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…

Camping at Greenbelt National Park/Washington D.C.

I couldn’t have planned a better first camping experience. Greenbelt National Park is located just 13 miles from Washington D. C. in Greenbelt, Maryland and is  only 2.5 miles to the Metro station at College Park. If you have never ridden the metro, you would find it to be fast and efficient, and after a little explanation by a friendly passerby, very user friendly. After purchasing a Smart Card you can board different color lines to various parts of the city and attractions. The helpful pocket guide makes that easier too.
Greenbelt campground is wooded and although in the city, you get the feeling of being deep in the forest. Each campsite provides BBQ station, picnic table, fire ring but no electric or water hook up. My maiden voyage was a perfect test for dry camping. The pop up does have water storage, frig and furnace that runs off of propane or deep cycle battery and stove. My air conditioner was not needed, but on a few chilly mornings, I was thankful for the furnace, which did a great job.
Meeting people is part of this journey and my camping decision. The camp hosts at Greenbelt, Michael and Cheryl Sullivan became instant friends. They shared my fire and I shared their wine and we all shared hours of conversation. We will keep in touch and I will tell them about the mountains going to my next stop to West Virginia along route 68. I also met a great couple Jeff and Carrie, who were traveling in a 1983 Volkswagen hippie van, very cool and very cool people. Carrie shared her very impressive weight loss story and has devoted her life to telling others who are over weight. Carrie lost over 150 pounds, and I must say, looks quite good.
What can be said about out nation's capital that hasn’t been said before? It’s an amazing place that celebrates the red, white and blue with tributes to all that is American in its monuments, museums, and memorials.
Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Navy Museum, National Museum of American History (Smithsonian) Fords Theatre and Museum, Chinatown, FBI Building and the added pleasure of witnessing the Cherry Blossoms were just some of what I enjoyed, plus the excitement of just walking around with back pack adorned and really loving Washington, a great town that I really only scratched the surface of. Next stop Morgantown, West Virginia at the Chestnut Ridge Regional Park and Campground. Enjoy some pictures. TC…

Last Day In Charlotte And Jetton Park

A perfect day at Jetton Park in Lake Norman will end my also perfect visit with Lisa, Sydney and Chris.  I will be heading out in the morning for Washington D.C. in my new pop up camper.  Pictures to follow.  Hope you enjoy a few pictures of a great day at the park.TC.....

More Charlotte Photos, Bubbles Video, Discovery Center & Fun

 

Charlotte, N. C. And Family

Children seem to grow up right before your eyes. That much is so true for Sydney Mae. Although I just spent a week end with her and family in early February for Daniel and Ashley’s wedding, Sydney has added so much to her vocabulary and personality in only a months’ time. With children, so it seems, time does go by so fast.
As the weather has warmed considerably since I left Tennessee, we have had the opportunity to enjoy the out of doors. Today we visited a horse stable facility in the Charlotte area called Latta Equestrian Center. What can be said about witnessing a child’s pure excitement in seeing and petting full grow horses. Music to your ears is what I would call it. Children seem to put into words what we as adults just plain enjoy, mostly in a non verbal way.
Notice my granddaughter’s artistic ability too. She will, I am sure, someday have her own coloring studio, and of course she will be the mistress of all coloring instructors. Observe that concentration…..
Time with family is important and I have enjoyed my time again with Lisa, Sydney and Chris. The frequent photo updates that I have received from Lisa over the years, is no way as much fun as being here in person.
I have visited a few travel trailer facilities here in Charlotte, and am seriously thinking about purchasing a small pop up camper for the rest of my journey. As a much needed convenience, I added a car top carrier in Tennessee for all of my “stuff”. I always over pack, and as this trip is scheduled for an undetermined amount of time, have once again done the same, way over packed. Hence the car top carrier. Now a rethinking about my comfort has led me to strongly consider the pop up as opposed to tent camping. I guess you will see photos if I have in fact decided to purchase the pop up.
As I am enjoying myself immensely, I should remain in Charlotte for at least another week or so, with my next stop being Washington D.C.
Enjoy a few photos….TC

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