Notice the hearts? Many of the old homes in Dayton Virginia had hearts displayed cleverly around the property or on the houses. Dayton sits in the center of the Shenandoah Valley and they clearly take that to heart. All around town there are banners and fliers that say—Welcome to Dayton the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.
It is a tradition to paint the ceiling of a front porch this light blue as though it were the sky. Or perhaps it is to chase evil spirits away. Southerners call it haint blue. A haint is a spirit.
****Since this article first came out, I have written another article on Haint Blue and give you an expert on this color. See my second article HERE
Some think it wards off bugs. Other say it extends the days of summer when the sun starts to set low in the sky. Still others do it just to fit in.
I am especially fond of this blue and its contrast with the red front door.
I took the first picture while vacationing in Dayton, Virginia
The second is from my Wilmington, NC album.
