The drive through Rockbridge County on the way to “Maple Lane” is absolutely gorgeous. On the day we visited it was unseasonably cool which made it seem like we were in another world all together. These old maples are really amazing. According to our copy of Remarkable Trees of Virginia, local residents claim that this avenue of sugar maples (Acer saccharum) was planted more than a century ago. There were originally about 150 sugar maples along the road, although some have been removed by VDOT over the years due to decline. Every tree that has been removed has been replaced with a new healthy young sugar maple.
I do believe we’ll have to visit again this fall when the leaves have turned. There’s also a little yarn shop nearby, called Orchardside Yarn Shop that is really adorable. It wasn’t open on the day we were in town, so we definitely have to go back!
Robina says
what a beautiful road. that picture of the kids in the road is the perfect Christmas card pic.
Suddenexpression says
Great family pictures! Your kids seem to cooperate for you. I adore the matching tunics on the girls. Too cute!
Lacey says
Beautiful pictures and you have a beautiful family.
Andee says
Oh I love seeing all the kids together! The trees are impressive too. But really the kids together in one shot then running around… priceless. Love it.
sara says
Rockbridge County is beautiful! We have lived in Virginia for about 6 years (in far far SW Virginia) and there are just so many beautiful places to explore. I love all the parks!
Cynthia says
I would like to know how you have your children reviewed by the state in Virginia???????????? I don’t teach to test I teach to learn and I feel they are a teach to test state.
Rebecca says
What lovely photographs!
Anja says
very beautiful pictures
Zane says
Those pictures of your children all lined up are wonderful, wonderful! Blessings times six (soon-to-be seven)!
Julie says
Honestly, this is what comes to my mind when I see those beautiful trees alongside the lane: “Run, Forest, Run!” & the scene from Forest Gump when he sheds his leg braces and sprints to freedom. Lovely, lovely photos, though, truly.
steph says
don’t you adore rural roads???? all those poor city folk could never get a great picture like these! (or make — for me—the inevitable u-turn-in-the-middle-of-the-road!)
Lisa G says
So good to see all the kids together. I forget how young Bea really is or how big Silas has gotten, not to mention the boys…..they grow so quickly.
Linne says
I grew up with landscapes like that in the spring (near the Shuswap Lake country in south-central BC); later we had a lovely maple just like those near a very old handhewn log house. We were there for five years and I still miss it, although now it’s a heritage site and doesn’t look the same.
I love the pictures of your kids, too. I’m the oldest of nine, so your family looks a bit small to me 🙂
Thanks for sharing. ~ Linne
Becky says
Where did you find those gorgeous grey dresses for the girls? I love touring VA through your pictures.
Elaine says
I love the kids all lined up!!! How the heck do you get them all looking at the camera at the same time?!! When I try to take a picture of mine, it’s like herding cats. And that lane of maples is gorgeous. We don’t live in a place where the leaves change in the fall, but I so want to.
Ginny says
Well…it’s not like they all had “normal” expressions on their faces. 🙂 I guess I need to bribe them if I want a picture without funny faces, pouty faces, hoods on heads, etc. etc.
Rach says
Beautfiul pictures, the kids looks gorgeous – and those tree’s – wow! When we moved to outer Melbourne’s hills three years ago – I had to make sure I kept focused on the road when driving – there are so, so many amazing tree’s that captivate me! xx
martha says
Put Orchardside on your calendar for this summer when the berries are coming in! Carole has a fiber and antique festival and sells her berries, too. Watch the website as that is where you will find the information. I think she has a mailing list, too. And, she has a stellar sale that weekend so those very expensive yarns become very doable!
If you go on Wednesday mornings, she has a Bible study group who knits! It is a marvelous group of ladies!
Enjoy!
Rachel Wolf says
Clearly I need four more children. Because when you line up two by height it just doesn’t have the same effect. 😉
Amanda says
You’re killing me with all this hometown stuff! Orchardside is a great yarn shop. You can spend lots of $$ there but it is like being in a little world all your own – just yarn and knitting and happy people (and peacocks, and ducks and a creek!) I’m so homesick but its delightful to experience it through your lens!
Taryn Kae Wilson @ Wooly Moss Roots says
Ginny,
I love the group pictures of your kids. Ones you look back on and treasure.
And I love seeing old trees.
Love,
Taryn
tara says
I love that picture of them in the street! Gabe is so tall!!
I think it is so cool you guys go visit trees. Trees are so important and so calming.
Monique says
I love the pictures of your children all lined up!! They have all grown so much and are so beautiful. You are truly blessed. 🙂 Thank you for sharing them with us!
Jessica says
I am buying the book and can’t wait for our own remarkable trees of Virginia excursions! We found a house in the Manassas area and move in July. It is starting to feel real. We’ll miss CO, but are excited for new adventures among trees galore.
Ginny says
I’m so happy to hear that, Jessica! I think that area is great, and that you will love it!
Melissa L says
I adore the picture of your children all in descending order! What a family! Thanks for sharing snippets of your life- we’re all privileged to get to view bits of it : ).
Brynn says
I’m glad I’m not the only parent that makes my child wear his “nice jeans” when we go out places. He’s still himself, and we still do the normal things, but somehow it makes me feel better 🙂
Meredith says
Rockbridge County! I love Lexington and the surrounding area so much. My husband and I met (and fell in love. . .:-) in Lexington and were married at the beautiful Inn on House Mountain. Such a lovely area!
Tonya says
Ginny,
I love, love, love the picture of your six children. When I look at the picture it looks like a lot of children and then I reminded myself that I have seven:) Isn’t it amazing how it really doesn’t seem like a lot – I know when your new little one is born it will at first, but then it all just comes together and you won’t seem like seven is a lot anymore.
Thank you for sharing,
Tonya
Michelle says
I love these Remarkable Trees posts Ginny. You will have a wonderful compilation of pictures for an album that you will treasure always.
Crystal says
I love it when you guys go to see trees! I wish we had them here! The picture with your kids lined up across the road is so awesome!! 🙂
Julie says
Raphine is one of my favorite places in VA. Love that yarn shop and love the flour mill (that uses a water wheel to grind the wheat!) just a bit further down the road. Rockbridge County is gorgeous!
SWEDEV says
Oh, I just love the photo of all the kids on the road, flanked by lovely trees! I can’t believe how big Silas has gotten!
Kendra Mitchell says
I so love how boys view all trees as a challenge.!
Elizabeth says
very beautiful and wonderful pictures!!!
Hallie @ Moxie Wife says
Beautiful – the trees, your sweet kids, your passion reflected in these photos, all of it! Thank you for sharing!
Elisabeth Andree says
Love the pictures of your beautiful children and the trees and off course your dog:)
Olivia says
Beautiful pictures! Yarn shops, I miss them.
Peace be with you.
Olivia
Heather says
Love, love, love the picture of the kiddos all together. The ordered ones and the ones where you see the craziness of life.
Nicole Spring (Frontier Dreams) says
I have been missing these adventures!! It makes it feel like summer when you guys are on your tree adventures! I wonder if each state has something similarTthat would be worth looking into. Maybe even give me some hope for our move this fall…