Annual Thanksgiving Breakfast!

Noah Heading Out on a Trip!
(C) Allen Pearson Photography

WOOF! WOOF! My human and I, uh especially my human, enjoy heading out to the Shenandoah Valley to meet up with one of his long-time friends for breakfast and a few hours of chatting. Some times I go with him just to get out, other times I stay home to get a few hours of peace and quiet and, oh yeah- rest! It's rarely quiet around the house when he's home! Barks!

Barks, this year's Annual Thanksgiving Breakfast, as Dad calls it, was on a Wednesday - my day with Dad and his day off. On Wednesday's we always do something together like go for a really long walk, railfanning, or walking around a local home improvement store. We both love it. This day, I got a pawsome ride out to the Shenandoah Mountains.

Barkingly, Dad and his friend like to meet at a Denny's in Strasburg which has delicious meals, clean atmosphere, and friendly service. They chat for what seems like an eternity but Dad always enjoys it. They have known each since Dad was around 7-years-old which is quite a few centuries ago! WOOF! Barks.

Trestle Bridge, Compton, VA 

Barks, I wait patiently and read my recent issues of Trains, Railroad History, Dogster, Whole Dog Journal, and Catser - well, paws, so I can try to reasonably understand Samson, my crazy cat brother!! WOOF! Yeah, I read a lot of Dad's magazines.

When they finish, Dad and I took off to explore the universe! I love this... I sit back with my blankies, chew toys, treats, and pillow and he drives where we end up going! A great set up!

Today, I heard Dad say we were headed to Shenandoah, VA, to visit the Norfolk Southern Rail Yard. I'm not sure what a railyard is, so this should be fun. Though Dad has lived in Virginia most of his life and loves exploring the Shenandoah Valley, there are a few places he has not been to yet! This town is one of them!

"Shenandoah, VA, Railyard"
(C) Allen Pearson Photography

We drove from Strasburg to Front Royal through some small towns. One of them was Compton, VA. Dad says its just a spot on the map but he likes stopping here to watch for any trains that might go across the trestle bridge! We waited a few minutes but since time was short, Dad took a few photos and we headed out. Woof!

As we went over hill and dale around curves only to find more hills and dales and curves to go up and down and around I was beginning to think Dad was playing a joke on me. It seems like all we were doing was going around in circles! WOOF! Barks. As we drove through Luray, VA, I wanted to go visit the Luray Caverns since we'd seen trains here before, but, Dad wanted to keep going so we did! WOOF!

We finally arrived in Shenandoah, VA, a pawsitively quaint little town! I noticed a few signs indicating it's a Historic Railroad Town. WOOF! Barkingly, Dad stopped a few places to photograph and then we watched a short train go by. Barks. A fun time had by all- sarcasm not really intended. Barks.

Barkingly, the town of Shenandoah, VA, much like many small towns in Virginia was part of the American Civil War. Today, there a pawlenty of historic sites, towns, battlefields and the like where you can learn about the history. Woofingly, there are pawlenty of natural areas where you can enjoy a pawsome day's drive enjoying the beauty. Barks.

"Norfolk Southern at Shenandoah Railyard, Shenandoah, VA"
(C) Allen Pearson Photography

Our drive home was uneventful though we did hear a few train horns in the distance as Norfolk Southern made its way through the winding hills of Virginia. Dad and I smile and look to see what we might see and learn its too far off in the distance.

Barks and paws, we are not affiliated with the magazines mentioned in this post or Denny's.

When the Humans Are Away....

"The Booth Brothers"
(C) The Booth Brothers

"WOOF! Paws, I can't believe they have done it to us again!"

"MEOWS! MEOW! What Noah? What's wrong? What happened?"

"WOOF! Our humans took off on another trip without taking me... with them....... I have to stay home..... guess I'm getting too old to travel with them...... woof."

"I doubt that you are too old Noah...sometimes it just doesn't work.... purrs.... just think of the possibilities.... they are endless...we can take off our fur and run around the house..... we can play the music we want instead of the long hair stuff that Dad likes so much and play like ALL THE TIME..... who listens to some guy named Beethoven or Mozart these days.... LET THE PARTY BEGIN!"

"Barks, you've got a great idea Samson....I know how to operate Dad's music system..."

"Meow, I've got the cable thing down too good buddy! We're ready to pawty! Where did they go....?"

"WOOF! Bark, they went to hear some Southern Gospel music group, the Booth Brothers! Mom loves their music! Dad says she will travel all over the world to hear them.... I think that's the group we went to hear in Shipshewana, Indiana last year!"

"Is the group with that tall skinny funny guy?"

"WOOF! Yeah! Michael Booth- I hear Mom say he's really funny!"

"Meow! I hear their music is pawsome too!!"

"Woof, I hope they have a pawsome time and are gone a long time so we can have a pawsome time pawtying!"

"Meow! Noah who do you want to order pizza from? ........ can you reach those snacks that they put on top of the refrigerator to keep us from getting them..... ????" 

"Paws, YUP, good buddy! Let the pawty begin!"

"...... we need to look at the Booth Brothers tour schedule to learn when we can send our humans away again!"

"Woof - let me know if you here them..... I wanna put my fur back on before Mom comes in!"