I know most people do not get excited to go grocery shopping, but every once in a while I just enjoy driving the back roads to shop at a little tiny grocery store in the country. I stop at this store for a lot reasons, one is they have a ten pound meat sale every month and they still cut their our own meat. I know that sounds like a silly reason but when you get tired of buying Wal-Mart and Kroger prepackaged meats and start thinking about butcher controlled quality and quantity it is a big deal. So I drive out of my way ( 18 miles) to a family owned I.G.A. in the middle the woods in a town called Rock Cave. But my trip was a little more beautiful today then normal. The sun was out and the fresh fallen snow was beautiful so I took the my camera along for the ride.
I headed off with an idea of taking a new self-portrait for the “About Me” portion of the blog and getting a load of groceries. What I did not expect was to take an hour chore and 36 mile drive into a 5 hour 80 mile photo adventure that included shopping and meeting some wonderful strangers along the way. Who knew that I would see so many beautiful things on my way to the grocery.
As I left Buckhannon I stopped at a local church to enjoy the snow-covered cemetery yard. Some thing about a church with a cemetery just speaks to me.
Then through French Creek to a huge southern home with hay roles in the front yard. You know you are liven in the county when you bail the front yard.
Then to Rock Cave to see a house that a friend of mine said they were tearing down. The cabin for years had white vinyl siding and today I finally got to see what was underneath.
The temperature was running about 15 to 18 degrees as I stopped at every interesting place along my journey. So it was fast shooting and trying desperately to keep my digital camera working in the cold.
After filling my hatch back full of staples and meat at the I.G.A. I then drove down the road to a wonderful cattle barn. Not as old as the cabin above but just as wonderful. I thought sepia would make the barn more interesting.
Then off to Napier an unincorporated town where frozen water falls formed along the rock walls everywhere.
Then finally to where I thought I might get a nice portrait for the blog. I wondered around Falls Mills Park for a while just looking at the water and the beautiful snow before trying to get this photo. I took several shots to get this one but in the end I think I got some thing I can use.
Lovely how the fresh snow makes the water look such a beautiful color.
I drove on further from home and ended my journey at Heaters, and Flatwoods, West Virginia about 46 miles from my home one way. Here I found a lovely house that I would say is the typical farm-house of West Virginia. Built during the 20’s and 30’s there are thousands of these homes hiding in our hills. This one is also has a working cellar in the back. I love old stone construction so I had to get a photo of it too!
Finally I reached the interstate junction and thought I better eat and head home from my grocery trip. It had taken almost all day to explore a long winding road and the things along it . I finally stopped to get a hamburger and fries when I discovered on the way back to my parking place that a Crow had taken up a resting spot next to my car. I think he was wondering why I did not have anything to offer him.
I hit the highway and headed home thinking about my car full of goodies and great day spent really looking at the wonders of where I live.
I am going to keep trying to do photo projects like these in the future. I just need to learn to slow down and see all the wonders around me.
I love your photos! Well done!
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Very interesting trip. And great self portrait.
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These are such beautiful pictures JoLynn. Sorry that you had to nearly freeze but it was worth it.
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Love your pictures. I have never been to most of the small towns you mentioned. Would love to go with you sometime.
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Sandy it is a date! If it ever warms up I have plans to go to Webster county to Cowan to a pottery and to a glass blowing studio here in Buckhannon….you are welcome to join me and Christopher any time
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I love these photos. I see things like this all the time, but mostly, I take it for granted. It was nice to see the beauty of our surroundings through the lens of your camera! Thanks for sharing!
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Such beautiful photos! The scenic route is usually the most adventurous. Also that crow looks like he’s waiting for you to take his picture. 🙂
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Hi there, JoLynn! lovely stories and photos as always. I’ve nominated your blog for the Versatile Blogger and Very Inspiring Blogger Awards here: https://quietowlfarm.wordpress.com/2015/03/09/versatile-blogger-award-very-inspiring-blogger-award/. Only to participate in at your own discretion of course. Keep on inspiring and sharing the love 🙂
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I want to thank you for the nominations and I will try to add the posts when I can… This weekend starts the remodel of our family room so I will not be blogging for a few days due to the unhooked wifi and computer. Will try to get back to this in a few weeks… thanks again for thinking of me!
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There is certainly no timing obligation attached. Good luck with the remodel!
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Wonderful pics and commentary. I live right in the area and was most surprised to stumble upon your blog.Looking forward to more of your writings, recipes and journeys.
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Thanks for stopping in Dennis glad we found each other. I live in Buckhannon so I take a lot of photos of our area.
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