The Christmas trek Dave and I make each year includes Harrisonburg (VA), Middletown (PA), and Salisbury (MD).  The drive from our home in the flatlands of Portsmouth (VA) to the mountains of Virginia something I anticipate with enthusiasm.  We usually experience snowflakes at points during our trip and we often get to see horses drawing Mennonite and Amish carriages along the way.  My aunt Kitty Lee lives in Mennonite country and my mom lives in Amish country.

Arriving in the foothills of Virginia.

I always love the first glimpse of Virginia’s mountains on Interstate 64.

Headed up Afton Mountain.

Sunset off I64.

Almost to the top of Afton Mountain.

Arriving in the Shenandoah Valley. Almost to Harrisonburg on Interstate 81. This is Mennonite country.

Between the Laymans’ and Mom’s we pass through northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. I thought this was “THE” Woodstock, but the McClures, upon reading my error, sent a text to let me know THE big music event happened in New York, not Virginia. (I learn something every day!)

Arriving near Mom’s house we love to see The Star Barn.

On December 24 we had to sail past it….

…so we could get to our favorite market in Lancaster before it closed for Christmas.

The anticipation of seeing our favorite cheesemonger!

Dave at Mandros.

Lovely downtown Lancaster…

…in Pennsylvania’s Amish country.