Berkeley Springs, WV

Over Martin Luther King, Jr. Day we made our way to West Virginia. Berkeley Spring is only 2 hours away from D.C. but it is amazing how it can feel so far away when you are in a different state... especially West Virginia.

As we drove into town we were greeted with this banner:

We met up with some couple friends of ours that we have made throughout the years here. Maggie and Brandon that now live in Baltimore. Kaylyn and Ryan who always add some excitement. Alisia and Lincoln who simply make me laugh. It was a stellar combination in Berkeley Springs!

The day started with lunch at Earthdog Cafe. Trent loves to eat good food and said that this place had excellent reviews. We took his word and we were blessed. We ended up staying at this small cafe for over two hours. With such a large group they did not know where to seat us. In order to accommodate us, they opened up the back bar and sat us in there all to ourselves. The backroom seating came with strung Christmas lights, pool, instruments to play, and a disco ball next to a deer head. We quickly took over the whole room as we played pool and the instruments. Ali searched and searched to find how to turn on the Christmas lights and she finally figured it out. The food was great. I started out with some Wicked Hot Chocolate. Not so hot but they did bring them out in random business/ DARE mugs that reminded me of being home. The BBQ brisket was wonderful.

Then we made our way over to the Berkeley Springs State Park. This is not just any state park but it calls itself the "Nations first spa." President Washington rode all the way up to Berkeley Springs to bathe in the natural hot springs. You can still see his bathtub if you'd like. We were told that the springs were known to contain healing water so we decided to try it out. The state park has Roman Bath Houses but declined the large bath house for the "family style bathe." Each couple was able to have their own large hot bathe (cleaned after each use) for 30 minutes. We thought this was a steal at $30. This spa is more...rustic. Imagine a LDS church baptismal font.

Being submersed in the water was truly healing. We headed straight out to the mineral water pump that you can use to bottle your own water.

We were lucky enough to have Revolutionary War reenactments in the park that day. We watched them march, show musket firings, and even had the chance to talk with them. The whole group seemed to find it much more interesting than I.

Berkeley Spring castle

We strolled over to the Creekside Creamery, which is conveniently located by a creek. We were told that in the spring time the creek is filled with turtles! We sipped on hot cider and enjoyed catching up with each other. We walked by the Star Theater which we did not attend this trip but we hear is wonderful. It is a depression-era theater that plays one new release movie per weekend for only $3.75. For an extra 50 cents you can get a sofa. We will need to come back in the spring.

We were able to get a steal of a deal on a cabin nearby. We spent the rest of the evening playing games, watching movies, and eating more good food. In the morning, we made Ebelskivers and relaxed as it rained outside.

Can I go back?

Twenty-ten

It has been a great New Year here at the Bowens. We celebrated the turning of the year at a home of a member of our congregation. Their home was full of food, games, and children. They had a whole basement that was run over with children. I made my way downstairs to say hello to some of the children in our Sunday school class. It was a mad house! Furniture had been turned over, kids were running everywhere, and the toy room was a disaster. It looked like a kids paradise.

We enjoyed our first Christmas away from our families. It was nice to have a slow holiday that did not depend upon flight schedules or snow. However, the week leading up to Christmas my mother let me know through many mediums (facebook, email, telephone, card, and via my father) that she was missing me. I missed my family very much but it was a wonderful Christmas none the less. It helped that we had been invited to a Christmas Eve dinner with a few families in the ward. It eased the loneliness I felt since my entire family gets together every Christmas Eve. Plus, it was there that I developed an intense need to buy an ebelskiver pan. Ebelskivers are a danish breakfast dish that are like filled pancakes. I searched four stores before I found one. It was the last one and I had it placed on hold for me. We made them for New Years Day and they were amazing!

We were spoiled for Christmas as package after package came to our door. Soon our Christmas tree had many presents to be opened up on Christmas day - we did wait even though no one would have ever known. Thanks to our families for the sweets and presents. You were too kind and we love you!

Christmas Dinner for Two

Trent and I made sure that if we could not go home this year that we would at least buy each other some nice presents. Trent received a new brown suit, a nice work coat, a book, and tickets to see Wicked the Musical. I received a new DSLR camera! Trent has become my new model and he does not seem to like it very much. I have had a fun time taking photos of food, icy branches and anything else I can find. It has been enjoyable to have more control over the photos that I am taking. I also received an adult beginners piano book that Trent is using to teach me how to play the piano. Thank you Trent!

We hope that you all enjoy the New Year and most of all we hope to see each of you in Twenty-ten.