My weekend was the perfect blend of relaxation, laughter, sleep, and travel. It started on Friday. I watched a movie in the morning, did some last minute errands, and packed for my trip to West Virginia. On our drive up we listened songs such as Country Roads, West Virginia Serenade, and International Harvester. We arrived at our cabin and it was everything I was hoping for...and more. It was beautiful, spacious, it had a hot tub, and was situated on the bottom of a ski slope.
Saturday was the big day - Hick Fest 2008. We all got dressed up in our most country threads. I think that Trent had the best outfit - Cutoff jeans,
camo shirt, and a cowboy hat. Oh my... just what I thought I was leaving behind in Idaho. On our way to the Hick Fest, we stopped off at the Dollar General to pick up some country clothing for some of our friends. Trent and Kim bought American Flags that hooked onto our car windows. As we were driving our flag fell off. Our
friends behind us saw what happened and they turned around to retrieve our flag. We fixed it on to our window and we were proud to roll up to the Hick Fest. We arrived just in time for ax throwing, log cutting, the child's beauty contest, and ice cream eating contest.
This year they did not have a talent show but instead they had karaoke. Everyone that participated got their name put into a hat and they would draw out a winner. Trent was very excited to sing and he did a great job. Everyone gave him a roaring applause. I yelled out "That's my boyfriend" in my best West Virginia accent. A few of our friends sang other wonderful songs. Then I decided that I would also participate. Now this is a big deal for me. I have never sung a solo in front of more than 4 people... and that was just in a car. This was the big time. I decided that I had to make up for what I lacked in talent with personality and my knowledge of people. As I entered the stage, I was so nervous. I told the crowd that I picked my song because I love this country (they were mine at that point.) I sang God Bless the USA. All of my friends stood up when I sang "Stand up with you today." Then other people in the crowd started to get into it. A man started to wave his lighter and some women were swaying and pointing at me as if they were saying "You da man." I finished and I felt so embarrassed but happy. At the end of the event, they called out a name to say who won...it was me!!! Unbelievable. It was a $50 check from the Rotary Club.
This woman would point at me while I was singing. She loved the song.
It cashed.
On Sunday, we went to church in
Elkins, WV. We attended Sacrament and Sunday School. Sunday School was a big treat. There was a woman sitting behind us that obviously did not understand social cues. She would just blurt out things like "I can't even get a ride to the temple." For more on this please see
Derek's blog. The most
embarrassing part of Sunday School is when I was jabbing Trent when someone in the room said something funny. All of a sudden the teacher asks Trent, "She keeps hitting you, doesn't she?" Then the social cues lady pipes up and asks "Are you two together?" I kept my mouth shut and pretended it all did not happen. Later that day we went to
Blackwater Falls. The falls and the look-out were beautiful.
On Monday, we had a lazy morning full of
HGTV and breakfast. Derek, Joni, Trent and I took the ski lift up to the top of the mountain and hiked around the mountain. We could see the entire valley and the ski lift was relaxing. Then we played 18 holes of Putt-Putt Golf. It was the most rugged mini golf I had seen. The fake grass was coming up at the edges, they had painted in water and sand, and the holes were chipped cups. Due to the poor hole conditions, we called our game the Rugged Cup. At the end of the game, I beat Trent by one.
It was a wonderful weekend with great friends. Also, it felt a lot like home. There was a lot of camo.
