Today was just a day for getting from one place (Keyser, West Virginia) to another (Caldwell, Ohio)--200 miles, but there were lessons to be learned and time to ponder events from our trip.
God has watched over us the entire way. Yesterday, Caldwell was under a tornado watch but we were safe a good distance away.
God has been good to our family. There was a rather major "hiccup" in Lucas and Celeste's move, but the LORD showed the way and they are moving forward--and other people are being blessed.
God has taught us a lesson on stereo types. We have heard stories of how West Virginians are not to be trusted. We have had two times in the last two days that West Virginians have gone out of their way to help us personally. And one time where they acted quickly to help many.
God has opened our eyes to such beauty. Since we don't travel long distances we are able to take in things that go unnoticed when in a rush.
STORIES:
Lucus and Celeste: They had more "stuff" than they thought and the truck wasn't big enough to take it all. Some of the wood working Lucas had done (Adirondack chairs, a blanket ladder and more) were given to neighbors who were very grateful.
West Virginians 1: When we stopped for ice cream yesterday, we angle parked adjacent to the building. When we go ready to leave there was a train going by just a few feet from where we parked. There was a long line of cars behind us so we couldn't back out. One guy inched his car closer to the railroad crossing and then directed the other cars so we could back out. We could have sat there for quite a while (trains go very slowly through town and they are usually very long). Such a kind gesture.
this rental truck just stopped in the middle of the road--no hazard lights or anything. The driver motions for us to stop. We were hesitant but stopped--didn't roll the window down all the way. The man said there was a tree across the road at the bottom of a grade and it would be a while before it is cleared. He told us how to go around. Well, we decided to go on anyway. It was eight miles down a mostly steep down grade with many very sharp curves on this very narrow road. But it was beautiful with a creek sometimes and much lush, green. SIDE NOTE: the grades here are 9% that last for several miles and have many sharp curves. Sure enough there was a tree across the road about 10 miles from where the man stopped us. We were about 4 cars and 4 motorcycles from the tree. That man did not have to stop and try to help others. We figured that the tree must have come down at least an hour before given the transit times. There were only 18 vehicles on the other side of the downed tree.
West Virginians for all: We had not been stopped more than 15 minutes at the downed tree when emergency vehicles from both sides of the downed tree came and cut the tree up and got us going. It was a joy to see them just start cutting and throwing the wood to the side of the road. Both the crews were volunteer fire departments. This was at about 10am. This delay was shorter than the time to get from the 911 memorial to time square in New York City!
Beauty: Who but God could have long, straight roads turn into 9% grades with hairpin turns. From dense deciduous tress to corn and hay fields. Trees that are different shades of green.
Thankful for all that we have seen and done and thankful to be able to have time to ponder.
Observations over time:
We've traveled quite a few miles and seen so many wonderous sights. It's always amazing to see the subtle differences in customs from region to region.
In the east it is not uncommon to have large, very large, lawns between the highway and the house. Sometimes many acres of well maintained lawn. It's quite a buffer although there are seldom trees enough to create a visual barrier. Yes, there appears to be clover in some of the lawns, but our favorite lawn weed, dandelions, appear to be virtually nonexistent.
Many 'towns' are listed as non-incorporated, and nothing more than a few houses loosely grouped together with an oft abandoned store or service station - the signs of more prosperous days past. It wasn't uncommon to drive 10 or 20 miles and see nothing but trees, then come upon one of these little towns, and maybe a second one a mile or so further down the road.
West Virginia is a land forgotten... by Verizon. We had virtually a full day without cell coverage. The hotel we stayed at in Keyser had poor Wi-Fi. We become so dependent on these services, both as consumers, and as business, that without them we are hindered, although not quite like Lewis and Clark making their way west 115 years ago. We had a difficult time finding our hotel last night even with having their address and phone number. All they had was a small sign on the highway, but was not visible otherwise. No phone books, no cell signal, no data for maps navigation. How often have we used a pay phone in the last five years? Are there still pay phones?