Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: On the Banks of the Ohio
Photos from our trip down the Ohio River yesterday, taking Larry to the VA hospital for a routine checkup. What struck me most forcibly: all the old homes falling down the old barns empty. That's because this used to be dairy country before federal regulations pushed the small farms out of the business. Some are so hidden by greenery they are almost invisible, as forgotten as the era they represent.
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Was it the VA in Huntington? I live a few minutes from there:) Hope he had a good checkup.
ReplyDeleteYes, Granny Sue, it is a shame to see what's happened to the old farms along the Ohio River. Given the barriers to entry into farming nowadays, I don't know what could be done to put these farms back into business.
ReplyDeleteThe Washington Post had an article about some small dairy farmers who are working to provide milk products to consumers. One is in Md and is doing home deliveries. Another one is in Va, I don't remember where, but he is providing fresh organic milk to Whole Foods. I think with the desire of people to purchase locally, the small farmer might be able to make a comeback. I hope so, my area used to be farms but now it's houses, houses, ugly houses.
ReplyDeleteThere's an old house below us that is slowly falling to the ground. It sets on a beautiful knoll close to the road, it's a shame nothing's being done about it. I would love to scavenger hunt around and inside of it.
ReplyDeleteIt was the Huntington VA, Deborah! Next time maybe we can get a cup of coffee together :-)
ReplyDeleteI hate seeing the houses and farms disintergrating, Ohio--the old places were so well built, many with slate roofs and stone foundations. Even worse is to see a mobile home parked beside the old house! I suppose it might be cheaper to buy the trailer, but what a shame to let good house go to ruin.
Theresa, I have heard about that too. I would love to buy local milk--I tried last year, but the lady was too far away and not dependable. I was so disappointed. You remember when we had a milk cow or two? That was wonderful but we were so tied to the place that even getting to VA to visit mom and dad was difficult. And then there's the issue of getting her to the bull at the right times, always a pain. We had milk goats too, and they were fun but distructive to gardens and fruit trees if they got out of the fence, which they did regularly! And we had the same problem of being tied down. Much as I wold like my own milk, that stops me from getting another milch animal--so far.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Janet! I'd love to poke around too, just to see what's there and admire what was left of the interior woodwork, etc. I have photos from a trip last week that I'll post soon, of an old place in Calhoun county. I always feel a little guilty when I do that, though, because even though abandoned, it still belongs to someone who might not want me trespassing on their place.
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