Do you ever go for a drive out into the country?

Packerjohn said:
Just came back from spending a full week in one of our provincial parks. I did 5 hikes, went swimming in a lake, watched the sunset and the sunrise and enjoyed sleeping with my window opened. Listening to the birds in the bush, looking at red pine growing and having peace and quiet sure beats listening to idiots roaring up their motorcycles in the city.
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That is what I like to do as well. Spend a week in the countryside. With only the critters as company.
 
seadoug said:
Unfortunately I don't live close to any country roads these days, but here are two of my favorite memories, and I've added pics.

We visited NC and took a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall when the leaves were turning. The road was winding, and the foliage was beautiful. I could have driven forever.

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When I was a teenager, I visited my grandfather in NC and he drove us up to Chimney Rock.

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Some great memories there I'm sure. Ever wish to go back?
 
David777 said:
Obviously scenic driving is a favorite activity of many urban people. My dad was mostly like that.

Naw. I often go out of the vast urban world I live in. But not to drive through for scenic reasons but rather to put boots on the ground actually out enjoying outdoor activities.
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Same here. I drive to a place deep in the forest and spend hours there. Staying put, letting the critters come to me.
 
seadoug said:
Unfortunately I don't live close to any country roads these days, but here are two of my favorite memories, and I've added pics.

We visited NC and took a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall when the leaves were turning. The road was winding, and the foliage was beautiful. I could have driven forever.

View attachment 291312



When I was a teenager, I visited my grandfather in NC and he drove us up to Chimney Rock.

View attachment 291314
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We may have crossed paths! Although, we were a bit early going late September on the way back from a family reunion. It was still beautiful. Did you eat at the Mabry Mills restaurant?
 
Bretrick said:
You don't stop anywhere for an hour or two just to take in the ambience and beauty?
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Yes, I would generally head towards one of the many towns and villages. I would estimate that there are around at the very least 100 towns and villages in the 555 square mile Peak District National Park.

Three short videos: This is one example of where I might stop off for a meal, Monsal Head.



Another village I go to is Castleton. It's partly hidden under the mist in this video.



And of course, there's the visit to Chatsworth House and Gardens. Allways worthy of a drive through the Peak District countryside to get there:

 
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Buckeye said:
lol - many years ago I had a condo in Lake Lure, near this park. When I took my 2nd wife to visit the area, and showed her "Chimney Rock", her first comment was "they shoulda named it Pen1$ Rock", which changed forever the way I see it...
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My parents were from Marion and Rutherfordton, NC. I'm sure you must have driven through them at some time and possibly missed them.
 
Although we live in a pretty part of the UK, the scenery can get a bit
boring after 30 years. So yes, when time permits we do get out and about
with long drives.
One of our favourite places is the Lake District a few hours from home.
A chance to satisfy my thirst for mountains, long hiking trails,
spectacular scenery.
Usually, we book into a farmstay bed and breakfast either for one night
or two and do some serious walking.

 
Jamala said:
Although we live in a pretty part of the UK, the scenery can get a bit
boring after 30 years. So yes, when time permits we do get out and about
with long drives.
One of our favourite places is the Lake District a few hours from home.
A chance to satisfy my thirst for mountains, long hiking trails,
spectacular scenery.
Usually, we book into a farmstay bed and breakfast either for one night
or two and do some serious walking.

Click to expand...
Certainly is stunning scenery.
 
I live just outside of D.C., so I try to get out into the country as often as possible and leave the nuttiness behind. Living in Virginia allows me to go to the West part around the Blue Ridge Mountains where I can hike, camp and get refreshed. I am not a tree hugger, but I certainly do like getting back to nature. Two years ago on a hike, I found a spot near a waterfall of about 30 or so feet. As I bedded down for the night, I listened to those falls and fell asleep in less than 2 minutes. In the morning, I relit the campfire and "caught" and "picked" my breakfast. Nothing like fresh Crappies and mountain tea on a cool October morning.
 
Yes, I do. I love seeing farms, broad spaces, wild growing lavender, and sharing the road with horses instead of cyclists! It keeps me centered to go to the country and I don't have to go far either, just 25 minutes away. It's so helpful to relieve stress.
 
The New Forest is anything but new. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, the New Forest was proclaimed a royal forest, in about 1079, by William the Conqueror. It was used for royal hunts, mainly of deer. It was created at the expense of more than 20 small hamlets and isolated farmsteads; hence it was then 'new' as a single compact area. It covers a large area and is still a very popular visitor centre.
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You can spend the whole day on a leisurely drive and hardly scratch the surface. It's something my lady and I thoroughly enjoy. We go off in search of the forest's hostelries. The picturesque hotels and guest houses, the quaint pubs and restaurants, we just love to explore.
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Sometimes we find ourselves at the other end of the camera lens.

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This certainly beats the morning rush hour traffic.
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Are you at a loose end at the moment? Click this link to a compendium of New Forest attractions. There's Highcliffe Castle, Breamore House, Beaulieu where the motor museum is and much more. Enjoy.
 
