A PEACH RUN TO PINEY RIVER
Next week we are making our yearly run to Saunders Brothers (Piney River, Virginia) for fresh-from-the-tree peaches! My friends love heading out of town. I love the peaches. I just don’t love getting there.
Saunders Brothers and Dickie Brothers Orchards are our favorite seasonal haunts. We load up on succulent peaches at Saunders this time of year, and then great apples at Dickie Brothers (Roseland, Virginia) in the fall.
WE ARE LOST! WE ARE LOST!
Even though we have been doing this for years, we have a penchant for getting lost en route. Both orchards are over the mountains in the same general direction, via winding roads and byways we forget about from year to year.
Please note the picture of three of us, taken on our first Orchard Outing when I was the driver. You can tell by the despairing look (I’m in the middle) that we are LOST! I was distressed. The others thought that was pretty funny. You can see Peggy comforting me and Monika is literally LOL! How is it they don’t seem to worry about losing their bearings on car trips?
A DESIGNATED NAVIGATOR
My Deep, Dark Secret Secret:
In my long-ago childhood, I was always the Designated Navigator in charge of maps on vacation trips, whose duty it was to guide my father along the proper routes. It was a great honor to be the Designated Navigator (and I was puffed up proud) until I gave him the wrong directions. This did happen of course, and the results were a lot of yelling and booming frustration from Dad (who was only trying to get us there). I’m sure he didn’t realize the long-term psychological impact.
How could he possibly know I would turn out to be emotionally destroyed by my own aimless adult driving down unknown roads? My baby brother escaped this horrible fate (the little brat).
DUBIOUS SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS
But, back to my friends – they are actually very kind and supportive when they aren’t laughing at me. They offer comforting words like, “If we hadn’t taken that road Dor, would we have stumbled upon this fabulous crumbling barn?” And they say other things like,
“What a picture! Mary Beth’s husband could paint this!”
“See, there is always an upside to getting lost!”
“And look at this beautiful pond.”
“O.K., so we took Rt. 666 (the Devil’s number) by mistake at the crossroads at Crabtree Falls Road. We’ll just turn around!”
“Smile for the camera now! Try to Smile.”
Note: We actually did take Rt. 666 one time. It’s a real road.
Next week we will go on our annual trip to Saunders Brothers for peaches. Once again, I am the driver. I plan to appoint Monika as the Designated Navigator though, and woe onto her if she gets me lost or laughs out loud! My camera will record any snickering from her, Peggy or Sandy!
To be continued with Accompanying Photographs as proof of which friends are LOL!
Maybe you should get a GPS Dor. You would never get lost again, but then like your friends said you would maybe miss out on some more beautiful “lost” locations. Hmmm, what to do :).
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Fresh peaches? We are several weeks away from peaches in our area (southeastern Pennsylvania). Would a GPS help or does that take the fun out of it?
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Hi Dor: Gosh, I can picture myself in that photo!! Next year I will plan to go, dang this job of mine! Seriously, post more pictures of the old gang! Miss ya all! Laura
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Guess what Cindy? There IS a GPS mounted right on the dashboard! Problem is I need training on how to work it! May insist on giving that a try next week. Thanks for reminding me. Some of us are a bit slow. 🙂
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As I was just telling Cindy from photosfromtheloonybin, I actually have a GPS! Great reminder Kate, except I don’t know how to use it! And none of my friends do either! Must get instructions. Thanks. 🙂
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Hay Laura! Yes, you are one of the missing figures in the photo. MB’s sister, Sandy, is going with us this time, but we are hoping you will be joining us in the fall for the apple run! Miss you too. 🙂 Dor
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Oh, now you really need to come and live with us for a while. Not only would we have you converted into a horror movie lover, but we would also make you a technological whiz in no time!!! I don’t go anywhere without my iPhone, iPad, camera and GPS :). Thanks for my Friday evening laugh Dor!!
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I would be overwhelmed I’m sure Cindy and would eventually fit into the loonybin! 🙂 Thanks for thinkin’ of me tho.
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Oh, don’t use your GPS — you’ll be more lost than ever! At least that’s what happens when I rely on it. Peaches?? Yumm. The best peaches up here come from out in the south central part of our state. After reading your post (and laughing), I’m drooling for a peach.
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I have a fear of getting lost too and always have to map out every detail before I take off. I love those photos, they would make a beautiful paintings! Did your friend’s husband ever paint one? Peach season is starting soon here in Texas. There is a huge peach festival not far from us that we try to attend each year. MMM homemade peach ice cream. 🙂
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I think you’re right Mama – the GPS will just confuse us. Hoping it’s not too early for peaches, but I just bought a few at our roadside market and was told “they’re local.” Hurrah!
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Hi Lori. Yes, Bob paints in oils and we used to take lots of photographs for him to work from. He is a prolific artist but never sells a one. I’ll look forward to a post from you about the peach festival soon! 🙂 Dor
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HI Dor! I can relate to this in so many ways! My husband also calls me the Navigator – but I don’t always feel like I have the best sense of direction! How fun to have good friends who will travel with you along the way! As much as I’d love to enjoy the fruits of this labor, I sadly admit I’m allergic to fresh peaches. 😦
I haven’t had one in years! Ah, well. 🙂
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Hi Navigator Cathy! Maybe you could guide us to the apples in the fall?! 🙂
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What fun! 🙂
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