Sunday, June 27, 2010

Vacation

We went to see my parents this past week, and had a very nice, relaxing time. We had not seen them since Christmas, so it was nice to 'catch up'. I thought I'd show you some pictures of where we were.


This is Humpback Bridge.
It's just outside of Covington, Virginia, where I grew up.
This was one of our favorite places.
We would get a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and go to Humpback. :)
It's only about a half mile off of I-64, so if you're ever in that area, it would definitely be worth your time to visit.


This is a picture of the inside.
I was very sad to see how people have spray painted it.
I remember seeing initials carved in it when I was little,
but the spray paint is just too much.
I'm so glad no one has spray painted the outside.


A sign with a little more information about Humpback.
It's also a registered Virginia historic landmark.


Can you see the ropes hanging from the bottom?
People like to swing from these into the water.


A bird nest Mom found in one of her hanging plants.


My parents' cat, Calaresi.
I know the name is odd,
but it's a combination of Callie and Reese cup.
She's so sweet. :)


Mom and Dad's front porch -
one of my favorite places to be
when I'm there.


This is their garden.
There are blackberry bushes in the front part of the picture, and all along the fence.
A few other things are in there too,
like rhubarb that Mom uses to make her delicious strawberry-rhubarb jam.
When I was growing up, there wasn't any grass there. It was ALL garden! I pulled weeds, snapped green beans, shucked corn, shelled October beans,... well, you get the picture. We didn't have air conditioning, so when Mom canned, the kitchen got mighty hot! We would retreat to the basement. :) Thankfully, they have air conditioning now.


This is a picture taken yesterday from Afton Mountain at an overlook on I-64, close to Waynesboro, Virginia. It was a little hazy, but isn't that a pretty view?

Katie and I have a party tomorrow with the ladies and girls in the church, and then Tuesday is my anniversary - 19 years! Where does the time go??
I would like to ask you to please pray for some friends in our church. They had a house fire on Friday night. Thankfully, they weren't in bed yet, so they were all able to get out, but they won't be able to live there for a while.
Hope you all will have a good week. :)

Melanie

25 comments:

  1. Hi Melanie ~ Such pretty pictures that you have shared! It sounds like such a wonderful vacation...spending time with your parents! Thank you for sharing! Sunday blessings! Hugs ~ Teri

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  2. Wonderful memories and beautiful pics. I love that front porch how cosy it looks. Strawberry and rhubard jam sounds great.

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  3. sounds like a beautiful area to visit. i love the bridge, it's a shame that people do spray painting. the porch reminds me of our porch. i will be praying for your friends who had the fire. have a good evening.

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  4. Hey Melanie!

    We just got back from vacation too! I remember stopping by that bridge many times when we lived in Maryland and would come home to visit. It was one of our favorite things to do. I had to see that bridge. I knew I had seen that bridge in your first picture! I'm sure I have some pictures of it somewhere. That is so sad how kids are painting their names on the inside of it.

    Your parents place looks relaxing.

    Happy Anniversary! Hope you have a great day!
    Angela

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  5. I love going to my grandparents' house and to the Humpback Bridge! And I love to just sit on their comfy, cozy little porch! :) I love Calaresi too! She's so cute!

    I had a great time there! Nice to get away for a little while. :)

    Smiles,
    Katie :)

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  6. Glad to have you back...

    I'll have to show my hubby some of these pictures to see if he recognizes any of these places.

    I love your mom's front porch, too. ;)

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  7. so glad you got to visit with your family, Melanie. they look like they live in such a pretty area!! that cat is so beautiful!! I always think it would be neat to have a house with a front porch, good times I'm sure are spent out there at your parents, visiting,catching up, etc. thanks welcome back!

    betty

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  8. Good morning, Melanie~

    First thing............HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,my friend!

    Ahh, your pictures are so beautiful, peaceful, and serene! I absolutely LOVE covered bridges! It is a shame what they have done to the inside with the spray paint. :> (

    Where in VA are you? Have I asked you that before? We are close to Luray Caverns.

