Paula, Huckleberries are like a smaller version of the blueberry, and grow on a bush. I believe botanists consider them as a species of blueberry. When I was a kid growing up in Western Maryland and West Virginia, most county roads ran perpendicular to the state roads and served a community or a number of residents who resided along the road. Some were paved and some were not. State roads ran from town to town, and, the states were connected by U.S. highways and interstates. I knew a number of Umstots, but no Fleeks. The Umstots that I knew lived in Rawlings, Md, and Keyser, West Virginia. I have not seen any of them for years. Best regards, David A. Paula wrote: > 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