MORGANTOWN'S STEFANO'S

There is a long Italian heritage in Morgantown due to immigrants making their way from Italy.  Clarksburg is just Southwest of Morgantown and the home to the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, which I missed by about a month.  Needless to say I needed to partake in some great Italian food and found Stefano's (www.stefanosmorgantown.com) on Chestnut Ridge Rd. located below a bowling alley (although it's not obvious while you're eating).

A tasting was my request that began with a amuse bouche of a stuffed cherry tomato.  Whatever it was stuffed with certainly tasted great.  Out comes the bread which I would not have necessarily eaten if it weren't for the olive tapenade.

Two Antipasti dishes.  Stefano's Meatball is a large meatball stuffed with fresh mozzarella cheese, topped with Stefano's Meat Sauce.  What a meatball!  Here's a take on mac and cheese called Aragosta e Formaggio.  Broiled lobster served over lobster and mascarpone ditalini pasta, baked with herbed bread crumbs.

Where up to the Zuppa e Insalata.  Nuovo Nicoise has tomato, applewood bacon, boiled eggs, olives and Taleggio cheese over spinach and Bibb lettuce finished with a tomato vinaigrette and potato chips (made on the premises).  Another salad of endive cups filled with arugula, golden apple, apricots and walnuts finished with maytag (not the washing machine) cream and apple cider Vinaigrette.

I choose a pesce vs a carne, Spigola.  Pan roasted Seabass over lobster and asparagus risotto finished with lobster conssume and parsnip crisps.

There's always room for dessert.  I'll have to get back on this as I don't remember what it was.  All was delicious! 

PONTOONING ON CHEAT LAKE

Just on the other side of the entrance to Lakeview Resort Gold & Spa is the Sunset Beach Marina the perfect spot to begin a boat ride along the 13-mile Cheat Lake.  A Pontoon boat was rented.  I love piloting a pontoon boat.  With minimal  instructions it's pretty easy. I just had to get a hang of how quick the boat turned when turning the wheel.  I took it up at different speeds but not the highest as I was more interested in viewing the lake for about an hour or so.

Barry Frey is the owner of the rental boats.  It was the last weekend that the boats were going out on the lake.  We waited for a sunny day as the weather, although great in temperature, was cloudy.  The exact address of the marina is 177 Sunset Beach Rd.  (304-594-0050) www.sunsetbeach-marina.com

LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS OH MY!

I love visiting zoos.  Especially when it's someone's personal Wildlife sanctuary.  Hovatter's Wildlife Zoo, located in Kingswood on Herring Road, is run by Brian Hovatter.  I didn't have time to get the whole story but will speak with him when I interview him on my internet radio show.

There are two cute colorful parrots sitting in a cage that would probably greet you if they said something.  The entrance house has a great view of one of many groups of primates.  Sometimes I think that they know we're there to watch, so that act out.  This one included a scene of a mother picking out the bugs (or whatever they pick out) of he offspring.   On the counter are various food items to purchase for you to feed the residents.  Carrots are suggested for the giraffe,  some kind of hard chunks are for any,  candy bars (of the healthy genre) go to the bears.  At some areas, like at one primate cage, there is a machine to get a handful of "Cherrios".  Long white tubes are places in most of the cages so that you can simply place the food in the tube and the animal will be waiting for it.  Easier than trying to throw it into the cage.  Some primates hang on the bars waiting for you to toss and they will catch it.

Lions, tigers, bears, primates, donkeys, along with a petting zoo area will certainly occupy your time and kids adore it because they are probably more up close than a regular zoo.  Zack, the giraffe, is one of the newest tenants. This 18 and a half foot tall darling was featured in the movie, Evan Almighty, as well as a number of commercials. At first glance, Zack looked as if his photo was part of the side of the "barn" as he stood really still.  I think he was sleeping with his eyes open.  Holding out the carrot, I keep calling to him and showing the goodie.  He slowly approached.  As I fed him, I was able to pet him above the nose and alongside of his face.  I even touched his tongue a few times.  One little girl had to wait until I completed my experience.  I made sure of it.  For me it's a one on one. 

