My sister Melissa asked our dad what he wanted to do this summer, and he said he wanted to go to Nitro, West Virginia where he was born.
Since being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Dad’s ideas often get dismissed, but Melissa actually thought that would be a good change of pace for Dad and talked to our cousin Shelley about taking our dad and her mom (Aunt Barb) on a road trip to Nitro.
When I heard about the plan, I invited myself, and soon all the “kids” were invited.
DAY 1 - HEADING TO NITRO | Saturday, May 27
We left St. Louis in a 12-passenger van Shelley had rented from Turo. Driving in one vehicle provided plenty of together time. The drive was a straight 7-hour path east on Hwy 64, and we were pleased to discover our AirBnB had mural of what appeared to be three pagan witches in front of a full moon.
We settled in and the seven of us feasted on BBQ chicken, fresh fruit and veggies, and pasta salad. After dinner, Dad made a comment about how neither he or his sister ate the pasta salad on the plate. From then on, when Dad asked what we were having for our next meet, I replied with pasta salad.
Cousin Mike offered me a Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout in a coffee cup. He and I played some gin while sipping our “coffees.” Dad saw everyone was having coffee and decided he wanted one, too. He actually got coffee. Once the adults headed to bed, we kids enjoyed more libations, shared memories, and reconnected.
DAY 2 - EXPLORING | Sunday, May 28
After breakfast, we ventured into Nitro to explore. We learned Dad and Barb lived in dwelling 40 on South 21st Street, so we cruised up and down that street. No luck finding anything labeled dwelling 40 or even 2140. We found the Nitro War Museum (Monday’s activity), a few churches, a cool park with a pond, and Biscuit World!
We left Nitro and explored Charleston where Dad and Barb were actually born. We googled things to do in Charleston, and when Dad heard about Kanawha State Forest, he said, “Let’s go to the forest.” We drove through the park, and it stopped raining long enough for us to walk a fishing platform overlooking Davis Creek.
We returned to the house for lunch and a little Game Show Network downtime. Prior to dinner, Dad, Barb, and I played some blackjack. I was impressed with how engaged and mentally aware both of them were during the game, and I loved watching them compete as brother and sister. When Dad won, he would sweep all the imaginary chips into his lap. When Barb lost, she would say, “Congratulations” with a lot of attitude. Then she would tell the story of how her parents made her say congratulations when she lost as a child.
Mike made Kentucky mules before dinner, and I made Dad a version with 11 parts Ginger Ale to 1 part bourbon. We feasted on pork tenderloin, and laughed and told stories until it was bedtime for the adults. We kids made whiskey sours in remembrance of Pa (Dad and Barb’s dad). I remember him hosting parties at his homemade bar and asking who wanted a whiskey sour. We stayed up late into the evening with cards, more memories, and deeper connections.
DAY 3 - MUSEUM | Memorial Day, Monday, May 29
Biscuit World for breakfast! It was fine. We posed for a group photo in front of the “Welcome to Nitro” sign. Nitro is a living memorial to WWI, so many of the street signs have soldiers on them. The Nitro WWI museum didn’t open until noon, so we took another drive up and down 21st Street and a slow walk around downtown.
At the museum we met Carmen whom I called before our trip. In person, she told us they figured out where the Chandler home likely was. It no longer existed, but she described where on the street it was and how we could find it. She pulled out photos of the Monsanto plant where Pa worked, which also no longer existed. Amy, a volunteer at the museum who served in Iraq, gave Dad a commemorative coin and thanked him for his service.
Leaving the museum, we found their house location which is now a parking lot. We ventured up the hill to Ridenour Lake and enjoyed a picnic lunch. The van got stuck in some mud, but my brother Chris masterfully managed to back us out of our mucky situation. Back at the house, we played progressive rummy. Dad joined us for two rounds and won both of them.
After dinner, the weather was nice enough for all of us to hang out on the patio. Then we did our usual evening routine: adults to bed, cards and beverages for the kids. Beer of the night was Sweet Baby Jesus by DuClaw Brewing.
DAY 4 - HEADING HOME | Tuesday, May 30
Like a highly tuned team, we were dressed, packed, fed, and out the door for our journey home. The drive home was filled with inside jokes created over the last three days. When we arrived at Dad’s house, we had a delightful surprise gift from Jen. She printed and framed pictures of our departing group photo.
#endalz #memoriesmatter
20 июн 2023
