One Crisp Fall Day in Virginia...

During our stay in the lovely state of Virginia we wandered around Williamsburg.

Inside of one of the buildings was an exhibit on a mental hospital from the 1700s.

 "Because I'm alive."

"To swim laps in a pool by 6:00. It's quiet, I'm usually alone, and the peacefulness set the tone of my day."

The exhibit included several artifacts from hospitals in that period, including straight jackets and decks of playing cards. Notice that the this deck doesn't have any numbers or letters to easily denote the card value.

The study of Phrenology is Greek in origin. "Phren" meaning "Mind", and "Logos" meaning "Knowledge".

Williamsburg is filled with historical landmarks and is the ideal place to walk around on a fall day.

The historic William and Mary College is located near the heart of the town.

Behind us is the statue that is in front of the college!

A half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., the moving exhibit Wall that Heals has visited more than 350 cities; Williamsburg was one of them!

We went to Mass that night at St. Bede.

The church was so enormous that the parking lot even had sidewalks and crosswalks!

 

 "I get up in the morning to take care of my kids and family".

To another beautiful fall day in Virginia!

Love,

The Crew

Inside of The Mystery Hole...

The Mystery Hole in West Virginia.
A retro designed, roadside attraction, seeping with the allure of suspense.
After hearing about it (well as much as anyone actually is able to talk about The Mystery Hole) we decided to go check it out for ourselves.

 

And all we have the courage to say is that we made it out alive!
Yes, Sarah made it out too!
(The only reason we don't have photographic proof is because someone had to make the picture)

A Hawk's nest view of the train tracks and beautiful rolling hills.

"I am looking at the overlook as part of my happiness and find it quite great."

"We get up everyday because work requires us to."

"I get up for my seven year old son and my mom."

We found a second overlook at the Hawk's Nest State Park and were able to enjoy the seemingly endless waters and bountiful trees of the land.

"I get up in the morning to travel to see rivers."

After a short hike on Long Point Trail we found that the trip was well worth the view of the
 New River Gorge Bridge!
We had seen pictures and even miniature replicas of this bridge, but much like our reason for going on this trip, there's nothing like the experience of being there to see it for yourself.

Well, somebody has to make sure the bridge doesn't fall down...

Us at Kanawha Falls!

"I get up because I have to pee so bad."

"I get up in the morning because I have to."

"Because sometimes dreams do come true."

"TO drink coffee. I stumble to the coffee pot, "to feel better" ha ha! But really-to plan my next adventure! Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you RICHER."

"Unlike my family, I am a morning person. I enjoy watching the sunrise over my back hill. It peeks through the trees. Listening to the world wake up. God is amazing and his days are glorious each new day brings adventure."

"I get up for coffee and to enjoy family, friends and the tasks of the day and plan the meals to come. Yum! Yum!

"I jump out of bed early to take care of two little girls Nala and Averie! What a blessing and joy."

Thanks a million to our fabulous West Virginia family! You all are the greatest!

Thanks for the popcorn, movies, introducing us to pepperoni rolls, and helping us visit all the interesting places during our visit!

As the sun sets on another day we are reminded what a blessing it is to be able to get up each morning!

Love,

The Crew

Fleas and Magic Island

On the road again...

We ran into quite a lot of rain during our drive...or did the rain run into us?

It doesn't matter. All we know is that it was a blustery day.

But it made for some really vivid pictures of the town of Charlestown, West Virginia.

You could even see the State Capitol building from this overlook!

The next morning, the weather was gorgeous.

We parked in the city and walked towards the Capitol building, it's glistening gold domed top marked our can't miss destination!

Map in tow, Jennifer played the tour guide.

She was quick to point out the busts of two men leading to the staircase, but it wasn't until we got closer that she knew who they were!

"I get up in the morning to spend time with my little pug Amelia Marie Antoinette Wigglesworth."

We got our picture with...

...and on...

Robert C. Byrd!

...or at least a statue of him!

We just couldn't get enough of these gorgeous chandeliers that adorned the ceilings.

This particular 4,000 pound chandelier may have inspired our own sing-along of Phantom of the Opera songs while we were in the building.

Not only does this great building have incredible chandeliers, they also have amazing acoustics!

Inside the basement of the cultural center was one of the most intriguing museums we've been in!

"I get up in the morning to create and leave art in the world!"

Greeting us at the entrance was Emmeline and Alexander!

Two dressed up, traveling fleas!

If you look very closely, you can see the clothing that they wore!

This is a photograph of the view we had of them from a microscope.

A miniature replica of the New River Gorge bridge!

The museum was set up like an old fashioned town, with railway tracks leading you through the tunnels.

We accidentally went through the exit door first, so it was like we were traveling back through time!

A rock that Daniel Boone wrote his name into.

Jeanette at a mock up display of an old fashioned soda fountain!

Reminded us of Zaharako's in Columbus, IN!

Sadly, there were no Green River floats at this counter.

Down through the tunnel, it was practically a life like version of what it would be like working in a coal mine.

Minus the danger of a cave-in.

Murals on the wall were so detailed and expertly done that it almost felt as if we were really looking out into the pier!

Set into the floor of the museum was a beautiful inlay of West Virginia. Each different color of wood represents a different county.

We stopped in for a bit at Magic Island Park.

Story goes that the water used to rise above this park and sink back down so frequently that it was like the park had simply disappeared.

Almost as if by magic...

Thank you to our West Virginia family for sharing with us your company...

...and this scrumptious Chicken con Queso!

What a marvelous end to the day...

And a celebration for many more!

Love,

The Crew