Category archives: Friends And Family

Summer At Stout Grove | Homestead Visit

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I have a confession to make. My name is Haynes, and I am homestead groupie. It's true. I attended the Mother Earth News conference. And I bought the t-shirt. I carry on late night strategic planning sessions about how many acres of wood lot would be needed to provide a sustainable source of fuel for wood heating a home year round..... and... I own a 1/[...]

Fishing With Bobby

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"If you trust me enough to take you fishing... I trust you enough to show up." With that honest statement my friend, Bobby Bower, put another guided fishing trip on the books. (His future guest asked Bobby if he owed him a deposit for the booked trip.) It was a cool Sunday morning in early June and we were sitting out on his side porch sippin' on coffee a[...]

Your First Taste Of Freedom

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Much like the old coal company or hardware stores of our region's past, the shops in the New River Gorge often serve a purpose beyond retail. The clear cut business side, well.... it's selling people stuff... but they are also cultural hubs that inspire discourse, build community and strengthen relationships. You can find this in many small towns but it seem[...]

West Virginia By Design

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Crunching through what everyone hopes is the last snow of spring I stroll up the path to Elizabeth's little, white rental house. With a creak of the back porch screen door two things quickly reveal this is not your typical home in West Virginia. The first, a geometric abstract painting that hangs on the wall of the enclosed porch (signed E.M.)  The second, t[...]