What do you see?

All of this "relaxing" gets my mind whirling with so many thoughts.  I was thinking of our trip through the mountains of  Virginia last month.  Due to a serious accident on Rt 220 just south of Roanoke we had been stopped 35 minutes and as word filtered down  it was going to be an hour our more so we turned around to head into the VA Mountain Pass to I-81.  At the time I was not happy to prolong a 12 hour trip to 14.  Dick said,"we're retired, no hurry."  He always as a way to make it sound carefree.  Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful routes we have been on.  An old guy in an old truck gave us the directions when we were stopped.  Ha, we will strike up a conversation with just about anyone anywhere.  Well the road went straight up, narrowed to barely a 2 lane.  A kiss your butt switch backs, the best on a motorcycle.  In fact we mentioned it would be a great bike ride with the gang.
We both love to travel, see the country side and even try to visualize what family life is like in these areas.
The picture I took of this house was not in disgust or to belittle the owner and family.  It's actually because in the Appalachian Mountain Range that we travel there are many homes like this one.  Back roads are our favorite routes.  Without a doubt a million dollar home or a couple thousand dollar home hopefully the family is proud and happy.  I love talking to country folk, listening to their ways and hearing their opinion on just about everything.  I am always amazed, everyone has a story and not once has it not been interesting.  Maybe this is why I talk so much, trying to entice a story or two along the way. Not everyone can or wants to be a doctor, lawyer or Indian Chief.  Whatever we do it better make us happy and proud of who we are.

This home was 45 minutes, 1/2 way across the mountain pass.  My first thought was how far they are from stores, doctors, etc. It made me laugh because I have heard the same from visitors at Cook'n by the Creek.  It's the truth, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, it is what we are accustomed to.  Sometimes I would like to live a little closer to a big shopping area, especially a Trader Joe's.  Never pass  a Trader Joe's, it is a great grocery store with the freshest of the fresh and very reasonable prices.  The dried mango slices (no sugar added)  are my favorite refreshing snack.

I see pride around this home, clearing the hillside and building fences.
What do you see?

We enjoy traveling, meeting all kinds of people and a good adventure.  Sometimes we might be a little too daring!  Someday I will tell the adventure of way back in the mountains of WV, on the bike, in a tent, rattle snakes, old man with a shotgun and a thunderstorm!  We have offered a bed to many people we have met in our travels.  Good people that have been kind to us.  We love company, conversation, food, coffee and a crackling campfire to end the day.

Don't forget, Saturday's blog will be how the new chef of the kitchen makes leek butter.  Freeze it and you will have spring all winter long.  The best way is on homemade bread but is great on veggies, grilled meats, fish and shrimp.