It Could Be Heaven or It Could Be Hell

The day dawned with grey clouds threatening rain.  We hurried to break camp but of course we got caught in a shower.  I am sure I looked ridiculous holding an umbrella over us as we moved from chore to chore, however starting the drive soaking wet seemed even more ridiculous.  Our next stop is Cedar Creek State Park Campground in Glenville, West Virginia; a 3.5 hour drive according to the GPS and Google Maps.  We headed out.  In just a short period of time, we drove out of the shower and zipped along enjoying an easy drive and lots of pretty scenery.  We passed through Horse Country with its lovely green pastures surrounded by white fences and of course beautiful horses of all colors and sizes.  The homes were large and set back with a view of the pastures that would make anyone happy to wake up each morning and look out at the landscape.

Slowly, we began to enter the mountainous terrain of West Virginia.  The highway went through dense forest and upward to breathtaking views.  Well, for the most part anyway.  I have become extremely nervous whenever we go through any sort of mountain road — small rolling or steep climbing — it does not matter.  My heart starts to race and at every turn I have a death grip on the door handle.  Jim is so amazing.  When he piloted our Cessna 172 airplane, he was always a very calm pilot no matter what we may encounter.  He is the same way when he drives, calm and cool, steady as he goes.  He is the sort of person you want around in an emergency.  Me, heck no!  I completely lose my cool and panic.  Just another reason we are a good team.

But I digress, gradually we moved from Interstate to State highways.  Four lanes became two and good wide lanes narrowed to little more than driveways.  The roads twisted and turned like a snake and at the same time went up and down.  Our truck performed perfectly, pulling the heavy fifth without “breaking a sweat” but no matter, I was still nervous.  As I usually do, I ask about fuel from time to time so when the need does come, I can help find a station with diesel fuel.  When I asked, Jim replied we were at a quarter of a tank.  One lesson we learned a long time ago is when your tank gets to a quarter, get fuel.  We passed several exits with signs for fuel but Jim rejected each as being too small for us.  Finally, we exited the highway and made a turn toward two lane country.  There were two stations there but no need Jim said, we have enough to get to camp and then we can fill the truck without the fifth attached.  Remember that statement.

As scary as the road had been before this turn, it got worse.  The landscape was dotted with tiny hamlets, mere dots on the road.  Often in movies and books the Appalachians are described as a land of poor, struggling families.  The hollows are home to all sorts of homes that struggle under the weight of hardship and near poverty.  There are lots of mobile homes of all descriptions and shacks that have given up the struggle to stand and have fallen in a sad heap.  Even so, it is beautiful county.  However, not a fuel station in sight!  Up and down, around and back we went our pace slowing to 45 miles an hour or less.  As time ticked past, the red fuel light illuminated and I started to panic.  Jim, however keep reassuring me that all was well and we had enough to reach camp.  Yea, Right I thought!

As we crawled along, panic in the truck was palpable.  Finally, as we rounded a sharp curve a station came into view.  Fuel I shouted!  The diesel pump sat off to one side and Jim had to jockey the rig a bit to get close enough to reach.  He filled the tank and we made preparations to leave.  Once back on the road, he admitted that he was getting “concerned” that we might not make camp or find a station when we got there.  Well, duh I thought.

When we arrived at Glenville, we both gave a sigh of relief that our long drive was nearly over.  The gps indicated we turn right on Cedar Creek Road, so we did.  Immediately we went over a tiny, rusty old skinny bridge; not a good start.  A short distance later, the one lane road changed from paved to gravel, mmmmm not a good sign.  We crept along trying not to scramble everything inside the fifth as we dodged pot holes filled with muddy water.  Finally the gps announced we were at our destination.  What?  We were in the middle of no where and no camp in sight.  Oh golly, now what.  Up ahead there was a farm house so Jim left me with the truck and walked up to hopefully get directions.  No one was home, of course.  He again entered the campground in the gps and it indicated that we continue forward five more miles where we would once again join the highway we just left and backtrack to Glenville.  Oh geez, technology got us again. 

As we crept along my anxiety and by this time Jim’s as well was increasing by the minute.  I have to say that the views were amazing.  We were deep in a hollow where cattle grazed peacefully and the occasional house dotted the roadside.  At last, we passed a house where a man was in the front yard.  He was round in the belly, sported red hair and a bushy red beard and a warm friendly smile.  Actually when we stopped, he began to chuckle.  Jim hopped out and asked about where the campground was located.  The man told us that lots of people follow the gps and end up on this road but not top panic; it did indeed come back out at the highway.  There we should turn right and when we pass the church turn left and that would take us there.  So, on we went thinking in about 15 minutes we would finally arrive.  When we reached the highway, Jim looked at the gps indicating to turn left but the man told us to go right.  Mmmmm, we went left.  We arrived in Glenville at the road where the gps indicated but no way we would go down it!  Good grief!  Once again, we asked for directions; yep go back the way the man had indicated and it would take us to the camp.  Oh my goodness!

Off we went and sure enough, after the church was a large sign indicating that we had arrived at Cedar Creek State Park.  We traveled quite a distance and began to think we had somehow missed a turn but thankfully no, we soon spotted a sign to turn and we made our way to the campground.  By now we were both exhausted.  Our three and a half hour trip had turned into a six hour, grueling trip.  This better be a pretty place!  It is.  Our site is nestled within the trees; a hollow within the hollow of the camp.  It is level and peaceful and muddy, but no matter.  In no time, we were set up and having a beer.

While the trip from Kentucky to West Virginia was hell, it was worth the effort.  We are completely off the grid with no cell service and no tv either.  After a fierce storm during the night, we woke to blue skies above.  The dappled sun light giving splashes of light green color on the grass.  As I write, a deer crossed our site.  It flicked up its white tail as it disappeared into the forest.  This is heaven on earth after all.