I’ve been taking a lot of drives in the country lately. I highly recommend it. It’s so inspiring to get out of your home, out of your office, and see new things. Sometimes I get out of my car, sometimes I don’t.

I was recently inspired to write a short story about a woman who inherited an apple farm after visiting Oregon Heritage Farms many times.  I’ve written about incredible sunsets I’ve seen over vineyards, chickens outside barns, an old, slanted country cafe, a river, a greenhouse, a winding road, maple trees and fir trees, and old houses.

The country is a constant source of encouragement for my writing, peace for my mind, serenity for my soul.

Maybe I’ll live there one day, in a 100 year old farmhouse with views over the mountains, but for now, I enjoy it through my drives.

Here are a few photos I took on a recent jaunt…