Metes & Bounds

Imagine yourself driving through Virginia's rural landscapes, where fences stretch along winding country roads. As the seasons change, these fences transform the scenery: stone walls adorned with the soft colors of spring blossoms, vivid autumn leaves scattered at their base, or a peaceful layer of snow in winter. Sometimes, you'll spot a curving board fence silhouetted against a glowing orange sunset. These views offer endless visual pleasures around every turn.

This book brings together photographs of a variety of Virginia fences-stone walls, board and rail, and wire barriers-captured throughout the year in diverse scenic settings. Each photograph is thoughtfully paired with a quotation or poem that enhances its visual mood.

Though fences may appear ordinary, they hold a strong symbolic place in our culture. Ideas like "breaking down walls" or "don't fence me in" show how deeply these boundaries are woven into our language and thinking. In our way of life, fences play an important role.

Numerous books have explored American fences and walls, from guides to histories and picture books, with a particular focus on New England's stone barriers. What makes this book unique is its focus on Virginia's rural beauty and its blend of images and poetry. Metes & Bounds offers a seasonal celebration that displays ordinary fences as works of art.