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?

NO ROOM AT THE INN IN MORGANTOWN

My friend Laurie and I set off on a road trip to Morgantown, West Virginia.  Wanting an extra day from our check in at a timeshare week, we stayed at the nearby Lake Manor Bed & Breakfast.  Arriving in the mid afternoon we were told that the last room available was given to us, which was where the owner Kathleen (Katie) Crumbaker and her mother usually stayed.  The room was large, had two queen beds and beautifully decorated, as were all of the rooms.

We popped into the kitchen as it was just off the parking lot and easier to get our luggage in.  There was a group of folks pulling apart what appeared to be a roasted pig.  Augie and his wife Rosemary, two of the guests, brought the pig as well as a roaster doing the job in the parking lot.  All who were present in the kitchen were tasting it as we participate in pulling the pork with forks, placing it into a large pan.  A pot of Cuban Beans were cooking alongside of another pot of rice.  Augie brought some special BBQ sauce.  Someone else was making a salad and Katie had prepared what turned out to be one of the most delicious potato salads going.

Needless to say nobody went out for dinner.  We loaded a potato roll with the pork that was mixed with the BBQ sauce and plated the rest.  How good was it?  The pork was so good that Tricia, a vegan, had more than a mouth full.  She was munching with the rest of us. This might have been one of the best meals all week.  What a way to mingle with the guests!!

The weekend was all about Parents Weekend at West Virginia University.  Parents were there with their family although I'm not sure that the students stayed over.  We heard that although the football team, The Mountaineers, won a game in Texas the "celebration" was creating a riot at the school.  They were burning bean bag chairs and more. Not the best thing for Parent's Weekend!

Tricia and Ken were into juicing.  Having already spoken with Michelle Jaffe from P'Town, I inquired even more.  They brought their juicer and organic produce with them renting a room that lead to it's own patio and jacuzzi.  Breakfast included a sample of the produce that combined vegetables with an apple for the sweetness.  I was inspired.  

About the pig thing.  Let's see....he couldn't find a pig sitter.   No room for the pig.   Better yet...the pig was West Virginia University's mascot and Augie stole it.  Riots broke out and we needed to dispose of the evidence!!!