Every Cloud...

The Yogi just spent his Memorial Day weekend in the Mid-Ohio Valley for the Yogini's parents' 50th wedding anniversary. While I could exhaust an entire post about the trip, the economic demise of the heartland and the minefield that is the average American family, I've decided to focus on the inspirational moments from the trip. Apparently during its golden age (the mid-1800s to the early 1900s), the region was quite a happening place — literally the crossroads of America. From Blennerhassett Island to Historic Marietta & Harmar Village there are little gems to be found along with an abundance of forgotten history. The Blennerhassetts particularly piqued my curiosity. They were Irish aristocrats that seemed to be constantly surrounded by scandal. He was not only her husband, but her uncle. Shocking! He got caught up with a revolutionary faction in Ireland and was forced to flee to America. Here he showed similar poor judgment by allowing Aaron Burr to woo him for his fortune. This ultimately resulted in him being accused, with Burr, of treason for trying to establish an empire in the Southwest. It was discovered later that Burr had his sights set on Northern Mexico (current day Texas). I think that little tidbit should go in their new history text books. Juicy stuff, huh? Below is my favorite single item from the Blennerhassett Museum. I love the rustic elegance of its proportions and details.







This gave me the bug to hit the local antique malls in Marietta and wander into quaint little Harmar Village, where we had a lovely little lunch at the counter of the Soda Museum. Yes, I went to the Soda Museum. I'm constantly surprised when wonderful, beautiful things pop-up in what appears to be the lowliest of places.