This is the “seasonal” part of Shooks Road, running north of Bennett Hill Road. It’s one of my favorite roads around here, winding through orchards and farm fields. Very quiet. I can usually do a whole painting without anybody coming by. Still, I always pull way off onto the shoulder as much as possible, wading through poison ivy, wild grape vines, dock, and ticks. I bought some special tick-repellent pants, so hopefully they work. Standing in the shade is always preferable. Patterns of sun and shadow always fascinate me. Beyond this tangle are acres of beautiful orchards. Families were out, filling buckets with cherries.
Here’s my setup:
Another favorite road is Rogers Road, just off M88, north of King Orchards. Today the wild sweet peas were in full bloom. Maybe I can get a few seeds later this summer and get them started in my field. This is another seasonal road, going over a high ridge, then plummeting down through a swampy area. A farmer once warned me about driving there in winter: You’ll get down there and get stuck! Don’t try it! Thanks for the warning! What you don’t see in this view is another cherry orchard (to the right). Families were doing “U-Pick” and a special harvesting machine was working, shaking the ripe fruit off in another section. Never a dull moment around these parts!
And here’s my setup:
Margie Guyot Art 