WaPost: 'Route 11 Potato Chips finds success as a cult favorite in a fiercely competitive market'

Welcome to the world of Route 11 Potato Chips, a small Virginia chippery in the rustic Shenandoah that has been cooking up Kettle-style cult favorites for more than 20 years.

The Washington Post visited Route 11 Potato Chips in the northern Shenandoah Valley and discovered the yumminess that so many already know.

We stopped there in 2011 while roaming the back roads in that part of Shenandoah County with my parents and, even though they were not actively cooking at that time, the varied choices of chips was far larger than anything we had seen in retail outlets.

When in Seaside, Florida, last year, we were pleasantly surprised to find one of the food trucks offering Route 11 chips. The secret is spreading about this local gem.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
2011

8:55 a.m. ... 9/11/2001 ... President George W. Bush told of World Trade Center attack

8:55 a.m. Chief of Staff Andy Card informed President George W. Bush that an airplane had flown into the World Trade Center. The President was visiting a classroom in Sarasota, Florida, and kept a calm demeanor to not alarm the young students.

9/11 ... may we never forget.

Back in the homeschool classroom: A chance encounter

The Gulf of Mexico on the Florida Panhandle.

I ran into an old friend today while shopping at Martin's in Staunton ... a homeschool mom who joined our local homeschool organization while I was in leadership. It was good to see her and brought back memories of the years I educated my children at home.

We got caught up in that quick in-a-nutshell way that you do when running into someone you haven't seen in a while in a public place like the grocery store, and then she said something that kind of stopped me in my tracks.

"I read your blog."

"Really?" I was flattered.

I thanked her, and laughed about how I write about politics but then escape to the mountains or the back roads to take photos and enjoy the Shenandoah Valley. She smiled and nodded and said, "Your pictures of the beach...."

"Ah, the Gulf of Mexico," I said nodding my head. "I had not been there in years but the water was just as blue as I remembered."

She noted that it was beautiful and she had really enjoyed the pictures and it made her want to go to the beach. Yes, I told her, I had heard that from others, too.

The photos are my window on the world that I enjoy sharing with others, the neat nooks and crannies of the places where I ramble and make discoveries and spend time taking in the beauty of wherever I am. It has always been amazing that people write to say how much they enjoy seeing them.

It is equally amazing that a number of homeschool moms, some whom I've never met, read my blog. You would think they would have their hands full with required school reading so I consider it an honor that they take a few minutes out of their day to stop by SWAC Girl.

A while back, one mom wrote that she especially enjoyed when I ended my posts with, "It's summer (spring/winter/fall) in the Shenandoah Valley...." Now when I type that line, I think of her.

Our chance encounter today was once again a reminder that friends are priceless. And knowing that there are those who enjoy my blog is an honor. 

And, Leslie -- great seeing you today! May the rest of your homeschool journey be especially gratifying and successful, and hopefully it won't be so long before we meet up again....

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Lynn Mitchell educated her children at home for 16 years and was part of leadership in North Carolina's Iredell County Home Educators (ICHE) and Virginia's Parent Educators of Augusta County Homes (PEACH). Her son graduated from Harrisonburg's James Madison University (JMU) in 2007 with a BS in Computer Science and a minor in Creative Writing. Her daughter graduated from Staunton's Mary Baldwin College in 2012 with a BS in Sustainable Business and Marketing. Lynn and her husband live in Augusta County located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The story of how she began her homeschool journey can be found here.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
Seacrest, Florida
May 2013

Walton County, FL: Eden Gardens State Park featuring Wesley Mansion

Eden Gardens State Park features the antebellum-inspired Wesley mansion: The focal point of this 161-acre park is the beautifully renovated, two-story Wesley house with its elegant white columns and wrap-around porch. The moss-draped live oaks and ornamental gardens inspire visions of hoop skirts and landed gentry. Named after a wealthy Florida timber family, the park is part of the family's estate. In 1963, Lois Maxon bought and renovated the home, creating a showplace for her family heirlooms and antiques. The house holds the second largest known collection of Louis XVI furniture in the United States. Visitors can also take a stroll along the grounds and enjoy the picnic area.

The “Friends of Eden Gardens State Park” was founded as a volunteer organization to assist the state park staff to repair, maintain and enhance facilities. The park covers 124 upland acres in the midst of South Walton County in the Florida panhandle, along the shores of Tucker Bayou and the Choctawhatchee Bay.

Of particular note at Eden are the numerous gardens on the 10.5 acre public grounds, the beautiful legacy of the many gardeners and master gardeners who belong to the Friends and give lovingly of their time and labor to create these enjoyable places to relax and behold.

The movie "Frogs" was filmed at Eden in 1972. It starred Ray Milland, Sam Elliott, and Joan Van Ark.

Picnic tables overlook Choctawhatchee Bay and Tucker Bayou.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
May 2013

Sailing

Well, it's not far down to paradise, at least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away and find tranquility
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me.

It's not far to never-never land, no reason to pretend
And if the wind is right you can find the joy of innocence again
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me.

Sailing takes me away to where I've always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free

Fantasy, it gets the best of me
When I'm sailing
All caught up in the reverie, every word is a symphony
Won't you believe me?

Well it's not far back to sanity, at least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away and find serenity
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me.

Sailing takes me away to where I've always heard it could be....

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
May 2013

Sand and sun ... it's five o'clock somewhere

True friends ... facing their fear together.

Come sail with me....

Note the Jimmy Buffet flag on the bottom. Yep ... it's 5:00 somewhere.

Well, hello there, Mr. Lizard.

Kody loving his dog's life....

 

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
May 2013

Seaside

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
May 2013

Making the case for Jeb Bush in 2016

The 2016 presidential election is on everyone's minds, and names are bantered back and forth on both sides of the political aisle.

For Republicans, the name "Jeb Bush" is heard more and more. Some have "Bush" fatigue, others insist no one other than a tea party pick is conservative enough. As for me ... I like Jeb. He was a very popular governor during his leadership in Florida. He was actually the Bush son most thought would run for the presidency. I think Jeb should run.

I'm not alone in that thinking. From writer Gary Stein at the Sun Sentinel:

No offense to Barbara Bush, who seems like a fabulous grandmother, and  certainly has been a wonderful mother and wife, raising a future president and being married to another one.

But Barbara, I hope son Jeb doesn’t take your advice not to run for President.

You famously said last week that “We’ve had enough Bushes” when talking about Jeb’s presidential possibilities in 2016.

Actually, if the 2012 Republican presidential hopeful field was any indication, we  haven’t had enough.

It seemed like every week, another right wing kook was in the lead for the Republican nomination. They finally went with boring Mitt Romney, and you remember how well that worked out.

I disagree that Governor Romney was "boring" and felt that his problems were more that he was running against the Democratic incumbent which may have been one reason Jeb Bush declined to run.

Mr. Stein goes on to make the case for Jeb:

Jeb would be refreshing for a GOP candidate, in that he is sane.

As governor of Florida, he may have done some things you didn’t like, but he was very popular. And he didn’t come across as crazed.

So I ask you, who do you like for the Republicans in 2016 if it’s NOT Jeb Bush?

Marco Rubio? Rand Paul? Paul Ryan?

Like I said Jeb looks better every second.

Yep, it's still early in the race but Jeb is becoming more visible and making appearances around the country. I'll be keeping up with this Bush son who is a conservative leader, no matter what his last name. Jeb Bush for President? I say bring it on.