The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. ~Deuteronomy 31:8
After we depart Knoxville, we begin the first long leg of our trip to Pennsylvania where Danny's brother, Dominic, lives. It's a route that Danny has meticulously planned, from the daily miles driven to the hotels where we will stay in the evenings. His limit (he does all the driving) for one day's distance is around 200 miles. For some of my pedal to the metal friends, this may seem way too conservative a goal. But what's wrong with taking one's time if it means we'll be treated to some great autumn scenery?
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So, what's our next destination? Beckley, West Virginia! I'm inordinately excited, because West Virginia is one state I've never traveled to or through. I can't wait to discover different sites and vistas, but there is a part of me, too, that is a bit apprehensive about traversing unfamiliar territory. Each day, I ask the Lord to go with us and give us safe travels, and I'm definitely grateful for Danny's detailed mapping of our journey. But I do think God delights in the element of surprise, the unexpected that awakens us anew to His glory and presence.
And just the mountains of West Virginia themselves are enough to evoke awe and wonder.
And we are most definitely surprised by the tunnels that allow us to drive right through them. Wow!
Once in Beckley, we stay the night at a Country Inns and Suites by Radisson.
After a good night's sleep and breakfast in the morning, we are off to our next stop: Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. The next segment of our journey will bring us that much closer to Dominic's home in Reading.
And we definitely come upon a most unexpected wonder . . .
Stay tuned!
Amen!
Gary and I got to enjoy some similar autumn colors with our trip to Minnesota in October. Looks like you had a wonderful trip, and planning ahead, as your Danny does, is a good thing!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that Gary and you were able to travel this season, and witness the gorgeous colors of fall, Barbara. Planning ahead is so very important, too, and I'm so thankful that Danny is so good at it, because I'm certainly not.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Stunning scenery, Martha! Agreed, what's the point in gobbling up miles if one doesn't enjoy the backdrops? Prior to your post, I never knew anyone quite like my father. Before every road trip he was just like Danny! I like to think I've inherited his Planning discipline, but it's been a long time.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, my dad was much the same when it came to planning, except we would simply wing whatever hotel/motel we stayed in. I bet you remember Howard Johnson's! We are so, so glad we could take this trip.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Yes! My mother adored their clam strips.
DeleteAbsolutely stunning!!! So happy you were able to enjoy the mountain roads and scenic autumn vistas!! What a lovely trip!!! Can't wait to hear about the next part of this journey! So happy you were able to take a REAL trip!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Pamela! It's such a blessing to be able to travel and discover new people and places that will make lasting impressions on us. I'm glad you will be staying tuned so that you can join us on our travels.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteSO happy that you finally made your virgin trip through beautiful West Virginia!
We've done that frequently from Shillington, PA (just near Reading, PA) when visiting our friends in Dublin.
You were lucky with the perfect autumn colors.
Hugs,
Mariette
We were very fortunate to travel at the peak leaf season for the most part, Mariette. I never tire of looking at those incredible colors, so I'm glad we took plenty of pictures.
DeleteLove and blessings!
🍂🍁
DeleteIn Late September of 2006, we drove from St. Louis to Williamsburg for a vacation. We didn't plan this, but the return trip through West Virginia was spectacular. In a week, the leaves had turned.
ReplyDeleteWow, Glynn! That sounds like a dream trip, for sure. Some of the most stunning colors we saw were in the Virginias. What a treat!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Road trips are just the best!! Thanks for taking us along, Martha!! xo
ReplyDeleteAren't they, Terri? So glad you are tagging along on this adventure.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautiful pictures. When we were able to travel, Hubby would try to get as much distance in as possible. As we go older, I insisted we stay overnight when we when to see our son when he lived in Kansas. On the way back we had to drive the 600 miles straight through. We were always beat when we got home. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteWow, Cecelia, I can't believe you all would push 600 miles!!! That verges on the impossible. Even if I wasn't the one driving, I'd have been so tired of simply sitting in a car for that long. I'm glad to know you won't be repeating this in the future.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, I'm so enjoying the photos and descriptions of your trip. The Fall foilage in the mountains is just stunning. God bless!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that, Karen! I love knowing you are coming along with me on this journey. Being gone so long, I do need to catch up on your adventures in the Smokies. I'll see you soon!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Growing up in PA (around Pittsburgh) I am familiar with those tunnels. And I am very familiar with the changing leaves (I had to rake a bunch of them). I'm glad you enjoyed your journey. And btw: written by a true writer: "Stay tuned!" LOL
ReplyDeleteLOL, indeed, Bill! :) I'd forgotten that you grew up in PA, so you would have had your fill of fall by the time it was all over, especially since you had to rake them up - not fun at all!
DeleteLOve and blessings!
