Monday morning (August 2) we left the airbnb in Paducah, Kentucky. Because our iphone told us that it would be nearly an 11 hours drive without even stopping we decided to do it in two days and go through West Virginia.
We took our time packing up and even swung by our old house in Reidland. It looked much different which of course is ok. Oh the memories! This is the second house James and I had designed ourselves and had it built. It was very practical and cute. And it had a pool. We had 9 great years there.
The Bluegrass Parkway! More memories. We both had to drive it often. And mostly in the mornings towards the east with the raising sun blinding the driver and in the evening being blinded by the sun going down ... diocese meetings or girl scout meetings in Louisville.
We found a rest stop along the highway for the picnic lunch.
James had booked a room in a hotel in Huntington, West Virginia. After sitting in the car we were eager for a walk. The hotel was downtown and close to the Ohio River (the same as in Paducah). We had been hoping to find a restaurant for dinner at the river with a nice view. No such thing. Too bad. But we had a nice walk anyway.
We had to settle for a restaurant on a main street. Luckily there was not much traffic, the weather was nice, lots of people were walking about and we could sit outside. It is always nice to watch 'the world go by'.
We splurged. We started with a potato skin appetizer. Yummy.
And if that was not enough calories more potato, salmon and ribs (something like pick two and sides). it was so good.
James had the 'Famulous Fish & Chips'. James likes his fish only the British way: battered. We had a long discussion with the server why the menu said 'hand battered in ... breading' and the fish was called sway. He decided to give it a chance and it was very nice.
We were on our way Tuesday early. Before 9 am we drove through Charleston. You could not miss that golden dome. Surely that must be the state capitol building.
This long and narrow valley was very interesting. No idea how many times with crossed the Kanawha River from one side to the other.
When we reached the Virginia Welcome Center near Covington we decided it must be the prettiest one in the State. Zinnias had been seeded everywhere and were a feast for the eye. Butterflies and bees were buzzing around.
Couldn't help but had to watch this white caterpillar chomp on the flower. You could see his (or her) tiny mouth chew away.
Well, we didn't stop too long. Just to do the 'you know what' and stretch our legs. Soon we continued. When we were on the familiar (from trips to and from Nashville) stretch of I-81 we were nearing lunch time. We decided we could stop at that Blue Mountain Brewery which we visited when we went with William on the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail.
Guess which beer James ordered?
Yup, the Full Nelson!
James had the Reuben which I had last time and enjoyed so much. This time I ordered the Bratwurst. I was a bit disappointed with it but that is ok. I like trying different things.
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