Celebrating with Mothman
Comment via blog
Prev
Next
|
Day 1: April 5, 2021 Celebrating with Mothman Comment via blog |
Prev Next |
|
|
|
I left home a little after sunrise, drove south to US-50, and commenced
driving directly into the sun. US-50 is winding two-lane through much of
Ohio and is fun to drive when you can see it. Of course, it's even more
exciting when you can't.
|
|
|
In Hillsboro, I turned to the north for breakfast.
62 Classics' Diner is
a chrome plated modern version reproduction diner with all the trimmings
like a full set of Route 66 signs while sitting on US-62 just a couple of
miles from its intersection with US-50. Food, service, and prices were all
quite good. I'm somewhat mystified by the placement of the apostrophe in
the name. I guess it indicates that multiple "classics" own the "diner".
|
|
|
Here are some mostly US-50 Ohio highlights. America's
first school
of dentistry stands in Bainbridge. I have toured it before but right
now they are doing tours by appointment only. Seip Mound is just a couple
of miles beyond Bainbridge. I did not walk out to the mound today. It can
sort of be seen between the trees if you know what you're looking for. In
Chillicothe, the Ross County courthouse now stands on the site of
Ohio's first capitol.
The Leo Petroglyphs are why I had to say "mostly US-50". I had not even thought of visiting them but when a sign reminded me that they were just three miles off of US-35, which I picked up in Chillicothe, it seemed like a good idea. Shots of some actual petroglyphs are here and here. |
|
|
In Point Pleasant, WV, the Mothman sculpture was waiting for me and was
ready for a close up and a full frontal. You might notice a difference
between the first and third photos if you look closely at the left foot.
It's this, which I removed temporarily. Maybe
it's some sort of Mothman cult inside joke. I have no clue. I'm including
the fourth shot because it's the one I used on social media and my blog.
The last shot shows just how closely the statue, the museum, and the hotel
I'm staying at are grouped. If you're totally unfamiliar with the Mothman
legend, here is the quicky version that's
presented on the statue.
|
|
|
Next is the only Mothman Museum in the world. The museum contains lots
of newspaper clippings and other documentation but the coolest things
there are the sculptures and costumes including one overhead in the gift
shop. I'm partial to the costume behind the stanchions and I suspect
that's because it was super ready for its close
up.
|
|
|
The Lowe Hotel
has been a major feature of downtown Point Pleasant since 1901. Originally
known as the Spencer Hotel, it changed hands and name in 1929. It's plain
to see that this was top tier lodging in the early twentieth century. It
is still a good place to stay although it is showing its age a bit.
Pictures are of the hall outside my room and of
the lobby and the area above it. In the picture of the front desk and
marble stairs, part of a tile fireplace made by Cincinnati's Rookwood
Pottery can be seen at the picture's right edge. The entire fireplace is
visible here. The Mothman statue is quite easily
seen from the hotel though not directly from my room.
|
|
|
The Lowe Hotel sits at the entrance to Riverfront Park. Point Pleasant
seems to really like stainless steel statues and has added to the pair
that I saw in 2008. All, including the Mothman statue, were created by Bob
Roach who died in 2015. I had seen Chief Cornstalk (2005), who recently
received some flowers and General Andrew
Lewis (2006). New to me were Lord Dunmore (2014) and Daniel Boone (2013).
I don't know much about Dunmore's personal life but that pointed stick
he's carrying looks suspiciously like a golf
club. I have read that Boone, who is almost always shown with a
coonskin cap on his head, actually seldom wore one in real life. Just as
well, I suppose, because just carrying that tail
around could wear one out.
Those murals behind the statues are pretty awesome and there are many more. As far as I know, all are the work of Robert Dafford whose murals grace a big chunk of Ohio River bank. |
|
|
I could tell a story about how I ended up at this place in Gallipolis,
Ohio, but I'm going to limit it to saying that it shows up on several
"best of" lists". It's on mine now, too.
Tuscany
lived up to their reputation and served up a delicious birthday lasagne.
|
|
|
Back at the hotel, once it turned dark and I verified that the Mothman
statue was illuminated, I ventured out for a few shots. Check out that
handsome profile then check it out with a little flash thrown in.
|
|
|
| [Prev] [Site Home] [Trip Home] [Contact] [Next] |
