Backcountry Folk of the Shenandoah Valley -- The Farm Life

Backcountry Notes ^ | March 28, 2010 | Jay Henderson

[jay1949]

The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is above all a land of farms and farmers. Since the firm Pennsylvania Germans crossed the Potomac with horses, oxen, pigs and tools, the fertile lands along the Shenandoah River have beckoned to those who love the country life. Although areas of the Valley have developed and there are cities here and there, a drive along the old roads will provide a multitude of pastoral views. [Vintage pictures]

[Lib-Lickers 2]

special place.. lived there during the 70’s

[Atom Smasher]

My God! Its like another world...but one I wouldn’t mind returning to. The peace & serenity of the Valley must have been beautiful. Do you have any pics of the area today?

[SouthDixie]

Thanks for the photos, like stepping back in time...technology is okay but there’s nothing like ‘the good ole days.’

[ought-six]

Shenandoah, I long to see you.

[avital2]

my mother still lives there. don’t want D C to encroach.
let’s keep it a secret.

[loveliberty2]

Thank you! Wonderful collections—all of them!

[jay1949]

A few, “somewhere,” but nothing ready for prime time. I plan to take some landscapes next trip up there. There are a few non-landscapes in this article: http://www.backcountrynotes.com/backcountry-by-ways/2009/9/2/motoring-down-the-great-wagon-road.html

[dogcaller]

Back in 1980 my mother bought a timeshare at Massanutten. The third week of September every year the family celebrates her birthday there...the entire Valley is gorgeous in the Fall and the changes over the years have not really diminished it’s beauty.

[raisincane]

Back in 1980 my mother bought a timeshare at Massanutten. The third week of September every year the family celebrates her birthday there...the entire Valley is gorgeous in the Fall and the changes over the years have not really diminished it’s beauty.

We are vacationing at Massanutten in July. Any suggestions of where to go and what to see?
Thanks in advance

[Fresh Wind]

What a great site!

[dogcaller]

Good choice for a vacation. If you enjoy history the New Market battlefield is less than an hour to the north and the Museum of American Frontier Culture is a similar distance to the south. The Water Park on the property is not inexpensive but one can justify it for the kids if you plan to spend the day there. Among my my favorite activities is a drive north on old Route 11 up to Edinburg or a picnic on the Skyline Drive. Plenty of antique shops and the Dayton Market ( open Thursday, Friday and Saturday )
is fun and gives you a taste of the Mennonite culture. Enjoy your trip!

[jay1949]

Many thanks for the kind words. There’s more to come; hope it pleases.

[jay1949]

I’ll second all of those. My own “preview” of the Frontier Culture Museum: http://www.backcountrynotes.com/history/2009/8/9/virginias-frontier-culture-museum.html

and a drive on US 11 (aka the Valley Pike, fka The Great Wagon Road): http://www.backcountrynotes.com/backcountry-by-ways/2009/9/2/motoring-down-the-great-wagon-road.html

[jay1949]

Ran across one -- taken on a back road last summer -- while I was hunting for log cabins

From Shenandoah Valley

[Atom Smasher]

Now that is certainly my kind of backyard! Thanks for the links in the previous post as well. It sure is God’s country out there. I do a lot of my camping in the Smokey Mountains & I just love the “one-with-nature” atmosphere. I think that an excursion to the Shenandoah Valley might be in order:-)