#31 End of the off season

HELLO DIGLETTS!

My off-season has come and gone. Now that the wheels are spinning again I can return to updating you all on my crap. I am about to take you all on my off-season journey. Be warned: Below contains a dangerous amount of awesome times.

Chapter One: Carain Valley 
   

This was sadly my first trip to Canaan Valley. It's sad because, to my knowledge, it is the most beautiful part of West Virginia. Wild and Wonderful is a far more accurate description of this place whereas the majority of the state's license plates should read Wild and Stupid. Chances are I caught Canaan on the least attractive weekend because it rained pretty steady for the majority of my visit and led to an early departure. I can only imagine how great that place is when the weather is nice. Still, I'd rather be in a rainy Canaan than a dry anywhere else, WV. Josh took the scenic route through the mountains, but there really isn't a non-scenic entrance. The first place we went to was Timberline and while Travis did ski slope repeats Josh, Papa Simpson, and I took to the ski resort's bar and had the best beer in a sense. In the value sense. For 2.50 they had jars of Leinenkugel Vanilla Porter and from what I heard excellent local beer. Sitting out on the patio looking up the ski slopes put in a better place than anywhere else in WV has ever put me. It was the closest looking sight to Alta, Wyoming. Obviously Wyoming was prettier because the bigger mountains and different it was just prettier. But Alta is a solid 28 hours further away than Canaan, so they are equals. Alta is not 28 hours better than Canaan- fact. Even with the drizzle it was a fantastic hour or so. Peaceful doesn't do it justice. I would have been more comfortable if I believed in checking weather reports before leaving the house. Then I would have been in a rain jacket and pants. Nine times out of ten when the barkeep announces that there are all you can eat ribs on the menu that night I will be camping out nearby and eating until I can't move. Then after taking a drink I would eat more ribs; I mean if I can't move why not indulge a bit? But there would be no ribs that night because I needed to try a burrito at Hellbenders. I've heard legends and seen the stickers on all corners of the world of Morgantown. Plus who the hell isn't down to eat a fat burrito literally at any time of the day?

Everyone's expression at the sight of Hellbenders.

Here is a short taste of Canaan for the digletts, courtesy of teammate Travis:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUhOnQSaIp4&list=UUpQGnzb49aOblicKuvqjspA

Hellbenders is a hell of a joint. Josh asked me if I knew what kind of animal a hellbender was and honestly I didn't know, but I guessed correctly since the logo that I've seen was a salamander holding a burrito like a cannon. I can't speak for all of the burritos there because I only had the admiral, but the admiral is the best burrito I've had. I won't tried to talk it up more than that because my food vocabulary is no contest to the Randy Marsh's out there. It was fat and delicious. Is there a more appetizing description to an American? Whole buncha yum yum. The best meals are the ones that has your stomach chatting all night. My stomach made noise all night, but I had no stomach issues. On rare occasions my stomach will talk to me and I will have no gas issues. On these occasions I can only think it is my stomach vocally approving of my decision. I believe my stomach said "so if this is ever an option why do you eat other stuff?" Something along those lines, I'm not too good with stomach morse code.
    I washed down my burrito with some caramel covered marshmallow smores over a fire while the rain temporarily let up. They were delicious and definitely not necessary because I was still stuffed. Once the fire died down the party split into either the Tank Inn or the water 'resistant' tent. Tank Inn being fully waterproof and afraid of being eaten by nature I went over to the Tank Inn and crawled into position for the night. I will admit that for the majority of the night absolutely terrified of everything. I have slept outside in a camper or in my car far from home before, but the fact that I was sleeping in the mountains of West Virginia had me worried. Especially when the main topic of discussion was sharing bear sightings. If I were to see a bear I would pass out. Like I said in Canaan- seeing a bear would draw the same reaction from me as seeing a masked man in my house with a shotgun in my face. I think passing out would be the best option in that scenario. No one is going to shoot someone passed out on the ground. No sport there.
 

