Monday, August 6, 2012

The Natural Bridge


I do not believe that I am even saying this but I am tired of my garden for this year. LOL! Everything is browning and crispy around the edges and what green is left the bugs want to chew on.
I am tired of dragging the hoses and fighting the bugs and the weather this summer.
Somehow it zapped all of the joy I have for gardening right out of me. I am sure it is only a phase and I will get back to being that Enthusiastic Gardener soon.
Since my garden and I are all both whipped I will share some more pictures from our vacation in Virginia.

Natural_Bridge_History

 Natural_Bridge_Rock
The Natural Bridge along Route 11 in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia is an amazing rock formation.
Here locally we have what is called the “Rockbridge” But it is no where close to the height of this natural bridge.
The picture so not really so it justice as to how large it actually is.

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Once owned by Thomas Jefferson, surveyed by a young George Washington, and traversed by Civil War soldiers - the Natural Bridge is a portal to history.

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Salt Peter Cave

Natural_Bridge_Stream 
Clear Creek runs through this valley still carving out the rocks along the way.

NB_Bush_Summersweet
The fragrance of Summer Sweet bushes in bloom fragranced the warm breezes on the day of our visit.

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But this unknown shrub was getting all of the women’s attention because it had the sweetest fragrance and we were all wondering what native shrub this one was. I even asked the ranger there but he did not know either.

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It was a little noisy while we were there with the droning noises of 17year Cicada’s all singing at once.

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The Geese were there in numbers in the creek.

Natural_Bridge_Gosling And the fluffy little goslings were so cute and fun to watch.

NB_Goose 

A serene nature trail takes you through the great stone archway and alongside the Cedar Creek. Travel back in time with the Monacan Village, just past the Natural Bridge, and then continue your journey down to Lace Falls.

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Lace Falls

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NB_Bush_Unknown2
Everyone have a wonderful week and I hope all of your gardens are blooming much better than my own.
Happy Gardening,
Lona

 

19 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Fantastic photos and what a cool natural bridge. That would be a wonderful place to visit.

Thanks for posting about it here.

FlowerLady

Debby said...

Beautiful pictures.
I envy all the beautiful gardens everyone posts. But it is such a job for me to keep things alive, esp. in this heat and lack of rain. I don't blame you for being tired of it. You work so hard to fight the elements and the bugs.

Jane Doe said...

You've put into words my feelings about this gardening season. It's been a tough, disappointing year and I too am weary of fighting the drought and pests. I'll add I'm so tired of 90+ degree weather and looking forward to fall and even frost.

Your photos are beautiful. Isn't nature amazing?

Becca's Dirt said...

Lona you echoed my sentiments exactly. What there is blooming is puny and nothing like earlier in the year. All of my plants that have any height like zinnias are laying over the tops of other plants. I'm ready for fall. I've noticed the days are getting shorter.

Patsy said...

What a lovely place to see.
Here is the same-- my garden is looking bad up close. Lost a lot of the old plants.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

What a beautiful place. I just love water falls. Looks like a refreshing spot to visit, I"m tired of garden hoses and crispy plants too! Hoping for fall soon.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Beautiful photos Lona. I am at the same point you are ready to throw in the towel, sick of dragging the hose around and not sure what is going to be part of my garden in the future.

Eileen

Carolyn ♥ said...

Sometimes you just have to get away to recharge your batteries... lovely vacation. Wishing you raindrops for your thirsty garden!

pogonip said...

I hear ya, Lona! It's that time of the summer when there's really nothing more I can do to my garden. Thankfully, it's relaxing this year rather than frustrating!

Thanks for the lovely photo of the falls--that cold water looks soooo refreshing on this hot August night!

Nadezda said...

Lona, great photos! I loved these ones of stones, of Lace falls.

Jennifer AKA keewee said...

Lona, what a wonderful place for a walk, just what you need to refresh your soul. I must admit, I have been somewhat without my usual vigor around my garden this year, but feel I needed a little break from the usual intense gardening I do. I think I am heading towards having more perennials instead of bothering with all the annuals I usually plant.

Jennifer said...

Hi Lona, Yesterday, we actually got a reprieve from the heat! What a Godsend! The heat does zap your energy doesn't it? I enjoyed the vacation pictures. A change is a s good as a rest right? I am sure it was great to get away. That natural bridge was especially impressive. Hope you get a break soon too!

Lynn said...

Your opening statement sounds EXACTLY how I feel this year. Maybe next year I will feel better. but I am just done for this year!

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Glad you shared this wonderful place. I love seeing all parts of the country's beautiful parks. You had a great trip.

Adrienne Zwart said...

From your photos, it appears that you had a lovely vacation. Sorry about your crispy garden. It sure has been dry!

Paula RC said...

What amazing place and pictures. You're garden maybe dry where we are having the other problem. Too much water. :-( Us gardeners are never satisfied.

RURAL said...

Gardener's burn out, it's hit you too.

Great shots, it's nice to just get away isn't it?

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Splendid Little Stars said...

I know what you mean by brown and crispy and dragging hoses around. We've received some real rain, too, which has definitely helped. I seem to have a pretty good harvest of tomatoes though this year. (small ones only, can't grow the big ones. I grow them in pots on my deck.)
I've been to Natural Bridge, too. It's a lovely area.

BernieH said...

Your feelings about being tired of gardening echoes exactly how I feel during our horrid summers here. It's not my favourite time of year, and I do find it hard to get out and do anything in the garden really when it's stinking hot and horribly humid.

Your vacation photos were wonderful. That natural bridge is just amazing! I also loved the view of Clear Creek and Lace Falls. Great shots.