A three state kind of day

So today we left Ohio, crossed into West Virginia, and are now in Pennsylvania!

We began our day at the John and Annie Glenn home in New Concord. It was interesting to learn about John Glenn's life and career - particularly leading up to his space flights. Their home in New Concord was so sweet. We really had such a great time there.

Next stop was the barber shop next door for the three boys' hair cuts - that too was fun :)

1st American haircut! This barber was just delightful and really enjoyed our kids!

Ohio toward West Virginia - this place is so lush

Finally, we visited the West Virginia Penitenitary(http://www.wvpentours.com/) - and by chance the Grave Creek Mound and its accompanying museum across the road (http://www.wvculture.org/museum/GraveCreekmod.html). The penitentiary was in use until about 8 years ago.  What a dire place it was. This place, more so than Alcatraz, gave me the creeps. Perhaps it was the history of public executions held here, perhaps it was the peeling paint and distinct odour. My imagination certainly led me to believe I could feel the tension and violence of the maximum security prison we were visiting. There were examples of the electric chair and the gallows where prisoners were executed.

Grave Creek Mound, built by the Adena people. You can just see the mound in the background. The view from the top was great - too bad if you were buried in the mound!

View from top of Grave Creek Mound across to the WV Penitentiary

Inside the maximum security prison

The chair

four inmates

We are now in a lovely little RV park about 35 miles over the border from WV into Pennsylvania. Tomorrow we meet and stay with the Heilmans - Doug and Dawn, friends of our dearest friends Les and Bev Sheppard. We have chosen to visit the town of Sarver because Les took up ministry there just a week after Victoria's birth - he stayed to baptise her before leaving for the States. We really wanted to see where Les and Bev spent time with the church, and in doing so, we are going to meet and make new friends with the Heilman family. Really looking forward to it! We also plan to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, and attend a New Church service on Sunday. I am super excited to be in Pennsylvania!!!