    The next morning started before the sun rose for me. We went down to a local cafe in Davis and had some nice coffee. I want to know why more races don't have awards for checkpoints. Speedgoat 50 has prize money to the first person up the big climb and reaches eight miles. But that race is one of the biggest in the country. Definitely on my bucket list. There was a brochure for Davis's local 5k and they give awards to the first through 2k as well as the winners of course. That is cool. It'd be fun to see if you can win the first leg and still fare well throughout the rest of the race. Referencing the 50 miler. 5k is too short to worry about something like that. The rain continued to come down and miniature golf was never played. That is a crime. Honestly, since the moment I have returned from Canaan I have tried to think about when I can go back out there. The drive back was pretty. I enjoy i68. It's one of the shorter interstates, but it is one of the more scenic interstates. Luckily I was driving its entirety of it a few days later so I would get to enjoy it for a few hours.

Chapter Two: Obamington D.C

Co-ed Bathroom?

I traveled to the nation's capitol Tuesday to kick it with my best childhood friend and catch one of my top two bands/guys. Though I would be there for less than 48 hours, I had a lot of plans. The journey began back on i68 as I hit every mile of it in route to Washington. I tell you what, I've driven all over and have seen a few truly awesome sights. Fort Pitt tunnel is the one I see most often. The tunnel itself is boring, but the city on the other side is brilliant. I think Washington's Fort Pitt tunnel is the George Washington parkway. I took that in and there was a few minutes where I felt like I was in a tunnel because the trees were overgrown and blocked the sun from reaching the road; forming a tree tunnel. That was pretty neat. Then I finally got into the thick of one of the worst traffic cities in the country. I eventually found a parking spot two blocks from the Nationals field. Successfully parallel parked like a boss, and met Jordan soon after. We went to Peri Peri for some food. Peri Peri had the same logo on both of the bathroom doors. It confused the hell out of me. Portuguese grilled chicken that absolutely torched my mouth. I typically go as hot as I can at new restaurants to see how hot their food can be. It was probably the hottest food that I have enjoyed. I've had several meals that have just been too hot to enjoy; like the mildest Indian foods. Next stop for us was back to the ballpark to catch a Nationals / Mets game.

The game was a good one from what I recall. Nationals lost, but I had a great time. Baseball may be the greatest way to catch up with a friend that you haven't talked to most of the summer. I look forward to spending more time with Jordan this year once he returns to Morgantown. He's the man. I also caught up with one of the many high school classmates that I haven't been in contact with since high school. Being with those two made me feel fourteen again. Which were great times. Jordan and I were early enough to receive this absolutely amazing lawn gnome! Sadly a few drinks later led to bad decision making. The worst decision making that I could have made honestly. I saw this young boy decked out in Nats gear and wearing a Werth jersey (the gnome) and was so broken up and bitching about not arriving in time to get a gnome. I suppose the saying that after so many drinks, rash decisions will be made without thinking. Next thing I knew the kid was wrapped around my waist thanking me for handing over my gnome. Instant regret, but I was over it. Now I'm back on it. Some may say that was a 'nice' thing to do, but my gnomeless porch says otherwise. It is mad at me. I like DC's metro significantly better than NYC's. The city in general is nicer in my opinion. Riding the escalator from the metro out of the Rosslyn station near Georgetown was my favorite sight; not counting the national mall views. It's just a really long ride from underground and into DC.

To end the night we hooked up a big projector and played FIFA into the early morning. Just like the old days!!!

Wall sized showdown

Chapter 3: National Mall and junk

The next morning started a few hours later. Jordan worked from 8-4 and I figured if I'm only in town for two days I better go see everything. Two things that I didn't see in person, but drove by was Watergate hotel and the pentagon where a tomahawk missile sized plane crashed. The rest of what I felt like there was to see I saw. Here is my morning in photographs with my initial thoughts attached with them. To start things off here is the most patriotic video to ever be on this blog: (naturally featuring the world's most awkward people)

Looking for Jenny

Lt. Dan

Wall of the boys LBJ murdered for no reason.

Korea  / Red Foreman

Pretty bland, aye?

Guess where I'm standing while taking this picture! It's an easy answer, unless you're a communist.

I had no ticket, sadly.

Chapter 4: PASSENGER!