Bom dia, Martha
ReplyDeleteQue viagem maravilhosa, viajar abre novos horizontes, lindas fotos, Deus abençoe vocês, um forte abraço.
Yes, it was a wonderful trip, indeed, Lucinalva. I'm so glad you are along for the adventure.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Driving through autumn colors, you have arrived at a nice place. I can hear your happy words.
ReplyDeleteThanks, RTC! Yes, every day brought its own happiness of discovery and adventure.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What beautiful scenery you enjoyed whilst travelling. Autumn colours can be so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on your travels. God bless always.
Are the trees as gorgeous in the UK as they are here in the USA in the fall, Victor? Just wondering, and glad you stopped by!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Yes, right now some trees are beginning to turn orange. Others, like our vines, are losing their leaves.
DeleteGod bless you and yours, Martha.
:)
DeletePretty pretty... what a fun and relaxing trip this must have been. Worse trips in the world were when I would push myself too far and I was too tired to enjoy myself once I arrived.
ReplyDeleteBoy, I certainly hear you on spending too much time traveling, J.D. I've had to learn the hard way, but so grateful for having the luxury of traveling at our own comfortable pace. We had a marvelous time!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I was born and raised in WV in Hurricane…between Charleston and Huntington…we lived two times…married…in Summersvikke…you went through there…we owned a little Hallmark store…husband with the government…my son and wife take their boys to the Beckley area and around WV each summer for outdoor activities…we live in Florida now…there is a tale about the tunnels. I went to college in my forties…taught until late my 60’s in South. Carolina…and WV…still teach online…the story goes that if you look at the walls of the tunnels when going through, you will see the ghosts of those who built the tunnels…they will haunt you. My students laughed and asked if it happened to me… I told them that from my early 20’s when we started going to Myrtle Beach, I never looked…lol…there are great haunted stories books about WV…I was lucky to grow up in town…we also lived several years in Ohio when our kids were being raised…glad you go to go through a beautiful area…love your blog..l
ReplyDeleteHearing here that you grew up and lived in WV makes our trip there so much more meaningful, Brenda. I wish I had known that before we went on our trip, but then again, I couldn't let that cat out of the bag. One thing I'm glad I didn't know, though, would have been about the ghosts in the tunnels - wow! Knowing me, I would have looked at the tunnel sides as we cruised through. Beckley is a lovely place; I can see why your son and his wife take their kids there.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Our son and DIL lived in WV for two years; we enjoyed a bit of the state during our visits. There ARE some breathtaking vistas! Your Danny is smart to limit his daily milage. Driving when you're tired is never a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad Danny takes it easy with the driving, too, Nancy. I must admit, I fell in love with WV and its rugged beauty. I'd love to go back some day.
DeleteLove and blessings!
They actually take the boys to the islands or Key West. And then a few weeks in WV touring the state…ziplining..climbing…whitewater rafting…the boys are 10 and Almost 8 and love it…my daughter and her family live in Indiana I was for three years…she takes one of more of her girls also…WV is indeed Almost heaven despite the poverty in some areas…I did not grow up in a rural area…glad you enjoyed those hills of WV…love the tales of the tunnels…
ReplyDeleteThanks for returning, Brenda, and adding more details to your previous comment. Living in GA, we have all those mountain-type activities practically in our backyard, but I can see where WV might be a bit more exciting. And yes, WV is almost heaven in my mind.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a beautiful, rejuvenating ride that must have been, Martha! The colors of the leaves are so vibrant and refreshing that I can't imagine how awesome it was to see them up close. Thank you for sharing them! Love, hugs, and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed these photos, Trudy. They are good, but as you said, it was nothing like seeing them in person, especially when the sunlight hit them just right. I'll share more fall photos in the coming posts.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Yep, you guys just take your time, enjoy the scenery, the conversation, the adventure. No need to rush anywhere. Aren't those the best trips?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend, friend!
The are the best trips by far, Linda, I agree! Hope you enjoy your weekend, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
WHAT FUN are road trips! LOVE you are seeing this beautiful foliage! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
It was one of the best trips we've ever taken, Lulu. Awfully long, but worth every mile.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Lovely post
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rajani!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Looks like you had a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteThe vistas are stunning!
Hugs and blessings, Martha 💐
It was a wonderful trip, Veronica. We are glad to be back, though.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thanks so much, Marja! Yes, we've been back home for a while now; I'm just getting around to recounting our adventures.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Such a wonderful trip. When Nick was in college in Kansas we took our sweet time and enjoyed many stops along the way. We always enjoyed the Country Inn and Suites in Salina, KS. My dad traveled the same way. There is so much to see and enjoy. Your trip sounded delightful to me. Thanks for sharing it.
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