The lake at Little Beaver State Park
That's the short version of our day today. Today was the annual Migration Celebration, the fundraising and awareness raising event for the Three Rivers Avian Center.
Larry and I drove to Brooks Mountain last night for the pre-event picnic at Ron and Wendy's house. If you like wild country, you would love this place. You drive out of Beckley, up Sandstone Mountain, turn at Crab Orchard, pass the Ramp Holiness Church (I kid you not), turn on Brooks Mountain Road and drive uphill for a solid 15 minutes through wild woods. No houses, one electric line, gravel road, up and up. You come out at a log cabin with a view over the mountains that is breathtaking. You might be asking yourself, how do they get up here in winter--then you see the view, and who cares? Who would want to leave that place in winter?
A storm was rolling in over the hills when we arrived and I watched mountain ranges disappear one by one as I listened to the thundering of Sandstone Falls far below. We left shortly after dark to check in at our motel in Beaver, driving through pounding rain all the way. It rained all night and we wondered, will anyone come? Will we simply be entertaining each other all day in the rain?
We heard that some places in Beckley were being evacuated by boat. The rain continued to fall all morning but we set up at Little Beaver State Park anyway. Changes in plans because of the rain sent most activities indoors, but as the rain slackened people actually came out to the festival and we ended up having a very good day. Here are a few photos of what went on:
A dark and stormy start to the day...
creeks almost out of their banks...
footbridges just inches from the rushing water...
the lake higher than any locals remembered...
a magician who can roll with the punches and put on a quality show...
a golden eagle with Wendy Perrone...
owls and other birds of prey with Ron Perrone...
spinning with a drop spindle...
and making LOTs of birdhouses.
More about the day later. Right now, this ol' lady is for bed!
What fun! Wish I could have been there.
ReplyDeleteThe view from their house is amazing, especially the sunset. I'm glad you had an amazing time inspite of the weather.
ReplyDeleteSo much rain and flooding for so many of us. It's very beautiful tho.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on those bird folk ! and the human folk helping them and educating others.