Now for my favorite part of the trip- Passenger! If you have followed any of my entries I have probably mentioned the beautiful man known as Passenger. By the time the night rolled around I was completely exhausted by the time I stepped out of the taxi at Echostage. Out of the 2,000+ person sellout, I may have been the only loner there. And I was completely okay with that. I consistently grabbed some drinks throughout the first two shows and honestly felt a little cranky probably from walking a few marathons around DC being touristy as shit. Then life changed. Passenger, well wait a minute. Back track real quick. During the first to shows I wasn't in the mode for mingling and perhaps I have been watching too much Sherlock, but I have started reading people when they approach me. I noticed that this 18-20 year old didn't have a bracelet given to those of age to drink and saw right through her attempt to talk. Here's the dialogue:
"What are you drinkin?"
"Stella."
"That's cool, I like Stella. You getting another?"
"Haven't decided yet."
"Oh I would drink Stella if I was drinking tonight."

I walked away. Didn't see her again. It was time that I maneuvered toward the front of the stage. Once Passenger made his way to the stage and every problem that I have had recently was gone. To this day nothing has brought me down and I credit Passenger completely for that. I can't really express how much I enjoyed the show. Easily the greatest hour of my life. When he told the crowd stories and played depressing songs- I felt sad. The passion was so transparent on stage. Then every time he smiled it lit up the world. There sounded like a drum was blasting on stage, but it was just Passenger stomping the hell out of the stage. I have never lost my voice at a show but I was singing as loud as I could. Instead of cheering for an encore the entire club continued singing the chorus to the last song until Mike came back to the stage and sang his heart out one last time. 

I was in such a good mood that I found myself spending my twenty minute wait for the next train; sitting indian style singing with two strangers. That could not be more out of character for me. And I loved it. Such a perfect night. I didn't even mind that I had to walk two miles back to Jordan's place. Or that I had to leave around 5am to get back to Morgantown; it was past 1am. I can't clean shave because Passenger totally digs my beard- fact. <3

Chapter 5: Closing Ceremonies to offseason

Back into WV I stopped in Fairmont for the high school's cross country practice. I've enjoyed helping with the team all summer and look forward to this fall. It will be my second time spending an entire season from the coaching standpoint because I feel like I got to see a season from a non runner point of view when I had a broken leg. This is gives me a chance to go back and be a better leader. The goal is to see improvement by every single runner which should be everyone's vague goal. I keep this beard for many reasons, but one of them is because I feel like if I shave I will look ten years younger. Who's going to listen to what a babyface is going to say? Here is a picture of me in my true form- Carpetbagger from the union cleaning up the south.




I added a globe from DC to my sister's collection. It's getting pretty big, largely thanks to me. Now that I think about it, she really doesn't travel at all. I guess I didn't either when I was 14. One day we should do a roadtrip, she and I. Here is a blurry glance at said collection.

I have started cross training and walk running so my off season is already basically at its end. I'm happy to be on the brink of normalcy. To celebrate the end of a crappy month (running wise, I've been very content otherwise), I went to Edgell's 21st birthday Friday and had a blast with all of them. Got to beat up on chris wilson in nba again-standard. And do 21 year old things. I decided to head home around 2am, stopped at Sheetz in star city and the next thing I knew it was 5am and I was continuing the trek home. Got sidetracked in just the most entertaining way one can get sidetracked.

First day Todd ever had a drink. Legally.

I ended the weekend up watching America's past time with pops at PNC Park. Once again we were bad luck charms as the bucs decided to suck it up again. 2-1 loss to the Padres is like losing by 20 against a normal team. We sat behind my first ever heckler. And I hated him! There were a lot of #9 Padres jerseys out in Pittsburgh. I believe that is because #9 is a Morgantown boy who went on to play for WVU and now the Padres. He's good.

The most beautiful park. Hands down.

Fantasy Football is something mainstream, eh? I figure I will start a football league. Just for me and the Digletts. I'm in a league already with my high school friends. We decided to make it a money league the year after my reign ended. Convenient. If anyone wants in the league just shoot me an e-mail so I will have your e-mail. Just like I did with March Madness, I will award prizes to the top team(s). Fantasy Hockey season is coming up as well if anyone is interested, but I am pretentious as hell about hockey and it is a far more selective league. Saying that, there are a few spots available still. Here is my e-mail, followed by BERT TWEET OF THE WEEK:

dgmcvicker@mix.wvu.edu

 

Alrighty Digletts, With the off season wrapping up, next time you here from me there will be more training and less fun involved. I have been working on some cool little video segments for the blog, but they are all equally unfinished. You are close to following an awesome, blog. Until then- long live living par. 

ONE LOVE!