DAWN OF A NEW DAY

 

 We woke up Saturday morning to a beautiful golden  day.    And not only because of the perfect Autumn weather.

 

This isn't a current news blog by any means, but as I have said often, it is my happy place.   And because the news on Saturday made me  happy, I can't just ignore it here.   I will be even happier on January 20  (and hope we survive until then), but it feels like our country has taken the first step back to sanity.  

 

"We are in a battle for the soul of the nation. It’s a battle to uphold and honor the values that we hold dear, values like empathy, and dignity, and respect for truth. These are our values and they are the values we need for a better future."   Joe Biden.

 

 

 

 Of course we still have problems and they won't magically go away now or in January.  But there is hope.  And there are beautiful Autumn colors.      The pictures above are all from Saturday at our son-in-law and daughters.  Our Covid-pod.   And we are more than OK with that.

"Introverts were social distancing before social distancing was cool"  -  Don Kahle, Register-Guard (Eugene)  October 30

In addition to visiting the lovely people in our pod on Saturday, we  took a couple of day-drives earlier in the week.     The weather really has been perfect and Autumn color is wonderful.  Getting out there is something we like to do and my favorite form of stress relief.  Fortunately Bill enjoys it just as much.

 

 

A random drive-by shot of typical scenery in our part of the world.  I love the layered look of the hills.

 

 

 

Oakland Oregon is a small and historic town in the next county to ours.  (Historic for this part of this country.)   It's only about an hour from home on the freeway, but longer for us because we explored backroads on our way there and back.    We are fortunate to have our  camper van because public "rest stops" are few and far between these days.  We wouldn't be nearly as comfortable on a day drive with just a car (or at least I wouldn't).     

 

 

Oakland was pretty much completely shut down on the week-day when we were there.    The downtown is mostly antique and souvenir stores and wineries that had opened in repurposed historic buildings.  I wonder if many of these small businesses will survive Covid. 

Leisurely heading back home after our walk around Oakland, we stopped for a while in the even tinier town of Drain.  The town wants to make sure people know why it  has that odd name.

 

 

I remember the days when almost every outing, whether for errands or pleasure, included finding a fun restaurant.     Many of our old favorites have re-opened at home (in the Eugene area) , but we haven't patronized any this year except for a few takeout meals.  We wouldn't have found much at all on this outing, even if we'd been planning to "eat out."  

 

 

 Things change, but life is good  -- and hopefully getting better.

 

Thank you to the hosts of these sharing opportunities:

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;    TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS ;  OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;  TUESDAY TREASURES;   SIGNS SIGNS;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY; and  FRIDAY  BLISS; 

Comments

[carver]

It's been great catching up on your posts. Country drives is a great way to deal with covid. I am trying to hold on to my happy place and ignore the last sputtering nuttiness of the crazy Uncle (that's what I call the current president when I'm being charitable).

[Beatrice]

It's always fun to take a drive and visit small towns, but as you said many business and eateries have been shut down or have restricted hours in the time of covid. Hopefully, they will reopen in the future.

[Arun Goyal]

Lovely shades of Trees. It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to Gardening here at http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/11/garden-affair-happy-diwali.html

[Diane Bohlen]

You certainly sound more cheerful since the election. I hope things get better for all America. The colours in your photos are breathtaking. Keep safe and I hope Biden's health experts can help get the numbers down.

[Gattina]

Congratulations to your new President and especially to the Vice President which I like very much ! Poor toddler Trumpy with his tandrums has become a living joke here in Europe ! So many videos and cartoons showing him as a baby or toddler who doesn't want to give away his toy !!
The area you visited looks beautiful, we also can travel around but it becomes complicated if you want to have a drink or just go to the restroom. For that we would have to go behind the bushes ! Restaurants and bars are all closed ! And the little boutiques and shops too, an economical drama for them !! Lots of them went bankrupt already !

[Michelle Keltner]

I am so glad Biden won, but I am concerned about what might happen between now and January 20th. Time will tell. Thanks for linking up and stay well!

[Debbie]

oooh sallie, it is so beautiful!! i love autumn and all of the colors it brings us!!

so sad about the buildings and small businesses, our number are ticking higher every day, we are almost into the 4,000's. i am sure we are going to see non-essiental businesses shut down!!

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Wishing you a lovely weekend ^_^

Live each moment with love,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[NatureFootstep]

I am happy you had a few days with nice autumn weather. Your shot from those trips are gorgeous. What a great thing to use the camper van on those trips. I totally understand the benefit of that.

Hopefully we will also have a better future from now on. Jan 20th is important for everyone. Us Swedes too.
Take care!

[riitta k]

I too share the joy of the new president Biden. Good luck to the US! Beautiful autumn coloring. I can manage alone very well, but really in these dark November days it feels tough. Let's hope things turn to better.

[colleen Looseleaf]

I've said, being an introvert, that I have a lot of practice sheltering in place, but even I have a limit! Too bad the president who lost the election is burning it all down with him, maybe just to stop the spread of our relief.

[Stevenson Que]

Dearest Sallie, I am so happy to see these fall colors! They said in Napa, some of the tree foliage changes during the Autumn but I went there during the Summer so it was sad for me because I really wanted to see views like that but thank you for sharing, it gave me a beautiful feel of it!

[Carol]

Looks like an amazing day - clouds, blue skies, trees

[Gaelyn]

Fall colors just make the days even brighter. Not past the worse yet, but... So glad you have places to find the nature joy.

[Peter B.]

Saturday was like the BEST DAY EVER, for a number of reasons. Your opening photo is stunning! Like a painting. I'm an introvert and I don't like crowds, so social distancing comes easy and natural to me! Stay safe.

