My Travels

Wheeling, West Virginia

November 3 - November 5, 1995

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HOW IT ALL BEGAN

I never had the opportunity to travel anywhere or go on vacations until after the death of my husband in 1985.

It wasn't until 10 years later when a friend of mine, Rose Mary Sharp, whom I worked with for many years in our local school district, and who was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Ashland, Pa. invited me to travel with their group to see the Festival of Lights in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Never having been that far away from my home here in Girardville, Pa. before, and upon the advice of my son David, who urged me to go telling me that "There is life outside of Girardville", I agreed to go on what became the first of many travels..

We left for West Virginia on November 3, 1995, which was only a weekend trip. We left early on Friday, and arrived in Wheeling, later that afternoon. After settling into our hotel, we went out for dinner and then spent the rest of the evening at Wheeling Downs to watch the Greyhound Dog Races.

The next day we were taken on a driving tour of the city of Wheeling and had lunch later in the afternoon before arriving back in time to go to the Capitol Music Hall where we enjoyed Brenda Lee in concert, presented by Jamboree USA.

Sunday was spent mostly shopping in local stores until later that evening when we were treated to a spectacular tour of Downtown Wheeling featuring dozens of homes and business establishments ablaze in lights before being taken on a six mile drive through the Oglebay Resort to see the Winter Festival of Lights. Words cannot express what a beautiful and dazzling display of Christmas Lights was presented.

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Monday morning we arose early and after a hearty breakfast at the Bob Evans Restaurant we then headed for home.

My weekend visit to Wheeling, West Virginia turned out to be the first of what would be many more trips to follow, that I have taken, here in these United States.

Winter Wonderland