We had a fun guessing game earlier today where I asked people to guess where these photos were taken.  Eventually some people got the location right.  What gorgeous images these are and this is a special, special place for me.  You'll read about my stay here in an upcoming book.  These breath-taking emerald hills are outside of Dayton, Virginia home to a hospitable and sprawling Old Order Mennonite community.  The settlement is sandwiched between two mountain ranges.  The land around Dayton is generally flat, but these photos were taken from atop the "Mole Hill", the worn stub of an ancient volcano, one of the last active "hot zones" on the East coast when it ceased smoldering millions of years ago.  Now the Mole Hill is just a  picturesque place from which to view the pastoral Old Order Mennonite farms below.  Small stores dot the landscape: a buggy shop, harness shop, bakery, and in town is the "Mennonite Mall", an indoor market where some plain people sell their wares. I'll write more about Dayton in future posts, but, oh, I will definitely return some day!
Jeannie Watkins
It is a beautiful area and I get to call it home.
Kevin
Lucky!
Loretta
Would like to know all I can about the areas in Va. that
have a mennonite settlement. Would like to spend some time
there, so would like to know about all the little towns.
Kelly Showalter
Dayton, VA - just a few miles from my back door - Welcome always to the Shenandoah Valley! We aren't that pretty green now, BUT maybe we will be white with snow on Sunday.
Geraldine Coffman
Was just there this week. Watched a family group making home made potato chips. The country is beautiful and the hospitality beyond amazing.