by Ann K.
Member since:
July 25, 2007

Cool Springs Park

March 20, 2011 12:16 AM UTC (Updated: March 20, 2011 12:32 AM UTC)
views: 0 | 16 people recommend this | comments: 79

My daughter, Daisy, and I stopped at Cool Springs Park near Rowlesburg, West Virginia today. I hadn't been there in years but it hasn't changed much, except for the addition of some animals.

The road signs on Route 50 cracked us up! This section of the road is known for it's switchback, "kiss-your-a$$" turns.

 

If you didn't know what was coming, these signs would drive you crazy!

 

 

 

Cool Springs is an eclectic mix of outdoor museum and menagerie. A covered bridge, waterwheel, old rusty machinery, and a caboose are home to geese, donkeys, a pair of pheasants and an alpaca.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daisy with an old tractor that once belonged to the City of Morgantown.

 

 

 

 

These guys got loud when we strayed into their domain.

 

 

 

Daisy loved this donkey.

 

 

 

 

 

He loved her, too! We started to walk away and stopped to look at something else and he stuck his head under her arm for another scratch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The alpaca was not as friendly. He wouldn't let us get close enough to pet.

 

 

 

 

We didn't have time to go in the store. We'll save that for another trip because we could spend hours browsing the weird and wonderful assortment of goods for sale.

 

Comments: 79

William Dotani Mar 20, 2011, 12:26am UTC
Looks nice, relaxing and fun. Lovely photographs. Donkeys are cool.
Ann K. Mar 20, 2011, 12:34am UTC
Thanks, William. It was fun!
Tina Dalasinski May 19, 2011, 11:41am UTC
I agree me and my family like going to parks also.
Ann K. May 19, 2011, 11:30pm UTC
Hi, Tina! Thanks for stopping by.
Deborah Ormsby Mar 20, 2011, 12:27am UTC
very nice images, looks like everyone had a good time
Ann K. Mar 20, 2011, 12:35am UTC
Thank you!
George Shaw Mar 20, 2011, 2:16am UTC
Great pictorial tour. Thanks
Ann K. Mar 20, 2011, 2:47pm UTC
Thank YOU for looking!
Nurse Nancy S. Mar 20, 2011, 6:59am UTC
This area of WV looks all so familiar. I went to Nursing School in Fairmont.
Ann K. Mar 20, 2011, 2:50pm UTC
If you ever traveled East from Fairmont on Rte. 50, you passed Cool Springs.
Diane Huizenga Mar 20, 2011, 9:44am UTC
great photo essay looks like a great place to visit.
Ann K. Mar 20, 2011, 2:51pm UTC
Thanks, Diane. We had fun!
B.Lynn M Mar 20, 2011, 9:49am UTC
Looks like fun. Lived in WV when I was a teenager. nice for a peaceful visit but I don't think I would like to live there again. I like city living myself but I love the mountains for the quiet and beatiful trees
Ann K. Mar 20, 2011, 2:57pm UTC
I grew up on a farm, lived in the city for a year when I was around 20, and couldn't wait to get back to the country! I've been in WV over 30 years and I love the quiet pace. Thanks for stopping by!
Chris E. Mar 20, 2011, 10:37am UTC
Looks like a good time!
Ann K. Mar 20, 2011, 2:58pm UTC
It was! Nothing too exciting, but we enjoyed it.
William Dotani Mar 23, 2011, 12:42am UTC
I like donkeys and I believe my wife realized this a month after marriage when she called me a a**.
Donkeys are usually friendly, but watch your fingers if you feed them.
I believe we could solve our energy crisis if people rode donkeys to work.
Ann K. Mar 23, 2011, 12:51am UTC
These donkeys were quite chubby. I think they've been fed lots of snacks.
William Dotani Apr 26, 2011, 2:54am UTC
I'm chubby. Does that make me an a$$.
William Dotani Mar 23, 2011, 12:45am UTC
The alpaca probably heard you talking about sweaters. They understand according to Mr. Ed. Did you have scissors in your purse or a Swiss Army knife? I guess it was a wooly situation.
Ann K. Mar 23, 2011, 12:53am UTC
HaHa! Thanks for commenting!
JoAnn C. Mar 23, 2011, 9:02pm UTC
Looks like a nice place to visit.
Ann K. Mar 23, 2011, 10:59pm UTC
Nothing exciting, but quite interesting!
Nichole D. Mar 25, 2011, 11:04pm UTC
Looks like a great day! Nice photo essay.
Ann K. Mar 26, 2011, 1:06am UTC
It was! Thanks
Nichole D. May 15, 2011, 10:53pm UTC
This is being featured on 100 Views!
Ann K. May 16, 2011, 1:08am UTC
Thanks, Nichole!
Terry M. Mar 30, 2011, 5:08pm UTC
Great pics!
Ann K. Mar 31, 2011, 1:33am UTC
Thank you!
Oh, I do like this! It brings back happy memories of touring through West Virginia last year.
Ann K. Apr 3, 2011, 4:42pm UTC
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. West Virginia has an endless supply of beauty - and unusual places!
:)
Val G. Apr 4, 2011, 11:41pm UTC
Sounds like a fun place. We find places like that on occasion when we go to Pennsylvania.
Ann K. Apr 5, 2011, 12:34am UTC
It's nothing exciting, but a fun place to stroll around. Getting there is half the fun! I love Rt. 50!
August Lady Apr 13, 2011, 12:39am UTC
Lovely photo essay~really colorful pheasant!
Ann K. Apr 13, 2011, 1:07am UTC
Thank you!
Marilyn (PaintsOnSlate) S. Apr 13, 2011, 10:42pm UTC
that looks like fun and I loved your photos. In Massachusetts where my husband was born they have a hair-pin turn - just like yours.
Ann K. Apr 15, 2011, 12:51am UTC
Thank you, Marilyn. This road is so fun to drive!
Barbary C. Apr 16, 2011, 9:59pm UTC

