Jo Proia

Town of Halifax, VA Story and photos by Jo Proia Everyone has probably wished, at some point, that they could clone themselves. No training anyone, no getting them up to speed, no managing them, just dividing tasks until the jobs are done. Or maybe because there are so many opportunities available in this world, having a clone would allow us ...

Pelham’s Oakhaven Story and photos by Jo Proia Spring 2022 The #1 ceremony spot on the farm the old oak tree Tucked just inside Rockingham County and almost straddling the Caswell County line, with Wolf Island Creek running through it, is a 1,500-acre wedding venue that has saved a family treasure that’s been in the Dibrell family for almost 100 ...

Story and photos by Jo Proia Sporting clays offers the competitive pursuit of “golf with a shotgun” and is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. 5 stand deck that holds up to 10 people Heirloom shotguns are often handed down by grandfathers and fathers. I grew up in Oxford, N.C. and as a female, I was discouraged ...

Group of "Toddlers" Story by Jo Proia Photos by Jessica Whitt, Whitt Haven Photography The Black Stallion, My Friend Flicka, Hidalgo, Lawrence of Arabia, Tina Turner’s music video “Simply the Best” …. even the iconic paintings of Napoleon and George Washington on their white/gray steeds. If you remember or connect with any of these horses, then you have experienced the ...

By Jo Proia Eye catching millstones, powered by water wheels to mill grain and corn; big, circular saws at the community saw mill powered by diesel engines; community hog harvesting day, barn raising events. Were you lucky enough to be on the edge of time and able to experience these seemingly “old timey,” some say, “lost” ways? Unless you live ...

By Jo Proia Covid hair, Covid extra pounds, Covid isolation frustration; by Nov. 19, 2020, I had just had it. Of course, I took the situation seriously (still do) but by Nov. 19, I needed a girls’ day out. I had not stepped foot in my parents’ home (the house I grew up in on my great grandfather’s tobacco farm ...

jo@outdoorwomenbyjp.com www.outdoorwomenbyjp.com   Renegade River Runners, based in Danville, Va. is a fantastic resource for local knowledge. River Traders Shuttle and Kayak/Canoe Rental, based in Scottsburg, Va., shuttles and rents vessels around Staunton River State Park. It is on the river from Route 360 to Staunton River State Park  and on the lake. Bob can be reached by phone: 434-575-1022. ...

Story by Jo Proia Photos by Jo Proia and E. Juday Maybe you grew up paddling a canoe either at summer camp with a buddy or perhaps with an adventurous parent, sibling or cousin. Or you may have discovered the joys of paddling as an adult. Perhaps you’ve never paddled at all but love water, nature and adventure and prefer ...

Story by Jo Proia Photos by     Shangrila Guest Ranch - Todd Wright / VA Tourism Corp.     Wiseman Farms     Cloverdale Quarters - Laura Me Photography Danville VA Trail riders…..some may say we are cowgirl and cowboy wannabes in a modern world, but we keep doing it. Why DO we keep doing it? “It” means all ...