Monday, August 30, 2021

To There and Back Again

 Ward and I just spent a long weekend in West Virginia for a family reunion with my family. 

Let's get the COVID concerns out of the way that you all are wondering about. It was a small vaccinated crowd, outdoors with plenty of room to socially distance. And even though we were all glad to see each other, there was little to no hugging. I felt as safe there as I do anywhere else. Now onto the trip.

On the way there, we left the beaten path to visit this Amish planing mill. Ward enjoyed seeing their processes and talking with the workers. I did not enjoy how hot it was.


The next day we were up early to set up at the Ft. Boreman Historical Park where the event was held. 


The park overlooks the confluence of the Little Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. Originally the site was a Civil War fort to protect railroad facilities.


The following day, we visited the WV Botanical Gardens before heading home. The gardens were at the site of an old reservoir and had different garden rooms carved out of the forest. 


One of the many gardens was a fairy garden. You can see some of the fairy houses that have been built in the background.


There was a butterfly garden.


Close to the butterfly garden was a gazebo
where Ward was doing his thing of seeing how it was constructed.


There was a pond with marshy ground around it.


And a boardwalk through a swamp.

To summarize our trip:

It was HOT! Thank goodness for fans.

We saw lots of beautiful scenery both in the mountains and along the river.

I am very lucky to have the family I do both immediate and extended.

Until next time...