West Virginia Roll Call!

[wvrefugee]

Y'all come on out!!!!

[whsii]

Hello WV

I am from Summersville, WV, born and raised! I now live about 4.5 hours away from the Ville, In central Kentucky.

I plan to make a few trips there once the Jeep is complete.

Great place for a Jeep, cruise the fire roads, and lots more.

maybe we will meet up some day.

[wvrefugee]

What part of Franklin Co. do you live?? I lived in Shelby Co. for 20 years before just moving back to WV!

[whsii]

West end of Frankfort, on US 60 by Gilberts's gun shop.

[wvrefugee]

That place still open???? Ha! I've bought several guns from them in the early 2000's! You know a guy named Gary Lawson??

[The PIG Smith]

Happy West Virginia Day!

I was born and raised in Putnam County: Scott Depot area and graduated from Winfield.
My wife was born and raised in Saint Albans and graduated from Saint Albans.

My Nathan and I just attended the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park's 50th Anniversary.

[wvrefugee]

Awesome!! Seems like most people are "from" West Virginia and have to relocate for careers, etc. I lived in Louisville, KY for 20 years before moving back last year!

[whsii]

That place still open???? Ha! I've bought several guns from them in the early 2000's! You know a guy named Gary Lawson??

Well, you have been within two hundred yards from my house! I have heard of Gary. I am not sure if I have met him.

[whsii]

Hello Brian,

I went to the Cass railroad when it was first getting started. Probably 47 years ago...

Beautiful country.

Surprised to see you having your picture taken with a vehicle that has a brow on the cab...

[The PIG Smith]

Awesome!! Seems like most people are "from" West Virginia and have to relocate for careers, etc. I lived in Louisville, KY for 20 years before moving back last year!

You so very correct.
In the mid 1980's there was no work, so I moved to Cumberland, MD.
I could walk outside my apartment and see West Virginia as I lived that close to the Potomac River.
I worked in WVa at Allegheny Ballistics Lab.

I came back to Charleston in '95, only for the company to fold.
No work again in the mid 90's, so I then moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana.
I've been here ever since.
I do get homesick from time to time and travel to the Mountain State to get my mountains, trees, streams 'fix'.

Hello Brian,

I went to the Cass railroad when it was first getting started. Probably 47 years ago...

Beautiful country.

YES! More than just beautiful, it's "Almost Heaven"

My parents have a camp/lodge/small home (whatever you want to call it) near Greenbank, WVa.
So, growing up in the area, I would hike over to Cass and spent a lot of time there.
When I was older and moved to Cumberland, I would drive down on the weekends and volunteer.
Some of the projects I helped with is the Whittaker Camp 1 which is a recreation of a logging camp located at Whitaker Station.
My good friend Richard Sparks had written a book was signing them during the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.
I have not seen him a long time.
I knew Richard was getting up in years and had been struggling with some health issues.
So, on a Friday night of Father's Day weekend, I felt compelled to go to Cass.
Nathan and I did the marathon drive from Indiana to eastern WVa and back in two days..but it was well worth the trip.

Surprised to see you having your picture taken with a vehicle that has a brow on the cab...

UGHHH!! You're killing me! HAHAHA
I enjoy anything with a steam powered whistle!

[wvrefugee]

WHS....Western Hills HS?? Gary was a long time basketball coach, principal and assist. superintendent in Franklin Co. Schools. He's retired and a close friend of mine!

We were fortunate enough to be able to return to Morgantown after 20 years away from the state. Growing up in St. Marys, the future was just not there during the late 80's. Time for all the old Mountaineers to come home!!

[whsii]

WHSII are my initals, Dad was WHS. Son is WHSIII.

He and my Daughter graduated from Western Hills. I am sure that it where I know the name.

Yes, I would like to retire in WV, Maybe in seven or eight years.

[wvrefugee]

Ha! Good enough!

[whsii]

The J10 in my signature is a WV truck, Dad bought it in Beckley, at Earhart motors.

[The PIG Smith]

The J10 in my signature is a WV truck, Dad bought it in Beckley, at Earhart motors.

Herman Lewis was the Chief Wrench Turner and then later the Service Manager for Earhart Motors.
When they stopped selling AMC, Herman went and expanded his side racing business and produced heads and intakes for serious AMC race applications.
He passed away just a couple of years ago.

http://webpages.charter.net/hermanlewis/

http://www.register-herald.com/features ... -fast-lane

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011 ... ewis-dies/

Herman Lewis was BAD *** HARDCORE AMC Racer that kicked Big Three Butt and took names!

WHSII, there is a very good chance that Herman Lewis somehow was involved with your Dad's truck, servicing it, performing warranty work...who knows..but nice thought

[The PIG Smith]

You are guys are getting me homesick.

My son and I traveled some of the West Virginia Scenic Highway last weekend.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoRaYO3rRvg[/youtube]

[whsii]

Wow!

I did not Know that Herman Lewis was at Earheart. Wow thanks for the links!

The Scenic Highway, 150, is that at the top of Kenison Mountain, between Marlington and Richwood?

MY Stomping grounds if it is...

Ever hear of Elephant rocks?

[wvrefugee]

Scenic Hwy is an excellent playground during the winter for Jeepers!!! )

[whsii]

I have hunted much of that area, even before the highway was built. It made it easier to get to some areas.

There is a place where you can see six or seven rocks, end to end, looks like elephants walking trunk to tail. When you get over to them, they are three hundred feet tall and 800 to 1000 ft long, each.

https://www.google.com/search?q=wv+cran ... 24&bih=631

Cranberry glades is another favorite in the area.

[The PIG Smith]

The Scenic Highway, 150, is that at the top of Kenison Mountain, between Marlington and Richwood?

MY Stomping grounds if it is...

Ever hear of Elephant rocks?

Yes, the Scenic Highway follows the ridge of Kennison Mountain.
I've traveled that many, many....SR 39/55 from Richwood to Marlington.
That's the route my family travels from Scott Depot/Putnam County/Kanawha Valley to Cass/Greenbank

I've heard of Elephant Rocks, but never been there.
The only stopping I have done is at the Cranberry Glades Visitor Center, Cranberry Glades Boardwalk, hiking in and around that area.