morgantown photo op

i was walking on my way to orientation day and noticed that this was a perfect shot. i always carry my camera so i knew that i had to get this shot. the shoes on the power lines is not an uncommon sight in morgantown, but the way the fog was behind this house was just beautiful.

morgantown photo op

ugh, this is sometimes what it's like to live in a college town.

wine & jazz fest

ah, the annual wine & jazz festival. ryan and i try to go to this every year. and this year was no let down. we enjoyed the local west virginia wines, the food, the jazz bands, and the local artisans. although it was a little humid on sunday, we had a fabulous time.

pumpkin tortellini from synergy
the salsamba latin-jazz group
some beautiful watercolors
thousand oaks barrel company
eddie spaghetti art
the soy shoppe

richwood grill

ryan took me to the richwood grill for our anniversary dinner. it was quite a treat let me tell you! i didn't get as many pictures as i wanted because we were outside on the deck and it was dark but don't worry, i definitely plan on going back there because their food was fabulous!!

ryan had xingu which is a brazilian beer ($4). i enjoyed a nice glass of hibiscus infused cava (with the hibiscus being edible - which it was sweet and delicious)($9).

we started off with wok seared peppered brie with pickled blackberries and pita chips($7). (this i did not get a pic of because we devoured it - it was that good)!

for entrees, ryan had lemongrass smoked pork ribs with grilled sweet pea cakes and mint mojo ($18). i had the pan-fried eggplant gado-gado with sugar snap peas, baby carrots, heirloom tomatoes and warm peanut sauce ($16). they both were absolutely delicious!


there will definitely be another post about this gem of a restaurant as i hope to eventually work through their menu!

morgantown photo op

it's been a few years since i've seen a rainbow. after my trip to fairmont to the labyrinth i stopped in to visit with the friend who i went with. after stepping outside of her house, this is what we saw. life is beautiful!

bliss soul retreat

i am elated for the weekend to arrive. i am attending the bliss soul retreat. what is the bliss soul retreat you ask? well, i am glad you asked!

this retreat is set in nature at the chestnut ridge park september 18, 19, 20. the retreat is to help you unwind, rewire, and reconnect with your bliss body. there will be yoga, meditation, energy and bodywork. there is a package to select which options best suit your needs and budget. don't worry if you can't spend the whole weekend, there are workshops that you can choose a la carte.

package options are:

• the bliss body for $191. this includes one private energy work session and one yoga workshop.

• the soul star for $216. this includes one private energy work session and both (two) yoga workshops.

• the bliss soul body for $256. this includes two private energy work sessions and one yoga workshop.

• the soul purpose for $281. this includes two private energy work sessions and both (two) yoga workshops.

in addition to the package you select from above each retreater will enjoy:

• a single bed in shared cabin for singles (a double bed in shared cabin for partners)
• dinner on friday, 3 meals saturday, breakfast on sunday and snacks
• special meditation circle friday night with soul assignments designed by you with assistance from elasa
• saturday morning "yoga & grounding sounds" session led by elizabeth
• saturday afternoon "silent" walking meditation to water ritual led by elasa
• saturday evening earth, water, fire circle led by elasa
• sunday morning yoga & meditation practice led by elasa (this will focus on the ancient five tibetan rites which are exercises for healing, rejuvenation and longevity)

all of that sounds fabulous but you say you can't spend the entire weekend? no worries! the yoga workshops can be taken separately.

• good morning yoga -10 am to noon - $30

join heidi sherwin for a morning yoga class intended to awaken, stretch and enliven the bliss body through graceful sun salutations, guided relaxation, and a blissful meditation. good morning yoga will help to prepare the bliss body and mind to welcome the day as it unfolds with joy, peace and gratitude. all levels are welcome. please bring your yoga mat, water and a towel.

• assisted yoga - 12:30 to 2:30 - $30

join mary jo schick as she helps you bring a modern twist to an ancient art. in this yoga assist workshop you will stretch deeper and move more effectively into poses, sometimes with less physical effort on your part, thus giving you a glimpse of the full potential of a pose - before you can achieve it alone!

assisted yoga fosters a sense of trust as many times your stability rests mutually or solely on your assister. it increases you ability to experience the pose knowing that your partner will support you. it makes balancing poses easier with the support of another person. it creates an environment for easy, open and fun communication (both verbal and nonverbal). come enjoy assisted yoga and see how it fosters a deep sense of connection, sensitivity and attunement. all poses are adapted to fit (we are all a variety of sizes, abilities and flexibilities). see how fun, lighthearted, and exploratory yoga can be. find how assisted yoga can help your body remember and visualize the pose for your other yoga practice. please bring your yoga mat, water and a towel.

