I find a lot of comfort from being out in nature or experiencing it vicariously through photographs. On this Open Tuesday, I bring you photographs of a piece of nature that soothes my spirit when needed.
I live in a small town, Altavista, in Virginia, and one of the most beautiful parts of the town is the river that borders it. It’s the Staunton River.
I live in a small town, Altavista, in Virginia, and one of the most beautiful parts of the town is the river that borders it. It’s the Staunton River.
That’s pronounced as it were spelled “Stanton.”
The Staunton River is a segment of the Roanoke River, according to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and runs for 81 miles from Leesville Dam (about 10 miles from our home) to John H. Kerr Reservoir.
English Park, one of several parks in town, is down by the river, and Larry and I love to go down and enjoy looking at the water and the ducks and geese that hang out there.
We haven’t been biking yet this year, but that’s another activity we like to use the park for. This year, we’ll have an extended trail to explore, part of a park renovation that started last year.
I took the pictures on this post on Sunday. I walked along the bank, trying to get good views of the river.
That’s not always easy to do. There’s a lot of vegetation—trees, shrubs, weeds—that grow along the bank, so it’s sometimes hard to get close.
But I love the lushness of the growth.
There is one area that I particularly like. The bank looks down on rocks in the river. As the water runs over the rocks, it makes a beautiful sound that never fails to comfort me.
Visiting the river is one of the ways I enjoy nature, and nature is always a balm to my anxiety.
What places in nature do you like to visit? How do these places make you feel?
Lovely pic's..just watching the water of a river, creek or ocean is truly calming for me. I go trout fishing with my husband and walk up the streams in our wading boots and always feel at peace. I went snorkeling with my son for the first time in my life and witnessed a whole other world I'd never seen before - I didn't want to leave. I love hiking. When I am out in nature, my OCD disappears. Poof!
ReplyDeleteWow, that shows the power of nature right there, that your OCD disappears. I would love to go snorkeling. I bet it's a beautiful world under the surface of the water. Water is calming to me too. The sight of it and and sounds soothe me.
DeleteI love visiting nature!! There is this wonderful places close to me called 'The Pinnacles' that I love to hike quite often.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to live close by to places that restore us like nature can.
DeleteI like your pictures! I love learning about the blog writer's I read and where they live. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen. I enjoy that too. I love the photos you share from your walks.
DeleteBeautiful pictures.......I am always soothed by rivers and lakes.........and I love mountains...
ReplyDeleteI love mountains, too, Janet. We are lucky to live in sight of the Blue Ridge Mountains and perhaps 45 minutes or so from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beautiful!
DeleteGreat pics! It all looks so peaceful.
ReplyDeleteYesterday we explored the trails at Ft. Worden, which is about a 15-minute walk from the house. There are lots of criss-crossing trails for variety, and some stunning views of water and mountains. We used to get on planes to travel to places like this so we could get out in nature. It's great to now have them in our back yard!
Nadine, Than you! It is peaceful, especially when there aren't many other people in the park.
DeleteYou and your husband moved to a wonderful place, it sounds like. So many beautiful things to explore close by!
Beautiful! I love that you have such a place so close to you. I walk at the arboretum and woods near my house. There are a few little ponds that I like to sit near.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, Thank you! I'm glad that you have places to find solace in also. I love walking in woods.
DeleteI always enjoy hiking along a river!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I lived in Altavista for a few years and ignored the fact that the river was so close. I just didn't think about it--guess I took it for granted. But there's so much to see down there, even on the banks of the river.
DeleteHow funny. I just posted a picture of water near my house on today's blog! ha ha
ReplyDeleteI love water. I especially love to hear water trickling in a brook or something like that. Very comforting. It really helps me to be mindful and in the moment. There are some spots near my home that I could just take a book and sit there for hours.
Sunny, Great minds think alike, right? :-)
ReplyDeleteThat must be why I love listening to the water flowing by--it helps me to be mindful.
Tina, your photos are lovely and the rushing water brings peace to the soul!
ReplyDeleteYes, it truly does.
DeleteTina, water is excellent for calming anxiety! Just wrote about it. I walk along the Genesee River almost daily and put a prayer out to the world!
ReplyDeleteJodi, I'm glad you have a river too!
DeleteJust looking at the pictures, I can feel how relaxing it is!!! I wish I can come and visit one day :)
ReplyDelete