Country June/July 2020

AS I WRITE MY LETTER for the June/July issue, it’s actually April (we’re always working ahead in magazine world). I’m typing away at home, where I’m sheltering in place with my family while our country tries to stop the spread of COVID-19 or, as my 6-year-old daughter refers to it, “the virus.” It’s peaceful here. I can hear chickadees singing outside my window. Last spring, a family of birds moved into a birdhouse on our deck. Their return is a reminder that in nature it’s business as usual, and someday it will be business as usual for us, too. Soon we’ll be able to venture out and explore America’s scenic wonders. In the meantime, we’ll travel together in the pages of Country. This issue will take you on a hike…

Country is written by readers for readers. It’s easy to share your stories and photos. Simply visit country-magazine.com and click Share Your Story. Give us your take on the topics below, and you might get published in a future issue: Scenic Drives Do you love to spend an afternoon cruising a backcountry road that leads to gorgeous views and small-town charm? Tell us about your favorite scenic drives, and include photos. Please label your submission “Scenic Drives.” Outdoor Recreation Hiking, fishing, biking—what are the outdoor recreation activities you love? Share what your favorite pastimes are and where you do them. Be sure to include photos! Please label your submission “Outdoor Recreation.” Local Treats Every road trip includes a stop for refueling. What diners or mom and pop restaurants are on…

Ruthann, my 11-year-old daughter, likes to have her hair set in curlers and decided she would let them set while looking for the needle. MICHAEL CATTERALL West Leechburg, Pennsylvania LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the photograph on the back cover of the April/May issue (above). MARY LOU STASIEK Harvard, Illinois TERRIFIC AND SHARP scenes in the April/May issue! Regarding “Storm Chaser,” on page 14, I would have quit haying! There were no lupines in Buffalo, New York, where I used to live. My first exposure to lupines was in the Navy when I was on Kodiak Island in Alaska. The photograph of lupines in Acadia National Park on page 34 (“Parks in Bloom”) was so sharp that I felt as if I were there. What a heartwarmer on the last page! Oh,…

At 3 a.m. I loaded my camera gear into my pack, grabbed a small flashlight and my trusty walking staff, and headed into a dark tunnel of aspen trees on a well-worn trail into the high country. Two hours later, the dim light over the mountain to the east was enough to light my way. The trail I had been following led to the shoreline of a high alpine lake. Continuing on, I climbed at a much steeper angle over fallen logs, boulders and brush. Sunrise was just 60 minutes away. Close to the summit, I hiked around large patches of snow and past the last few trees at the timberline. I was glad to see the small lake wasn’t covered in snow and ice. I set up my tripod.…

I LEARNED TO SWOO at an early age. As a kid, my father would send me out to call the cows home at feeding time. I’d cup my hands around my mouth and let out a loud swoo. Before long a cow would moo back, and then the trees would start rustling as the animals slowly followed each other back to the barn to feed. Years later, my husband and I still handle the joys and challenges of raising cattle. I had a restful day planned one Saturday when I received a call from the sheriff’s office that our 1,500-pound bull was out along the highway. We live a few miles from the pasture, so we quickly gathered some rope, fencing supplies and our patience before heading to the farm. The…

MY HUSBAND, GLEN, AND I live on a small farm in Missouri. He is good with animals and they respond well to him. One summer, a young rabbit made her home under our gazebo. Glen talked to her and put out veggies for her. She stayed around the house, coming out in the evening to visit with Glen. He began taking half an apple out to her each night. Little by little, she started eating from his hand. Now he just goes outside and tells her it is apple time. Wherever she may be, she comes out to enjoy her snack.…