THIS is Nature

While living in CA one of the things I heard Chuck say all the time was "I miss nature!" and of course the response of many Southern Californians would be "We have nature, we have the beach" I guess you can count the beach if you stay looking at the ocean and not turn around to face the million dollar homes stacked practically on top of each other and you forget about the crazy traffic you have to face to and from your drive to the beach. We loved our year in CA and are excited to visit as often as possible, but...

THIS is the nature that Chuck and I love and missed while living in CA. While standing on top of this ridge looking down at the gorgeous river, I said "THIS is why we chose to live here."

We reached this lovely view during our Sunday drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway a short 20 minutes from our home. The Parkway is the epitome of nature: gorgeous views, no road signs or billboards, no guard rails, no commercial vehicles allowed, and hiking trails. We love it! We love that we live in such a gorgeous part of the country that allows us to have such wonderful, peaceful Sunday drives.

Leland now instead of asking for the beach she asks to see cows and to throw sticks into rivers/creeks. Our little beach bum has turned into a good ol' country girl.