Bill and Marie - on the road: In the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia - October 15

- Getting back to this valley is like coming home. I graduated from SVA here 48 years ago and Marie and I have come here many times since then. It really doesn't change much from decade to decade.
- We are now in Weyer's Cave VA (Sabbath Oct 18) and our first morning at Richard and Bonnie Smith's place ( luxury property/farm) brought these sights. They have built a gorgeous home on top of their hill with views all around.

This is looking out from their yard:

Look where we get to park - on top of their hill with plenty of room for Buddy to run. He likes fall in the valley - and so do we!

This is Ryder and Tracy and family. We had a great time with them. Terrific kids (and therefore, parents).

Next we go to New Market for church. Vanessa my niece) and kids are here too. Gerry is working at the academy this weekend. This is a neighbor's driveway near Richard's house.

There were over a hundred of these buggies parked outside Sunday church in the Mennonite community.

- We started our Shenandoah visit (Oct 15) by using the self-guided 1 mile walking tour of the Manassas VA Bull Run #1 civil battleground. (see photo of Stone Wall Jackson monument). This is the exact spot where he earned the nickname "StoneWall". It is incredible to be here and envision what the book and movie "Gods and Generals" depict so well.

- Did you know that Bill has received a Christmas present nearly every year for almost the 43 years since teaching 8th grade science at Kent Jr High School in MD? They come from a former 14 year old student who lives in Manassas, VA. Well we visited Aunt Joanie's Chocolate Shoppe in Manassas and found her making candy.

This was a reunion with Joan Huntington and I after 43 years.. She says she has sent me a box of candy from her shop every Christmas because something I did helped her start believing in herself (when she was 14). Can you think of a better gift for a teacher? Incredible! What a hero she is to her own family too. We had a fun lunch together and Marie found some things to buy for Alexis at her store.
- Next we parked in an RV park in Luray VA and revisited the Blue Ridge Mts' SkyLine Drive where we went on our second date (1961).

- Then on to the site of the New Market Battle where 250 teen cadets made a difference and beat the Union armies.
- Next we go to Richard and Bonnie's farm in Weyer's Cave VA (Friday Oct 18).