as with all yoga - these classes are not about being flexible but about feeling your body - where you are at, being in the moment and in this case experiencing and enjoying yoga in a beautiful outdoor setting. please note we have reserved a covered space for the yoga workshops in case of rain.

here is the retreat event calendar:

friday
check-in: 2pm-5:30pm
meal prep: 4:30pm-5:00pm
dinner 5pm-6pm
sitting circle with elasa: 8pm

saturday
sitting circle - grounding sounds and chakra yoga with elizabeth: 7:30am
breakfast: 8am
private sessions: 9am-2:30pm
good morning sun salute yoga workshop with heidi: 10am-12pm
yoga assist with mary jo: 12:30pm-2:30pm
self serve lunch: 12:30pm-3pm
silent meditation hike: 3pm-5pm
meal prep: 5:30pm
dinner: 6pm-7pm
sitting circle with elasa: 7:30pm

sunday
breakfast: 9am
sitting circle with elasa: 10am
check-out: 12pm

locations:
all meals are in the klaer lodge
private sessions in designated spots - check with your practitioner
yoga workshops on the covered stage behind the main office
sitting circle: check with your practitioner

please keep in mind that you can opt-out of any activities that we have planned so that this is the healing environment you are seeking.

if you are interested (and i hope you are) in any portion of the bliss soul retreat please visit the bliss bliss bliss website or contact elizabeth at 304-685-9942 or at elizabeth.blissblissbliss@gmail.com.

as for me, i am doing the soul purpose package. i need the whole shebang! please come and hand out with like-minded individuals and renew your bliss body. i hope to see you there!

image credit and retreat information used with permission of bliss bliss bliss

labyrinth

did you know that there is a labyrinth in fairmont? neither did i until just recently. i was invited to get together with a few like-minded individuals and walk the labyrinth. it was exactly what i needed to do. i had a wonderful time and met some wonderful individuals.

the labyrinth from the side

the labyrinth is on the property of judy roylance and her husband. they walk the labyrinth even in winter. if this is something that interests you they would be happy to take you to the labyrinth. judy also does reiki sessions and tarot readings. you can contact her at jroylance@aol.com.

the outside of the labyrinth
inside the labyrinth

morgantown photo op

everyday's a party - located at 3119 university ave in morgantown (where the bilo used to be).

wheeling symphony orchestra

ryan, my friend T and i got the pleasure of spending last monday evening listening to the wheeling symphony orchestra at the hazel ruby mcquain amphitheater. guest guitarist joe negri joined in the fun as well. thankfully the rain held out. it was a fantastic performance and the best part was it was free.

my town

this video makes me proud to be from morgantown, wv.



video credit ici

morgantown photo op

a double decker shroom in cooper's rock.

charleston photo op

while i'm here in charleston, wv for the weekend i decided to sneak in a charleston photo op. this little mortar man is tucked in between some buildings on capital street in charleston. he watches over all the happenings but never tells his secrets.

ray's pastries

in the mood for a donut? a really good donut? then you have to try ray's pastries.

ray's offers all kinds of tasty donuts, cookies, danishes, and cakes.
we got to take home these goodies
ray's is now located in sabraton behind long john silvers. be sure and stop in today for your donut fix.

morgantown photo op

busy day down at one waterfront place...

cooper's rock

i always enjoy hiking around at cooper's rock. while my parents were visiting we took it easy this time around and only went out to the actual cooper's rock. the views are breath taking. enjoy a photo tour of cooper's rock. if you haven't been there i suggest you go!

i saved the best for last!

botanic gardens

i have driven past the botanical gardens before but never stopped in to check it out until this past weekend. i love playing stranger in my own town and doing things for free. visiting the botanical gardens was very peaceful and relaxing.

once you go down the hill, the botanical gardens is set in this beautiful valley

walking around the reservoir loop trail you can see the old water outlet source

some beautiful flowers along the way

my favorite picture of all

the back side of the old water outlet source

and an old stone foundation covered with moss

"begun only as a dream in 2000, the west virginia botanic garden (wvbg) is on its way to becoming a reality on the 82-acre former tibbs run reservoir property off the tyrone road in monongalia county, wv. the former 15-acre basin will be transformed into two or more smaller pools with islands and aquatic plant displays. the old water works, still present, will stand as a link to the past."
-quoted directly from the wvbg pamphlet

if you would like to know more information regarding the botanic gardens in morgantown, please visit their website.

while it is still in the beginning stages it is still really nice to go out and visit nature.

morgantown photo op

saw this cutie at morgantown honda suzuki yamaha on the mileground. i'd love to cruise around motown on this.