A basset hound flashed across two lanes of 70mph traffic just in front of us. Short little legs are a blur as he turns up a gravel lane heading for home, we presume. A huge skunk flops limply out of both sides of his mouth. I’m sure he’s thinking “look what I found!”.
It is Interstate all the way ‘til we settle into camp at Deam Lake SRA just north of Louisville. It is a nice quiet space convenient to family.
Time flies by so very quickly. It feels good to check in
Kent is heading out to the Friday night Wahama White Falcon’s game for old time sake and to see who all might be hanging out there to catch up with. It is chilly and windy and the White Falcons have not had an impressive season, the game doesn’t look like it will be real engaging. I opt to stay home and catch up on travel planning…and/or take a nap.
Driving east to west in middle West Virginia is a bit of a challenge. Kent says it is much improved from his younger days but we still encounter quite the roller coaster of 10+% grades up and down. He is pretty busy driving but I can enjoy the view. The rugged rocky spine of Seneca Rocks stands in stark contrast to the surrounding timber covered mountains. We pass by the little restaurant where we watched climbers and shared lunch with Mike and Tracy back in 2015. An overcast sky seems to bring out subtle autumn colors on the mountainsides filling the day with perfect fall views. We see a most impressive flight of a turkey; he spreads those huge wings and dives off the ridge to our left, glides across all four lanes of our highway plus a two lane beside us and manages to land in a tree on the far side. I wonder what made him take that risky trip?
A few miles of curly two lane along the Kanawha River bring us to our home for a week or so as we catch up with friends and family in Kent’s home stomping grounds, Mason County WV.
We love to explore new places and try new things but try to never miss a chance to hang out with our kids. We had a quick visit with Mike, Tracy and Willa. Any time guys, any time.
We swung by Crownsville Veterans Cemetery to visit Dad’s grave. It is a peaceful place that encourages memories of good times and loving moments.
Carol played hostess for a long weekend visit to PA. Mike and Tracy brought Willa to visit too. We were rained out of picking apples but got some delicious cider and a very cute pic of Willa playin
g on hay bales. We spent an afternoon/evening with the Wasik clan filled with great company and delicious food. There was pumpkin carving too that resulted in some great looking jack-o-lanterns.
Willa is 4 months old and getting to be quite the individual. There was lots of Nana time (and Grandpa time) filled with hugs, kisses and giggles and even a bath. It was wonderful and it went by way too fast.
It is about 5:30 and the lake is calming down as most of boats have come in. It is Carol’s last night with us so go for one more try to catch something bigger than ¼ pound. The ride out was fun, we saw an eagle and an osprey, the sunset pretty, and the ride back to camp a smooth slide on the still lake. The fishing was a complete bust. We caught nothing. Oh well, there will have to be another time.
It is her first attempt but all goes pretty smoothly. We paddle the shore maybe a total of ½ mile from camp and back and 
check out the locals: a great blue, an osprey hunting right beside us, and a mallard family just off shore from camp. Carol’s take on the experience, “yeah, I’d do that again”. I was a relaxing, quiet paddle.
Carol arrives with the heavier rain. We relax under the awning enjoying the lake view as the rain comes and goes. Kent grills burgers between rainstorms and we settle in for the night. Tomorrow is another day on the lake.