    Your pic of your parent's front porch is so nice. I could sit there for hours with a glass of ice-cold pink lemonade and a good book! Ahhh......relaxation!

    Well, dear, I hope you have a wonderful day. Enjoy it!

    Blessings~
    Laura

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  9. Good Morning Mel, thanks for sharing the photos, I love them

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  10. Mel, can you do my blog makeover, you have such a cute one, and i am tired of doing it :(

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  11. Hi Melanie~I just adore your parents front porch in Virginia. It is beautiful! I have always wanted a porch that I could sit on with my family and drink iced tea and lemonade~maybe knit and chat a little. Have a wonderful 19th Anniversary!!! God bless you and your husband, Rose

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  12. Your mom and dad's home looks so cozy. I love their garden and their big front porch. I'm glad you got to spend some time with your parents back home. That is always a special time. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures. I love the covered bridge! Happy anniverary to you and your hubby tomorrow. May God bless you with many more happy years together! I will pray for the family from your church. God bless! Karen

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  13. Thank you for sharing your vacation photos. Your parents live in a beautiful area. I love their front porch. I think I would spend a lot of time there too! They have a beautiful garden. I'm glad you had a good time with them...it's always good to be with family!

    I like the covered bridge too, it's to bad people are putting spray paint on it considering it is a historical lankmark. I will pray for the family from your church. I hope you and your husband have a very Happy Anniversary!!

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  14. No wonder you love to come home - your parents and the beauty of the area. I'll pray for your friends. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Love the chairs on the porch.

    Love, sandie

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  15. Wat a treat...I've never seen a bridge like that. Yes, it is sad that individuals have to resort to damaging things instead of making them better. Looks like you had lots to see and do on your visit.

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  16. Oh it looks amazing Melanie...so glad you had a good time. Hey I wanted to let you know my email account is goofed so you can email me at micmanno@aol.com.

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  17. Melanie, What beautiful photos. Glad yall had such a great time. Family time is the best. I love the beautiful old bridge and the country porch. Thanks for sharing.

    Happy Anniversary my friend. Hope you have a perfect day. Prayers being said for your friends. Many Blessings,

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  18. Thank you for sharing pictures of your time at your parents. I love their garden and what neat memories you have of working there.

    Christa

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  19. OH GOSH I like seeing this bridge...I've not seen one myself only in paintings....sounds like you had a very nice time. Trish

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  20. Thanks for stopping by the blog and rejoicing with us over the house news!

    Love the pictures of the covered bridge. One of my favorite things to do is drive through beautiful rural countryside. That road with the bridge looks like it was made just for me! :-)

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  21. What wonderful photos! I love seeing that bridge. We don't have anything like that around here. We do see spray paint on things though, unfortunately. I'm a little jealous of the garden area, we have to water like crazy just to get the little bit we grow. I know those memories of working out there are precious ones now.
    I'll say a prayer for your friends.
    Blessings,
    Marcia

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  22. Oh my gosh. I am so sorry about the friends. I wish I could help. I so have to get some quilts done to be able to answer calls like this. BTW can I be an adopted sister. I love your parents home and garden. I would be raiding those blackberry bushes for sure. You need to come by and see my Wordfilled Wednesday post. That is all I am going to say. Just oome by. I think you'll understand. Have a Blessed Thursday.
    Love,
    Sherry

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  23. I really enjoy seeing your pictures! Wowser...private school right at church. NICE!
    Our Pastor and his wife come from a church who has the same thing. They both graduated from there. Tuition is free to faithful members. We home school and are thankful for this route in a Christian education. Once again I really enjoy your pics.

    Susan

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  24. Hi Melanie,
    I want to wish you and your family a very Happy July 4th!!

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  25. Hi Melanie...WOW! Virgina is beautiful! I love that photo of Humpback Bridge and of your Mom's cat Calaresi. Would you mind if I copied those pics to possibly paint down the road? I would show you the painting and reference you, your blog and the pics. You can email me at donnab6464@gmail.com. Thanks!

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