Where were you today?

Today went to Salt Fest at JQ Dickinson Salt Works, outside Charleston, WV. They had food, vendors, music, and tours of the salt operation. https://www.jqdsalt.com/
"A 7th generation salt-making family harvests an all-natural salt by hand, from an ancient ocean trapped below the Appalachian Mountains of the Kanawha Valley in West Virginia.
Iapetus Ocean (400-600 Million years old): pre-dates the Atlantic Ocean. A pristine ancient sea, located deep under the Appalachian Mountains. We are the only salt in Northern America made from this type of source."



We got to tour the old operation.






I liked the old vault.


They let the brine naturally evaporate and collect the salt.

 

Wow, that's amazing. I read somewhere Daniel Boone also harvested salt. Makes sense, as it's essential to food preservation in those days. Thanks for sharing this. . . it's so interesting!

 

They were saying initially they burned wood and then coal, when it was discovered, to boil the water and evaporate to get the salt. Now they do it naturally and takes about a month.

 

Interesting tour, and I like the old vault as well.

 

Whoa cool!

 

So basically a big greenhouse and large trays holding the salt water , let it evaporate

 

Pretty much. Once they pump it from the wells, it goes to big tanks where they let the sediments settle. Then put the brine in those troughs and let it naturally evaporate.

 

Not today, but last week. Just kickin it in the desert before it really heats up.

 

Hanging out around Pine Arizona

 

Charleston Sternwheel Regatta and July 4th Celebration. Charleston, WV

 

Overcast and cool. Took just a short hike on a local trail. Lots of the usual natives. . .Coffeeberry, Coast Live Oak, Coyote Bush, Wild Berry plant, Wild Turkey impressions in sand. Seasonal Creek running, though not strongly. Sat a bit and did a little fun carving.

 

Forgot to post these last week. So unfortunately not today. It was a good minimal overnight trip though. Summer in the desert.

 

YEA BRO!

you got Throwsticks too!

I got the war club a few months ago!

 

Ah right on! I’ve actually been looking at that one off and on since it came out. You like it?

I also have the serpentine looking one designed by Matt Graham. Really fun one as well.

 

Very cool! Thanks for sharing your adventure pics!!!

 

Day off. Went looking for Western Pond Turtles (Actinemys marmorata, also called the Pacific Pond Turtle) along the creek at the Regional Park today, but no joy. Been hoping to catch one napping and get a good pic. They are very wary and if they spot you or your shadow, ZIP! they are in the water and adios amigo!

But I did find a Woods Spirit lurking. . . .



Actually, I carved it, but it was still a fun walk. Shot a brief vid:



Afterwards, I sat in the shade, carved an Owl for my wifey and listened to ministry radio teaching. A beautiful warm day. . .totally blessed to get outdoors and enjoy life free of all the craziness going on around us:

 

I went hiking around Canaan Valley, WV in the Dolly Sods Wilderness. Rohrbaugh Trail. This was about 8 miles.




Rock outcroppings that overlook Red Creek valley.



This is a hidden/secret tree. Not really marked on maps. Called the Tree of Life and/or Magic Tree.


Probably the longest/straightest road in WV


Looking over to North Fork Mountain. Can see the rain storm in the valley.

 

Beautiful scenery!!!