Sunday, November 13, 2016

The Side Trip

Before winter sets in, the holidays come and a few other things on the agenda, I was off to Kentucky for a few days to see my youngest brother. Weather is always concern when driving over the mountains of West Virginia this time of year.  But it was a good day for an 11 hour drive.
A stay at a hotel for one night...
A stay at my favorite Air BnB the rest of my visit.
My Father was in the Army and was originally from Texas. My Mom's family roots are from around the little farming community of Yeaman, Kentucky located about 100 miles southwest of Louisville in Grayson County. There are mostly farms along the country road to get to a church that is just as I remember it growing up.  Next to it is a small cemetery where my Grandparents and other family members are buried. One headstone had the below quote, that I thought was worth remembering.
My visit ended all too soon, and I was on my way back to Virginia.  Heading out of Charleston West Virginia, on Route 60, there is the classic section of what is known as the Midland Trail that begins as Charleston’s downtown skyline disappears.
It stretches 120 curving miles and is a road full of West Virginia scenery and history that you miss by taking speedier interstate.  The two photos below are of Kanawha Falls that drops over a cofferdam built to redirect the river’s flow toward an old hydropower house at the left edge of the photo.

My favorite stop is Hawks Nest State Park.  
It's a peak on Gauley Mountain in Ansted, West Virginia. The name came from the many fish hawks which inhabited the massive cliffs. When the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway railroad began blasting in the area in the 1800's the hawks left the area and never returned.  Travelers like me stop to see the beautiful view of the river below. 

And for this building...  The bathroom...
The side trip slowed down my return home -- And when it was getting dark and I still had a ways to go, I was regretting that I'd made that decision.
But all that vanished when I finally got home.

24 comments:

  1. What a wonderful welcome.Beautiful scenery along the way, and the river below, stunning.

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  2. Looks like perfect weather
    and a great trip!
    But it's always nice to be finally home!
    :D
    xoxo

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  3. Beautiful scenery and happy memories. A certain boy seems very, very, pleased to see you home !

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  4. Hello, looks like a wonderful trip. I like the quote on the headstone. The scenery and views are gorgeous. I especially like your cute greeter. Happy Monday, have a great day and new week ahead!

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  5. i would have loved to make that drive with you. such pretty country.

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  6. We take our dogs with us on trips. That's not working for you.

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  7. Thanks for the tour! Lovely, lovely!

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  8. Such lovely pictures. Having grown up nearby in Indiana, and also spending time with a favorite great-aunt in Charleston long ago, I especially enjoyed these scenes from your trip. Thank you for sharing them.

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  9. Glad you had a nice trip . Lovely photos . Lovely greeting home to . Looks a lot like our Miggs greeting us lol ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !

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  10. What a happy face to go home to!

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  11. I love the quote on the headstone. Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures of your trip.

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  12. that quote is the best i've heard. both for the fur people in our hearts as well as the humans.
    and the pictures you've shared are just beautiful.
    i feel like i've almost BEEN somewhere!
    and puppy smiles to welcome you home...
    NOTHING BETTER! XOXO♥

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  13. Mom thinks that quote on the headstone is very wise. Side trips are often the best part of a trip - such beautiful photos you got on yours. And of course, it is always wonderful to get home and be welcomed by smiling and happy furries.


    Woos - Lightning and Misty

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  14. My peeps drove to Indiana from NC in June to attend the BAR.
    They told me West Virginia was absolutely breathtaking. They loved every mile and they stayed in Charleston on the way home. I bet the leaves were pretty too A very lovely state. All in all the trip to from Indiana was very pleasant.
    Hugs madi and mom

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  15. Very pretty country, especially in the fall!
    I bet you had a bunch of smiling mugs when you got home!

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  16. I've been in that area of the country: stunning!

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  17. I am so glad you got to get away!
    Such a beautiful post!
    love
    tweedles

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  18. Such a beautiful part of the country that I've never visited!! Thanks, Kim!

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  19. Lovely post, Kim. So nice to drive through beautiful country to mend your spirit. And then to return home to the pack to mend your heart.

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  20. So happy you got to take the trip Kim, sounds and looks wonderful. Hugs Francine.

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  21. I've always taken side roads - it's worth it to see different things.

    ...and yes, the happy faces at home are always wonderful!

    Monty, Harlow, and Ramble

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  22. Backroads are the best for beautiful scenery, and you found some awesome scenes.

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  23. What beautiful scenery! You saw such a variety of fun and pretty places. I bet that you were happy when you got home to your family!

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!