Autumn on Skyline Drive


What an awesome time up in the mountains this past weekend, it was incredible for me. I've lived so nearby this wonderful place but seldom have I taken the time to be in them and walk into their trails. The trails took my on a journey to another mental place. The place my mind went was one of awe and joyfulness for seeing such plants in change of their states of being due to the change of seasons. It was terrific to see all those huge trees which were so old and big because people weren't allowed to cut them down. Then there were the berry bushes which had their yearly harvest on their branches, and not to overlook the changing leaves of those ever so wonderful trees which colored the light that fell on our trail. Truly something I didn't expect to see, I thought I was in for merely a walk but on our journey up into the Skyline Drive trails at Trayfoot Mtn and Loft Mtn I was overwhelmed with awe for the natural changes of autumn in the forest this year.

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What Has Worked;

Penn Academy of the Fine Art Visit in Philly

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The First Structure in Nelson County of European Settlers

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Hut for a Blue Tractor and a Red Grass-Cutter

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Remains of an Early Virginian Church

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Whiting Oil Company on W. Main St. C'ville, Va.

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On a walk to my day job in the 1980's I would pass this non-important gas station on the main drag of West Main Street. Today its a new and different event taking such a meandering in Charlottesville, the buildings are all redone and new ten story hotels are being placed on that street. The old has been made new. I believe the term is re-gentrification. Such a change happened to this former gas station. It was a building I passed by and never really took a good look at because there wasn't anything 'noteworthy' for me to see in it. It was your average gas station with mechanics working on cars inside of its portals. But then came the changes and renewal occurred. While I don't like change for change sake, the re-gentrification of West Main Street has added some taste to that street's structures, such was what I saw in 'Whiting Oil Co.' It has had some new walls added, outdoor tables and new glass windows that made it somewhat unique to ot...
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