To get there you get off I-68 and drive through Bruceton Mills (easy to do - there's only 1 main road) to a country road finally given a name - Hileman Road. This part of the trip is only a little over 6 miles, but it seems much longer. Here's what it looks like:
In theory, this is a 2 lane road. Still, you do not want to encounter a fast going logging truck coming in the opposite direction. Note the lack of shoulders - on the right a deep ditch, on the left a steep slope that goes way down the mountain side. This shot does not show any of the really huge pot holes - VW bugs could disappear in one. (See my previous post about visiting the lake - August 2015, "Road Trip..." for more photos and commentary).
There's a mile-long stretch of this road that used to have an entire family, grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, lots of cousins, etc., living on both sides of the road. On a bright sunny June Monday, Linda's secretary called to say she couldn't come to work because the sherrif had closed the road. Now this did not make any sense - usually the road is closed a lot in the winter, but not on a lovely summer day. Turns out this family had partied rather hard over the weekend and were still shooting at each other across the road. The sherrif decided it would be best to just let them get tired and go to sleep. Then he'd open the road. We don't know if anyone was hurt during this shoot out, but we do know no one was arrested. WV justice, or at least logic, in action.
Finally we arrived and it was as lovely as ever.
The original owners were from Pittsburg seeking a summer retreat.
Playing with my panorama setting from Linda's dock.
Speaking of docks, Linda's place is called "Pair O'Docs" because she and her husband, who died a couple of years ago, have doctorate degrees: his in psychiatry, hers in art therapy. The sign was down this trip because it needs some repairs. There are so many happy memories of Lou from our previous visits and their shared whimsical view of life is evident all over the property.
Also, the grounds are lovely year round.
How lovely to see these flowers growing out of a dead tree stump.
Detail of one of the wrought iron fences.
An overly pixilated photo of a visitor, a lovely blue heron.
So lush and green. Could I live in a desert landscape? Maybe. Stay tuned.
Good news - no motor boats on the lake. Now if they could just keep the trucks and motorcycles from racing up and down the main road. That's the only thing that interrupts the peace and quiet.
Such a lovely setting for dinner by the lake.
On Saturday, we went into Morgantown to see The University of West Virginia's Art Museum.
Although photography was not allowed inside, there was a lovely sculpture garden with a natural landscape garden.
The artist is Laxon Karisi but I couldn't find any information about him on the internet. If anyone does find something, please let me know. Reminds me of Henry Moore.
Sunday we took the traditional walk around the lake, modified for old folk - meaning, we stuck to the level half but it also happens to be the more scenic half. Here are shots taken on the walk.
We almost stepped on this baby turtle but instead we moved it off the road and hoped its mommy found it.
Clouds on the mountain, not smoke.
One of the few new homes on the lake with stunning landscaping.
This dock is across the lake from the only home on the lake for sale and the home with the red roof on the left is Linda's.
It was another lovely weekend with Linda at the lake. Back to a totally different reality living on the 14 th floor.
Linda's home is just as lovely as I remembered. I'm so glad you were able to visit. I especially remember that (seemingly) long drive from the highway to her house, and the early-morning treks we made to Touchstone Center for Crafts. And I'll never do a rainy-day photo shoot without remembering the one at Linda's with Nancy. Lots of good times.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos from a great trip.
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