Mini-vacation One (After ABVD)
Day Three

Well, my friends, we had breakfast at Twin Falls and were on the road heading toward home by 10 A.M. We can not say enough about the friendliness of all the staff at the park. The inconvenience of construction was wiped out by the kindness and sharing of the folks at Twin Falls.

Our first stop this day was Tamarack.

Opened in 1996, Tamarack includes demonstration areas for each art and craft type as well as galleries, sales space, and an auditorium that serves performance artists. Tamarack takes its name from the Tamarack tree, a northern conifer that reaches its natural southern extent in West Virginia. I think naming this facility is amusing.

I doubt many West Virginians have ever seen a tamarack. This is like placing the rose breasted grosbeak on the West Virginia license plate. Oh well, Benjamin Franklin did not get his way when he suggested that the national bird be the wild turkey! I think sometimes that if it makes sense then there is little hope the suggestion will come to pass. Ole Ben would have had more of a chance for success if he would have suggested that the national bird be the Louisana water thrush (which is found also in WV - yet another bird possibility for a second WV license plate)!

The arts and crafts at Tamarack are something to behold. I looked to see if Diana's pottery was still hiding on a shelf - no, her treasures had already been sold long ago. The pottery of Ed Klimek was on display. He has made a name for himself in creating jughead pottery.








Below are a few shots of the sculpture and furniture available at this unique facility.







We left Tamarack around noon and headed north once again. We stopped in Fayetteville to eat at the Cathedral Cafe. Located in the center of Fayetteville’s National Historic District, this quaint, turn-of-the-century church, with cathedral ceilings and towering stained glass windows, is one of the region’s most popular restaurants. Judy and I shared spinach and feta quiche and shrimp and garlic quesadillas. Tis not the fare that is available in Glenville!

From Fayetteville we headed up Route 19N to Summersville. This was our last leg of the Meads adventure for the weekend. I set the ole "BEA" Garmin for Hardman Hardware's Country Store. We have a Hardman's in Glenville, but this store is different since it has an old store theme.


The front section of the store has a plethora of interesting items - many from the past. The middle section of the store is the typical hardware items and the final section is devoted to wood burning stoves.

I loved these copper kettles handcrafted by an Amish gentleman in Ohio. They are wonderful. I could not convince Judy to purchase a small one for making apple butter. It was only around $1500 (without the stand or paddle)! My guess it just would have been placed in our living room and our two cats would have had it their play area.

The store manager is Matt Rock who is a Gilmer County lad. Judy had him in class while teaching English/Communications/Theater at Gilmer High. His mother is also a teacher and is retiring this year from Gilmer County High School. Matt and his wife Amy (and son) have now made Summersville their home. You will notice Judy's big purchase. Not a copper kettle, but her favorite Teays Valley mix. It makes super pancakes.

We arrived home safely around 4 P.M. It was a great time with a lovely woman! Tomorrow I have the second infusion of ABVD - another adventure in life continues.