Day 17, May 2, Getting to Coopers Rock State Forest

This was a day of mostly travel. We had a concern about the battery which jump starts the RV's generator. The battery had been drained, because we had not run the generator (which recharges the battery) for a few days. When we left the hotel headed for a local post office, to mail some time-sensitive mail. There happened to be a Firestone service center across from the post office. Without an appointment, the men agreed to give the battery a jump, and they did not make me wait, nor did they charge me anything for the service. We have had a lot of these type of experiences, where West Virginians have been very hospitable, helpful, and friendly.

We stopped in a town south of Morgantown, Clarksville, to get a bite for lunch (Ruby Tuesday's) and to stop by Walmart to pick up a few items. After that, we resumed travel to Coopers Rock State Forest, where we would camp for two nights. We found our way to our campsite, but there was no one there to officially register us -- which is the normal procedure at these campground sites. An older gentleman was waiting at the campground office. He said no one was there and his phone did not get decent cell service to reach the main office. I tried calling using my phone. I had service, but could not get a human being: not at the office, not at the trading post, and not at the state parks office. So Patrise and I proceeded to our assigned location, as printed on our reservation form, and set up for the evening. This is the most sparse location we have visited so far, as it regards site services; they only have electrical. Still, a lot can be done with only electrical service.

Both of us had scheduled appointments for the afternoon: she had a Johnson-Freeman staff meeting scheduled for 4pm, and I had an oboe lesson scheduled for 6pm. As she was participating in her staff meeting by phone, I set up my materials for a music lesson, including music stand, fresh water for my reeds, my laptop to open a Face Time connection and my oboe stand to hold the instrument. Although the connection was spotty, she was able to participate in the staff meeting, until right before it ended, at which time she lost service altogether. My instructor and I connected for the music lesson, by our views were so pixilated and our sound so poor, that we realized a lesson would not be possible. We agreed to try another day later in the week.

We had chili and corn muffins for dinner, both of which Patrise had previously prepared and stored in our freezer. We set up a table cloth on the picnic table at the site and ate outdoors. It was a lovely evening for it. After dinner, we took a brief walk around our area of the forest. As the night grew dark, I realized we were in an excellent location for stargazing. I stepped outside of the RV to look at the evening sky. The Big Dipper was immediately overhead. You could spot it so clearly and it looked so distinct -- almost as if you could reach up, grab the handle, and pull it from the night sky. I tried to capture a photo of it, but my equipment was not adequate to do so, therefore it will remain a picture in my mind.

Both of read for awhile, settled into bed early and talked about the day, the trip and life. Then lights out and went to sleep, looking forward to the next day.

Here are pictures from the day.