I'm familiar with quite a few of those places. My love of the Lake district springs from reading the 'Swallows and Amazons' books by Arthur Ransome. I've had many pleasant holidays there, the latest being a month ago. A fair chunk of my life was spent in Hampshire and spent many nights in our campervan in the New Forest, beautifully described by Horseless Carriage.

Our younger daughter now lives near the Peak district, and we've done a lot of walking with here there. We also visited Chatsworth house when it was decorated for Christmas.

Now we're in N.E. Scotland, very much in the countryside, but also close to the sea and some lovely beaches. This area is not perhaps the rugged mountainous Highlands that people might associate with Scotland, but fairly gentle farming country and the home of several impressive 'castles' and numerous distilleries. (The term castle usually refers to a large ancestral home, rather than a military building)
 
Jamala said:
Although we live in a pretty part of the UK, the scenery can get a bit
boring after 30 years. So yes, when time permits we do get out and about
with long drives.
One of our favourite places is the Lake District a few hours from home.
A chance to satisfy my thirst for mountains, long hiking trails,
spectacular scenery.
Usually, we book into a farmstay bed and breakfast either for one night
or two and do some serious walking.

Click to expand...

You have just posted my favorite part of the country. I've driven around the Lake District many times and camped on some of the mountains. I seem to be drawn to this place, and I'm going again this weekend.

I've walked along Striding Edge to reach the summit of Helvellyn, but I was surprised by the scramble just before reaching the top. The views from the top of Helvellyn were fantastic. I believe it's the first mountain in the UK where someone landed a plane on top. Afterward, I descended on the opposite Edge. It's surprising how popular this route is; people even walk it in the snow!

I have some photos of three of us walking to the top of The Old Man of Coniston, wearing big floppy hats and occasionally acting like The Three Amigos. Oh the things we do when we are away from home.

Anyway, Striding Edge:




In case you were wondering, The Three Amigos

 
Yes. I enjoy my time with my wife hiking in the mountains of PA. We try to get out at least 3-4 times during the summer. The weather has to be zero chance of rain. Late last summer while hiking, we discovered a nest of Eastern Diamondbacks. That brought the sweat beads out.

We also found bear poop, some white tails and about a 100 squirrels. Yes, I carry a weapon, always, but shooting game for fun is not what I do. I don’t fire my weapon at all in the woods. If that bullet doesn’t strike a tree, it can travel a long ways and I don’t know if there are other hikers in the woods or not.
 
Later this noon I will be taking a long two-hour drive in the country, although
I am not driving, then through the Countryside and over to the Marina, the day
will be warm and sunny and it's just what I need, then stop for early dinner..
 
Magna-Carta said:
You have just posted my favorite part of the country. I've driven around the Lake District many times and camped on some of the mountains. I seem to be drawn to this place, and I'm going again this weekend.

I've walked along Striding Edge to reach the summit of Helvellyn, but I was surprised by the scramble just before reaching the top. The views from the top of Helvellyn were fantastic. I believe it's the first mountain in the UK where someone landed a plane on top. Afterward, I descended on the opposite Edge. It's surprising how popular this route is; people even walk it in the snow!

I have some photos of three of us walking to the top of The Old Man of Coniston, wearing big floppy hats and occasionally acting like The Three Amigos. Oh the things we do when we are away from home.

Anyway, Striding Edge:




In case you were wondering, The Three Amigos

Click to expand...
Have always loved the Lakes...it does something for my soul.
Enjoy your trip this weekend. I love Wast Water.
 
Magna-Carta said:
You have just posted my favorite part of the country. I've driven around the Lake District many times and camped on some of the mountains. I seem to be drawn to this place, and I'm going again this weekend.

I've walked along Striding Edge to reach the summit of Helvellyn, but I was surprised by the scramble just before reaching the top. The views from the top of Helvellyn were fantastic. I believe it's the first mountain in the UK where someone landed a plane on top. Afterward, I descended on the opposite Edge. It's surprising how popular this route is; people even walk it in the snow!

I have some photos of three of us walking to the top of The Old Man of Coniston, wearing big floppy hats and occasionally acting like The Three Amigos. Oh the things we do when we are away from home.

Anyway, Striding Edge:




In case you were wondering, The Three Amigos

Click to expand...

Youngest granddaughter will be in the Coniston area Friday and Saturday as part of the bronze Duke of Edinburgh award. 🥾🎒
 
Jamala said:
Have always loved the Lakes...it does something for my soul.
Enjoy your trip this weekend. I love Wast Water.
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It does with me too. Sometimes I feel I have/need to go there.

When driving around the countryside and staying at the Lakes, I stop off and visit the village of Grasmere. When I go to Grasmere it always seems to be full of Americans. I can't think why. :unsure: "I wandered lonely as a cloud, That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of..."
 
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We usually base ourselves in Keswick. Our first visit was in 1972. In those days you could park the car for free and places were fairly quiet. It's definitely not like that now! For our last couple of visits, we rented a house along with younger daughter and her O.H. Things were somewhat spoiled when O.H. slipped coming down Catbells and twisted his ankle. He still managed to hobble to the pub!

One of my favourite places for walking in Scotland was round Loch Maree. That too has been a bit spoiled as it has become part of the 'Bucket list' for tourists travelling round the north west.

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