land.
The colors of the desert . . . the majesty of the mountains . . . the mysterious draw of the ocean. It is all there for us to visit and enjoy.
I also appreciate something else you may not have thought about. We can travel so freely from one state to another. To cross from New Jersey into New York, there is no border at which we have to show our papers. There is no guard station when you cross from Georgia into Florida at the start of winter, or back north when Spring rolls around.
We take this travel freedom for granted, yet it is something we should cherish. Americans can go where they want when they want. It’s a freedom that is newly won. We’ve only had it for 50 or 60 years or so.
How different from our ancestors, many of whom never strayed more than 20 miles from home. Travel vehicles were not available. Neither were the roads. They had enough to do to keep bread on the table, let alone take to the road.
Today, we have many choices of how we can get there. What a great feeling to know we can spread our wings any time we want.
What are we waiting for . . . Let’s go!
P.S. Come to Woodstock this Saturday, October 7, for the fun-filled Shenandoah Autumn Festival at Shenandoah Fairgrounds. Authentic country happenings you won’t find elsewhere – Apple Butter-Making, Whole Hog BBQ Demonstration, Flippin Chicken Contest, Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tastings, Live Music, and Virginia’s Golden Axe Log Splitting Contest, along with Shenandoah Downs Harness Racing. What a swinging day of fun. Y’all come on down, y’hear.
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I loved this reminder to appreciate our country, its beauty, and its freedoms. Thank you, Annette!
Yes, a beautiful country and the freedom to travel is an incredible opportunity to broaden one’s horizon and appreciate our country. And we are also blessed to have the ability to travel much of the world today, to learn and enjoy other cultures and their beauty!
Thank you for the heartfelt presentation before the Rotary Club. We were inspired all over again by your very presence. Gives me joy to enjoy your friendship.