So...I had to go to Philadelphia yesterday. took 17 hours and I drove about 765 miles in one day. There was no time for site seeing so everything I got to see was from the car. all in all a dreadfully boring day. We didn't get to stop at Gettysburg, or the Cloister, or the Hopewell foundry, or even drive through the city and breeze by the historical sites! But I did make it home by 12:30 that night and grabbed 4 hours sleep before getting up for work today. So it was a success. We got caught in a thunderstorm, so that was cool. And we ate at "Eat at Joe's" crab shack. So that was cool too. Sea food around here is very pricey and no one seems to know how to cook it. the calamari was perfect. not a bit rubbery but so tender. The shrimp just was so juicy and flavorful. And yes, it was fast food. I have eaten at some pretty amazing seafood places over the years but compared to around here, it was prime! On average though, I would rate it a 7 on a scale of 1-10.
So WV looks like this as far as the eye can see. Which is not very far at all. The hills get in the way. And I like that. you are protected and not exposed to the world. Indiana just drives me insane...and Kansas is just not right...they have signs along their roads for hills and you think...man, we have pot holes with steeper grades than that little dirt mound we just drove over and didn't feel...
Alright...The road sign? Clarksburg. they have an amazing Italian Heritage Festival there that is well worth going to. Glenville has a bluegrass festival that is wonderful, and a great ramp festival. In case you don't know, a ramp is a garlic tasting wild onion that will make you smell bad for the week. But if all your friends eat them too no one cares. And West Union? pft...I have relatives in the cemetery and it is the head waters of Middle Island Creek...which is the longest creek in the world...just shy of the cut off criteria for a river.
And then there are areas of farmland as far as the eye can see. Maryland and Pennsylvania look just like this too. go figure. same mountain range!
Ah yes, I nearly forgot about Cheat Lake...its on both sides of the road and winds around in the hills so you can't see all of it from one place. There is a pretty classy resort up there with impressive golf course and all. Of course it was nothing like the golf course that got washed out and destroyed by the July floods at the Greenbriar Resort in White Sulfur Springs. Another place worthy visiting if you want to blow some cash and live high on the hog while you rough it in the state parks and try to become with nature.