Our Trip: You are never without a home when you are with Family

Leaving the beauty of Asheville and our son and Anna was hard, but the anticipation of being with my Close relative was quite exciting. Some I have not seen in 16 years, and some others, not since my mother died. We decided to make it a two day trip so we are not too tired. On our way to our overnight stop in Beckley, WV we stopped for lunch at this quaint town of Meadowview. The restaurant uses only food from around the area. In fact, on their hostess stand is a sign to let you know exactly from where the goods come, from tomatoes to sausage!

The next morning we decide to check out the Grandview State Park right outside of Beckley. We are so happy we did this because it was wonderful. Here is our first host of the day to greet us to the park.

The CCC established by Roosevelt during the Depression employed men to develop National and State Parks by establishing trails, building pavilions, cutting stone work for the park,... The were paid $30 a week with the mandatory of $25 being sent home to their families each week.

What a glorious view over the gorge.

On down the highway, in another part of park we see the bridge that spans the gorge.

More pretty sights along this exciting road of hills and curves!

After studying a map, we realize we are close to where my father went to school, and where my parents met. We decide we need to go take a gander! A couple of views from the town of Elkins, WV.

Coal mining has been a large part of my family's history, both in Scotland and here in the States. This area was dependent on the coal mining industry for a long time.

Davis and Elkins, the school where my dad went and where my mom took some summer classes. They met on a blind date, and the rest has been history for my family.

As we continued down the road toward the reunion, we saw we were also close to where United 93 crashed into the Pennsylvania landscape on that ominous day of 9/11. We visited the memorial to those brave citizens who decided their own fate and saved so many others.

Wreaths are placed here on the days of remembrance.

The mowed area ends where a 17 ton sandstone boulder is place to mark the approximate location of the point of impact. The crater that resulted from the crash was approximately 30 feet wide and 15 feet deep.

The wall has the names of those on the plane. When viewed from one angle, it appears as a solid wall to demonstrate how the people acted as one to succeed in bringing the plane down.

View from the visitor center

After being humbled by the bravery of these people and basking in the moment of

remembering, we now move on to be with family.

This camp was a large part of the life of Uncle Glen and Aunt Eleanor, and their family. They have been gathering here once a year for 25 years.

By the time we get there, the meal is well underway!

We enjoy telling stories and catching up with each other!

Our master storyteller and patriarch: Uncle Jimmy!

Dick sharing memories of Gary with the family.

We have a ceremony to celebrate the life of my cousin, Gary, at the chapel of pines. We buried his ashes here.

“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:54-57