Great photo essay, Ann.

I remember Rowlesburg was devastated in the 1985 flood.
Ann K. Apr 16, 2011, 10:42pm UTC
Thanks, Barbary. I hadn't realized Rowlesburg was flooded then. We drove through the pretty little town the same day of our Cool Springs trip, and with the river (is it the Cheat?) right there, that's understandable.
Winona (the crazy rat lady) Apr 21, 2011, 1:40pm UTC
That is a super cute donkey.
Ann K. Apr 24, 2011, 2:46pm UTC
He was super friendly, too!
William Dotani Apr 23, 2011, 11:54pm UTC
So you have been there since March 20, eh. Maybe spinning wool and making colorful hats for Kate and William's wedding. I wonder what the alpaca thinks? Propably hopes you'll take him to Chile and do shearing privately. He is shy.
William Dotani Apr 23, 2011, 11:55pm UTC
Probably (sorry).
Ann K. Apr 24, 2011, 2:49pm UTC
He was shy, but seemed to know how to strike a good pose.
William Dotani Apr 24, 2011, 12:00am UTC
I only saw West Virgina from a train window. I thought I was going to die. The tracks were right on the edge of a very deep gulley. It was February and rather pretty, but also rather Wilderness looking.
Ann K. Apr 24, 2011, 2:56pm UTC
I've taken a scenic train trip once in West Virginia through an area called The Trough, along the South Branch of the Potomac between Romney and Moorefield. It's such a mountainous state, the only place to build roads and railroads was on the sides of the mountains. It is a beautiful and wild place.
William Dotani Apr 26, 2011, 2:41am UTC
I hope the people there can retain their cultural traditions and have a good peaceful lifestyle.
Betty B. Apr 28, 2011, 7:10am UTC
Looks like a fun place to vist.
Ann K. Apr 28, 2011, 5:42pm UTC
Half the fun is getting there.
Betty B. Apr 30, 2011, 5:42pm UTC
I love a road trip. I usually drive to Minnesota every summer but with gas prices rising, I might not be able to do it this summer
connie h. May 1, 2011, 10:01pm UTC
looks neat
Ann K. May 1, 2011, 10:45pm UTC
It's a really neat place
Alison H. May 9, 2011, 2:27am UTC
It looks like a beautiful area and a fun place to visit.
Ann K. May 9, 2011, 7:22am UTC
Cool Springs is a fun place. Everywhere in West Virginia is beautiful!
DIANE D. May 17, 2011, 9:46am UTC
Great post!
Ann K. May 17, 2011, 5:55pm UTC
Thanks!
Kim B. May 17, 2011, 10:04am UTC
awesome photo essay
Ann K. May 17, 2011, 5:55pm UTC
Thank you
DarkBeauty 73 (Melanie) May 17, 2011, 2:34pm UTC
great photo essay May 17 Features | 100 Views
Ann K. May 17, 2011, 5:56pm UTC
Thanks!
DarkBeauty 73 (Melanie) May 19, 2011, 12:45pm UTC
May 19th Features | 100 Views
Ann K. May 19, 2011, 10:59pm UTC
Thanks again!
lena k. May 17, 2011, 2:48pm UTC
looks nice
Ann K. May 17, 2011, 5:56pm UTC
Thank you
Sandy Moore May 18, 2011, 12:52am UTC
Super post! Here from 100 Views
Ann K. May 19, 2011, 1:23am UTC
Thanks, Sandy!
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 18, 2011, 5:26am UTC
Awwww, me wants that donkey! *lol*
Ann K. May 19, 2011, 1:24am UTC
Isn't he just the sweetest thing?
Renita P. May 19, 2011, 4:38pm UTC
looks like a great place!

This comment is to let you know that your content has reached 100 views and has been removed from "100 Views." Thanks for posting.
Ann K. May 19, 2011, 7:51pm UTC
Thank you, Renita!
Connie C. May 24, 2011, 9:58pm UTC
This post is spotlighted in the Wednesday edition of Today On Gather.

You Can View It By Clicking HERE.

Congratulations!

I do hope you will have the time to view the other spotlighted posts. Have a wonderful night.
Ann K. May 24, 2011, 10:52pm UTC
Thanks so much for the spotlight!

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