Post 359: Visiting Family, Winery, and Shopping

Visiting Family, a Winery, and Shopping

Tuesday, November 5 to Saturday, November 9, 2024 - Roadtrip! Yes, Election Day - first I voted here at home in Woodbridge, VA then drove to Charlottesville, VA. There was an obvious difference in the drive this year compared to the last Election in 2020 that told me the outcome of the day. I know that mostly Northern Virginia and major coastal cities lean one direction and typically the more rural areas lean another. 

I shouldn't have to do this but let me state here - EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion. Period. All lives matter as well as all votes. It is the way America was created and I have always believed that America is the best place to be born and to live. And Virginia is pretty awesome too in so many ways.

Anyway, the difference was that the signs typically found in the rural areas FAR EXCEEDED any of the signs found in the city for the entire trip that I noticed. Even here around the Lake Ridge area. And what I did see wasn't as I expected to see. My guess is surprisingly, the Trump signs outnumbered the Harris signs about 20 to 1. That told me the outcome of the day, and it was correct.

The decision was made months ago for Election night, to meet at my Aunt's house in Charlottesville and watch the Election 2024 results come in with my mom and another Aunt, so we did. And if the voting gave us the results we all hoped for, we would go the next day to - where else in Virginia, near Charlottesville, would be an awesome place to celebrate the day?....well here - at Trump Winery. It was a good idea. And we were up until 3 am to see those results.

This photo above, was taken in the summer of 2023.

What Better Place for Us to Celebrate?

Once again, we were given a very beautiful day and crazy warm weather. Here are various photos taken from the gorgeous Trump Winery which is located just past Thomas Jefferson's Monticello outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. 

The food is excellent and of course, the wine is too. What also made the day so awesome, was the absolute joy of the visitors who were garbed in every conceivable red, white and blue and Trump gear imaginable. (AND shorts, t-shirts, and sundresses in NOVEMBER!) The folks all around you and walking past were happy, smiling and wishing each other a pleasant day. The staff as well. I cannot remember being anywhere except in some churches where folks would pause long enough to say, "nice to meet you", "where are you from", "have a GREAT DAY!!" and to wish you well. With genuine happy hearts.

Some of my photos from around the Winery. Click on a photo to enlarge.

All along the very long fence line were American Flags which I believe were posted in the summer of 2024. We had visited the Winery back in May 2024 and the flags were not there. I know some family visited in July and they spoke of all the rows of America's colors - and they are still there. For miles. 

With the Trump Winery being the largest winery on the East Coast, that's a lot of fencing on the road. And a LOT of flags.

Notice Trump Winery across the way. We didn't take the time to stop at the new Cidery that recently opened across the street behind this photo. That will have to be on another visit.

A cousin met us for lunch, helping to make for a thoroughly enjoyable day. It's NOVEMBER and we are in T-shirts! Luckily, we got there minutes before it opened and were the first to order. The lines started forming quickly - and the parking lots filled to capacity. More happy people coming to celebrate!

On Thursday, November 7, my Aunt, Mom and I went to Lynchburg for some consignment and thrift Store shopping - and it was my Mom's birthday. Another celebration!

There is something so grand to find treasures amongst all the goodies at thrift stores. And why pay full price when consignment store items often still have the price tags on merchandise that were never worn or used but are priced FAR less? And while we were there, I snapped a few photos...

The rain lasted all of about a minute. We actually had rainbow first, before the rain. We stopped for a bite to eat and got Nothing Bundt Cakes.

A hole in the sky

My Mom and I went to Louisa on Friday, November 8 - where my Mom lives as well as one of my Brothers and Sis-in-laws. I came on home Saturday, November 9. A great couple of road trips and many thanks to a gracious God for a very special week trekking across Virginia.

I'll note here that the comments added are monitored so play nice.

For the Beauty of the Earth 

by Folliott S. Pierpoint

1. For the beauty of the earth,
   For the glory of the skies,
   For the love which from our birth
   Over and around us lies—
   • Refrain:
     Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
     This our hymn of grateful praise.
2. For the wonder of each hour,
   Of the day and of the night,
   Hill and vale, and tree and flow’r,
   Sun and moon, and stars of light—
3. For the joy of human love,
   Brother, sister, parent, child,
   Friends on earth and friends above,
   For all gentle thoughts and mild—
4. For Thy church that evermore
   Lifteth holy hands above,
   Off’ring up on every shore
   Her pure sacrifice of love—

1. See also A Short Trip To Charlottesville 

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