Just before sunset

Shenandoah River State Park - Virginia

View from Wildcat Ledge

Warren County, Virginia 

By the time I got back to camp, the rain was picking up and I decided to stay another day instead of packing up in the rain. I dried off, fixed lunch, made a cup of hot tea and watched the rain come down with the sound of the Shenandoah River in the background.

Next week we will be taking a step back in time to a small town nestled against the western slopes of the Blue Ridge. Come along with us.

Hope you enjoy a rain-free weekend and, as always, thanks for reading Photography In Place.

River bottom

Warren County, Virginia 

The rain-swollen Shenandoah River is just out of sight as it runs by the rich river bottom land it created and nourished. The muddy water flows swiftly and even from up here the faint sound of it reaches me along with the stirring of the wind in the winter trees.

Along the trail to Wildcat Ledge

Warren County, Virginia 

The path is quite steep here, and a little slippery. The trees and foliage have a twisted and stunted look; the kind of thing one expects to see at a much higher elevation. The rain brings out the green of the moss and evergreen trees. I stood still while three does watched intently from the woods nearby. They soon became bored with me and disappeared in the mist. 

Path by the river

Warren County, Virginia 

It is not raining very hard, and the path starts out by the river, which runs high and fast after the recent rain and snow. But soon the trail climbs up the bluffs above the riverbanks toward Wildcat Ledge, and the sound of the river fades below. The trees keep most of the rain off, and the trail gets steeper.

Rain and the river

Warren County, Virginia 

Week before last, I spent a couple of days camped in the travel trailer at Shenandoah River State Park. The first day was devoted to a hike in the nearby Shenandoah National Park. There was still some snow in the mountains making walking difficult in places, and it was colder than we anticipated, but what does one expect in February.  Another thing about hiking in the mountains: how is it that we walked a five mile loop trail, ended up where we started, and it was ALL uphill. It defies the laws of physics (pass the ibuprofen).

The next morning it was raining. This week, a walk in the rain along the Shenandoah River.

Rain tree

Warren County, Virginia 

Knee

Shenandoah River State Park 

Winter path

Shenandoah River State Park 

Early morning - Shenandoah River

Warren County, Virginia 

Fog on the Shenandoah

Shenandoah River - Warren County, Virginia 

Enjoy the weekend, and as always, thanks for reading Photography In Place.

Morning on the Shenandoah River

Shenandoah River State Park - Bentonville, Virginia 

Shenandoah evening

Warren County, Virginia

The change of season is in full swing here in central Virginia. Hope you are enjoying the weather where you are and have a chance to get out to look and listen.

Our Third Sunday post this month is a lovely Arts and Crafts inspired church in southwestern Virginia. Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading Photography In Place.

Color of early spring

Warren County, Virginia 

Botanical #28

Mertensia virginica

The Virginia Bluebell is native to moist woodland in the eastern United States. This specimen was growing along the banks of the Shenandoah River where the woods come right to the water's edge.

Early spring

Warren County, Virginia 

Just before dark on an early spring evening along the Shenandoah River.

Shenandoah

Warren County, Virginia 

One evening last week, I stood on the banks of the Shenandoah River in the last light of a cloudy spring evening. All was quiet but for the sound of the river as it flowed down the valley between the Blue Ridge and Massanutten. The delicate first color of leaf and bud painted the scene and a cool breeze promised more rain.

Early morning clouds

Shenandoah River State Park, Virginia 

Last week I spent three days camped in my travel trailer at Shenandoah River State Park, which is about 9 miles south of Front Royal, Virginia. The north entrance to the Skyline Drive is located in Front Royal which gave me easy access to the Shenandoah National Park. Friday morning, this is the scene that greeted me as I got ready to leave for another day exploring and photographing in the park.

In town

Augusta County, Virginia

This group of buildings is located, not out in the country, but right along the main street of Churchville. The old buildings are a reminder of the days when small towns were not much removed from their rural surroundings. Town folk had gardens and often some livestock—chickens perhaps, or a cow for milk. A time when a barn, a smokehouse, or a chicken coop did not seem out of place in a small agricultural town.

These pictures were taken last month, right around the corner from the Family Dollar Store. 

Across the river

Shenandoah River State Park