Enshrouded Mountain

Low clouds covered much of Massanutten Mountain. Photo by Bruce Stambaugh

Rain finally came to the Shenandoah Valley when summer turned to autumn. It was a pleasant and much-needed transition.

Folks in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley endured one of the hottest and dryest summers on record. We had so little rain that our yard wasn’t mown for nine weeks. Then came the autumnal equinox and downpour after downpour.

No one was complaining. The rain was a blessing, though a bit too late for most farmers to benefit.

We went from sunny, hot, and humid days to gloomy, wet ones. Clouds loaded with moisture that so often detoured around the parched valley in summer found the lovely valley to their liking. Day after day started and ended with rain. Occasional storms brought wind damage and large hail.

Most of all, the cloud decks were low, hiding the views in every direction. After a rain, fog banks sometimes rose from river valleys and enshrouded nearby mountains beneath the looming, nearly stationary rain clouds.

Though the scenes became regular, their eeriness remained. Fortunately, so did the rains.

© Bruce Stambaugh 2024

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Author: Bruce Stambaugh

I am a writer, author, photographer, birder, walker, hiker, husband, father, grandfather, brother, Anabaptist, and community activist. My life is crammed with all things people and nature and wonder. My late father gave me this penchant for giving and getting the most out of life, my late mother the courtesy, kindness, and creativity to see the joy in life. They both taught me to cherish the people I am with. I try and fail and try again.

3 thoughts on “Enshrouded Mountain”

  1. The clouds can certainly lay very low in the valley when we get down to Route 42 from our home which lays a little higher among several hilly patches. You make a good description.

    My brother and wife who live somewhat near the Apalachicola River in north Florida, but inland by about 40ish miles, are heading north. Their son lives near Athens, Alabama. We passed through those areas back in mid August visiting my brother and wife and are happy to be home now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Good to hear from you, Mary. Yes, we are doing well, but feeling our age. We had another inch plus from Helene today, which makes three inches total and it’s still raining off and on.

      Like

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