Sunday, October 20, 2013


Restful Moments

I recently read this quote in Southern Lady magazine
and thought how it described our recent vacation.
 
"Sometimes the most important thing
in a whole day
is the rest we take between
two deep breaths"
                                       ~ Etty Hillesum
 
 
On our recent trip to Virginia and Kentucky,
we looked forward to resting and getting away from
the every day grind of work and responsibility.
 
We seemed to spend all our time in the car, traveling
from place to place. But between miles we
found places to stop and take those deep breaths.
 
During the week we were blessed by many
"moments of rest" as we stopped to enjoy
the beauty of this great country.
 
Here are a few of our memories
as we took a breath and just enjoyed the beauty.
 
 


As we began to leave the flatlands,
low clouds seemed to hug the hills
giving us just a glimpse of the mountains
we were eager to see.
 
 


 
An unplanned stop at Appomattox was an
awesome moment of rest, thanks to the advice of
a gracious lady at the visitors center.
 
 




As I stood at this grave site and looked over
the green fields of the farm, I couldn't help thinking of all 
the soldiers who shed their blood on this ground.
 
 



Colonial Williamsburg was another
rest stop on our journey.
Seeing our early American history come
to life brought a heart of gratitude
for all the brave men and women who fought
for the freedoms I have enjoyed.
This is the Governors home.
 
 



The Jamestown Settlement was maybe my favorite
stop. Some of the earliest history of our
country is wonderfully recreated here. 





We spent a few hours at Yorktown, having lunch and
walking along the boardwalk on the river.

 



 
Looking across the Chesapeake Bay, the sky and
water were breathtaking.

 

 
We also spent time at the Colonial National
Historical Park, following the path of Gen. Washington
as he and his men fought the battle of Yorktown in 1781.



As we left Virginia and crossed over into
W. Virginia, we visited the coal mining town
of Beckley. It was misting rain on this
day as we visited the New River Gorge.




This bridge spanning the river
 is over 3000 feet long and 876 feet high,
making it the third highest bridge in the US.

We drove over it several times, and I don't mind
saying, it is a little intimidating to me.
(I took more than two deep breaths on this one!)


 
 
 I am amazed at the engineering that goes into a structure
of this size, but thankful at the same time.

 
 If not for the bridge in the picture above, this is the bridge we
would have used to cross the New River........after traveling
down the side of one mountain, and then up the side of the
other. Is my flatlander showing??



Whatever the path we chose,
the most important thing for us
is that we traveled it together, sharing
the rest God provides in Him and
the gifts He has given us to enjoy.

Even though we traveled over 3000 miles, and
came home tired of riding, we were rested in spirit,
refreshed from the change in scenery and
looking forward to the next adventure together.
 
Until next time,
                        Carolyn

Monday, October 07, 2013

 
 
A History Lesson
 
 
 
We spent some time recently
at the Jamestown Settlement
in Virginia.


 
I have a new appreciation for the early
travelers to this new world.
 
They were brave and determined,
traveling in a small, cramped
cargo hold aboard ships much
like these.
 
 
 
This was one of the favorite stops on
our trip.
 
 
 
The weather was perfect,
and the scenery beautiful.
 
 
 The only way the travelers could come on deck
 was to be invited by the Captain.
 I figured I better make friends, I am
a little claustrophobic:))
 
We also visited Williamsburg and Yorktown.
More history to share later.
 
C
 
 


Tuesday, October 01, 2013


 
Consider the lilies, how they grow:
 
 
 
 
 they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you,
 
 
 
 
even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
 
Spider lilies, surprise lilies, hurricane lilies, naked ladies,
whatever you call them in your part of the world,
they are a lovely way to introduce October.
 

 
Until next time,
               C