Ride With Me
- October 23, 2011
- Category: Daily Diary
- (15) Comments
Thanks to all of you who visited Red Horse Studios and viewed Joan’s beautiful work. The winner of the note cards chosen by Random.org is Lin. Please contact me so I can arrange to get your prize to you.
I admit my problem with my eyes has me a little bit down so yesterday, Mountain Man took some time away from chores and we went for a drive. It was a beautiful fall day; cool, overcast with some lingering color on the trees. I thought you might like to come along with us.
We started by driving along the back border of our property.
Seems as though many people in Vermont love horses as much as I do and I never get tired of seeing them grazing.
We went under the old railroad bridge. It’s no longer used by railroads but instead is part of an expanding network of recreational trails for all season use by snow travelers, hikers, ATVs and horseback riders.
Then we passed the North Danville Baptist Church.
Right next to the church were these cows. Because it is Vermont after all!
And even though Vermont is growing and houses are starting to appear every where, there are plenty of open spaces still.
We drove past a couple of these old, abandoned structures. Mountain Man says they have something to do with measuring river currents in the old days.
This is the Old North Church built in 1832 by several different denominations and also known as the “Union Meeting House.” It was deeded to the Danville Historical Society in 1964. Services are still held there on the last Sunday of each month from May to September and then there is an advent lamplight service and carols in December. The church is also a very popular place for weddings. But if you do visit the church, don’t expect modern conveniences. The Historical Society maintains the integrity of the structure and lighting is provided by a large central chandelier holding 14 kerosene lamps. Heat is provided by a wood stove. One thing I did notice is the church has no steeple. Does anyone know why?
Vermonters are creative at preserving the past and working it into the future. Here’s a renovated school house that now serves as someone’s beautiful home.
And I love this barn!
These sheep were grazing in someone’s front yard. I asked Mountain Man if we could stop and bring some home but of course he said no to that idea and kept on going before I could change his mind and that is why I don’t have a better picture.
I took 68 pictures in all. One after another of beautiful vistas. And although I admit I’m totally prejudiced, I think Vermont is an incredibly special place to live.
We arrive home and I walk to the barn to check on the animals and as I stand in the pasture, a 100 or so Canadian geese fly in formation over my head. I marvel at their beauty, listen to the sounds they are making and as I thank God for this incredible farm I call home, a small group breaks off and circles over our house before rejoining the others. Do you see miracles every day? They are there. Just look.
Thanks everyone for visiting us and I hope your weekend was as wonderful as ours.
Nice ride! Thanks for taking me along!
Date: October 23, 2011
Beautiful Sara!
Date: October 23, 2011
Such beautiful scenery where you live…everything is so green and I love the rolling hills. I enjoyed my ride with you and mountain man!
Have a wonderful week.
Maura
Date: October 23, 2011
WHAAAAAAT???! I won???! I did???! No WAY!! YES! I can’t wait to see what I get!!
(happy dance)
Thank you, Random thingy!!! I will send you an email.
It IS lovely there! I am so envious that you live in such beauty and my world is all so concretey and boring and flat and polutiony and icky.
I don’t have dotty cows here or sheep to look at–we just have bums who live under bridges and lots of rusted cars–which isn’t half as lovely to live by.
I hope your eyes are feeling better soon. I’ll bet it is easy to get discouraged with that going on. Maybe you just need to go out and take more photos for us to all be jealous by!!!
Hey–how are my turkey friends???
Date: October 23, 2011
Lovely field trip! Thanks for sharing your photographs. I know just how much work goes into a post like that. I hope your eyes are on the mend soon. It must be maddening for someone with your energy to have to restrict their movements so much.
Date: October 24, 2011
I’ve been away from blogland for a while but I’m so happy to be back here, your pictures always cheer me up, so much beauty.
Date: October 24, 2011
Love it I coulld almost smell the air and feel the bite in it! Thanks again for a beautiful time !!!
Date: October 24, 2011
OOOOH WONDERFUL!!!!! I loved this whole trip. Someday I want to travel through Vermont!
I’m so sorry your eyes are having trouble healing….you are in my prayers.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Date: October 24, 2011
Lovely ride!
Date: October 24, 2011
Hands down! Your fall color is the best in the country. We are having a most beautiful fall here in Seattle, and, we do have some pretty colorful trees here and there, but nothing like the blazing hillsides you have there in Vermont! Your photos are wonderful.
Date: October 26, 2011
Thanks for the tour of Vermont! It seems there are lots of wide open spaces there. That barn is very cool! You certainly do have beautiful landscapes!
Date: October 26, 2011
I love your pictures so much. What a beautiful trip!
Date: October 26, 2011
What an awesome post! With my first year of fully homeschooling my 8 yr old, along with a 3 yr old, I have been away from blog reading for awhile. Got back on and saw this post. I know Danville. Have been there with my sister many times. There is a coffee shop we went to over the summer and we always stop in a cute shop (name escapes me!) for wime. She is in Wheelock. And am utterly THRILLED to say that we will be spending Thanksgiving on my sister’s homestead farm in Wheelock this year! So, I will see these scenes with my own eyes. We always visit in the summer and it has been 9 years since I have spent a holiday away from Florida. I miss the change of seasons, especially the fall. Thank you for such beautiful pictures.
PS, the EcoBeauty book has been great!
Date: October 28, 2011
Dear Sara, what a spectacular place you call home. I so much enjoyed this foray into your part of the world. I am bordering on psychotic, trying to get out of here to India. Delayed the trip once already and I am determined to board that Korean air flight out of L.A . on the 14th. I’m stopping off two days in Seoul since there is no extra charge and I’ve never been there.
Stay well, take good care of yourself and Mountain Man and your whole menangerie.
Date: October 31, 2011
Sara/Mountain Woman, Just want to say I’m thinking of you and praying for you as I see you are continuing your break from blogging, which I suspect is so you can rest your eyes. These computer screens can be pretty tough on them. It is so very hard to limit activity to allow for healing—I well know as my activity is limited with my own issues at times. When I can’t move about, I tend to read or do other things that vision is needed, so been thinking of you quite a bit and what you may be going through. At the same time, you ought know you have inspired me!! Yes you have! I live next door to our local livestock market, a weekly auction. Maybe 150 feet from my house is the poultry and rabbit auction barn, and the one for larger animals, (pigs, goats, sheep, cows & horses) is not far from the back of my 1/5th acre. Over the past 12 yrs there have been plenty of escapee fowl of various kinds that I’ve enjoyed watching scavenge until they are caught in following weeks by man or beast. This July, a very young white Silky chick lost everyone it knew and wandered into my garage about dusk while I was working there. Long story shortened, she made a home in my heart, and about then I’d found your blog & notes about your birds. A week later, 6 more assorted fowl escaped their new or old owners and joined “Fluffy.” I’m now in the process of building a chicken tractor with my grandson, having a grand time doing it! Fluffy went somewhere & left her feathers behind, but the others will hopefully soon find and enjoy their new winter home. Or at least their nighttime protection from cold and critters. You made it look like such fun to watch and care for these feathered creatures. I’m hoping they will reward me with at least a few eggs in exchange for a warm, dry, winter shelter. There are a Rooster and 5 hens right now, all different, and one small/young thing I don’t yet know if pullet or cockeral. Its been 30 yrs since I had a “pet.” Hope you get to have this read to you if you can’t read just now, and that you have both Mountain Man’s loving arms and your Heavenly Father’s arms wrapping you in love, safety and comfort until you can fly again like an eagle. With lots of care & affection…..Gardner
Date: November 01, 2011