Day Trip: Front Royal, Virginia

I'm guessing it's been well over a decade, maybe even two, since I made the drive out to Front Royal and the Shenandoah. This seems like a shame because the trek is only about an hour away. With the weekend weather perfect for an outdoor excursion, I left home around 9 am and pointed the car due west.

One of the many overlooks along Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park.

My first stop was the historic district of Front Royal. Below are some of the many sites I took in with captioned commentary:

Murals abound in the historic district.

It's nice to see old-school theatres still a part of these small towns.

Another mural. I asked a man if he'd smoke his cigarette in front of it for the picture.

An abandoned building that could be something real nice one day.

A Confederate memorial in honor of locals who served stands on E. Main Street.

 A mom taking pictures of her children in front of a Virginia LOVE sign.

Not the best shot of downtown buildings. The district extends through several cross streets.

Sculptured naked men watching the town folk move about below.

An Earth Day celebration in the Town Square.

A couple resting on an ice cream bench in front of an ice cream store.

The outside of a pottery store.

Wonderful cups and pots made by Arlene. She introduced herself and we had a nice chat.

A tributary of the South Fork Shenandoah River called Happy Creek flows along the edge of town.

I noticed this stately home up on the hill of the east side of town.

The Randolph-Macon Academy can be seen up on the hills from the downtown area.

Next I headed for the entrance of the Shenandoah National Park just a few miles away. Passenger cars are charged $30 for a week pass (expensive), so I opted for the $80 year pass to all National Parks. Below are pictures of a few of the many overlooks in the first 20 miles of Skyline Drive.

I tried to get artsy here with an Impressionistic filter on my camera.

A couple visiting from New Jersey and I took several pictures together on Range View Overlook.

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Day Trip: Leesburg, Virginia

After two days of working until the wee hours of the morning on a new project, I decided I needed to get out and enjoy some of this wonderful Spring weather--before it gets too hot! So I set out this morning to nearby Leesburg, Virginia. Even though it is only 30 miles away, I don't believe I've ever checked out the Historic Old Town. Now I have.

A view down Loudoun Street in Old Town Leesburg.

I began with a stop at the Virginia Magnolia Antique Mall on Rt. 15. I hadn't visited this place in probably a decade. Lots of interesting items, and now they have a basement and a two-story barn out back. I talked myself out of purchasing the $19 glass terrarium below. Here are some pictures:

I don't know. $18.95 is a little pricey for this.

One of those old barns where you feel like you're going to fall through the floor.

Always a war going on somewhere. This framed paper is dated May 13, 1898.

Next I drove into Old Town just about 4 miles up the road and parked in a free parking garage. It's a good thing I was in the shade, because I picked up a new buddy along the way. Picture at end.

Below are some various scenes along Loudoun and Market Streets.

The Delirium Cafe. I almost stopped here for lunch. They serve Belgian beer.

Cut flowers in a window on the top story of an old building.

The Loudoun County Courthouse. A Confederate statue called the "Silent Sentinel" was removed from the front courtyard on July 21, 2021.

Beautiful to see all the flowering trees in bloom.

Along the way, I stopped into a few shops. One was an independent bookstore that also sells plants! Here are some interior pictures of Birch Tree Bookstore:

Then there was this old movie theatre. I need to check out the inside next time.

Of course, I had to take some selfie pictures and other interesting shots to round out the day.

This is some sort of stuffed bear in front of a store.

A tribute to Stanley Caulkins, in front of where he ran Caulkins Jewelers for 61 years. He was also the co-founder of Leesburg Airport and a WWII veteran. "A role model for acts of kindness, charity and the greater good" is engraved on the plaque. Sculptor Jeffery L. Hall.

Nice ride. 1960s Camaro SS 327 at the intersection of Loudoun and Market Streets.

A very nice couple let me take a photo of their sweet dog. I wish I remembered her name!

Creepy-ass old photos of children in the Black Shutter Antique Center.

A colorful mural outside an eatery.

And finally, that little buddy I was telling you about. I purchased another carnivorous pitcher plant at one of two nurseries I visited. I felt I needed to save one of these "Little Shop of Horrors" plants that end up in just about every store that sells plants. This one looks as though it suffered from cramped space inside a container before it made it to the store. At a whopping cost of  $15.99, I promise to take very good care of it. Always check for new growth coming on any plant you buy.

Pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea)

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