Since moving to Richmond almost 8 years ago, on my way to and from work I have passed this huge working farm on a Rt. 5.

In the middle of the fields stood three large trees.  When they were in full bloom with all the branches full of leaves they were majestic and strong, in the winter with snow settled into their branches and the top snow capped they were stunning, and when they were peaking through the morning fog that we often have they became the perfect scary movie location, very eerie. No matter the season, or the weather they always, even for just the few brief seconds as I drove by gave me a sense of peace. I don’t think I have ever not glanced their way. I always told myself I would stop one day and photograph them and I did about two years ago.

Here is the first one:

and here are the other two (I know really 1 1/2)

Take a good look at them because they were plowed over this week.

When I saw the first one gone I thought maybe it had been hit by lightening or had succumbed to disease and had to be removed but over the next 2 days they each disappeared, gone in the blink of an eye it seems until the landscape sat empty.

This has made me so unbelievably sad. Not only were they gorgeous to look at but think about the history behind them, these trees were probably 75-100 years old,maybe even older. They grew along side a road that is/was the main thoroughfare from Richmond to Colonial Williamsburg. Horses, carts, some of the first cars built all the way up to the electric cars of today would have past by them, their passengers all glancing at them and their beauty. 

A cool connection to the past now gone.  I don’t know why they were removed I just know that no matter the reason, my commute will be a bit less beautiful.