Boyce United Methodist Church

This Methodist Church in Boyce, Virginia was so charming I had to stop for a picture. Old churches always catch my eye but this one seemed special for the details in the windows and steeple. I like how shapes are repeated throughout the design without seeming at all fussy.

Boyce isn’t far from Winchester and that area is brimming with history, old barns, churches and other interesting landmarks. It’s close to Shenandoah National Park as well. There is plenty to do and I have written a lot about this area in case you’re looking for a getaway this spring.

In addition to the tour guide quality attractions, there’s plenty of off the beaten path stuff to see along the way.

Patsy Cline’s Salt and Peppers

Patsy Cline collected salt and pepper shakers. She picked them up in her travels and had quite the collection. Who would’ve thought?

I always find it interesting to know what people collect when they travel. I have a friend who brings home rocks and gems and another who buys a charm for her bracelet. For me, it’s Christmas ornaments for the travel tree.

I wonder why Patsy chose salt and peppers. Although, they are cute and packable so it does make sense. In fact, I have more than a few sets of my own including some vintage pieces that I noticed Patsy also owned!

If you’re interested, you can see the salt and peppers pictured above at her childhood home in Winchester, Virginia. The Patsy Cline Museum in Nashville also has an extensive collection on display with her dining room furniture.

The Nashville Museum has a somewhat small but extraordinary collection that is worth every penny of admission. Winchester is one of my favorite destinations of all time for its celebration of Patsy, Civil War history and small town charm. The tour of her home, was one of the most informative and best home museum tours I have been on.

If you’re interested in any of this, just hit the search bar and look for Winchester, Nashville or Patsy Cline to see what else I did while visiting these towns.

Solenberger Sign

I’m a sucker for old signs and murals. Pay attention and you’ll see this beauty on a building along the pedestrian mall in Old Town Winchester in Virginia.

Solenberger’s was an old hardware store that was remodeled about ten years ago to provide student housing for Shenandoah University students.

Read about my 2019 trip to Winchester here!

Winchester Book Gallery

Bookstores are a weakness for me. It’s especially fun to seek out independent booksellers which often specialize in a different caliber of books than the chain stores or a big box store.

I always look for bookstores in my journeys.

Winchester Book Gallery in Old Town Winchester, Virginia is a favorite of mine. It’s tiny but they have packed a ton of good stuff inside and even kindly offer a public restroom – something that’s increasingly hard to find in Covid times.

The employee working the cash register was delightful too. She asked where I was from and seemed truly excited that I had stopped by. We agreed that the best vacation souvenirs are books.

A hallway from the grown-up books to the children’s section features some great advice including the above message on the wall. It’s terrific advice, if you ask me.

I regret not photographing the children’s space because it was a really sweet area for little ones. In fact, the interior of this entire store is small but quaint and cozy. It’s the kind of place you might wish to linger on a rainy day.

Find Winchester Book Gallery online for more information and be sure to visit if you’re in the area.

Down A Rabbit Hole

It takes precious little to send me down a rabbit hole when I have time to go pursuing random and unneeded information.

For example, my 100th book of 2020 was “Love, Lucy,” the autobiography of Lucille Ball.

This book is superbly done and it felt as though Lucy was sitting there chatting away about her life through the mid-sixties. Throughout, she mentions a number of movies, plays, actors, places and other subject matter that kept me reach for Google.

Her mention of beloved actor Gale Gordon reminded me of early mornings a few years ago when I would get up early for reruns of “Our Miss Brooks.” This sent me looking for information on actress Eve Arden who starred in this show that was produced by Desilu Studios.

She always reminded me of Lucille Ball but I didn’t realize that they had worked together and that she had also played the school principal in the Grease movies.

And then I went looking for other shows from the Desilu production family. All were long before my time and many unfamiliar to me. However, a number of hit shows were filmed at their studios including Andy Griffith, That Girl, Gomer Pyle, My Three Sons and the Dick Van Dyke Show.

I used to love the Dick Van Dyke Show and so I went looking for clips which led me back to this awesome music video by the Dust Bowl Revival that stars Mr Van Dyke.

Really, it never gets old so watch it.

It was about this time that I remembered my visit to Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters in Winchester, Va. where I learned a story with a Mary Tyler Moore connection. Click the link above for that story!

And then I went looking for pictures from my Winchester trips.

This microphone was used by Patsy Cline and can be seen at her childhood her home.

And this is a brief glimpse into my mind when I have too much time to think and peruse the internet.

Exhausting, isn’t it?

Happy Halloween

Here’s hoping that this Halloween is less trick than treat.

This bad boy was a decoration outside an antique store in Old Town Winchester, Virginia. He’s just one of many quirky things you’ll see along this pedestrian mall in historic Winchester.

If you go, allow plenty of time to explore the museums and shops and to enjoy a meal in one of the locally owned restaurants.