The Last Resort

If anyone ever experiences “bloggers’ block”, just go to Embassy Suites during Manager’s Special. Tonight, a colleague was relating her experiences during a recent trip to Fayetteville, WV.  It was an overnight trip and she wasn’t familiar with the area so she googled lodgings in the area and her number one result was:  “Opossum Creek Cabins and Resort”.

Is there something weird about the word “opossum” and “resort” being used in the same title, or is it just me?

I think I will pass on the massage….thank you anyway.

On the drive to the “resort”, my colleague finally confessed to her group that the place had no formal check-in procedure.

“What do you mean”? They asked in aghast.  “How do we get into our cabin”?

“Well, er, they just leave the key under the mat”.

But when they got there, they discovered that the key was NOT under the mat.  Instead, it was here….

But do you know what was waiting for them on the kitchen counter?  A hand written welcoming note along with a plate of homemade cookies.

I don’t know about you, but this says luxury to me.

Roots

Nothing makes me feel as good in my job as spending a day in a school.  I loved school when I was kid.  That was probably a big reason why I chose education as a profession.  And today I was lucky enough to spend an entire day in an elementary school……the same school that turned me on to “Coffee Bears”  a few weeks ago (March 21st post).  This time they brought me back to my roots……Appalachia!

The school recently celebrated Appalachia Heritage Week and the remnants of the festivities still adorned the hallways.  One display showed student writings of why they were proud of their Appalachian heritage.  One work caught my eye:

“I am proud to be a mountaineer because we have pretty bear and pretty butterflies and in the fall the leaves change.  We have good music and we’ve got beautiful mountains”.

I ran across a funny display of student work.  Apparently they were asked to write about what they had learned during the week:

“I learned you can make your own apple butter and it might taste good”……(or not……)

“I learned some Appalachian sayings like ‘going to bed with the chickens’.”

“I learned that they used instruments and their own body parts to make their own music.”

Body Percussion!

But, by far, my favorite piece of work was from this little guy who did an awesome job of describing his roots:

“I am from gravel roads, squealing pigs and stinky smells and barking dogs.

From snowy hills and sledding to riding 4 wheelers to driving golf carts.

I’m from homemade macaroni cheese and mashed potatoes to homemade breakfast pizza.

From deer hunting to shooting targets and slinging slingshots to scooping pig poop.”

I’m from that place too and damn proud of it!

To Appalachia!

The City Park

I envy people who live in an area with sidewalks.  When they want to take a walk, they simply go outside and start trucking away.  My house is no where near sidewalks.  I live about a half of a mile (.8 k) from a two lane highway.  Connecting my driveway to the highway is a half gravel, half dirt, 100% rutted out road.  But, one year I got the great idea that instead of driving to a place to walk, I could walk on my road…..two trips to the highway and I would have my two miles (3.21869 k) in.  (I really am trying to live metric).  Anyway, the first couple of times it worked out pretty good.  Then I started to get a little bored.  It was the same path and same scenery everytime.  So, I thought…..a cigarette would probably help me pass the time.  Well, the next thing I knew I was carrying my whole pack and puffing away.

This worked for a while, but then I started thinking again (uh oh) and I decided that carrying a thermos of gin and tonic was just as easy as carrying a water bottle.

Needless to say, I am back to getting in my car and driving to a place to walk.  My favorite place to go is The City Park.  It has always been called that……The City Park.  It is not Parkersburg Park or Wood County Park, it is THE CITY PARK.

I ran across a really cool website that tells about the history of The City Park.  It said that in 1897, at a cost of $52,000, the City of Parkersburg purchased 42 acres of land for use as a city park. Other land was added later.  Today it boasts  something for everyone.
• Baseball fields
• Basketball courts
• Tennis courts
• Miniature Golf (Seasonal unless you like to putt putt in the snow illegally)
• Swimming Pool
• Horseshoe pits
• Picnic facilities
• Children’s outdoor play area

In one trip around the park you could take 2,355 steps which is about 1.96 of a mile (pretty durn close to 3.21869 k). Depending on the direction you choose to take and how many times you go around the track, you will be surprised how easy it is to reach your daily step goal (10,000).

