walking

My mother had an expression she would use if she found us hanging around the house too much: “Get out and blow the stink off.”

If hanging around the house can make you stink, many of us are now close to down- right putrid.

There isn’t much more to say about this virus lock-down. We’re all talked out about it, I think. Some areas are starting to see rebellions of one sort or another, but, so far, these are, for the most part, peaceful and sensible. People want to work and be with their families and see their friends and pray together. No one wants to get or give the cooties.

This past week, The Redhead and I did try to get some of the stink off. We drove and walked around Staunton and yesterday, Saturday, we joined several of our friends for what was a real treat. It seems that even this virus can bring unexpected blessings.

So, here are a few pics of our lock-down life here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Come on along.

20200501_161851 (427x1024) — Sacred Heart window, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Staunton

Stained Glass window of Mary, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Staunton, VA
Train awaiting repair at Staunton train yard.
Staunton, VA train yard
Crucible Coffee Shop and Roaster, Staunton, VA
Even a face mask won’t block the aroma of freshly roasted and brewed coffee at Crucible Coffee, Staunton
Walking with friends along the Blue Ridge Parkway…no cars allowed!

An “intoxicating view”- the vineyards of the Shenandoah!

View of Humpback Mountain in distance (notch at top).
Street Art, river walk park, downtown Waynesboro, VA
**It’s an interesting perspective that one gains when traveling by foot and being surrounded by silence**. The stained glass windows of our church, St. Francis of Assisi in Staunton were especially beautiful during our visit Friday morning. The window of the Sacred Heart brought back a flood of memories. It was in Sacred Heart Church in Connecticut that, as a child, I found protection from something much scarier than the *Corona Cooties*.

This very unusual period of time has given us opportunities we may have overlooked or not been able to take advantage of: Walking the Blue Ridge Parkway, exploring the nooks and crannies of Staunton and Waynesboro, and rediscovering the ***Beauty of Silence.***

Get out, walk, discover the beauty all around you.
**Be happy, pray and don’t worry.**
Bill

DSC_0617 (497x1024) — Stained Glass window of Mary, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Staunton, VA
Train awaiting repair at Staunton train yard.
Staunton, VA train yard
Crucible Coffee Shop and Roaster, Staunton, VA
Even a face mask won’t block the aroma of freshly roasted and brewed coffee at Crucible Coffee, Staunton
Walking with friends along the Blue Ridge Parkway…no cars allowed!

An “intoxicating view”- the vineyards of the Shenandoah!

View of Humpback Mountain in distance (notch at top).
Street Art, river walk park, downtown Waynesboro, VA
**It’s an interesting perspective that one gains when traveling by foot and being surrounded by silence**. The stained glass windows of our church, St. Francis of Assisi in Staunton were especially beautiful during our visit Friday morning. The window of the Sacred Heart brought back a flood of memories. It was in Sacred Heart Church in Connecticut that, as a child, I found protection from something much scarier than the *Corona Cooties*.

This very unusual period of time has given us opportunities we may have overlooked or not been able to take advantage of: Walking the Blue Ridge Parkway, exploring the nooks and crannies of Staunton and Waynesboro, and rediscovering the ***Beauty of Silence.***

Get out, walk, discover the beauty all around you.
**Be happy, pray and don’t worry.**
Bill

Most of us are starting to go a little Crazy by now. Some may have had a head start…no names mentioned!

So, let’s take a little stroll into nature and forget about the news, the ever changing predictions and our fears – for just a few moments.

This past Saturday, The Redhead and I took a ride out to Augusta Springs Wetlands Trail, part of the George Washington National Forest. It’s only about a 30 minute drive West from our “new house” and is along Route 42, Little Calf Pasture Highway, in Augusta County, VA.

There are several trails but, being that this was our first time, we chose the one that was more park-like with mostly level walking, yet offering ever-changing views. This Lower Loop is about .75 of a mile in length and has a numbers of viewing spots with benches. At one time there was a water bottling operation on the site, but that is long gone. All that remains are some stone ruins.

Ready to stroll? Let’s go, my friend.