Nothing’s better than a road trip, whether you’re traveling fifteen minutes or fifteen hours. It’s along the interstates, the small highways, and the back roads where you truly see America at its best, where you get to learn from motel receptionists and tour guides who are proud of their local history; where you can talk to waiters and waitresses who are working their way through college on a path to pursue their dreams; where you get to speak with small business owners who have already been pursuing their American dream, and are willing to share their successes and failures along the way; where you can chat with, learn from, and observe artists at their craft and be in awe of their talent; and where you begin to realize that anything is possible in The Land of the Free and dreams really can come true. After all, no road exists that didn’t begin as someone’s dream.
When George Mallory was asked why he wished to climb Mt. Everest, his famous reply was, “Because it’s there.” I, too, have used this reply on occasion when someone would ask why I wished to visit a particular location. But both on and off the beaten path are treasures waiting to be explored. With this in mind, I set out on a road trip, traveling I-64 from Mt. Vernon, Illinois, to Charleston, West Virginia, and was not disappointed.
It’s easy to relax driving along I-64 through the scenic countryside, including Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky and Hoosier National Forest in Indiana. The rolling hills, particularly in the fall, are colorful and appear to stretch out their limbs, leading travelers toward their destination. Because there is so much forestland along this Interstate, there aren’t as many exits as there are on other interstates and some of the rest stops are closed, so it’s important to plan head for refueling stops and rest breaks. If one is interested in hiking, however, and the weather is agreeable, there are many exits for state parks and for the gamblers there are ample casinos along the way, including Evansville, Indiana, and Charleston, West Virginia.
Due to the rainy, cold, and somewhat unpredictable weather, I chose on this trip to explore indoor activities. If you find yourself in any of these areas, I’d recommend the following locations. If on a schedule, keep in mind that house tours are typically an hour in length and museums usually require a couple of hours to truly examine. But the knowledgeable and friendly people you’ll chat with along the way, well always leave plenty of time for that.
In Morehead, Kentucky, be sure to visit the Kentucky Folk Art Center. Thoughtful and whimsical pieces depicting country life, social issues, and emotional struggles populate the first floor. Currently upstairs at the Center is a civil war retrospective that will be in place only until the end of November, 2014. Containing moving photographs from the George Eastman House, it’s impossible to leave the exhibit untouched by the emotion and turmoil of the era or of the determination and sacrifice of the people. It’s free to visit the museum, but donations are appreciated.
In Milton, West Virginia, The Blenko Glass Company, known for handblown glassware and for having made the actual CMA trophies, is a worthwhile stop. The gift shop and visitor’s center has Blenko glassware for sale and above the sales floor is a museum, free to tour, explaining the history of the Blenko Company and displaying some beautiful stained glass. Tours of the factory and glassblowing demonstrations are available, but call ahead for dates and times. And, if it’s a pretty day, it’s nice to sit beside the pond that is to the back of the factory and watch the many ducks and geese that call it home.
Lexington, Kentucky, has a lot to offer, but for those of us who enjoy touring historical homes there are three beautiful locations to visit: The Mary Todd Lincoln House, the Henry Clay Estate, and the Hunt-Morgan House, each of which has political and social relevance to the local area as well as to the nation. Admission is charged at each site, but it is worth it and, if possible, tour the three houses during the same visit due to information at one being related to information at another. In addition to learning what life was like for these families, the restoration process of each house, and the successes and failures of people associated with the houses, you also view each home as it would have been two centuries ago while listening to stories of how members of each family are connected to other historical figures that helped shape this great nation with political changes, medical advances, and artistic endeavors. If you have time, a stop at Lexington Cemetery will also reveal socially relevant history related to these home tours.
Just a short drive from I-64 up Highway 35 in West Virginia will lead you to Point Pleasant, a small town that sits on the West Virginia-Ohio state line. The Mothman Statue is on Main Street, and it can be seen as you drive down the one-way street to Tu-Endie-Wei Park, the location of the Battle of Point Pleasant. Another incredible (and free) resource for history, Tu-Endie-Wei is located where the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers meet, has monuments and plaques that honor the history and the fallen of that Battle, and the Mansion House (cabin) that serves as a museum. On a pretty day, it’s a wonderful place to sit on one of the many benches overlooking the Rivers and contemplate. For a nice walk, follow the river to view the FloodWall Murals and Riverfront Park, which contains metal statues of local historical significance.
In Charleston, West Virginia, there are two don’t-miss locations. First, no visit to Charleston is complete without a trip to the State Museum and Culture Center. This incredible resource is available for free and contains history on how West Virginia obtained Statehood, the history with coal and glass mines, and prominent figures throughout its history. In addition to a video presentation, there are paintings, displays of artifacts, and an interesting display of the dresses worn by the current and former West Virginia First Ladies. The West Virginia State Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion are also available for free tours. The second don’t-miss location in Charleston is the Capitol Market. Amidst the Interstate, the entrance and exit ramps, and traffic is nestled a wonderful outdoor and indoor farmer’s market, the visitor’s center, and a couple of local eateries, and it’s all in walking distance of the downtown area. From home grown apples to freshly made chocolate goodies, you can find just about anything there.
Nothing’s better than a road trip. It’s here where you’ll discover that, at the end of each day, regardless of where we live or what we do, we’re all the same, each of us with our own story to tell and each of us with our own dream to follow. So, why take a road trip? Why go visit someplace most people may never have heard of just to find that it’s not really that different from where we began? “Because it’s there.”
No comments:
Post a Comment