Pigeon Forge Conclusion

Hey Gang,

Well.... we survived our harrowing experience of the 82 scenic drive, from here is should be all down hill or maybe I should say down mountain.

Our next route is Rt. 60. I wanted to escape heading northeast because of the pending snow so decided 60 west to 23 north through Kentucky and Ohio would be safer. Kentucky? Yes, I wanted to take the long cut home.

Rt. 60 has some pretty mean twists and turns going down steep grades but after what we’ve been through it was a sort of a relief.

 If ever in this area slow down, well that was stupid you have to slow down or you will die especially with snow on the road, and check out Hawks Nest State Park on 60, another place with breath taking views. Just plain awesome!

A short distance from Gauley Bridge is the historic Glen Ferris Inn built in 1839. It looked a bit fancy but we were hungry so we stopped for lunch. We ordered pork loin chops, so tender. It came with potato, grilled vegetables and hot buns all for $11.99 not bad for an elegant inn with a chef. Another place on my list of must return. I want to get a room here and stay. A few of the past notable guests who stayed here are Andrew Jackson, Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley. Supposedly a few rooms are haunted but as long as the goblins let me sleep I don’t care.

That was our last real stop. I pretty much drove straight home from the inn.  We did drive past the capital building of Charleston W.V.  I always wanted to see it close up and just a brief jaunt off our route in Morehead, Ky. to visit a friend then back on 60 to 23 north and again in Waverly, Ohio to order pizza from Franks for the ride home. The deep dish pizza was pretty good. 

I was saddened to see Waverly and long stretches of Rt. 23 being developed. Waverly is a quaint charming city quickly changing. Now when you enter it from the south old Sciota Discount Store has been razed along with an old apartment style building and across from it is now Walmart. Progress? I don’t think so.

The same with a stretch of 23 before you get to Columbus. Prime farmland is fallen prey to corporation greed; Walmart and other chains are now popping up. They leave the small towns vacant and decaying and take away fertile ground for produce and livestock. Sad.

And with that - it’s a wrap. All in all, terrific time enjoyed the trip and travelin’ with Ruth.

Gotta GoGo!!

Carey