Ohio/Pike Lake State Park

When I left West Virginia for Ohio I was looking forward to seeing another part of the country, but even more so, I was looking forward to be traveling on Rt. 50, my chosen route across country. You may recall Tom Brokaw (SP?) did a show about Rt. 50 and the everyday Americans that live along its borders. From what I had heard it was an old connection from east to west, not dissimilar from Rt. 66, and very scenic. Traveling the rest of 68 west to 79 south to 50 out of West Virginia was all scenic and beautifully mountainous. But it paled in comparison to 50 itself. Rt. 50, at least coming out of West Virginia and 200 miles into Ohio, is a combination of the Pacific Coast Highway without the water, the Blue Ridge Parkway except with even more incredible views that leave your mouth gaping and you laughing out loud with the sheer beauty of the scenery. (No Pictures while driving) Going through many of the small towns though gave me a contrary feeing. It is clear that the America you read and hear about is evident in Southern Ohio. Many “closed” signs and boarded up stores prevail. I was wondering as I was driving through if some of the people, young people, on the steps and porches of houses, know about the rest of the America that most of us know about? Someone just recently told me that Americans don’t know how good they have it. I guess not all Americans. The phrase “The mine shut down”, seems to be pretty common in West Virginia and Ohio too, so says Charlie and Ramona, camping acquaintances.
I arrived at Pike Lake State Park after a seven mile ride through the woods to find a magnificent facility in a valley setting. After choosing a great site near a stream I set up. Set up is starting to become routine. Dinner, some wine and a cigar, while watching a Fleetwood Mac Video, finished my evening. For those of you who called and for those who I promised I would call back, sorry, no service up here in them thar hills. I am writing this on Sunday morning April 11, 2010 after breakfast just for the record, with the hope of getting this post and my West Virginia post entered as soon as possible, so if you see the same dates on two posts, you will know why. Spock out.
I went into Bainbridge this morning so I can get cellular service and post my W. VA. entry, and to try and find a welder to come out and reposition my anti sway bar that I added on in Greenbelt Maryland. Turns out you find good things when you least expect them. I was directed to a Mennonite farm house that was actually T.A. Weaver Lumber MFG., Manufacturers and Suppliers of Log Homes. Rodney, the owner, gave me Steve Sheets phone number and Steve will be out this afternoon to take care of the welding. But the point is, that the ride through the mountains was spectacular and unexpected, especially when I came across JRS General Store and Farm Market. Lots of small farms that supply many local such markets, I am told, mostly Mennonite too. It reminded me of Lancaster County and the Amish.
I guess Forest was right when he said “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get”. Next stop is the largest state park in Indiana, Brown County State Park in the town of Nashville, In. where my darling daughter will overnight my new tag for the pop that she received in NC. What a sweet girl……Love you honey.
Enjoy some pictures. TC…
Post Script: Steve came out to my campsite and did a great job of welding my sway bar the right way. He asked if $35.00 was ok. I told him $45.00 sounded better. He was pleased and so was I. It probably would have cost $100.00 or more in Florida.

West Virginia/Chestnut Ridge Park

I wish I could sufficiently describe the beauty of the mountains and small towns in the valleys along the Cumberland Gap on Rt. 68 of western Maryland and West Virginia. But I find myself searching for words that I know will not do justice to its beauty. I believe the song writer and singer John Denver had it right when he wrote and sang about West Virginia being “almost heaven”. From what I have seen so far, I can honestly say that West Virginia is one of the most beautiful states I have ever be in.
Checking into Chestnut Ridge Regional Park and Campground was a snap, and Bruce the full time attendant gave me what I consider to be a choice site. After an easy set up that evening I enjoyed a campfire and a few rum and cokes. Camping is fun…..
Today I visited the Forks of Cheat Winery in Morgantown. A small winery owned and family operated for many years. I had the pleasure of meeting Darryl DeGripp who was kind enough to let me sample the products of the winery and also give me a tour of the distillery, and it’s history. Lots of fun and very good local wine. I left with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from 2007 that was quite reasonable in price and very good. The label is so pretty, I hate to open it. But I will! The cat you ask? She attached herself to me. I am usually a dog lover, but I must say this cat was a cutie. Cutie cat, cutie cat, say that fast a few times.
On the way back to camp I stopped at the local general store, The Mountaineer, I had two chili dogs and a coke. Not my usual fare, but I couldn’t resist given the aroma and the reasonable price. I finished it off with a home made raisin filled sugar cookie. Let me tell you this; they know how to bake in West Virginia. If you want anything from a shot gun, fire wood, groceries, or a cheap lunch, visit the Mountaineer and see Mary or Kim, two cutie cats in their own right.
I am sitting in my camper now watching the rain fall off my awning. We were scheduled for rain and gusty winds along with a cold front tonight and early tomorrow. I brought in my electric space heater from the car top carrier for tonight so as not to use propane for my furnace. I am hoping it does the trick along with my securing of the awning that is moaning in the wind. Gulp!!!
If it clears up tomorrow I will head into Morgantown to see what’s what. It is supposed to be a great little “walk about” kind of town with some neat stuff to see. Rain still falling.
Friday morning and it has stopped raining, but it is also 38 degrees according to the national weather service. The space heater did a good job, but I also turned on the furnace this morning for a little while to get the chill out of the air. Surprisingly the pop up does a good job for a modified tent. I couldn’t imagine doing this in a tent as I thought I would initially.
Morgantown is the home of West Virginia University. It is an old town with brick buildings that has the old time electric wire crossing this way and that. Lots of college looking people walking the streets and little store fronts painted in bright colors selling coffee, sandwiches, books and the usual stuff college kids need. I liked the town, but not the pot holed streets. I guess economics has affected Morgantown too.
I should be leaving West Virginia tomorrow headed for Ohio and the Pine Lake State Park in Bainbridge. West Virginia is not what you may have heard about in all the stereotype comments and jokes about brothers marrying sisters or people with no teeth. On the contrary, I have met some very friendly, good natured and helpful people. They had teeth too. It wouldn’t be a bad place to settle down in. If one were looking for that. Enjoy some pictures. TC…