[Pat]

Thankful for the new day and hope for our country! I can see Oregon is looking bright and beautiful and that you are both enjoying fall. We had snow a few times so most of our color is gone. We have not eaten out in restaurants as we worry about not wearing a mask. Someone, I know who had active covid, but not a bad case of it, went out to eat with her daughter in Florida as she "needed some fresh air" I was outraged that she did that and exposed others to her infection. So selfish of her. I worry about incidents like thta.

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Gorgeous golden autumn colors and wonderful photos ~

I am with you ~ I was elated on Saturday and will be relieved when the crazy man is out of the White House and we have a sane, hopeful new President ~ hoping for the best till then ~

Live each moment with love,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor

[Dixie]

A wonderful post. I really like the quote.
I can imagine walking towards those mountains...so lovely!
Enjoy the day...

[Lady Fi]

What wonderful colours and shots! I'm so happy about Biden and especially Harris - but foresee a lot of drama from Trump before January... unfortunately.

[William Kendall]

Beautiful shots, Sallie!

[Pauline]

I love your autumn colours, they make the world look so mellow. Isn't that a lovely thought - a mellow world? If only! Enjoyed your back roads trip, especially the layered mountains.

[Nan]

Your posts are so conversational, so real, so you. Thank you. The sign made me think - duh- why England and Europe have more really old buildings. So many are made of stone or brick over there, whereas much of America is wood, and wood can burn.

[craftygreenpoet]

More beautiful autumn colours, lovely! It was great news, people across the world are happy that Biden is president elect.

[Veronica Lee]

I am so happy for America - I rooted for Biden!

Love the gorgeous fall colors in your captures, Sallie!

[Linda W]

Lovely post! We've been taking jaunts of 2 or 3 hours. I'm not comfortable eating in restaurants either.

[Laurie]

Love the Biden quote! Oakland looks like a wonderful place for a ramble! Have a great week.

[tomthebackroadstraveller]

...a mighty pretty neck of the woods, so many small businesses are on the ropes around here. Thanks Sallie for joining the party.

[Bob Bushell]

Brilliant Joe, he did it, where nobody thought he would do it. Long live America. I love your trees, beautiful brown leaves. What a name, Drain?????????????? Ha ha ha.

[Little Wandering Wren]

Gosh here's to that happy new year and fesh start - I think every country in the world deserves it!
Wren x

[EileeninMD]

Hello Sallie,
Love the colors and the beautiful trees. I am so happy about the outcome of the election, hopefully we are heading to a kinder and peaceful country again..Take care, stay safe! Have a happy day!

[Fun60]

We shared your excitement when we heard the election results.

[// Heidrun]

There is always hope, and we can do so much for this feeling. Like you here did it with this wonderful walk through a autumnal landscape.

Thank you for sharing.

Stay healthy and well, dear blogfriend.

[Penelope Notes]

Haha ... a town named Drain does require some explaining. Your scenes reflect happier days ahead. Utterly relieved! Getting rid of the current occupant will be a challenge though.

[Sondra]

I have not been in a restaurant since JANUARY...I did do a drive thru a couple of times...Such cute towns, I love small towns. I cant express how happy I am that we get to try again with a better leader!! Joe won't be peddling hate.

[MaryBeth Schwartz]

Things do change and life is good. Love seeing the older small towns---so many up this way too---specially in Eastern Washington.
I am glad we can agree to disagree and carry on at the same time.
I value you
MB

[Lavender Dreams]

I love that area and the beautiful old buildings and colorful trees at this time of year. Enjoy your week!

[Karen, Pixel Posts]

Lovely autumn colours in your photos! I love the quote, as I am an introvert, and my life hasn't changed that much since the covid restrictions.

[Carol]

I love all your landscapes today and share your joy with change.

[Gillena Cox]

Beautiful autumn photos thanks for sharing. In my🇹🇹 clime we ony have 2 Seasons. A Rainy and A Dry.
I am at #16 on the linky today
Happy Monday

Much💗love

[Rain Frances]

I'd love to go to that wine vault! :) Lovely photos, and I agree with Don Kahle as I'm one of those introverts!! :)

[Jennifer A. Jilks]

That's exactly how we feel! We love exploring towns, and eating out.
Canadians are really happy for all of North America! What a mess in the last 4 years.
Too many white people out claiming voter fraud. It is just awful.

[Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade]

Beautiful photos on a lovely Autumn day.

[iris Flavia]

A wonderful, positive and beautiful post.
And yes, the outcome of your voting made people around the world happy. Also here I am sick of seeing that orange baby.
But Angie is right, hope there won´t be too much damage done till January...

[DeniseinVA]

Love the Fall photos Sallie. We are isolating also with a drive here and there. Hope to get some in over the next week. I share your sentiments about Joe Biden. His speech was perfection and gave me hope for better days. A long road but I have every faith that he is up to the task.

[Alan Bates]

Yep, Saturday was a happy day in our house as well but we had to keep it under wraps for the sake of not pissing off our friends. as you know it doesn't get much redder than Oklahoma.

I love your finds on your road trips. We also like our restaurants but we don't hardly ever do that any longer.

[Martha]

I am beyond happy about Joe Biden being our next President. Our nightmare is finally over, or at least will be soon. I'm still very nervous about the damage Trump may do between now and January, but I trust Biden to put the United States back together again. I literally cried like a baby through the speeches last night, and it was a good cleansing cry.

Thank you for sharing all your beautiful photos with us :)

[Angie]

Sallie - I share your joy that Biden was elected President. We have a long way to go, but it is a very important first step. You are blessed to live in a part of the country with such beautiful autumn colors - we got five inches of snow yesterday, and it looks like it is here to stay! I am glad you got out for some day-drives, and I am hopeful that those small businesses can return. Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!