While I’ve got a little bit of time…

Dreamland…Inspired by the swimming pool in Kenova, WV.  Opened in the 1920’s, Dreamland is the largest swimming pool in the US (so says the city of Kenova).  It was the place to pick up hot boys on hot days.

The Initial Tree…Inspired by the initial tree.  Out Scary Holler, up past Horseshoe Bend, there is a tree that hangs over the side of the hill.  Our family has carved our initials into this tree for as long as I can remember.  There is a MS (me), a MS + DW, and a MW (me again).  It’s time to carve Liam’s initials into the tree.

Jewel City…Like Cincinnati is the Queen City, Huntington, WV, is the Jewel City.  Jewel City also is the name of the gym where I took gymnastics from ages 7-13.

Mothman…Inspired by the events in Point Pleasant, WV in the late 1960’s.  A large moth-like creature was seen around Point Pleasant.  Although the Mothman never caused anyone (or any yarn) any direct harm, there were several unexplained events that surrounded his sightings.  The Mothman is also believed to be a warning of tragedy.  The last time he was seen in Point Pleasant was right before the Silver Bridge fell into the Ohio River.  These events were chronicled (somewhat) in the movie The Mothman Prophecies starring Richard Gere.

 
Pawpaw’s Plum Tree…There was a plum tree that stood in our grandparent’s yard.  Many a springtime picture was taken in front of this tree with its pinky flowers and plummy leaves.

Ritter Park…Inspired by Ritter Park in the spring when the dogwoods are blooming.  Ritter Park is located along the southside of Huntington.  There are playgrounds, bike and hiking trails, picnic shelters, an amphitheater, and a rose garden.  Ritter Park is a gorgeous park with its landscaping and stonework.  It’s also a place to make out with your boyfriend or husband after dark.   

Scary Holler…I could write a novel about Scary Holler.  It’s where our grandparents live.  We lived there for a few years.  Scary Holler is inspired by the blue skies in the field behind our grandparents’ old log cabin.  The field was best in the spring when daffodils were blooming, the creek was running, and everything was green and new.  Scary Holler gets its name from its time as the place where convicted criminals were hung from the sheriff’s porch.  The sheriff’s house is no longer standing, but the house was said to be haunted and our mawmaw won’t walk by the site after dark.

Tamarack…Tamarack is a showcase for artists in West Virginia.  Located near Beckley, Tamarack has glass blowers, artists, homemade traditional food, woodworkers, and, yes, fiber artists.  It is a celebration of the traditional handcrafts in West Virginia.  From the air, Tamarack looks like a giant sunburst which is the inspiration for this colorway.

Thundering Herd…Inspired by the Marshall University Thundering Herd.  We are…Marshall!!!

The Yum Yum Shoppe…Inspired by the Yum Yum Shoppe in our hometown of South Point.  It was an ice cream and sundae shop.  We rode our bikes there in the summer.

That’s it for colorway inspirations.  There’s new colorways to come including Pointer,  Hatfield & McCoy, Coal Mine, Dolly Sods, Buffalo Creek, New River Gorge, and Hot Dog Sauce.  And that’s only the beginning.