Bluegrass

June 4, 2019
Hopedale, Ohio

We hitched up with Ohio on our minds.  We made it without incident down the 'snaky' WV country lane and then it was decision time. Back track one mile on the secondary road to pick up I-77 or travel three miles on the secondary road to join I-77.  What would you choose?  The mile you had already traveled or the new to you three miles.

Dad made the adventurous decision and we turned right onto uncharted territory.  After all, we had survived the 'snaky' lane.  This road had to be a piece of cake.  Right?   And then we saw the first indication that this road might not have been the wisest choice.  One of those diamond shaped yellow signs with the black squiggle arrow on it loomed ahead.

At least it wasn't a full 90 degree turn....on this section.  That was further up a head with all sorts of signage

including flashing lights.  And then, a warning of be prepared to stop.  One lane road a head.  And as you approach the stop sign, the sign below it says do not continue until roadway is clear.  Part of the road had fallen away making this section a one lane travel lane.  Hey, it was only 3 miles of challenges and we were fresh as we were just beginning our day.  Piece of cake.  Right?!?!

Somehow the beginning and end of this excursion held the best memories.  We departed I-77 about 40 miles from our location and entered a small community where we made a quick left and then a right as we began to follow John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail. 

Momma put her book down as the country setting was one hundred times more interesting than the interstate highway.  We got behind an 18 wheeler and Dad said the trucker must have made a wrong turn to be on this country road.  Well, as we continued passing farmland

in and out of small communities, Momma stopped counting at two dozen 18 wheelers that we passed heading in the opposite direction. Yes, they were negotiating all the curves and enjoying the countryside as well.  

We knew we were heading to a bluegrass venue that included camping with electric only and a covered pavilion for seating by the stage.   The literature said there was a restaurant on site with free bean soup and cornbread on Wednesday night as a welcoming kick off.   Our GPS faithfully turned us off the Heritage Trail and then we picked up the signs for the festival.

Yep, we are getting close.  If we hadn't seen the Bluegrass sign, we wouldn't have made the last turn as the trees narrowed, closing in on the loose gravel road into a small one lane affair.  Could this really be the entrance?  But the sign said turn here...so we did and we began the climb on the loose gravel.  At that point the truck said, "Do you really expect me to pull this camper up this steep hill on marbles?" as it stuttered and tried to gain purchase on the road.  Back to decision time once again....do we stop on the steep grade to slide into 4 wheel drive or do we struggle to keep our forward momentum?   Well, we were still gaining on the grade, so we continued on...and then the GPS said, "You have arrived!"  

Oh my!  This can't be it...and it wasn't.  Further ahead the road/lane brought us to a house and an open space of land with several campers. Now this looked much more encouraging, even though there was no entrance gate or anyone there to greet us and provide direction.  One of the other first time attendees wandered over from his camper and said, "I just called the number and a guy on a golf cart appeared."  So that's what we did.

The greeting may not have been immediate, but it was sure warm and friendly.  EVERYONE loves me.  Barbara next door has smothered me with pats as well as Brian who parked us.  I think I like it here!!

I'm Chloe