Last week was spent on vacation in, as the title of this post would imply, West Virginia!
We stayed at a campground in Durbin (about an hour outside of Elkins) and, for the most part, just relaxed.
Before going we were not aware of some things. . . . . and they could have been "biggies" if we were a different type of people.
Thing #1
Cell phone service in the area does not exist.
No, it's not because of the mountains. . . . . . it is because of this:
https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/gbt/
We could see the disk from miles away. . . . . but the actual location is Green Bank, West Virginia. Due to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) having designated 13,000 square acres around Green Bank as being as close to "radio silence" as possible there are no cell phone towers to be seen.
As Mr. Books is attached to his phone for work 24/7 it was heavenly to have a vacation without getting work related calls all the time.
We did not tour the facility, but we did go through the exhibit hall and the information there was fascinating.
I could definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area. . . . especially if you are science minded.
Thing #2
Durbin is in the middle of "no where" ..... which is a "good thing", except when you are out of milk and it is after 6PM, LOL
It is an hour from Durbin to Elkins, it was about 40 minutes from Durbin to Cass, BUT, the mountains are beautiful and, oh my goodness, the stars have never shone as brightly as they did in the clear sky over our campground.
Please do not get me wrong. . . . we adored the small town of Durbin.
Kinder's Market was well stocked with items, and Mr. Books was salivating just looking at the fresh meats that were available. We got to speak with several local shop owners (one of which is a transplanted Jersey girl!) and every one of them were very friendly and helpful.
We definitely would love to go back.
Thing #3
Everyone is very "laid back". Mind you, I do not consider Mr. Books or myself to be "big city" people. . . . . but there was still a bit of culture shock for us.
For instance, we do a lot of RVing. And we are used to paying a deposit when we make reservations to secure our spot. Back in April when I made the reservation for the campground we were at the owner said that a deposit was not necessary.
Since I wasn't used to that poor Mark got several phone calls during April and the end of May to make sure that we still had a spot at the campground.
Here is where the "laid back" comes in. . . . . when we arrived at the campground Mark (and So Be It --his dog) met us outside and walked us into our site. After we got the RV situated on the site we went to the office to make our payment (which is usual). . . .after firming up the last day of our visit Mark quoted a price and said that we could pay him any time before we left at the end of the week!
I have never had that experience before and we told him that we would pay him right then. . . .which he said was "ok, but necessary". That is laid back!
Thing #4
This has nothing at all to do with West Virginia, or any of the towns we visited. . . this has to do with Mr. Books and I. . . . . . we don't know how to relax without falling asleep! LOL
I kid you not. . . . . I packed a UFO to work on, some crochet work that has been hanging around too long, a knitted cowl that is way over due to get done, a book and 2 DVDs to watch (on top of the lap top and iPad).
I did get a couple of rows knitted on the cowl. . . . but basically, I slept. Talk about relaxing!
Must have been all that good mountain air. . . . . . . .
In peace and pieces,
This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.
