Blue Knob SP, Penn

Canaan Valley West Virginia

Lovely but hard drive.  Lots of switchbacks but little traffic.  Saw some

mountaintop mining.  Ugly.

THE LAND OF CANAAN

     A few photos from here at Canaan State Park, West Virgini:  The greatest bog of all time--- and  with a walkway across. At the end of the walkway lies a hemlock and spruce forest---the forest floor made up of spong-like moss and needles, the air smelling

like a Christmas tree.

     I'm bushed. 4 hrs. of mountain driving .    Later......

     

West Virginia

WindmillThe

DEGENERATING 'N DOUTHAT

     Yesterday, after finishing the blog, everthing was set up---electric cable, water hose, wheel chocks; we'd had dinner, and we were chillin. Up pulls a gigantic fifth-wheeler (3/4 ton V8 truck) pullng a "Montana" ----a trailer as big as the state of Montana!  This wrestler-looking woman with a flattop hops down from behind the wheel and days,"Hey buddy, I hate to tell you but this is our parking spot. Her pal...a skinny woman with a flattop, cranes her head up out of the other window and bellows, "Yeah, and I got the paperwork to proove it."

The upshot was that we had to (a) move, and (b) we had to go down to the gatehouse and give the park dudes a piece of our mind for double-booking us but they were happy college kids & we all ended up laughing about Donald Trump---one of the kids actually pinched up his face like Trumpster---like the butt end of beagle and it was the Trumpster, incarnate.  The kid should be in show biz!

     We weren't angry any more and we found an even better spot, set up, and up walks a woman and her husband. I'm thinking, "Surely to God this, too,  ain't someone else's spot."  Turns out they're Australian; he's a noted poet & she was as witty as Mel Brooks, & we rapped for an hour.  Every two years they come to America, buy a Honda Gold Wing---the premo touring motorcycle---attach their tent to the rear of the bike, and tour our great country.. Been to all the states except Indiana and R.I. We exchanged emails and we're gonna hook up again---maybe even down under.  So, as mighty FATE would have it, being kicked out of our 1st camping spot allowed us to meet Karen and Joseph Flynn.  Ain't fate a hoot?

     Today, the drive over here on highway 220 between Roanoke and Millboro, Va, where Douthat State Pk. is,  was one of the most beautiful drives I've ever been on here in  America.  And I've been on a good number.  Hardwood covered medium mountains in every direction--clean, prosperous little farms, hay  on the rolling-hill meadows, a black Angus steer here-and-there.  It was a story book setting.  Must come back when the leaves have turned.

     Later.....

WONKY AT CLAYTOR LAKE ST. PK,

     Been in a three-ring I.T. poop storm getting Oh, Nelly! published and out in the world. The book is available via Amazon or www.richarddavidrandall.com

& it'll be on Kindle July 19th.

      Too much  already with this book stuff; time to hit the road!  Threw the crates in the truck,hitched up the mighty EGG Camper, and we're bailing for Acadia Nat. Pk. on the coast of Maine.. Tonight we're camping in Claytor Lake State Pk., Dublin, Va.  I-77 the whole way.  "Whew!" And a second "whew!" Great camp site---woods on three sides.  Overcast and cool---aah, the cool. Just had a rain before we arrived. Took an hour hike through the pine and poplar forest. Nary another person in sight---so often the case when you get 15 or 20 mins. from the campground.  Good smells in the damp, pinestraw forest.

     Manana, we're off the Interstate---taking 220 north through the foot hills and mountains en route to W. Va.  The map says it's a "senic route". It's got to out class I-77.

Later.......

   

I'VE PUBLISHED A BOOK!!

Title: Oh, Nelly!  The Life and Loves of Penelope Evangeline Dougherty 1883-1963

     Meet Penelope Evangeline Dougherty, otherwise known as "Nelly":
"I've known genuine love's fierce passion and the love one feels for a soul mate. I've known parenthood's unmatched joy and agony. I've known abject poverty and financial contentment. I've known terrifying adventure, death's near misses and the double-edged sword of revenge."

     Inspired by a mysteriously discovered time-worn autobiography started by Nelly, her story is vividly brought to life once more for us, knitted with great love and a healthy dose of imagination into a compelling narrative by her grandson.  (me)

     About the Author:
A North Carolina Arts Council Writers' Fellowship recipient, Dick Randall is a retired counselor, an avid sailor and cross-country rambler. Charlotte, North Carolina is his home. Contact him at kcidlladnar@gmail.com

     How to Purchase/Read the Book:
 Go to www.richarddavidrandall.com, or go directly to Amazon books and type in
 Oh, Nelly!  It will be available on Kindle e-readers on or about July 19, 2015