No, no, not a car accident, thanks be. Whiplash from our on again, off again feelings about moving. Or at least moving here. After a week and a half, lots of driving,  visiting communities, and touring homes – both in person, online, and drive-bys – we have determined that this is not the place, or maybe it isn’t the time.

Reasons: population density became more apparent. We see lots and lots of construction, especially of townhomes and condos in every town we’ve been in. Housing market is tight with many bidders raising the cost. Houses here are often too large or too small. It’s amazing how many 3 bedroom, 1 bath homes there are. Most homes are 2 stories with rooms on the main level being rather small.  We’d prefer 1 level.

We haven’t given up completely, just for now.

Today we drove out Lexington way. Gosh, the farms visible from the highway are grand. We enjoyed wine (me) and beer (Ed) at Great Farm Winery and Brew in Lexington and also at Rockbridge in Raphine.

Lest you think we are dilletantes interested solely in the fermented fruits of the area, here are a few photos from Natural Bridge, a state park.

Driving out this way we were once again reminded of why we love the area! We plan to return in spring or autumn. Maybe the market will be different then. Plus, we’d just live to be here during more hospitable climes. Last October seemed ideal.

We’ll be home this Sunday evening.

Since we are in the area, it seemed appropriate that we attend the “March to Defeat the Mandates”. A two hour drive to Vienna, then a 20-30 minute metro ride to the Smithsonian. We walked from the Washington monument to the Lincoln Memorial with several thousand others who believe in freedom of choice. Who don’t buy the legacy media and government narrative that is being promulgated and pushed to the point of people proselytizing. (I was getting into the p alliterative there.) Making a point.

I mean, we should have the option of saying ‘no’ to the inoculation. It’s not effective against anyone getting covid. I’m all for the right to get it – the vax, i mean not covid. And for one’s right to decline. Personally, I know more people who have had adverse affects from the vax, than have been seriously stricken with covid. And I know people who have been inoculated who had severe reaction to contracting covid post vax. There are thousands who have had severe reactions to the inoculation. You won’t hear about that on major media though.

Yes, millions have been vaxxed without issue. It doesn’t validate a mandate for a vax that doesn’t prevent contraction or transmission.

There were many marching for freedom of choice. Progressive moms for choice. Vaxxed democrats for choice. My body, my choice, men and women for choice. Businesses against segregation of who is and who isn’t.

There were vaxxed people speaking about the negative health repercussions of the vax. For example: an emergency room doc suffering from numbness and pain; a professional trick bike rider weakened from myocarditis. They can no longer do the work they love. They have no recourse given that the pharmaceutical companies have been given a free pass under emergency use authorization.

Several doctors who have been vocal about the problems of the inoculation spoke. One of whom, Dr. Robert Malone, contributed to the mRNA vaccine, has been very outspoken. Dr. Peter Koury spoke; he testified to Congress about the problems of the vax. BTW, that video has been removed from YouTube.

Many other doctors have signed on. Many more fear speaking out due to negative employment repercussions. Really, how can so many of our medical front line workers have gone from hero to zero in so little time? Our military personnel, willing to give their lives for our country, booted from service.

This for an illness from which 99% recover. For an illness that has known treatments that cost little.

Also speaking was Bobby Kennedy, Jr who is with Children’s Health Defense. He made some important points regarding the loss of many of our constitutional rights under covid lockdown and restrictions. He also made a controversial analogy between Ann Frank hiding in an attic and the encroachment of surveillance on our lives. Don’t allow coverage focusing on that alone to deter you from other crucial aspects of his message. (Should you listen to his speech…)

Finally, a number of religious leaders from various faiths spoke, for instance: Rizza Islam; Rabbi Zev Epstein; Rev. Aaron Lewis. Agree with them or not, they all have a perspective worth hearing.

It was a friendly crowd. It was a thoughtful crowd. It was a group of people united against suppression of information and for open discussion. It was a pro science crowd.

That’s my report from the capitol.

We have a bead on a house about 2 miles from downtown Staunton, one of the communities we like. BTW, it’s pronounced Stanton round these parts. I keep having to correct myself!

We have only seen it online so far. Viewing it tomorrow at 5. It’s a great property and seems a great price. Homes around here go fast! So many are listed as Pending. I’ve had to learn to filter that out of the search as it’s discouraging to see a potentially ideal property and not have it available.

We have seen some sweet but too small places. Some good size but need too much work places. Some asking too much for what you get places. Some too far from everything places. One I almost fell for on Lake Monticello. I mean right there, in the back yard, and with a dock. But too far from everything. Still, it was tempting. Still is. But! Must focus on other desires and balance them out.

Staunton has an Amtrak station, as does Charlottesville, and is just 45 minutes away, so that provides a wealth of access. Also is closer to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachian Trail and trails in general.

Things I’ve noticed as we drive winding 2 Lane roads and by-ways: Brick is a popular construction material. There are a lot of wineries. This is horse country with grand estate homes and acres of property. This is hard scrabble country with less than modest homes. We are loving the rolling hills. There are also plenty of breweries.

It seems to be easy to swiftly get out of densely populated Cville into rural areas. Traffic has not been congested. The late 18th and early 19th century buildings in historic downtowns delight us.

Haven’t taken too many photos yet as we’ve been pretty busy getting from one place to another to tour homes, searching online for homes, and doing our own drive-bys so as not to alienate our realtor with “unlikely but still want to see for ourselves” possibilities.

That’s the state slogan. So I told Ed\Charlie that if\when we move here we need to each get a lover. He smiled enigmatically.

Driving on 64 west to Charlottesville today we saw many many broken and uprooted trees. Some from the big ice storm of 2 weeks ago, but there was a wicked wind last night.

Met some friendly folks from Richmond, VA at the Denver airport and another on the plane. They went out of their way to provide us information upon hearing that we intended to drive to Charlottesville last night after landing in Richmond and heavy rain. And knowing that it had been snowing in Charlottesville. They looked up maps and reports and told us we’d be better off staying in the area. One guy said if we made it to Short Pump (gotta love that name) we’d be doing well. Short Pump is a suburb about 20 mins outside of Richmond. We took that advice and booked a room. He was right. By the time we got there the wet roads were turning icy and slush was starting to freeze. Angels show up everywhere.

As it happens, a couple got stranded in Charlottesville and took our room since we were not going to be there so it worked out. If you’re curious about our lodging for our 26 nights here you can follow this link: https://www.fairhaven.com/the_guest_house

It’s small, but comfortable. The hosts are lovely and provide excellent breakfast food (we cook it) and a well stocked kitchen. The location is near a park and walking distance to downtown. After being on a plane for 5 hours and spending 4 hours in the Denver airport, it was energizing to walk outside, to feel the nipping wind, hear the crunch of icy snow, and get the blood moving. That 5 mile walk through old neighborhoods and by historic buildings felt homey. Felt right.

Tomorrow we meet the real estate agent in Staunton (pronounced Stanton here) to look at a few homes.

Good night.