A Southwestern Virginia Hayride

Every September, the Thomas Family holds their family reunion on a farm in Lodi, Virginia, and one of the highlights of these get-togethers is a hayride that takes the participants down several narrow, yet very scenic country roads. Today's picture feature this year's hayride: three farm tractors pulling three trailer loads of Thomas Family kin down South Fork River Road in rural Washington County, Virginia.

These annual excursions take us through some of the region's most beautiful scenery. There are lush, green pasture fields lined with colorful wildflowers, hundreds of wild-cherry trees bowing under the weight of their ripening fruit, and a long ridge of fog-enshrouded mountains rising high above the distant horizon. Regardless of where we might happen to live, the hills of southwestern Virginia will always be our home.

Although we aren't actually members of the Thomas family, Cheria, Olivia and I have been going on the hayrides ever since Cheria's Aunt Cel invited us to ride along with her several years ago. These fine folks have always made us feel welcome, and we appreciate it very much. This is southern hospitality at its best...practiced by some of the nicest people I have ever met.

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