Country Road Trip

There's just something very peaceful and refreshing about riding the country roads. I'm talking about way-y-y back in the country! So far back that you can stop in the middle of the road (to take pictures, of course) and not even think about who's behind you! And on a day like today, you can roll the windows down and enjoy the cool country air.

That's what John David and I did today. After being sick and cooped up inside for much of two weeks, our three-hour excursion was just what I needed. Although the trees are still bare - except for the pines, magnolias, and holly - the tranquil woods and rolling hills and country roads are beautiful. Here are a few of the things that caught my attention.

Ducks and cranes swam and sunned in a pond alongside the road.

Not far away beavers had built a dam.

Flowers grew along a rickety fence at an old home place.

We visited the little white church where my grandpa and aunts and uncles are laid to rest in one of the most tranquil pieces of woods I've ever seen.

Bees buzzed around the sweet-smelling flowers that grew around the little church.

Moss-covered trees have graced the small churchyard for many, many years.

Country fences like this one just add character to the piece of ground they guard.

Huge pine cones grow on the majestic long leaf pines that tower over the country roads.

Sunlight streamed through the tall pines and was especially warm and inviting today.

And we saw and enjoyed it all on . . . country roads!