Ride Home

There was a line of rain, thunderstorms, etc headed our way. So that and the fact that Anna and Dave aren't home, we decided to try a different way home. We took Rt. 68 across to Rt 81. We went from WV, to Maryland to WV to Md. It was a beautiful drive across the mountains. Most trees had leaves then we were high enough -Keyer Ridge (2880 elevation and the RV handled it much better than the trucks we passed - many were barely going 5 mph) that only a few trees had buds. The many shades of green and areas with lots of red buds made the trip very pleasant. The nice weather and colors continued until about Cortland.
Mid 80's and sun to rain and much cooler temps- It's still good to be home.

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum(TALA)

The Weston State Mental Hospital is an awesome place. It is the largest hand cut stone building in North America. The building is huge and then there are also additional buildings. Tours are offered daily. There are also various kinds of ghost tours. Much as I enjoy ghost tours (I've learned lots of history that way) I had no desire for this one.

Glass Fest part 2

The demonstrations today were all outside. There was a glass blower doing some beautiful work- he was making a small pitcher and then we saw him make a vase. There was a lady etching glass. The young man who was making the glass pendants was still there. He was making the stopper for a perfume bottle he made earlier.
We talked with Mr. Turner and explained we had seen the information about the glass festival on the AAA site and we planned our trip around it- so that bit of advertising was worth it. We said we were really glad we had. He thanked us for coming and hoped we were enjoying (obviously because both of us had items to purchase). We repeated our thanks for the festival as we paid (Mrs. Turner). She told us about some other festivals they’ll be at- a fall festival in October in Elkins- and some others. She, after asking us what we did, said they’re supposed to be retired but are helping their son get the business going. We watched outside a little more, bought the glass pendant we saw being made (and a couple other things). Definitely take time to stop if you’re traveling route 79 through WV.


Then just because it was a nice day we went for a ride. We turned off the main road onto a paved two-lane road. There were school bus stops and some houses. The houses became less frequent and the road got narrower. It was a very pretty drive but the only roads we came to were dirt roads that went farther into the mountains. After about 30 minutes we ran out of power lines along the road about 10 minutes later we turned around and drove back. I’d still like to know where the road goes. I guess we need to buy some better maps.

There’s a café in town that is supposed to have wifi- we’ll find out tomorrow.

Stonewall Jackson State Park

There was supposed to be a Ramp Festival. We found a chef making cornbread muffins with ramps. She gave everyone the recipe and a sample. We heard some stories about kids being sent home from school, or being made to sit in a small separate room. Then there was the lady who said they could only eat ramps on Friday so the odor was gone by Monday. The chef said ramps are stronger than garlic when someone asked her for a comparison. Maybe there was more ramp cooking later but there was no info so we checked out more of the state park.
West Virginia has several state parks that are resorts. This is one The hotel looked fabulous- on the lake with paddle boats and a tour boat, an outside pool with lots of lounge chairs. There was an Arnold Palmer golf course, very nice looking cabins you could rent, and a nice campground with most of the sites on the lake. We got camping info for a future stay.

Glass Fest

I was so busy watching and listening that I forgot to get my camera out.

We pulled into the parking lot at Appalachian Glass and Bob said the Sausage Wagon should be here. There were some venders set up – Fried dough, Funnel cakes, plants, etc. Everyone was just getting set up. We went inside where they were blowing glass. There was a circle of chairs and people sitting, standing and watching as one guy blew the glass and several others explained what he was doing- he 1st made a witches ball (when it was finished they made sure everyone watching could see the three glass threads inside- someone had said that was what he was doing during the process- it made since after seeing the treads), then a friendship ball, then a fancier ball with a long neck. Then other men took their turns (one broke). It was a very relaxed, friendly atmosphere. We did a little shopping and headed for the car. Outside, near the entrance to the glass blowing, another young man was set up so we went to see. He was making glass pendants. We were the only ones there so he explained what he was doing and then answered our questions about the material he was using. He was using a different material and different process and he explained the differences in the glass they were using to make hand blown objects and the glass he was using. He was trying some new colors and explained every step and showed us at different points how it was turning out. He explained that he was being very careful about the hanging loop because if it’s not perfect it won’t hang right around the neck. It was a very pretty pendant but he wanted more yellow (WV colors) so he told us how he’d try it next.
The festival is all weekend so we’ll go back probably Sunday.


A little information about Appalachian Glass (from ‘Two-Lane Travelers by Lisa and Frank Minney www.wvtravelers.com)

At one time there were more than 30 glass factories in this area now Appalachian Glass is the only one in Weston. It’s a family affair - Matt Turner and son Chip. Lewis County High School had a glass making class. Chip worked for several companies including Princess House Manufacturing . They started their company in 2001.

