It has been seven years since I moved from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to Arizona. This past week we traveled back to visit family. Traveling down country roads that seemed to lead nowhere, my eyes were full of the beauty of the Virginia countryside. Add the sounds of Americana music, the smell of fallen leaves underfoot, the chore of raking up the spiny husks fallen from the Chestnut tree, and playing with a litter of eight puppies truly filled my heart. Which shot do you like best?
Listening to Mandolin Orange in the truck on the backroads is a fine way to spend some time. Are you a fan?
Cindy Bruchman 
Obviously, I like them all. But the single pup is a winner!
I see it is around 100 miles from Staunton to Fredericksburg.. That is one place I would really like to visit. 🙂
And only 45 miles from New market, the battle where the cadets from the VMI helped hold off the Union forces. Your former home town is surrounded by Civil War memories, Cindy.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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I know! You’d love it here. Can’t go five miles in any direction without there being a marker whether from the Rev. War or the Civil War.
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All of the pictures are gorgeous, but the 1790’s house in black ‘n’ white is timeless
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Hi John! Thanks very much for “voting”. It was a 20 acre homestead and they turned it into a bed and breakfast. My son-in-law and his wife rented an apartment on the premises. They’d sit in the creek during the hot days of summer. They said it was paradise. I loved the looks of it.
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All of them were great, and I was going to vote for the dog closeup until I saw this…beautiful photography!
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You are kind, indeed
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Hi Cindy. We have also driven thru that area before and its gorgeous! Thank you for posting. Having lost my two Golden’s within a 15 month span, I would have to say the golden puppy was my favorite! Had I known you were there with that litter, I would have told you to grab it and bring it home!! ( I’m in cottonwood!!( Lol.
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Welcome Jenna! I just lost my German Shepherd a month ago. Seeing the babies play lifted my spirits. The Goldens are a gentle, perfect breed. I’m sorry for your loss. You’re in Cottonwood AZ? Small world!
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Cindy, I’m Nancy ( Bauer) jennasnanny is my username. Lol. Yes, my friend follows u and told me about your blog.
So very sorry for the loss of your dog too. It’s hard to lose them. I’m missing them so very much.
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I am happy you are visiting my blog.☺
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The puppies! And the puppy. I have puppy envy. 😳
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They are irresistible. Don’t blame you a bit.
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They’re all great but puppies puppies puppies
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I know. It is a no brainer. 😉
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Very nice! My guess is the pups are getting the most attention? 😂
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You know it . What could pull the heartstrings more? Kittens?
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Yes! But I say that as a cat guy. 😂
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Some nice photos. Love the last one. I enjoyed listening to Mandolin Orange, thank you, Cindy.
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Thanks for listening. They are the perfect accommodation to a southern evening.
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The countryside is beautiful and the area full of history.
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YES it is . Stay tuned for future posts
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Certainly the pups are cute, but I like #4 most: the wonderful open countryside.
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Thank you, Pit. It’s a beautiful valley running up the west side of the state for approximately 200 miles. Not a bad view to be found.
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It reminds me of some vistas in eastern Alabama, when I rode the Chief Ladiga Trail [https://wp.me/p4uPk8-1mV].
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Is that right? Haven’t been there. Thank you for sharing.
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You’re welcome, Cindy!
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I love them all as I grew up in southwest Virginia. Staunton – home of the Statler Brothers? I love the country road photo. It says home to me. Really great set of photos. Hopefully they become great memories.
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Hi Maggie! The downtown of Staunton has some mighty fine architecture. They’ve really built it up with breweries and eateries. The leaves were just thinking about turning. Had we arrived two weeks later, I’m sure the hills and countryside would be dotted with reds and yellows. It was still pretty enough for me!
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Favorites are the top one and the black and white.s isnt.y The girls voice is ok but the guys isnt. his guitar part is just a copy of dylans original recording of the song. je dosn bring anything of his own to it.
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I like his voice and I like their harmonies.
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violin is out of tune. do we get a lucky 13 this month?
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No host. No ideas. On a plane back from VA to AZ.
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I’m going for 2 because of what it doesn’t show – gives it an element of intrigue
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Thank you, Derrick. That was the goal. I’m glad you picked up on it.
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They say you can’t go home, but I’ve never believed that. What wonderful pictures!
My foster brother called and told me he has retired and is planning on leaving NH for AZ in about 6 months. Before you know it, AZ is going to be as crowded as south FL, eh?
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I believe it! I know more people from my home state of Illinois here in AZ than I knew living in Illinois. If that made sense.
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Yes, it does. Out of us 15 that grew up together on our street, only one stayed there and 5 moved to FL.
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Yesss. There us still lots of space out here. Florida might be getting crowded. It is dry heat that attracts many. The warmth of dry heat is good for the bones.
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Maybe it’s time for me to move. It’s way too crowded around here anymore and this summer has been constant rain. The forecast is another week of rain to look forward to.
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You’d have a friend in AZ. 🙂
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Wonderful images … great music.
Thanks for Giving.
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Thank you! It was a sensory treat. A fine holiday.
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And I have to pick? What a beautiful collection. Staunton and Orange County are just beautiful. So are dogs. Thank you, Cindy!
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My pleasure. Stay tuned for another round of shots. 🙂
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I am excited for the next round! 😀
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Great pictures – beautiful, cute (the puppy one) and nice music too 🙂 Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, John.
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Oh my, the puppies are too cute!
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Instant heart-melters.
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The puppies are too cute!!!
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The puppies are too cute!
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Thank you, that they are!
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For us it’s the pup at play. A friend of ours breeds Weimaraners, and we’ve had so much fun playing with them. They’re no longer puppies, but that photo brought those fun times back 🙂 Thank you!
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Thank you for visiting, EW.
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Thank you for the re-blog.
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Lovely all the pictures.
Regards.
Cris.
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Thank you for stopping by
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I seem to be following your bread crumbs… I just moved to Virginia (from Maine). I need to visit Shenandoah Valley! 🙂
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I used to live in Maine. 🙂
Good luck in Virginia. When you get out of the congestion belt, it’s absolutely beautiful.
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