Almost Heaven

MCMURRAN HALL
Shepherd University

I don’t know why we had never been to Shepherdstown, WV before yesterday. Located near the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley not far from a natural ford of the Potomac River it is a charming little town rife with history, education, arts, activities and architecture. Now known primarily as a college town, the home of Shepherd University, educational pursuit is kind of what brought us there.

The Little House on the campus of Shepherd University.

The beautiful campus of the U. S. Fish & Wildlife National Conservation Training Center

We had received a call from Admiral Steve Duffey, one of Don’s Navy buddies, that he was attending an educational program being held at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife National Training Center. It was decided that we would drive up to have dinner with Steve after he finished his class.

It didn’t take much convincing for Don to recruit me to accompany him and we decided we would spend the day exploring Shepherdstown and then meet up with Duffey for dinner. Our first stop was the Visitors Center where we met the lovely and extremely helpful director, Jan Hafer. Jan explored our interests with us and then equipped us with information and brochures.

Jan Hafer is the Director of the Visitors Center

We didn’t count on Shepherdstown having so many things of interest to us so we decided to limit ourselves to the historic district walking tour, shopping and lunch. An overnight excursion at the Bavarian Inn where we can then explore the history and hike the C & O Canal is in our future.

The War Memorial Building on the site of an old tannery.

Old Masonic Hall now houses an amazing local crafts store – Dickinson & Wait Gallery

The Yellow Brick Bank
now a restaurant

Old Odd Fellows Lodge now a public library (note it’s in the middle of the street).

Thomas Shepherd, the town founder, became wealthy as a businessman in New Orleans and there is definitely a Crescent City influence in the use of ornamental iron and leaded glass that some of the historic buildings and homes sport.

Old cast iron gate

Stained glass basement transit window with iron grill – LOVE THIS!

Ornate porch grill

There was a brickyard located in the town and from the late 1700s to the mid 1800s many of the earlier wooden structures were replaced by brick buildings. More than twenty natural springs converge to create the Town Run which used to provide the town with water, fish and powered the mill, tannery and other businesses. What’s amazing is that it runs through backyards, alleys and under streets guided by a stone canal that takes it to the Potomac River.

Don next to the Town Run

Site of the old Gristmill

Water pumps were maintained by homeowners and users paid a small fee.

The old buildings of the historic district now house many shops, restaurants and are venues for many local arts and entertainment events. We had a delicious lunch at The Blue Moon Café who’s staff was extremely friendly and the garden area behind the restaurant was an oasis.

Garden at The Blue Moon Cafe

My delicious vegetarian Tuscan Salad

Loved this at The Blue Moon Café.

The Blue Moon Cafe

Lots of cobalt blue pottery in and outside The Blue Moon Café.

Some of the other homes and gardens I just couldn’t resist. Don was fearful, as usual, that I would get arrested as I looked in peoples yards and windows.

Someone’s lovely garden.

I would never leave.

Periwinkle painted rockers with periwinkle colored flowers.

So, while we are browsing through the walking tour we get a phone call from our Besties, The Thieles, that they are returning from Baltimore. They want to know what we are up to so we tell them. Their response is, “OK, we’ll be there in half an hour!” Upon their arrival Becky and I began exploring the inside of all those cute little shops and needless to say we did not go home empty handed.

Victim of Yarn Bombing?

Becky and I were intrigued because on the main drag of the historic district all the trees and sign poles had some type of crocheted or knitted yarn adornment. When we inquired about it one of the shopkeepers told us he had heard it was a “yarn bombing”. We envisioned 50 grannies running through the town war whooping and wrapping everything in yarn. We of course assumed wine was involved but then decided it was probably the college kids and beer was involved. If anyone has any insight into just exactly what “yarn bombing” entails please leave a comment.

As evening approached it was time to meet the Admiral and head off to dinner. The Admiral’s wife, my friend Diane, had sent me a message earlier in the day to please bring her husband a plastic baggie when we met. It seems their daughter collects dirt from famous places and had requested that her Dad bring her something Civil War related. Of course for Don this meant he had license to drag us to yet another battlefield so after collecting Steve and a baggie from the historic district that was to be used to clean up after your doggie (Don thought Steve would appreciate it) we were off to Antietam.

Only they would find an aircraft carrier on a battlefield.

The evening ended with a nice dinner and after bidding the Admiral adieu we drove home in one of the worst downpours I have ever seen. As the radio station issued immediate flash flood warnings for the exact location we were in and I silently made peace with my Maker, we crossed the state line back into our beloved Old Dominion and the rain subsided. We made it home safely and are planning our return to Shepherdstown for this Fall.

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