Sternwheeler Festival

Roger’s bike was finished today so as soon as he returned to the hotel we headed to Marietta Ohio to check out the Sternwheeler Festival. There were thousands of people milling around with chairs and blankets spread out on the banks of the Ohio River where dozens of Sternwheelers were docked along with one of the war ships that carried our troops to Normandy beaches during WWII and lots of vendors selling crafts and food.

After a couple of hours some headed back to the hotel and Bernie, Shirley, Glenn, Kathy, Don and I headed cross hill and dale to find the Berdine’s 5 & Dime store in Harrisville, WV. Shirley had read about this store in the Sunday paper and thought it would be a neat place to visit. Apparently this is the America’s oldest 5 & dime store still in operation. She was right. There were toys, bulk candy, china, doilies, dolls, postcards, stationary, marbles, kitchen gadgets, joke items, jams and jellies, and the list goes on and on. The lady running the store was so nice and more than happy to show us everything. And of course we all came out with something special we had purchased.

We arrived back to the hotel in time to shower and pack before heading to the banquet. Tomorrow we head for home with all our memories.

Pictures of The Wilds

The Wilds

Pulled out at 8 AM and traveled some great back roads in Ohio reaching the Wilds by 9:35 as planned. This place was more than I had expected. We boarded the open air bus and pulled through the automatic gates. Ronnie, our tour guide and bus driver, drove slowly over the bumpy dirt trails stopping at various locations in the open fields where animals were grazing or wondering; buffalo, zebras, giraffes, rhinoceros, elk, and many, many more. After our safari they had prepared us a lunch which we ate on the overlook and then headed out to find some back roads on which to play. I had the directions from the Internet for the Ohio Dragon, route 536; 11 miles of twists and turns, uphill and down scraping floorboards as you first lean left and then lean right. I don’t think there is one single straight stretch in the whole 11 miles. Then we got on Ohio 7 which runs right along the river. Dinner was pizza ordered in and shared in the social room where the ladies talked and the men played cards.

This and That

This group just isn’t right! 21 of us went to the Texas Roadhouse for dinner and they put us all in one area together. We had noticed about 2 or 3 times the servers came dancing past clapping and singing for someone’s birthday. Someone, and I cannot tell you who because I don’t know for sure, told the servers it was Andy’s birthday. So here they come, about 8 or 10, clapping, shouting and singing to Andy. His eyes were as big as saucers and his mouth wide open. Everyone in the group was hooting and yelling. Then they brought Andy the complimentary large piece of cake with ice cream piled on top with chocolate syrup. He was nice enough to pass the plate around to anyone who wanted to have a bite. Andy’s birthday is really in June. And this was the one time I left the camera in the room; what a picture this would have made for the newsletter.

We’ve had a few hitches along the way. Roger was having a problem with his bike on the way out and it just got worse so he took it to the shop on Tuesday afternoon. Needs a driveshaft and they are calling all over the place to find one. The factory said they are on backorder for a month. Found one on e-bay which is being shipped overnight to the shop. Hope they get it finished before Roger and Ginny plan to leave on Sunday.

We have 4 people who want to go on the Wilds Tour but I had to give then the final count two weeks ago. Not sure if we can add 4 more people since lunch is being provided. They are going to ride with us since I am planning a nice ride after our safari tour. Several of us want to find the Ohio Dragon.

Blennerhassett Island Tour

Left the parking lot at 9:45 to wind our way downtown Parkersburg to the Blennerhassett Museum; easy trip. I rode on the back of Don’s bike to navigate the streets. The building was built in 1904 and operated as Star Grocery Company until 1940 but it was well maintained and held loads of interesting items from the Blennerhassett family as well as artifacts from earlier history in this area. Getting back on the bikes we rode about 3 miles to Belpre where we boarded the paddlewheel boat for the short trip across the Ohio River to the island. The boat captian motioned for Lucy to come to the front and she was given the wheel to steer the boat. The Blennerhassett’s were very wealthy and the mansion was a showpiece in the area. But he became involved with Aaron Burr and was labeled a traitor and lost everything and ended up moving back to London to live with his sister. After touring the house we took a wagon ride around the island and the young lady handling the horse was a bundle of information. A sign said you can tip the driver and kiss the horse so Bernie got to kiss the horse. Back on the boat we headed to the shore for our ride back to the hotel where some of the ladies plan to go shopping, a few men want to take naps or share stories over a cold beer and one game of cards before dinner. I think it was a good day; most of our group enjoys museum trips once in awhile.

West Virginia State Penitentiary

Kickstands up at 9:30 heading north on route 2; George was leading today and we were heading about 80 miles to the West Virginia State Penitentiary which was built in 1866 and closed in 1995. The tour, which was 2 hours, was very informative and well worth the visit. The stories were chilling and mindboggling as to why someone would continue their life of crime and return to such a place over and over again. The cells were maybe 4 by 6 with a metal cot hanging from the wall and a toilet with a wash basin just above it; cement walls with iron bars on the front facing the walkway. We were given a chance to get inside a cell and the guide ‘locked down’ and it was a strange feeling hearing those metal doors slam shut. I found it very interesting that the warden lived on the 4th floor with his family; his children played in the same yard as the prisoners and the people caring for his children, cleaning his house and even cooking his meals were the ‘ trusties’ meaning they were prisoners but very well behaved prisoners. Give me a break! The ride to and back was wonderful. A mountain range to our immediate left, the Ohio river to our right and then another mountain range just past the river. In the distance you can see the trees on the mountains are just beginning to display some fall color. The air was crisp today. After our tour George lead us to a cafeteria for a late lunch so tonight we will probably eat at the Pub right here in the hotel and socialize.

West Virginia Pen Tour

Everyone listens as Donna our tour guide tells about a prison riot in the room where we are standing.
4X6 home to almost 800 people at one time.

Bad feeling to have these doors lock shut.