Orrick Cemetery in Winter

Winchester, VA

Orrick Cemetery is a historically black cemetery that’s over 100 years old. It was named for Robert Orrick, who donated much of the land. 

Across the street is the Calvary Pentecostal Church of God. I was not able to find a history of the church.

In downtown Winchester, there is a historical marker in front of the home of Robert Orrick who was born enslaved but established a successful business in Winchester.

Wing Camera

My automatic bird camera caught birds on the wing. Some are blurred, but I find them interesting.

When the action was on the side of the picture, I decided to crop it.

Bonus shot: birds in a tree on Friday when we got bonus snow on top of the ice and snow that was already on the ground.

Railroad Bridge in February

North Fork of the Shenandoah

Wordless Wednesday on Tues. / Water H2O

Another Mural at the Ice House

Berkeley Springs, WV

Snow and ice have prevented me from venturing far from home recently, so I’m digging in my files again for pictures that I took in the fall and did not share here. This large painting shows vines with an assortment of birds plus a rainbow.

I inspected the picture to find the artist signature and noticed that there are other names, apparently from financial supporters. The artist is Mary Ellen Snyder. The gallery is in a former cold storage building. 

Mosaic Monday / Murals 

Vineyard in the Snow

Views from S. Hollingsworth Road

A Second Week of Cold Snow

Charlie is not happy with this snowy weather. Here’s how he looked this morning after we tried to take a walk. There was fresh snow and ice and the temperature was extremely cold. I was trying to find the safest path down the slippery driveway but we only made about ten steps before Charlie turned around and headed back to the house. After letting him back inside, I spread some ice melt crystals on the driveway and then joined him indoors for a while.

We did go back outside for a short walk a little later, and then again after lunch to fetch the mail. In late afternoon, we visited Sadie because it was too cold to go to the park. We are lucky that Deborah and Frank like Charlie and put up with his shenanigans.

There were a couple of afternoons when the temperature hovered slightly above freezing, and that was enough of an improvement to spend a little more time outside. On Tuesday afternoon, we went to the state park and walked around the parking lot. The trails were full of snow and I wasn’t about to trudge through it with my dog pulling on a leash. 

Wednesday was my dental appointment so I left Charlie at daycare. As I posted a few days ago, I went up to Skyline Drive for a brief visit. Here are more pictures of the deer that I saw at Dickey Ridge.

Most of them marched off after they saw me, but one stayed and let me drive closer. It looks familiar, and I like to think that it recognized me from previous visits.

Last week we didn’t see any cats outside. This week they finally ventured out. 

Well, Charlie has gone to bed and it’s time for me to do the same. Good night!

Black and White and Red All Over

There's an old riddle that only worked if you said it out loud: "What's black and white and read all over?"

"A newspaper!"

Well, I guess that’s not true anymore. Newspapers aren’t read like they used to be. People are getting  news from the Internet, TV, or radio. I rarely pick up a newspaper anymore, with the exception of a monthly paper called the Mountain Courier which covers events in the northern Shenandoah Valley. 

I’m thinking of newspapers today because The Washington Post just laid off a huge number of employees. I stopped subscribing to it quite a while back, before the 2024 election. The owner has made a series of poor decisions, in my opinion. 

Anyway, I’m sharing a black-and-white picture and a color photo that’s predominantly red. Both of these are from Harrisonburg.

The Funkhouser Women’s Center has a view of a small pond with Massanutten Mountain in the distance. I had a bone density scan. It showed I have osteopenia, which I already knew. I’m glad it has not progressed to osteoporosis.

The red walls are in a fast food place. I don’t eat there, but they have decent restrooms and inexpensive expensive soft drinks. This one had tables so shiny you could see a reflection.

Snowy Views from Skyline Drive

 Shenandoah National Park

Yesterday I had a dental appointment in Front Royal. Afterwards, I checked to see if Skyline Drive was open. The National Park website said it was still closed due to snow and ice. I went to several stores and then had lunch. As I was leaving Wendy's, a text came through saying that Skyline Drive had just reopened from Front Royal to Swift Run. All right! Fifteen minutes later I was at the entrance station.

Two other cars arrived at the same time. The park ranger commented that it looked like we all got the message. He checked my pass and handed me the winter newsletter.

It was already 3 o’clock, so not many other people showed up. I didn’t have much time because I needed to get back to Woodstock by five to pick up Charlie from day boarding. I set my phone to remind me to leave at four.

The visitors center at Dickey Ridge is closed for winter. I noticed that the roof replacement has not been finished. No doubt there have been many days that workers could not even get there due to the weather. Skyline Drive is mostly a recreational road, so it does not get plowed as quickly as commuter routes, plus storms tend be severe up there in the mountains. There are usually branches and trees down on the road after a storm. 

Skywatch

View Toward High Knob and Remount Road

I only drove as far as Gooney Manor Overlook, but I felt satisfied. 

I turned around and headed back toward Front  Royal. I passed deer on Dickey Ridge and took quite a few pictures. I’ll share more of them later, probably on Saturday. 

Geese at Chapman Landing

Yesterday I posted views from Chapman Landing Road. Today’s pictures are from the point where that road crosses the North Fork of the Shenandoah.

I saw some Canada geese swimming in the channel near the bridge, one of the places that was not covered with ice. 

Snowy Views from Chapman Landing Road

 Edinburg, VA

Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday