West Virgina Girl

A West Virginia Back Roads Getaway

Not too long ago, I had the chance to come along on a business trip that my husband had in West Virginia. We don't get away without out our girls very often, so we planned to take our time.

Our first stop was in the town of Buckhannon, home to West Virginia Wesleyan. This was the college stomping ground of my husband and he wanted to revisit his glory days. The campus is beautiful and the weather was great but it was time for lunch.

We decided to eat at C. J. Maggie's American Grill. The restaurant is really funky with lots of odd objects and off the wall art.

 

The hostess podium at the front was covered in colored yardsticks. Maybe a future DIY project of some sort for me.

 

The booth we sat at had a light fixture that was covered in customer written graffiti.

I ordered a beer and a wood fired pizza and left full and happy. We strolled into a really interesting antique store and I wished I would've had more time to poke around.

 

There were plenty of promising storefronts and buildings.

I'm sure I'll be back at a future date!

Our next stop was Seneca Rocks, WV. We went over to the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center and checked things out. There was a gift shop with a great view. The rocks were gorgeous!

 

We stopped to get some sodas and car snacks at Yokum's General Store and Motel. Interesting.

 

Directly across from Yokum's is Harper's Old Country Store and Front Porch Restaurant. I believe it has been there since 1902. Seriously, like stepping back in time. The restaurant has simple food and in good weather, you can eat out on the porch.

Then, we were back on our way to more boring locals that shall not be named. But, the drive sure was pretty!

 

On our way home the next day, we made a stop in Berkeley Springs. We planned on eating at the Ambrae House Bar and Grill. We had heard good things, but they were closed. The town had very recently had a flash flood and many businesses were still cleaning up.

 

We ended up eating lunch at Tari's Cafe. It was soooo good. It is open 7 days a week and had tons of local art displayed for purchase. I ordered the Grown up Grilled Cheese Panini, which I loved. And, since it was a child free romantic-ish trip, I had the white wine sangria. Mmmmm, great drink menu!

 

Because it was Sunday and with the flood recovery, all the places I wanted to look in were closed.

They had the most gorgeous library, the Morgan County Public Library on Congress Street. Super quaint.

 

I really felt like I could have used an overnighter in Berkeley Springs. So many places, so little time. I love my home state and look forward to the next exploration! Happy travels.

 

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Richwood, WV

I went with my husband and his family to visit relatives that live in the forest outside of Richwood, West Virginia last summer.

I have been there many times before, but I just came across the pictures I took and thought I would share them.  It's the most beautiful place EVER!

As you can imagine, the kids ran wild all day!

I was a little obsessed with the rocks.  Big ones, little stacks, love, love, love!

Every thing was just so green and lush!

The kids found a tiny pond with tadpoles and a little lizard.  I was fascinated and grossed out at the same time.

My favorite part of the day was when I mentioned how in love I had always been with their neighbors property across the road.  It is truly a vintage "camp".  Two stories with plenty of bedrooms.  Our cousin told us that he kept an eye on things and had a key.  I couldn't get over there fast enough!

I think this was some kind of cold storage shelter, I'm not sure.  I really loved the looks of it!

Just seeing that sign makes my heart a little fluttery.  It has a name!

You have no idea how much I love this sink.  We were told that the owners had done some modernization but, they tried to keep things they way the camp had always been.

Up the little stairway.  The lighting was dim, I don't know if the electricity was turned on.  Let me say, it was August and hot as blazes.

I was crazy over this iron bed.

And, the blue of these walls.

I wish I had a big farm table like the one on the porch.

The kids were wishing that something good was locked away in the building.  I don't think so, but curiosity is a good thing. 

If you ever have a chance to visit this part of the state, swim in the Cranberry River and hike a trail you should jump on it.  I look forward to my next visit!

What Happens in Vegas..............

This is my first post in my West Virgina blog and it's about.......Las Vegas.  I took a trip this summer and I didn't blog about it then but, I do get out of the state every now and then.  Before my husband and I left I wanted to take my girls but, after making the trip, I think I prefer it as an adult destination.

We stayed on the strip in a resort called Aria.  SWANKY.  Somehow, we ended up with an upgrade to a suite.  Words can't express, but maybe the pictures can.

 
Mini bar, the fridge was stocked!  The entryway was huge. 

 
Our living room.  It had a great flat screen tv on a swivel.  We never even turned it on.  There were flat screens in the bedroom and bathroom, too.

 
 
The best bathroom, EVER.  We had two.  Why, I don't know.

 
Our views were fantastic.

 
The resort with the rooftop pool was the Cosmopolitan, one of Aria's sister properties.

 
There were tons of upscale restaurants there.  Expensive.  Thank God for the husband's expense account.

 
Our favorite spot for breakfast.

 
The lobby was super cool.

 
 
 
We spent our afternoons in the pools.

 
 
We always picked a spot that allowed us to check out the people with more cash than us in the private cabanas.

 
Out front.

 
Our favorite activity, before we'd eat dinner and see a show, was to lobby hop and check out all the other casinos.

 
 
 
 
They all had fabulous exteriors, too!

 
 
The shopping was the best of the best.

 
 
 
 
 
 
And how much money did I spend in these beautiful shops?  The same amount that we spent in the casinos.  Nothing.  Not even one quarter.  Champagne taste, beer money.  Speaking of alcohol, the drinks were CRAZY expensive.  That didn't stop us from having the best martinis, ever.  I  probably could have used that money to buy a Gucci bag.

Of all the things we did, ate and viewed the one thing that I have talked about the most has been our toilet.  Yes, our toilet.

 
You may think I was impressed with the phone in my fancy glassed in, room within a room toilet.  That's not it, take a closer look.

 
Not only was the padded seat HEATED, but it had some water features.  Warm water sprays for back and front with adjustable oscillation.  Oh, and a blow dryer to complete the experience.  Let me just say, if I won the lottery, this would be the first thing I would install in my home.