The witches ball and friendship ball are called Kugels- the friendship ball is a circle with no beginning and no end. It sparkles the way a good friend brings sparkles into your life. No two are the same just as no two friends are the same. The three threads inside the witches ball trap the bad or mischievious spirits inside the ball.

Lessons Learned

Most Important- When driving the RV don’t always believe the GPS.

With all the rain the road out of Pegasus Campground was very uneven. It’s only an hour from Elkins to Weston. So we decided I’d drive the Miata. It was a beautiful drive on the Stauton- ------ Parkway. According to the GPS we were about 7 miles from the campground. I knew it was south of Weston so the directions seemed reasonable (a right, a left and a right). The road went from a narrow 2 lane to a 1 lane crushed stone with turns to a dirt road with more turns. You’ll have to hear Bob tell what ‘fun’ he had driving the camper. When we got to a ‘real road’ we called the campground for directions. We ended up about 2 miles away. Apparently we weren’t the only ones who’d gone that way because the woman who checked us in said she was thinking about putting a sign at that turn for the campground with better directions.

Second lesson- Always pack for 4 seasons of weather changes. In the mountains in Elkins we had rain, hail and snow (just in the air) and cold. The weekend is supposed to be in the 80’s- I packed for low to mid 70’s (as the forecast said). Sunshine will be nice.

Here is the view from the back of our campsite. It’s the sound of the waterfall and trees that make this site so pretty and peaceful. I even saw a couple of deer on the hill.

Ramps and Rain

Bob has a cold and his voice is scratchy. When we got here yesterday Mark (campground owner) told him he should have some ramps. This morning when we were getting ready to leave both Mark and his wife told Bob he needed a handful or so of raw ramps.
We went into Elkins to look around. We didn't walk around much in the pouring rain. We did find the train station/ tourist information/ gift shop. We learned that the trains operate around Mother's Day and then from the end of May til sometime in September/October with special holiday trips. (We will come back) We also learned (as we thought) that ramps are wild leeks. This Saturday is the Ramps and Rails festival (apparently there are many Ramp festivals). And I got lots of travel pamphlets :) We drove around a little more and found the Iron Horse Statue Park. (On the map I picked up) The park is the statue and some flowers- barely room for a park bench. The area is referenced often, it is a cool statue but no information about who/what it was. I finally found the linked info.
We did get some ramps on the way back; Bob had a few of them raw;and we cooked the rest with dinner. (Bob thinks there might be some back home)
The weather in this valley changes rapidly. We watched the clouds come in and then the sun would come out and it was beautiful. Then the clouds and rain would come back. There is a very old cemetery on the road in. I wanted to check it out today. There were a few clouds in the sky but a nice afternoon. As I got almost to the cemetery I heard some thunder. It wasn't repeated so I thought I'd have time to look around a little. As soon as I started looking at the very old stones the wind came up. I could see the rain coming so I started back. I didn't make it (not much more than a 5 minute walk) before the rain and hail hit. About an hour later it was clear and we talked about cooking outside. 30 minutes later it was raining again. By the time dinner was over it was clear and Bob started a fire. We sat out for a little while, waiting to see stars - we saw about 10 stars before the clouds came back in. (It hasn't rained again yet). I can't wait to see what tomorrow will be as we go exploring.

Pegasus Farm Campground

Monday's drive was a long one. The wind and rain made driving difficult (we saw one trailer tipped over on its side). The wind let up a bit when we got away from the lakes. There's more green as we got farther south - some of the bushes have leaves, lots of the trees have buds, and we saw redbud and flowering crab trees. There's even dandelions here at the campground. The campground is surrounded by mountains. As promised we can hear the tree frogs (and some bullfrogs) and the birds. Mark (the owner) called us around the time I said we'd arrive- we were at a gas station - he gave us directions and about 5 min. later called back and talked us through the turns and met us at the entrance and brought us down the long bumpy road to the campground. We drove by the barn on the way in and the horses came over to the fence to check us out. Mark made sure we were set and gave us some travel info. It seems like a really nice place.

Anna's Birthday Weekend

We had a great weekend!
We stayed about 5 minutes from Anna and Dave's and weren't in anyone's way (I think). We even had electricity!! Thank you Dave, you take such good care of us.
We spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with the grandchildren.
Saturday we even got to see Rick and Gina (and check their link to see the sonogram pictures of our 2nd grandson). Also on Saturday Aunt Karen drove all the way down to meet Freddy. She got to see everyone and paid for dinner for all of us- thank you!
And Sunday was Anna's birthday. We're still not parents of a 30 year old (That must mean we're not so old- right?)
It was a great weekend- thanks kids.

New Trip Soon

Right after Anna's birthday we're headed for West Virginia!