What a hectic week!
We were in West Virginia for the Governor’s One Shot Doe Hunt. We arrived a couple days early to visit with family and the Yeager Scholars.
The Scholars met us at the Marriott, which donated the space and soft drinks, in Charleston. Some of the Board members also came along.
CY regaled them with stories. They asked some questions which we answered. And gave some guidance re leadership.
Afterwards we went to Joyful Night – West Virginia’s celebration of Christmas – lighting of the tree, choruses singing, dancing.
We visited with the Chef of the Governor’s Mansion, an old friend. And tasted his delicacies for the evening. The Scholars explored the public rooms of the mansion.
We then headed to the Cultural Center where we arrived in time for the last performance. And CUPCAKES.
I asked the scholars if they had gotten cupcakes. They said – oh yes, they were first in line.
Great leaders. 
Kids after my own heart.
We then headed to our friend’s house for soup and to watch the game.
The next day we headed out to Grandpa Yeager’s house. CY had not seen it in 75 years.
We stopped in Hamlin for lunch. The owner recognized CY and called H, a childhood acquaintance of CY’s. She asked if we wanted H to come down and join us. We were in a hurry somewhat – a lot to do that day – but we said sure.
H was there pronto.
He wanted to join us in our hunt for Grandpa Yeager’s house. He was on a walker and wanted to drive. CY said no, he had to come with us. H insisted. We had heard not to drive with H so I came up and said, “H, this is our quest, so you have to go by our rules.
H: I have to go by your rules?
Me: Yes. And our rules are you go in our car.
H: OK, then.
And he shuffled his way to the car and got in.
Life should always be so easy
H tried to direct us the wrong way. I kept going – I remembered well as I had found it a year and a half before.
It is literally up a creek. And the creek was very muddy. And getting worse.
We couldn’t get there.
We gave up – have to wait until summer.
We next went back towards Hamlin. I was afraid our next stop would be much harder to find. The place where CY was born. The driveways all look alike.
I guessed right the first time. CY loved it – beautiful views. The house had burned down many decades before but the foundation was there. He sure appreciated seeing it and that I had taken the trouble to find it a year and a half before.
I had driven up every driveway…and realized this probably isn’t a good idea. Country folk don’t take too kindly to strangers driving up their driveways. When I introduced myself, they were pretty nice. Only one had no idea who Chuck Yeager was and said he had not been born there – she’d never heard that. I had asked how long she had lived there.
She said: 10 years.
I replied – Oh this happened 87 years ago.
I decided she just wouldn’t understand, might get her gun, so decided I best be leaving. It wasn’t the house anyway.
H was ready to go home. We got him back to the restaurant – he was elated to have spent so much time with his pal CY.
We stopped at CY’s family and visited for a while. One young man we hadn’t seen in 5 years had grown into a handsome, productive young man. Nice.
We ate at a great restaurant that night with friends.
Saturday, we just hung out with a visit to downtown and the Marketplace full of foods from West Virginia. Nice lay-out.
Our lunch was ice cream – my favorite – coconut with hot fudge and hot caramel sauce. Wow. Deeeelicious.
That evening we had a West Virginia supper – beans, beans, and….more beans with cornbread (not corncake) – no sugar.
The next day we headed to Stonewall for the One Shot Doe hunt.
The Capt picked us up and took us to sight in the gun.
General Yeager examined the new gun, sat down, aimed and shot.
No one could see the bullet hole. He had missed!
CY: No I didn’t.
Everyone was looking at the target at 100 ids. He had shot at the 200 yd target.
The Governor shot. It was half an inch to the right of the bullseye of the lefthand 100 yd target.
General Yeager shot at the 100 yd target – a half inch to the left of the bullseye of the left 100 yd target.
The Governor shot again – at the righthand target. About 2 inches high and 2 inches wide
They asked General Yeager to shoot at a fresh target – for the auction. He hit next to the bullseye again.
I asked for the target with the 2 shots – and showed it to General Yeager – his shot being closer to the bullseye.
Gen Yeager smiled and said Second guy doesn’t have a chance (subtle joke as in since I got the target, I said the best shot was General Yeager’s).