On January 1, 2017 I sat on a beach in Ocean City, Maryland to watch a spectacular sunrise and pondered to myself about the opportunities I would have to travel throughout the year. Little did I really know the extent that I would actually travel over the year and I’m grateful that I’ve had a wonderful year of seeing more of this beautiful country.
Oddville, Kentucky
Beginning with that glorious morning in Maryland, over the course of the year I have driven nearly 15,000 miles on road trips, many to visit family or be with family, but all of the trips have been wonderful. Some have been close by doing what I refer to as “staycation“ trips in Kentucky. But, throughout the course of the year I have been to 19 different states and have seen a plethora of places and things. Many of the trips included time with my wife, my children and my grandchildren. That makes things so much better and enjoyable!
Welcome to Louisiana with some of my grandchildrenAll the family gathered at my sister’s Mayfield Smoke Shop in Little Italy, Cleveland
In July we had a family reunion. It was the first in five years and all of my 10 grandchildren and all my five children were here at one time or another and even my sister and her husband and daughter came up to visit. During that time we also visited my extended family in Cleveland, Ohio. So, travel was not the only joyful thing. Family is the best.
The following photos tell just a small story of the past year. I have already posted some of the things in more detail and have five or six others in the works about specific places. But here are just some of the places and things form this past year. ENJOY THE RIDE!
Giant Pepsi Pop Bottle Cap in Johnson City, TNHuge snowman in Lewisburg, WVWelcome to Hopkinsville, KY for the Solar EclipseChunky, MississippiRan into a HUGE flock of migrating snow geese in central ArkansasWest, TexasThe swamp of Caddo Lake near Uncertain, TXThe Gator Chateau in Jennings, LAA place called Gnaw Bone in IndianaChicago LIVE in Cincinnati. First time I had seen them in over 40 yearsGiant Indian Chief “Standing Brave” in Big Cabin, OKDuck Commander HQ, home of Duck Dynasty in West Monroe, LAWest Virginia’s Capitol Building in Charleston, WVOne of over 50 waterfals in Watkins Glen State Park, NYTallest wall mural in US “Once in a Millenium Moon” is 14 stories tall…in Shreveport, LAChief Wacinton in Paducah, KY was one of three Peter Toth Whispering Giants I visited this year.Forest, Mississippi Fire DepartmentThe New River Gorge Bridge in West VirginiaPittsburgh, PA at nightChief Little Owl, one of three Peter Toth Whispering Giants. This one is in Bethany Beach, DelawareKing’s Island Amusement Park north of Cincinnati, OHVillage of Story, INPost Office in Happy, KYThe Shack Burger Resort – amazingly quirky and fun – in Cypress, TXCaught the Sand Hill Migration in early January near Cecilia, KYThe Indian River Inlet Bridge between Maryland and DelawareThe Happy Bible Church in Happy, KYA section of the Virginia Creeper Trail near Damascus, VABig Monster at Big Mike’s Rock shop near Cave City, KYGenesee Falls at Letchworth State Park, near Castile, New YorkThe Inlet Indian, dedicated to the Assateague tribe, is in Ocean City, MD and is one of three of Peter Toth’s Whispering Giants visited in 2017Capitol Building in Indianapolis, INBig Stone Gap, VAPal’s Sudden Service in Bristol, TNFound a Canadian in OklahomaThe CastlePost Castle near Versailles, KYFound a nice beach on Lake Erie… Presque Isle State ParkBig Paul Bunyan in Nitro, WVHanging with Grandkids at Wigwam Village in Cave City, KYThe “diamond ring” effect begins as seen from Hopkinsville, KYLarge Saturn Rocket at Welcome Center in Elkmont, AlabamaMammy’s Cupboard in Natchez, MSHistoric Downtown Cairo, ILFall Colors over the Red River Gorge in KentuckyMagnolia Market at the Silos in Waco, TX (Home of the TV Show Fixer Upper)We slept in Wigwam Village in Cave City, KYCathedral Falls in Gauley Bridge, WVDeer at sunrise in Shenandoah National Park on Easter Morning 2017Bald Eagle shot taken in mid April 2017 near Cave Run Lake, KYA place called Donkey in VirginiaWaveland State Historic Park in Lexington, KYSuperman central in Metropolis, ILWelcome to MissouriThe Hobbit Hole – a unique and quirky shop in Fayetteville, WVPop’s BBQ in Morehead, KYSays it all – Cleveland, OHBob Evans Farm HQ – New Albany, OHLouisville BridgesWelcome Sign in IndianapolisEaster Sunrise as seen from Shenandoah National Park
This is part two of my Midland Trail series and this post will focus on West Virginia’s Capital Charleston. During most of May I spent a great deal of time in this lovely river town while visiting a friend of mine who was ill and eventually passed away. That is another story.
During my time in Charleston, I took the opportunity to drive around the town and get photos of the unique Capitol Building, a few other buildings, murals and other things. The town certainly does have its own unique personality.
Welcome to Charleston
Charleston is the capital and largest city West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. The city apparently got its start in the late 1700s and historical conjecture indicates that Charleston is named after Col. George Clendenin’s father, Charles. Col. Clendenin acquired the deed to the area in 1786. Charles Town was later shortened to Charleston to avoid confusion with another Charles Town in eastern West Virginia, which was named after George Washington’s brother Charles. Daniel Boone was a resident for a time and served on the Virginia House of Delegates.
Portion of a mural in Charleston
A short drive around the area near the Capitol Building provides the opportunity to see a few murals, one of my favorite things to look for. Here are a few murals in the area…but I don’t think I found them all yet!!
Charleston West Side Mural titled “West Side Wonder” by Charly Jupiter Hamilton.Detail of Charly Jupiter Hamilton mural in Charleston’s West SideAnother detail of Charly Jupiter Hamilton’s mural
Another mural I came across was on the back side of a convenience store in an alley.
All Together Now by Jeff Pierson – Mural in an Alley on the East EndDetail All Together Now
Murals aren’t the only public art in Charleston. As noted in their website Public Art in Charleston, the town has promoted art works including murals and sculptures for over 13 years. While driving around town I came across one sculpture that looked oddly familiar. Titled “Hallelujah,”, the piece below is by artist Albert Paley, who made four massive sculptures entitled “Odyssey” in Council Bluffs, IA (see my post here).
Hallelujah by Albert Paley, located in downtown CharlestonAnother shot of Albert Paley’s Hallelujah
Another interesting sculpture, very close by is the “Festival Delle Arti” by artist Harry Marinsky. This whimsical work of art is likely appealing to children (and adults with the hearts of children!).
Festival delle Arti by Harry MarinskyA detail shot of the work by Marinsky
More scenes from downtown Charleston include some buildings and signs. Really a fun place to visit.
Charleston’s First Presbyterian ChurchThe BB&T Building in downtown CharlestonCabriole by Jimilu Mason on Summers Street in CharlestonFrutcake Sign in West End CharlestonOld Neon sign for New China restaurant in CharlestonDetail of “Out and About” by Rob Cleland in Charleston’s East EndAnother Detail of the Rob Cleland MuralThe BB&T Building (Laidley Tower) with the St. George Orthodox Cathedral in the foreground
I found Charleston to be a wonderful town…lovely bridges, a nice river, beautiful buildings and artwork.