What do you mean depending on which direction you walk?  When I was at The City Park today, I noted that someone had painted directional arrows on my walking path.

Well, what if I don’t want to walk in that direction?  Are there going to be signs next warning me?

Police on bicycles pulling me over?

Jeez!  I just want to take a walk!  Maybe it’s time to get out my Smurf thermos again.

Eating at “The Y” and Other Things to do in Calhoun County

First of all, here are the answers to yesterday’s Presidential Potpourri for Ten:

“A lot of presidential memoirs, they say, are dull and self-serving. I hope mine is interesting and self-serving.” (Bill Clinton…do you even have to think about this one?)

 

 “A friend is one who has the same enemies as you have.” (Abe Lincoln…..let’s unite our country, folks!”)

 

 “Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.” (John Kennedy……I was really young. I plead ignorance)

 

“Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement.”  (Ronald Reagan……his acting ability/humor helped with handling the press)

 

 

“What Washington needs is adult supervision.” (Barack Obama……Please man the ticket counter for us)

 

“Be polite to all, but intimate with few.” (Thomas Jefferson…..times of paranoia)

 

“The finest steel has to go through the hottest fire.” (Richard Nixon…..and he did….and he melted)

 

“Be sincere, be brief, be seated.” (Franklin D. Roosevelt…..a smart public speaker)

 “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” (Harry Truman…..Did he also say “If you can’t be a big dog, stay off the porch?”)

 “You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.” (George Dubya Bush…….. Nuff said)

Well, how many did you get right?  How many of you cheated and googled the answer?

Anyway, back to today’s blog.  I am on the road again….this time to Calhoun County, WV.

Calhoun is home to the annual Ramp Festival in April, the West Virginia Wood Festival in June, the Bluegrass Festival in May, another Bluegrass Festival in August, the West Virginia Molasses Festival in September, and Octoberfest Celebration. Also, the Hometown Country Christmas Craft show is sponsored by and held in the county court house the first week of December. (Wikipedia)

The Calhoun County Courthouse in Grantsville, WV

The reason for my trip today was not to attend a festival but to visit Calhoun County Middle High School…..a beautiful school on top of a mountain in Mt. Zion, WV.  Cell phones work in the parking lot only!  Great thing about rural schools.  They don’t have to worry about kids texting during class.

There is no easy way to get to Calhoun County.  Wikipedia lists Calhoun’s “major highways” as US Highway 33/US Highway 119, WV Route 5, and WV Route 16.  If these are “major highways”, then my driveway is the Autobahn (and we’ve seen pictures of my driveway).   Two-Lane Livin’, a regional lifestyles magazine issued once a month, is a great way to get in touch with this part of WV.  As their title says:  “Two-Lane Livin’: A Rural Look at Sustainable Life”.  Check it out!

Seriously, the drive to Calhoun County is beautiful in fair weather.  Not so great when it is raining at 6:30 in the morning. A Joe Cocker CD, Mr. Bee potato chips and string cheese got me through the trek.  My life is so glamerous I can hardly stand it sometimes.

Okay, I know you are dying to hear about “The Y”.  “The Y” is called “The Y” because its location is at a “Y” in the road.

This is where one two lane road forks into two two lane roads.

"The Y"

 

See the sign

“The Y” has great food.  Today’s special was chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and green beans.  I opted for a burger and fries because I am watching my weight.

No calories in this!

I am afraid the waitresses think I am a health inspector when they see me taking pictures of my food.

Back at the school we saw a funny sight that I had to share.

Those are SEAGULLS on top of the building!  The only water in the vicinity are creeks!  Perhaps they came to see me to lead me south?  See you in 17 days guys!

Well, stomach full and job done for the day, I get back in my car and head……not home, but to Chucktown!

Back to my "home away from home"