Stardate 2009.218 - West Virginia Steak Fry

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Up Early (again) for our flight to Pittsburgh where John & Debbie Price picked Wendy and me up at the airport. We stopped on the way to Wheeling WV. for a photo Opportunity with the Veterans Bridge spanning the Ohio River between Weirton, WV and Steubenville, Ohio. The bridge carries six lanes of US Rte 22. It is what is known as a cable-stayed girder design, and was opened to traffic in 1990. The single inverted "Y" tower that supports the span rises 360 feet above the river. The span is nearly 2,000 feet long. We then had dinner on the deck of Uncle Pete's restaurant with an overview of the river. John took us on a tour through some of the town of Wheeling with it's many old Victorian homes. That evening at the Price's home we shared some wine and a video of an old MAI meeting with many familiar faces. John Price and Larry Richmond in drag was the highlight. It was a spoof on a beauty queen pageant the queen was appropriate but the beauty was questionable. John did a recitation of Casey at the Bat, in a queenie dialog of course, which had me rolling on the floor. What a great act..

Friday, August 7, 2009

We had breakfast at the Price diner. Debbie was not feeling quite well so she stayed home while John gave us the royal tour of Wheeling including a park with wonderful displays of flowers, all nurtured on site in a large greenhouse. We then beamed down to the waterfront for a photo of a the Wheeling Suspension Bridge spanning the main channel of the Ohio River between downtown Wheeling, West Virginia and Wheeling Island. Completed in 1849, it is the first bridge to span the Ohio River, and the oldest suspension bridge in the world that is still operating.

John phoned Debbie and she was feeling much better so we returned to pick her up and proceeded to the next stop which was the Grave Creek Indian Mound complex. John and I climbed to the top while the "girls" watched our prowess from below. Our next stop was the retired West Virginia State Penitentiary where we joined a tour of the facility. Sure not a place I would like to spend any time. There was a surprise in the old visitation room - A large painting of the Jaycee Shield on the wall from the former prison chapter. Our next stop was at the Landing Restaurant for a beer and small lunch. On the way back to the Price home we passed a Dairy Queen and the urge to stop for some cool refreshment was overwhelming and we gave in to our desires. Back at the house we decided that none of us were very hungry so we packed the car and headed to Bridgeport and our hotel for the night.

We met up with WV president Rick Rutter and we were off to a chinese buffet for dinner. As we arrived at the restaurant I received a call from past US JCC president Denise O'Neil with concerns about Senator interference with the Wyoming Jaycees. I will look into what the problem might be through Region 9 VP Angie Struttmann. Back to the hotel and we met in Rick's room for a few cocktails before retiring for the night.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Wendy and I met Rick for breakfast and then he took us to Prickets fort where we met some very knowledgeable folks dressed in period costumes and demonstrating how folks went about their daily chores. We visited Morgan Cabin as well which was the home of the first settler in West Virginia. We returned to the hotel to pick up our luggage as well as the bar, stored in Rick's room, for transport to Melkaus Manor and the WV Senate Steak Fry.

The food was good, the friends were jovial and the hospitality wonderful. I met Senator 3151 named KC he is 85 years young and a great guy. I had the opportunity to speak to the assemblage during the meeting an presented Rick with his Pips, Pin and Flag set. Rick presented me with a WVU Jersey and Cap which I am to wear while in Pittsburgh. Conrad presented me with a bottle of wine.

We transferred our bags to EJ and Linda Miller's car and they took us to the Hampton Inn in Pittsburgh for Saturday night. The Inn is near the Airport for tomorrows travel.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

EJ and Linda picked us up at the hotel at 9 Am and treated us to breakfast then delivered Wendy and me to the airport in plenty of time to make our flight home.

Thanks to the great hospitality of the West Virginia Senate.