Bored in Ohio: Travel Channel Edition

On my recent trip from Charlotte to North Canton, i traveled through North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio. Along the way, I passed many the tourist spot (according to the makers of those fine brown highway signs).

The Glory that is: West Virginia's Finest

The Tamarack!

Among the most notable was of course: The Tamarack, West Virginia's finest. For the amount of money spend to advertise this local wonder, located smack dab in the center of the West Virginia turnpike, behind a rest stop and gas station, one would think that this was the center of West Virginia society. Things like Social events, fundraisers, charity auctions, and luncheons must be among the everyday happenings at this artist's mecca on the side of highway 77. I did stop at the Tamarack once, just to see

if it was indeed, worth all fuss. What I found inside was a glorified gift shop, along with cafeteria, theatre for local plays and artist's showcases where you could watch a glass blower or violin maker at work. Its actually a nice little operation that they run there, but i do question why this glorious place is located on the side of the turnpike. But, we are talking about the West Virginians here, so go figure.

Picture of me, outside the tamarack

**I'm sorry, if anyone is offended by my attitude towards WV, i'm sure you're a fine state filled with fine people, that i have yet to run into. Perhaps I should venture off the turnpike and into your small towns**

The other most notable tourist attraction comes in southern ohio, near nobel county.

Big Muskie Bucket. Every time I pass the sign that says Big Muskie Bucket, i ask myself, what the hell is that? So, i've devoted the rest of this post to informing all of my fine readers what lies 16 miles west of I-77, in Caldwell, Ohio. The bucket is the centerpiece of miner's memorial park in southern ohio. Its the world's largest dragline and one of the seven engineering wonders of the world. Who knew that such wonders lye less than two hours south from my hometown? Well, you, my faithful readers are in for a treat, here in my blog, you will find a sneak peak of Ohio's own, muskie bucket! Here it is, in all of its mining glory. It weighs 460,000 lbs empty and 640,000 when full. If anyone has actually visited this attraction, please let me know. If you haven't you should now feel like you don't need to! You're welcome!