West Virginia 2012: Food, Dogs and... Abandoned Structures?

Last weekend I decided (at the suggestion of my dad) to drive to West Virginia while my immediate family visited Aunt Shelly and Larry. I think the surprise went well!

I made it!

Most everyone was happy to see me, although my mom said she hates surprises and that she thought of punching me (fortunately she did not).

I missed you guys too.

Anywho, lets get this post rolling.

Food

It wouldn't be West Virginia without lots and lots of delicious food. Dad and Larry treated us all to a delicious hunk of meat. That's when Larry showed me the magic that is Borsari, the most delicious meat rub ever made. It turns meat into magic.

Besides our delicious chunk of meat, the biggest foodie development to happen in West Virginia was the arrival of the new automatic ice cream maker.

Aunt Shelly's new #1 Ice Cream Maker

We made serious amounts of ice cream. Vanilla, peanut putter, chocolate, hand-picked berry flavor and more.

One of the many flavors we made.

As for eating out, we went to a "take out" place called Smoke on the Water which featured smoked shrimp, ribs, brisket, and best of all smoked potato salad.

Smoke on the Water

Last but not least, we also joined several of our neighbors in a delicious Pig Roast. I've been to Pig Roasts before, but I was told this pig was squealing the day before, which did make this unique.

Can't have a Pig Roast without a roast pig.

Below was our gracious host cutting the pig in the hot West Virginia sun. Since he was preoccupied with cutting the pig, he had others tend to his sweaty forehead to make sure our pig had only the intended flavors.

Give this man a paper towel!

The food at the pig roast was delicious, and it was fun talking to the others who made it. It felt like a traditional rural get-together.

Dogs

Watching the bears running around the forest is one on life's simple pleasures. One of our favorite developments was seeing how far we could get Honey Bear into the water. Honey Bear hates being in water, but Aunt Shelly used some delicious chicken to gave Honey Bear an offer she couldn't refuse.

Honey Bear's pretty cautious.

Almost there!

Got it!

Honey Bear never got deep enough to swim, but she did get most of her belly wet, which was a big step forward. Kudos to Aunt Shelly for being so patient.

Abandoned Structures

Larry introduced us a new tower in Elkins which used to be a lookout for forest fires.

Bickle Knob Observation Tower

The view from the top was truly breathtaking. We could a 360° view of the surrounding area, with all the mountains and valleys creating a real-life contour map of the West Virginia forest.

What a view!

Nick and Aunt Shelly weren't keen on climbing the high, abandoned tower. They made themselves at home in the middle on the floor.

Aunt Shelly and Nick Played it safe.

But they did cowboy'd up to take a nice picture against the railing.

The fam'

My favorite new discovery this trip though was visiting an abandoned property that Aunt Shelley owns, which had fallen into disrepair. Dad and I first drove next to it during one of our Fat Cat rides.

It ain't West Virginia without Fat Cats.

I asked my dad what he though happened, and as he said it, "water just gets everywhere, and destroys everything."

One of Aunt Shelly's more neglected Properties

On our second trip back, we brought mom, who surprised me by coming in and exploring with us.

Mom treading lightly.

Dad, despite being the largest of us all, actually was the only one who managed to not step through the floor. He knew how to distribute his weight.

Dad distributing his weight.

I wasn't so dainty.

This hole wasn't here before we walked around.

It was truly fascinating to see how water and time could ruin what used to be a beautiful house.

They used to be shelves...

After we went through the house it was time for me to take another nine-hour drive back to Midland. But taking the time to come see the old family was definitively worth it. That's all I got for this post. I hope everyone continues to have a great summer, and remember....

Stay safe!