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We interrupt this program, Pumpkin Pie Plus …, to bring you a few photos from our October camping trips at our mountain/river property. The fall foliage was not yet peak (even last weekend), but every weekend was still gorgeous. Last weekend was especially beautiful with 70s during the day and high 40s at night, plus a spectacular full moon. Pumpkin Pie Plus … will continue later, but until then, enjoy!
Packed for camping and a party (hence, the two coolers). Real pumpkins were up front with me.
There are still wildflowers blooming.
Beautiful fungi.
Who lives here?
Seed pods from our osage orange trees there.
Night beauty and warmth.
Ali @ The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen says
Shirley, your property is so amazingly gorgeous! I bet camping in October was quite enjoyable with the crisp nights and warm fire! I would love to come and visit someday! Happy Autumn! -Ali 🙂
Shirley says
Hi Ali–We love our property from Spring to Autumn, even going for day trips on warm days in the winter. Our property has its own beauty in winter, too, with the river amazingly clear and a sea green color. I hope you and Tom and all the kids come one day. We’ll take you on a canoe ride to the caves. 🙂
Hugs,
Shirley
Debi says
Simply beautiful, Shirley! Thank you for sharing. 😀
Shirley says
Hi Debi–Thanks so much, dear! If you ever come to VA, you must visit it. 🙂
Shirley
Erin Elberson says
Shirley, I love it! How amazing are those orange tree pods?
There is something about the combination of mountains and water, for sure. On this last trip we decided when we look for property it definitely has to have a creek or stream with buildable frontage. We’ll give up the views if need be for that coziness of a babbling stream….
Ah, take me back to Tennessee!
Shirley says
Hi Erin–Thank you! The osage orange trees are amazing on many levels. The trees themselves rather look like the creepy apple trees in The Wizard of Oz … bent over with thorns. Our property was once a farm. The farmer raised mules for the Army we understand and the osage orange trees acted as a natural fence, keeping the mules out of the river (which is dangerous for them). Osage orange is also very hard word and burns very hot. A friend of ours uses it to make long bows like were used in the period of time Robin Hood “lived.” He works and sells them at Renaissance Fairs.
We love being in the mountains, and being on the water is amazing. We saw a family of otters and watched them play. First time we’ve ever seen otters there. Very cool! We see many creatures in the water and we love the sound of “our” rapid. Hope you find your water frontage one day!
Hugs,
Shirley
Erin Elberson says
Great background on the osage orange trees-that is so cool!
Linda says
Fall is a great time for camping, and we’ve had a pretty warm fall this year. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
Shirley says
Hi Linda–It was great camping weather! This is the latest we’ve gone in the year without having to use our woodstove. This week might be the week it gets fired up though. 😉 Glad you enjoyed the photos!
Shirley
cheryl says
what fantastic pictures! glad to see you’re taking time to appreciate the beauty all around you.
Shirley says
Hi Cheryl–Thank you! Being there, you can’t help but slow down and appreciate nature in all its beauty. We love it! Last time we saw a family of otters … so amazing. 🙂
Shirley
Barb says
Your photos are amazing! I am also an artist. Could I use one for a painting? I would give you credit and I don’t sell them. My gallery is my house and a couple of relatives get them as gifts.
Shirley says
Hi Barb!–I think you might be new here–welcome! 🙂 Please use these to do your paintings. Maybe you can send me a photo of them later. Enjoy!
Shirley
Ricki says
Beautiful, beautiful scenery, Shirley! Photos like this could *almost* make me want to try camping again! 😉
Shirley says
Hi Ricki–Thanks so much! You would love it. You could come for the day and then after S’mores head to your B&B or cabin. Lot of our friends do that. Few of them camp any more. 😉
Shirley
Renee says
So jealous of your beautiful property! Love the fungus.
Shirley says
Hi Renee–LOL … thank you! The fungus was amazing … I took tons of photos, but decided to pick one to share. We have always been fascinated by fungi in our family. It’s true. 😉
Shirley
Chelsey says
Wow, how beautiful! I’m glad you can take full advantage of the shoulder seasons where you live. What a gorgeous refuge.
Shirley says
Hi Chelsey–Thank you, dear! Our property is a gift to us. It’s been a while since I heard that expression, shoulder season—love it! Like I said before, come visit us there one day … no need to worry about grizzlies. 😉
Hugs,
Shirley
Kim @ Cook It Allergy Free says
oh my goodness, Shirley! If I lived anywhere close to there I think I would be content living in a tent and never leaving. Those pictures are absolutely beautiful! What a blessed place to be able to go to and restore your soul! I can only imagine how it smells and feels there! I love how different regions of the country have such distinctively different smells. Thank you so much for sharing these images with us! Now i just want to come and visit.
Shirley says
Hi Kim–Well, I must admit that the tent part (i.e., sleeping on the ground, even with our mattresses and pads—deluxe camping!) does get old rather quickly. LOL But, the rest is fabulous. Yes, visits are very restorative. We never ever get tired of going. Fresh and clean smells, plus some wood smoke added in there. I like the smell of the latter actually. 😉
You are welcome to come any time! Last July, for Go Ahead Honey, I created a scenario with all the gf bloggers coming to camp at our property. (You can read it here, if you are interested.) It was a hoot, but I’d love to make it reality!
xo,
Shirley
Nicola Stockmann-Tannerfors says
Oh my goodness! These photos are spectacular. I feel calm just by looking at them and despite a lovely pajama day yesterday pre trick or treating, am really inspired to go exploring more this fall.
Aubree Cherie says
Ahhh, these are beautiful! I LOVE the Osage orange and the flowering weed, er, wildflower pictures! 😀
Looks like you had a fabulous time!!
~Aubree
Shirley says
Hi Aubree–Thank you so much, my dear! Osage orange is such a fascinating specimen in regard to the tree and its fruit. 😉 Okay, so I should have consulted you about the weed that I turned into a wildflower. I thought about consulting my wildflower book once I got home, but then forgot about it. I was just amazed they were still blooming. We also have some lovely little white ones still going. I’ve been surprised at how many different wildflowers we see there. You need to visit so you can help us identify them all. 🙂 I could have looked to your Horticulture by Heart blog, but it sounds like what I deem wildflowers don’t actually make the cut. 😉
Shirley
Alta says
gorgeous photos, Shirley!
Shirley says
Thanks, Alta! It’s our special place. 🙂
Shirley