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June 17, 2019 by dorannrule

Was this a Precursor of Today’s Used Car Lots?

I was driving to Staunton, Virginia (pronounced “Standtin” by the locals) on what was once a major north-south highway now displaced by the Interstate.

This stretch of U.S. Route 11 (known as Lee Highway here) is a country road now that slows for thriving little towns and interesting stops along the way, with farms and barns and majestic mountain views.

But what I love most is to see the remnants of a bygone era – abandoned gas stations, diners, pre-chain motels, and other businesses I actually recall as they were in their “haydays” in the 1950’s.

There are crumbling buildings as timeworn as I sometimes feel.

Surely they have stories to tell of lives and lifetimes.

Would that we could get close enough

and remain still long enough to hear the echoes of the past.

Posted in Abandoned, Buildings, Country Sights, Country Thoughts, Drive-By-Photography, History and Places, Memories, Mysteries, Signs of the Times, The Good Old Days, Travel in Virginia, Virginia | Tagged Abandoned Building, Bygone Era, Cars and Trucks, Interstate Highway, old buildings, rural living, Signs of the Past, Small towns, Staunton VA, Virginia Highway, Virginia local, Virginia native, Virginia View | 15 Comments

15 Responses

on June 17, 2019 at 2:48 pm shoreacres

I love the little towns, and the back roads. I don’t know how it is there, but around here life’s a little slower in those places, and I’m one of those who thinks that’s good.

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on June 17, 2019 at 3:09 pm Anne Mehrling

Beautifully said!

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on June 19, 2019 at 4:53 am Tina Schell

I think you’ve heard the echoes of the past perfectly Dor 😊

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on June 19, 2019 at 2:22 pm dorannrule

I think the slower life is a good thing too – and we are slow where we live and all around. The urge for hustle and bustle is satisfied by a few larger cities – an hour away.

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on June 19, 2019 at 2:23 pm dorannrule

Ahhh – Thank you my friend. Thank you. 🙂

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on June 19, 2019 at 2:25 pm dorannrule

I do wish there were a real time machine though! 🙂 Thanks Tina.

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on June 20, 2019 at 9:56 am Al

Always enjoyed a trip to Staunton, no matter how it’s pronounced.

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on June 21, 2019 at 3:36 am joshi daniel

Classic remains 🙂

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on June 21, 2019 at 8:07 am morristownmemos by Ronnie Hammer

Your description is very compelling, Dor. It seems to me that the simple things in life are the ones most valuable. Like taking an afternoon nap with my husband, which I just did!

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on June 21, 2019 at 11:19 pm nutsfortreasure

Wonderful ride and great find and your words take us back to what it once was not so long ago. Hope to scram by early July I have to learn to say no.

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on June 23, 2019 at 5:16 am Mama's Empty Nest

Hubby and I prefer journeying down those back roads less traveled. There are always interesting sights to see even if they tend to make us a little sad.

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on June 23, 2019 at 3:25 pm dorannrule

Thanks Eunice! Looking forward to seeing you soon in person! 🙂

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on June 23, 2019 at 3:26 pm dorannrule

The back roads are all we have here so when we get to driving in the city, I panic.

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on June 25, 2019 at 4:19 am Mama's Empty Nest

Me too. I leave the city driving to hubby.

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on July 5, 2019 at 9:33 am Sheryl

I also enjoy thinking about the story behind buildings that have seen better days, and it always saddens me a little when I see areas that once were vibrant but now are struggling.

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