Paula, You brought tears to my eyes with your description, too! Egads, we are just a couple of sentimental girls aren't we? Well, I'll be sure to try to get some pictures of the beautiful fall foliage for you and scan it in and e-mail it to you this year. I have no idea where your "country road" is located. My grandmother was born in a "holler" somewhere between Burlington and Romney. My mother was there once, but can't remember exactly were it was located. So, I have no idea exactly where my ancestors lived either. But, I'm sure they enjoyed the beautify change of scenery that I am enjoying year after year in "these them thar hills of West by God Virginia". <grin> :-) Lonny ----- Original Message ----- From: Paula <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2000 9:20 AM Subject: Re: [WVMINERA] West Virginia Trip :-) > Lonny, > > Thank you for what you wrote. I know this may sound silly, but I got > tears in my eyes when I read it, and especially because you are from > Short Gap. What's really crazy about me tearing up is that I've never > even seen West Virginia at all. I really hope to afford to come back > some year to see the home of my ancestors. But I heard my grandmother > talk about it so much as I was growing up that I felt homesick to see > it, even though I've never been there. What's been really frustrating > for me is that I pulled out a US atlas and I've looked at some online > maps, plus the pictures Patty has posted (which I'm so grateful for), > but I feel so frustrated sometimes wanting to know what the roads look > like, and the farm fields (if any are left), and the orchards that my > g-g-greats used to work in. My grandmother also talked about a road > that she said everyone called the "county road" and how her grandma's > cabin was back off that road, and Uncle Charley's place was on the other > side of county road, and there was a mountain they used to go pick > berries...all kinds (I think she said blackberries and huckleberries for > sure...can't remember what other kinds). I don't even know what > huckleberries look like or what they grow on. (I know, sad isn't it?) > > All my life I heard about the Fleeks and the Umstots (mostly Grandma > Umstot, who was really my g-g-grandmother, and I wished I could have > known her. Now I just wish I could know the place she lived all her > life, surrounded by family. I've never been surrounded by family, and > that's something I think many people of today's generations are losing > out on because of the mobility of today's society. > > So thank you again for descriptions that not only put a picture to the > maps but also a feeling for the place. It means a lot to me...homesick > for a place I've never been. > > "Lonny J. Watro" wrote: > > > > Just a note to the homesick folks from Mineral County..... > > > > I spied some reds in the trees today on my way to work. The mountains are > > still mostly green, but I'll let you know as peak fall foliage season get > > nearer. I have a feeling it's going to be a beauty this year! > > > > Lonny J. Watro > > Short Gap, WV >