EXPLORING MORGANTOWN

Coopers Rock State Forest, 13 miles East of Morgantown, was the first attraction on our list.  The weather was fabulous and the leaves were multi-colored at this time.  The drive alone gave us a glimpse of the oxygenated outdoors. I'm not sure as to whether we were viewing a growth a the bottom of a tree or a set up for Halloween next to the parking lot.  Although there are hiking trails it was the overlook that we had heard so much about.  Rockcliffs line the Cheat River Gorge furnishing a panorama as well as distant horizons.

We wanted to see something called Henry Clay Furnace just nearby but the hike would have been a few miles.  Instead we just took photos of more of the state forest. 

Morgantown Theatre Company has a usual focus of "teaching" as it functions as a community theatre for elementary, middle and high school students..  Our timing was perfect as the cast were mainly composed of alumni and performing Ragtime The Musical at the Metropolitan Theatre, located in the downtown area.  Trevor Dion Nicholas an alumni who has gone on to a much more professional career had the leading role of "Coalhouse Walker, Jr.".  I was quite impressed by the performance, far beyond any community theatre.  I guess you have to thank Director Hillary Phillips, Choreographer General McArthur Hambrik, and Music Director Ken Godwin (you'd a thunk there were an orchestra).

No matter what state you travel in there always seems to be wineries.   Forks of Cheat Winery is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains with a tasting room that could keep you there for the afternoon.  Owned by Jerry and Eric Deal, the view alone is worth the ride.  There is no charge for the wine tastings of which you can taste them all.  White wines are my thing, reds are Laurie's.  Then there are fruit wines and dessert wines.  All can even be tasted on the decks.  Did I tell you that they also have a distillery?  Moonshine anyone?

LAKEVIEW GOLF RESORT AND SPA

We arrived early at the Lakeview Golf Resort and Spa and weren't able to check in as they were still cleaning the unit.  One thing about being at a timeshare is the ability to trade.  If you do this on a bit of the off-season, you can still get the area attractions and in many cases a larger unit than the one you trade.  Our unit had two bedrooms and two and half bathrooms.  Each of the bedrooms upstairs (Oy, the climb) had a full bathroom and tv.  The bathroom downstairs was perfectly placed at the entrance.  Full kitchen with dishwasher, dining area and living room with a tv and couch.  Washer and dryer.  What more can you want?  At no extra charge you can get the cleaning folks to tidy the place the whole week.  I only asked for it once.

There is a hotel on the premises and quite common for groups to come in and book events.  You park in front of your unit but may not be as easy if you're stopping at the hotel.  That's where the computer is that gave me access to my email at no charge.  I did not bring my laptop.  Otherwise there is free wi-fi.

An 18-hole golf course tees off just at the hotel near the entrance to one of their two restaurants, Legends, a sports bar with casual dining.  The other restaurant, Fusions, has an entrance in the hotel or across the way from Legends.  Fusions is all about the buffet.  Weekends offers an all you can eat with a pasta and prime rib station for about $25.  Pick a pasta, sauce and various items for the chef to cook up.  On one weekday night a buffet minus the stations was about $15.

Continuing on with the resort, there is a Fitness Center. How perfect that you cannot drive to it as the walk (not that far) will get your heart rate going.  I'm told (Laurie made use of the place) that there are various machines and a pool.

Spa Roma, where you can park your car, is on the premises but not owned by the resort.  It was there that I had my hair cut and styled as well as having a facial.  I looked good and felt great! Laurie had a most relaxing massage.  Oh...we didn't do all of this that first day!!!

Needless to say, being at a timeshare, you have the option to cook your own meals.  The nearest and best place to shop?  Kroger. Had it all! Organic produce, prepared food.  For me it was a cross between Fairway Market and Stop & Shop.  

I am told that they are going to be doing much renovations to the resort.  Great spot to hold a convention and perhaps a golf championship.  As for location, I think that the nearest airport is in Pittsburgh, PA which is about 50 miles away.  Well worth it as there is much to do in Morgantown.

Each time we left the unit, this is the view that we got.  Not sure what the company was that had the plant but It helped in navigating our trip.