The Road Goes Ever On and On /  by Todd Henson

The Road goes ever on and on

For this photo I decided to borrow the first line of a series of three poems by J.R.R. Tolkien from The Lord of the Rings.

The first appears in chapter one of book one in The Fellowship of the Ring, titled A Long-Expected Party, said by Bilbo as he sets off from the Shire after his grand birthday party. It mentions pursuing the Road ahead with eager feet.

The second appears in chapter three of book one in The Fellowship of the Ring, titled Three is Company, said by Frodo while pausing on the road with Sam and Pippin for lunch on their way out of the Shire. This version is almost exactly the same as the first except instead of pursuing the Road with eager feet, it mentions weary feet.

And finally, the third appears in chapter six of book six in The Return of the King, titled Many Partings, when Sam and Frodo are reunited with Bilbo after the climax of the story, and Bilbo shares a much changed version of the poem that talks of letting others follow the Road, beginning their new journey, but he with weary feet would turn towards the inn and welcome sleep.

Three short and simple poems that perfectly capture the changing tone and direction of the story, and perhaps of our lives.

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Twelve Northern Virginia Wildflowers of Mid-May to Early June /  by Todd Henson

Below is a sampling of some of the wildflowers found within Prince William Forest Park in Northern Virginia from mid-May to early June. These were all photographed over that span of time in 2022.

Daisy Fleabane

Daisy fleabane

Daisy fleabane, Erigeron annuus, is a common native of the region and often found in disturbed soil, along roads and in pastures.

Deerberry

Deerberry

Deerberry, Vaccinium stamineum, is also known as highbush huckleberry, buckberry, and southern gooseberry, and is a native of the region. I’ve read the fruits are edible and have been used in preserves and pie filling.

Dwarf Cinquefoil

Dwarf cinquefoil

The native dwarf cinquefoil produces a lovely flower though it is apparently an indicator of poor soil. Some Native American tribes used the plant for medicinal purposes.

Ghost Pipe

Ghost pipe

The native plant, Monotropa uniflora, goes by several names, such as ghost pipe, ghost plant, and Indian pipe. It doesn’t use photosynthesis, but is instead parasitic.

Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel

Native to the eastern US, Kalmia latifolia, or mountain laurel, produces a beautiful and complex flower. The bushes can fill sections of the forest floor, both in the mountains, and in lower regions, often near streams. As with many plants, some Native Americans used it medicinally.

Pale-spiked Lobelia

Pale-spiked Lobelia

Pale-spiked Lobelia, Lobelia spicata, is also known as spiked Lobelia. Though Native Americans once made medicinal tea from the leaves, the plant is considered poisonous.

Partridgeberry

Partridgeberry

Partridgeberry, Mitchella repens, is a native of the region. The plant produces a small bright red berry that’s edible, though apparently bland. Native Americans used the leaves to make tea.

Pinesap

Pinesap

Similar to ghost pipe, the native Monotropa hypopitys, or pinesap, doesn’t use photosynthesis and is parasitic, pulling nutrients from trees.

Venus' Looking Glass

Venus' Looking Glass

Venus’ Looking Glass, Triodanis perfoliata, stands out for the rich violet colors of its flowers. This native plant, like many others, has been used medicinally by Native Americans.

Virginia Dwarf Dandelion

Virginia dwarf dandelion

Virginia dwarf dandelion, Hyoseris virginica or Krigia virginica, is a native of the region and is often found in disturbed soil. There are many similar species, and it’s always possible I’ve misidentified it.

Wild Comfrey

Wild comfrey

This native is sometimes called hound’s tongues, and this specific example of it is likely Andersonglossum virginianum.

Yellow Star Grass

Yellow star grass

A common flower in many regions and native to this one, Hypoxis hirsuta, or yellow star grass is a member of the lily family.

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Chapman-Beverley Mill (Virginia) /  by Todd Henson

A view of the remains of the Chapman-Beverley Mill along I-66 in Virginia as seen from Route 55

As seen from Route 55, this is a view of the Chapman-Beverley Mill in February 2026. Originally built in 1742 by John Chapman and sons, this five and a half story structure is the tallest stacked stone building in the United States, and provided food and ground lime throughout its history, until it closed down in 1951. Today the mill is slowly being restored after having been gutted by fire in 1998. This is a regular sight when driving by on either Route 55 or Interstate 66 in Virginia. In this particular view we only see the upper three to three and a half stories.

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