Beware

Copperhead Ridge

Copperhead Ridge

A couple shots from my run/walk/hike in the woods this morning. The cliff photo is a 5 shot panorama. Click the pic for a better view.

Copperhead Ridge

A couple of shots from my run/walk/hike in the woods this morning. Click for a better view.

Snow Monkeys

Copperhead Ridge

Rusty Tower

I Love Winter

It was 18 degrees at noon when I left the house to go run in the woods.

Last Dance With...

Copperhead Ridge

I wait all year for days like today. It was 10.1 degrees when I left for my run in the woods this morning and 15 when I got home. The only thing that would've made it better is if there had been about an inch or two of snow. It's like running in a Christmas card.

This tombstone...

...sits next to one that's so weathered, that if I didn't know what it said it would be very hard to make out. This is a story of two friends that are buried side-by-side in an old, forgotten family cemetery overlooking the confluence of the Coal and Kanawha rivers.

The stone pictured above reads; Henry W. Gregory, Born April 29th, 1839. Killed in the Confederate Army, August 23rd, 1863. His friend that he is buried beside is James W. Rust. Son of Samuel Rust.

These two young friends (Rust 16 and Gregory 21) joined the Confederate Army when Capt George S. Patton came to Coalsmouth (present day Saint Albans) recruiting volunteers.

They both lived on Ferry Lane, which is now Walker St. in Nitro. In addition to being best friends, they were also brothers-in-law. Henry Gregory had married James' sister Sarah.

They both enlisted the same day and were assigned to Company A of the 22nd Virginia Infantry.

Before he left for the Army, James Rust told some family members that if he were killed in the war he would like to be buried on the mountain top that overlooks the mouth of the Coal river.

A year later James Rust was killed during the Battle of Fayetteville. After that battle the Federal troops started a massive retreat that went all the way back to the Ohio river.

Henry Gregory was given permission to bring James' body back home as the troops made their way back toward the Kanawha Valley.

Less than a year later Henry Gregory was killed in the Battle of White Sulphur Springs and his body was brought home to be buried beside his friend.

Copperhead Ridge

Great morning for a trail run. Nothin' smells better than fallen leaves and smoke from a brush fire somewhere in the distance.

Election Day

Everybody was off today, so after we voted we went for a walk in the woods. We found a cool snake skin that we had to pose with. We did our best candy apple smiles. Go McCain!!!!

Copperhead Ridge

Somewhere in western Kanawha county.

Copperhead Ridge

Pics From the Woods

Some pictures from my run/hike/walk this morning. I found a couple of these moles "sleeping" on the trail. I tried, but they wouldn't get up.

Copperhead Ridge Runners Beware!!