Back to the Lake for Fall Foliage (Oct. 2021)

 We returned to Linda's place in WV knowing we were probably going to be too early for peak viewing of autumn colors, but it was best to go over a long holiday weekend.  It will be so wonderful when George is no longer working and we don't have to take things like that into consideration.

You can also see a brief (3 minutes) video of this trip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaxLKvrGM7Y&t=39s

When we arrived at Linda's we found a beautiful arrangement of fall flowers at her front door.  See photo above.

Here are some sights along the way to her place:

I have no idea why MD wanted us to be on the lookout for this vehicle but good thing I could take this shot because I'd never be able to remember the plate number.  I was surprised at how many maroon Toyotas were on I-70.

This is not something you see in VA or TX.  Crossing the Allegheny Mountains we have many places with very steep inclines that require truck off-ramps in case the break systems overheat.  In all our trips we've never seen a truck have to use one but we've seen evidence that it has happened.

This is a view along I-68 in western MD.  It's also in one of the five counties that have petitioned for permission to leave MD and become a part of WV.  The reason given is "shared values" -- hmm, wonder if that means they like living in poverty, hating anyone not just like themselves, poor roads, poor education, poor health care -- what?

Once again we had to use Waze to get us out of a terrible traffic jam.  When I-68 came to a complete standstill, I turned on Waze and saw there was a five mile jam caused by a multi-car wreck.  We were stopped at an exit and Waze said take it and directed us to get onto MD 40.  We traveled through some lovely rural areas and towns before getting back on I-68 just before getting to WV.

Don't tell George, but when we got off we were behind a Food Lions semi.  When we returned we were behind the same the truck so we didn't save any time.  Guess it just saved us frayed nerves and let us see areas we'd never seen before.  I realize there might be more than one Food Lions truck on I-68 at any one time but I recognized the scuff marks, etc.  It was the same truck.

Some usual and unexpected things greeted us when we arrived:

G.I. Turtle was standing guard at the front door.

Miss Molly Ivins welcomed us back.

The biggest surprise of all was a totally unexpected gift that Linda had propped up so it was the first thing we saw when we entered the living room.  This painting had been hanging over the couch since purchased at a sale by a Baltimore art museum in the 1980's.  She's in the beginning of a downsizing project so she had decided it was one of the first things to go and we had decried its missing on our last visit.  We have always found the cherubs tossing paper airplanes funny and according to Linda each face is a copy from a famous painting - on the left from a Winslow Homer, two in the middle from some Renaissance one, and the third remains a mystery.

Here's a photo of the artist's signature.  Obviously painted in 1985 and it looks to me like "WMartin" but I'm not finding an artist by that name - I've tried various 1st names such as William, Winston, etc.  Any other suggestions?  I would love to find the artist to find out the source of the images and the current value (I'm working on my art inventory).

The painting is now a joyous addition to our living room.

We had hoped to see fall foliage and although a little early, we were not disappointed.  Proof:

On a walk around the lake we saw some new signs:

Here's the bridge in desperate need of repairs.  We're glad Linda lives on the side of the lake that does not require going over it.  Since the HOA owns the bridge I don't think Build Back Better will help.

The new house at the east end of the lake always has lovely landscaping and decorations.  They're definitely ready of Halloween.

Here's another neighbor's home ready for the season:

Thrilled to see a Little Free Library has come to the lake and it appears well-stocked for the season.

Here's a contrast -- on a drive into Morgantown we looped through a small portion of PA and saw this:

On the horizon is the beginning of a large wind farm.  The road below is the entrance to a mountain-top removal operation.  Both in PA but the mine is going for stone, not coal.  Still . . .

Saturday night I had to play with the night function on my phone:

I always hate having to leave especially when nothing but storm clouds greeted us along the way.  We were in and out of rain almost the entire trip.

For previous posts about trips to the lake or meeting up with the college suite mates see the following:

2021 - 9/1 Back to Lake O'Woods

2017 - 7 /8 Lake O'Woods

2015 - 8/31 Road Trip - covers 2 stops.  The lake is the 2nd. 

12/10 - Janet & Linda's Wedding - not at the lake but about the ol' NT gang

2013 - 8/8 NT Reunion - again, the ol' gang with some lovely reminders of Lou.  We miss him every day.