WV...The Mon River Trail...

ENJOY THE MON RIVER / CAPERTON / DECKERS CREEK TRAILS

Currently, 48 miles of the Mon River / Caperton / Deckers Creek Rail-Trails are open for non-motorized use, primarily walking, cycling, jogging, and cross-country skiing with a smooth, durable surface for wheel-chair use and all types of bicycles. In Morgantown and Star City, eight miles of trail are paved, allowing for in-line skating. The rail-trail connects three counties, Marion, Monongalia, and Preston Counties in North Central West Virginia...

This trail is just a couple of miles from my sister's apartment. She let me borrow her bike and go for a ride one morning.

It was great, such a beautiful morning! There are lots of little trails verging off the path and into the hills that I noticed some runners chose to follow. How cool that this is so close to her place!

Smooth and flat. Made for a fast ride.

...See how fast I was going? Thanks to the humidity I was also completely drenched in sweat.

Don't know what this is, but I thought I'd take a picture
I've seen them in Utah, but it just seemed pretty at the time.

Another attempt at biking-photography. I "ran into" about 6 deer, just hanging out. This one I actually got a shot of because he stayed on the path for a minute while I tried to chase him down. He was faster.

And there's so much more...

WV continued...

COOPER'S ROCK

Coopers Rock State Forest gets its name from a legend about a fugitive who hid from the law near what is now the overlook. A cooper by trade, he resumed making barrels at his new mountain hideout, selling them to people in nearby communities. He lived and worked in the forest for many years.

... (to read more click here).

The View from Cooper's Rock was amazing. We got there at dusk, my favorite time of the day.
I believe this is the Cheat River?

Not a great shot, but all the paths were so beautifully tucked in by lots of green. So lovely.

A Goofy self portrait. To the left is Phillip and Elijah. To the right is some random guy (no doubt contemplating his place in this beautiful, vast world).

And Old School. This is nestled in a beautiful camping area. I decided then that I would figure out the origin of the name "Cheat Mountain" - and who on earth this Cooper guy is.
What I've learned so far:

* Cooper, like 'Smith' or 'Carter' is an occupational name.

* Sometimes crime DOES pay (I'm joking children. It does NOT pay, no sir!)

It's funny that it says 'Nature Center'. Inside is a little climbing wall and a map on the wall of Cooper's Rock State Forest and a fact sheet.

Nephew on the move! Get him outside and he turns into wild, nature kid. What can I say? He takes after his Auntie "M". ;)

This, I believe, is the rock that somehow belongs to Cooper... Lucky Thug.



On the way home, I made them pull over. We were driving along this long field. The sun was nearly gone and you could see fireflies lighting up everywhere. I was unable to get any decent shots. But I thoroughly enjoyed watching the show. For a Utah girl, it was pure night time magic.

It was a beautiful, beautiful evening.

Much more to come.

WV...Morgantown.

I will be posting about my Eastward Adventure in segments.

West Virginia is beautiful. LOVE the fireflies and green trees all around. But, really it could have been Timbuktu for all I care. This is why I came...

NEW BABY! Caleb is nearly 6 weeks old.

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of me holding this little darling. But hold I did, as much as his doting parents would allow. And I resisted the urge to squeeze as best I could. Picture is blurry because I often forget to check my camera settings before snapping away...

Soul Sista, Soul Sista...

I love her so, and unfortunately this trip just makes me miss her even more than ever. But I'm so so very grateful for the time I got to spend with her. And it was fun to see her living in her far away element, and meet many of the friends who are looking out for the Brough family, while they're gone . (We choose to see this as a temporary move).

Phillip (tour guide extraordinaire) and his side kick - Elijah.

Oh, we tried and tried to get dear little Elijah to sit with his Daddy for ONE second to take a picture. But Elijah is just shy of three years, and we were on a gigantic, exploring rock. I suppose it was too much to ask.

VACAY BUDDIES
He refers to me as "Aunt Melissa" in the sweetest voice. He has the vocabulary of a seven year old (I'm not kidding). And as far as he's concerned, He, is the only reason I am there. So when those eager, gigantic brown eyes (with eyelashes as long as my pinkie finger) entreat me to play with his "cash machine" for the umpteenth time--how could I possibly refuse? We shared good times and stimulating conversation.

I love this little family! They were such lovely hosts and really tried to make my trip memorable. I know it's not easy getting around town with a toddler and a baby, but they sure showed me around and cooked lovely meals and showered me with kindness and compliments and goodies.

More to follow...eventually