Wheeling, West Virginia

In my late 20's, I had a job that involved extensive travel in the U.S.  In the 2 years I held that job, I visited 32 states.  I decided then that one of my goals in life would be to visit all 50 states.  To count as being "visited," I have to actually stop and do something, not just pass through.  Over the weekend, I crossed West Virginia off the list.  The states I have left are:  Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Delaware, New Mexico, Nebraska, Montana, Alaska, and South Dakota.

Wheeling is in the northwest corner of West Virginia, and Interstate 70 passes through it between Pennsylvania and Ohio.  It was settled in 1769 as part of Virginia.  At the start of the Civil War, the western counties of Virginia seceded from the state because of the slavery issue, and the state was organized in 1861.  Wheeling has been the capital of West Virginia twice, but in 1877, Charleston was officially declared the capital.

In 2010, the population of Wheeling was 28,486.  The Ohio River runs through the center.  

These pictures are of the Wheeling Island Suspension Bridge, which crosses the Ohio River, and links the city of Wheeling to Wheeling Island. The green bridge in the background is the Fort Henry Bridge, which is Interstate 70 across the Ohio River.

Wheeling Island is on the National Register of Historic Places.  It includes beautiful Victorian homes (photograph below), in addition to some very depressed areas.

Finally, a picture of downtown Wheeling from Wheeling Island.  

There is much more to see, and I wish I had had time yesterday.  Have a wonderful week!

Flight 93 Memorial

The Flight 93 Memorial is about an hour and a half east of Pittsburgh, 2-1/2 hours west of Harrisburg.  It's outside the borough of Stoystown, and well-marked on the PA Turnpike.  I have been wanting to visit since last April.  Today I had some time to kill on the way to Columbus, and went to go see it.  It's half an hour off the turnpike, on US 30.  

It's a very solemn, respectful place.  I learned a lot while I was there.  There was one Park Ranger, talking to people.  He knew all about the people on the flight, their lives and personalities.  It was clear he loves them and their courage.

When it's complete, it will be beautiful and peaceful.  There will be 40 groves of maple and oak trees, one for each person on the plane, and a 93 foot tower with 40 wind chimes. It will be called the "Tower of Voices," representing the voices of those who died.  In 2013, 12,000 saplings were planted, with 12,000 more in both 2014 and 2015.

There is a black walkway leading out to the memorial plaza, with alcoves cut into it where people leave pins, flowers, coins, and other items.  The crash site is to the left.  It was filled in shortly after the crash.

At the end of the walkway is a wall of 40 marble slabs, each with the name of one of the people on the plane.

There is also a long sandstone wall, blank except for the date.

I spent almost an hour there, and will return when there is more progress on the memorial.  It is partially funded from private donations.  Here's the link for more information about the Memorial and the plans.  http://www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm

Happy Easter to you all!

New Cumberland

As you know, I moved in here on December 21, and the winter has been a little hard, so I have not been taking many pictures.  

But today, Spring is in the air!  It's 55 and sunny, so I took a walk around downtown New Cumberland, my new home.  New Cumberland was incorporated as a borough in 1831, but has been in existence since around 1689.  I am fascinated by that...nothing in the midwest dates back that far.  It was a major trade center because of the intersection of the Susquehanna River and Yellow Breeches Creek, which is where the ships parked to unload.

New Cumberland is just west of Harrisburg, so 5 miles to work.  The population is 7,200. This picture is Yellow Breeches Creek in the New Cumberland Borough Park.

A few pictures of downtown:

First, Coakley's, a restaurant in downtown with outside seating in back.  Many of the buildings here are painted in these beautiful vivid colors.  It feels so festive!

This building is right next door to Coakley's.  I love the blue!

Finally, some of the homes lining Bridge Street, the main drag in New Cumberland.

My training at work is now complete, and as of about three weeks ago, I am on my own.  I love that I can make the job my own.  It is crazy busy, and I work an extra hour each night, and 4 hours every Saturday.  Sunday's are free.  I am starting to search for a church.  This should not be a problem.  I have been going to Methodist Churches for a while, and there are 3 in downtown New Cumberland.

Tonight I am going to a meet up for people who are committed to ending bullying in the workplace.  It is unusual to find one so specific to me (this was the topic of my master's thesis.  Settling in!

Have a wonderful week!