April 08, 2004

Through the Mountains

PITTSBURGH - The Internet may be everywhere, but that doesn't mean it's easy to find public access in the hills of western PA or WV. Anyway.

Yesterday I dropped my folks off at the airport (they made it back safely) and headed west into Maryland. I stopped for gas at the Burkittsville exit (location of The Blair Witch Project), then went to Harpers Ferry, the national park at the confluence of the Shendandoah and Potomac Rivers. Very picturesque. And like 70 degrees, did I mention that? I walked around the town with a dazed and stunned expression on my face.

Then it was into the mountains. If you've never driven I-68 west through Maryland, here's a little exercise to see what it's like. Go to a building with a tall stairwell (like a parking garage). Walk up two flights, then down six steps, then up two flights. Do this 11 times.

I was intending to stay the night at the Palace of Gold in West Virginia, but it was starting to get dark and I didn't know exactly where it was, and I didn't relish the idea of driving around twisty mountain roads in West Virginia in the dark. I've seen Deliverance, you know. So I gave up and went to a motel in Waynesburg, PA (a lot of trains go through Waynesburg all night!) and headed to the Palace in the morning. Not a soul was about. There was no distant sound of chanting, and it was an hour before scheduled opening time. So I took a few pics and headed downhill (straight downhill) to Moundsville and the West Virginia Penitentiary, which was the actual state pokey till 10 years ago or so, and is now offering very cool and comprehensive tours. It ain't tourist season yet, so I had a tour all to myself. If you're ever in Moundsville, take the tour and try to get Kathy as your guide. She handled the small group (me) with aplomb; she was cool, informative and thorough. I've decided to live a law-abiding life, at least in the Mountaineer State.

And now I'm in Pittsburgh, about to meet my (so far) Internet-only friend Andy and go to the Pirates-Phillies game. But I'm gonna wander around first.

Comments

yarr matey. enjoy the game. hope the phillies swab the field with those scalliwags.

errr, somethin'

Posted by: kari at April 8, 2004 02:57 PM

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