| waynerd |
Well, since I wrecked the funny pics thread, I figured I'd start the WV thread.
I am originally from WV, the Charleston/Huntington area. I moved away when I went to college in PA, and had my eyes opened to a whole new world.
Wifey and I settled in Rochester after college, and I've never even entertained the idea of going back to live. The people, while very nice, are (IMHO) kinda whacked sometimes. Several also have a "handout" mentality, from all the government stuff Senator Byrd keeps the state afloat with.
Anyway, the WV thread! |
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| drm1111 |
| Well I guess I am one of those"West Virginians" Too!! lol I lived in Bridgeport for all of my 45 years and then I moved to Charlotte,NC almost 2 years ago. The state is beautiful but as Waynard said there are many people with generation welfare meaning its passed down in there blood from their families. Its great to hunt and fish but not much to do unless your an outdoorsman. I would never move back due to the cost of living and the poor job market. Thank goodness the wife and I was in the medical field. There are so many more things to do here in Charlotte. One thing though. I will always be a Mountaineer fan. Go WVU. Beat the h... out of Marshall!!! :1: |
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| jay |
I was born in Charleston, lived in Boone County for my first 5 years, then moved to Kanawha City, a suburb of Charleston, and later Beckley. That was the first 10 or 11 years total. In 1967 we moved to Virginia, and have been here ever since.
I rationalize being a native Virginian by remembering that prior to 1863 it was all Virginia.:p
While I do have some great memories of growing up in West Virginia, I also saw a side that makes me glad that I'm FROM there. The first few years living in a company mining town had an impact on me. My grandfather worked in the mines for 40 years, then he and my grandmother retired to Tennessee.
I'm blessed that she's still with us, having moved in with my parents a couple of years ago; she'll be 92 in January. My grandfather, who suffered from Black Lung, departed us several years ago after a long struggle with Alzheimers.
I still have a few relatives in West Virginia, but most of us moved to surrounding states where the jobs are. I haven't visited any of the old stomping grounds in over 30 years, but do make it over to the Harpers Ferry area every now and then.
And while drm1111 mentioned in another thread that he had running water, etc. where he lived in WVa, I do remember visiting my great-aunt in the early 60's. They had what we called a "bath and a path." While there was running water in the house, the toilet was a 3-seat outhouse in the backyard; yes, they were well-off to have a 3-seater.:p |
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| rocky |
One of the best bits on our drive to South Carolina, was seeing the 70mph signs on the Interstate in WV.
Thats the way to welcome out of state drivers! |
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| rkpeck |
As I had posted in the picture thread, I've been visiting West Va. for 24 years to see the in-laws and enjoy the area. My in-laws live at Jackson's Mill, just north of Weston. (Stonewall Jackson jubliee is at Jackson's Mill this weekend, I believe).
We've contemplated buying property in the Weston / Clarksburg area for several years but just can't seem to pull the trigger. What would we do with the land? Would there be any reason to visit the area after my wife's folks die? (her sibblings have moved out of the area too) The drive from Kansas City to Weston (17hrs) just gets longer and longer each time.
The development of Stonewall Jackson Resort has brought a bit of life to the community, but boy, Weston is really hurtin'. They've watched that old state hospital crumble for the last 20 years and nobody is able to come up with a good use for the facility. They talked about gambling a couple of years back but that failed in a county-wide vote.
Favorite places to visit: Helvetia for lunch, Holly River S.P., Snowshoe, Cass, Blackwater Falls.
Roger |
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| BCinTX |
| We raft the New River every summer. One of these times we hope to hit the Gauley in fall. |
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| drm1111 |
| Been there, done that BC. Has anyone ever been to bridgeday? Its when the jumpers dive off the New River Gorge bridge and parachute to the river below. I believe its called base jumping. Its really neat. They close one side of the bridge down for the jumpers. Those guys are crazy. I love to white water raft. Its such a rush. I went last year with some coworkers and it was a blast. Also if you ever go to Wheeling stop by the Cabelas store there. Its amazing and so BIG. :1: |
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| gryphon75 |
| I don't exactly live in West Virginia, but I am close enough. I live in Buchannan county, Virginia which borders both West Virginia and Kentucky. I agree with others thoughts about the welfare attitude. It is most apparent in the beginning of the month after check day.:) I grew up in Fredericksburg Virginia, which might as well be Northern Virginia anymore. I moved here about 4 years ago with my wife and two kids. We wanted a slower pace life to raise our children in. They do miss out on alot of things that big cities have but in return they have 100 acres, a couple horses, dogs, cats, chickens, a garden to raise crops in and plenty of room to roam. They also have a beautiful view as our house overlooks numerous ranges from an elevation of 2800 feet. I wouldn't change it for the world. Our biggest traffic jam is when the coal train is coming through town. |
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| waynerd |
My brother and soon-t-be ex rode their Harleys to bridge day a couple of times and had a good time.
I went canoeing on part of the New River once......we had a blast. My dad and I tipped the canoe still within site of the car as we started on a 75 mile trip. We went through some small rapids and over one waterfall (about 8' high). The last 20 miles was dead calm, though.
Oh yeah, the outhouse thing! When dad bought the farm I grew up on, the family living in the old farm house was still using the outhouse. It was only a one holer.
But a buddy had a "solar two holer, with a view". It had the white corrigated fiberglass roof panels, and the door had a window up high. |
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| stlblues |
| I've driven through WV a dozen times, that count for anything? |
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| waynerd |
| Sure! What route(s)did you take? What did you see? |
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| stlblues |
quote:
Originally posted by waynerd
Sure! What route(s)did you take? What did you see?
What is it, 64? We have a timeshare at Massenutten VA. I remember going through Wheeling several times, had breakfast just past there more than once. |
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| waynerd |
Wheeling's not really part of WV (to the rest of the state), except for the prison in Moundsville.....it's more like a part of PA. Same with Harper's Ferry....it's more like Maryland.
70 cuts across WV around Wheeling, below Pittsburgh. 64 goes through the heart of WV, from Ashland KY, all across to VA. Pretty drive east of Charleston on the turnpike section. |
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| gryphon75 |
64 goes through the heart of WV, from Ashland KY, all across to VA. Pretty drive east of Charleston on the turnpike section.
It's a little curvy from charleston to beckley, but beckley to VA line is a really scenic drive. I used to do that drive every other week when I was working in Northern VA. However not the greatest drive in the winter when a storm is rolling through!:eek: |
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| stlblues |
quote:
Originally posted by gryphon75
64 goes through the heart of WV, from Ashland KY, all across to VA. Pretty drive east of Charleston on the turnpike section.
It's a little curvy from charleston to beckley, but beckley to VA line is a really scenic drive. I used to do that drive every other week when I was working in Northern VA. However not the greatest drive in the winter when a storm is rolling through!:eek:
Well be coming through there in Feb, we may explore a bit more of WV this time. |
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| waynerd |
They used to sell t-shirts that said "i survived the WV Turnpike"...it was that bad. They really improved it in the late '80's and early '90's.
Travelin' in Feb......watch the weather!! It can get nasty if is snows and the road crews aren't the greatest at snow removal. I once watched a salt truck go down the road.........followed about 5 minutes later by a grader plowing the snow (and salt) off the road, exposing the ice underneath.:rolleyes: |
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| stlblues |
| We'll be taking my Titan on that trip, 4x4 with electric lockers and 33" All Terrain TAs. Prefer the gas mileage of the Ody, but the Titan will get through most anything. |
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