Michael Joseph Klishis, 78, of Morgantown, died Thursday, April 22, at his home.

Michael was born in Baltimore MD on July 26, 1942. He was the son of the late Albert and Lillian (Laukaitis) Klishis.

He graduated from Catonsville Community College, then Frostburg State College, where he met Lesley. He then went into the Air Force, where he served primarily in Fayetteville, NC. After his honorable discharge, they moved to Morgantown, where he received his Master’s and eventually PhD in psychology from WVU.

Never knowing quite what he wanted to be when he grew up, he had a passion for teaching, and worked at WVU first at the Mining Extension Service, and then as a professor for the Department of Safety Studies, until his retirement from the University in 2015.

After retirement, he and Lesley traveled and volunteered and enjoyed each other’s company.

He loved jazz and science fiction, the Baltimore Orioles and WVU sports, aquariums with fish and ponds with ducks. But above all he loved—and was loved by—his family.

He was never on time, and he never did clean off his desk.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Lesley (Cave), his daughter Michelle (Michael Hyde), his son Brian (Stacie Klishis), one grandchild, Julliene, in whom he delighted; his sister Christine Horne (Gary), and his nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the doctors, nurses and staff at WVU Family Medicine and The Cancer Center for their care and compassion throughout Michael’s illnesses.

A memorial service will be held at some point in the future when we can safely gather.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to Doctors Without Borders or UNICEF, or to the WVU Foundation to support the Michael and Lesley Klishis Graduate Support Fund. And remember to hug your loved ones.

Sunday was our annual hike up Seneca Rocks in memory of my cousin Ben. Ben died in 2012, and every year since then we’ve hiked up Seneca Rocks on his birthday. And since we’re doing it in memory of Ben, we have to go all the way to the top without stopping.

—

I was chatting with Tania the night before, and she asked if I was still mad at Ben. I said much less than I had been.

I changed my mind about 2/3rds of the way up.

I’m not as mad at him as I used to be (once I catch my breath, that is) but it’s still hard for me to accept. And it most likely always will be.

—

Although there was rain throughout the day, it held off for our hike, as well as while we were enjoying the view.

Location: Seneca Rocks
Distance: 3.6 miles
Elevation: 1546-2407 feet (919)
Temperature: 75 F

Hike up:
Distance: 1.2 miles
Elevation: 1578 – 2319 feet (740); 11.6% grade
Time: 32 minutes

I had the BEST long weekend!

It’s been 100 years since Grandmom was born.

Grandmom & Aunt Doris in daisy field behind house on Oak Grove.

Grandmom, Aunt Doris, and neighbor kids.

Aunt Sophie, Uncle John, Grandmom, Great-Grandfather Laukaitis.

Grandmom & Aunt Sophie

Albert(?) Grandmom, Popbo, Aunt Sophie.
Also: SPATS!

Aunt Sophie, Grandmom, Aunt Doris

Aunt Sophie, Grandmom, Aunt Doris

Aunt Sophie, Grandmom, Aunt Doris

Grandmom & Aunt Doris

Cousin Pat, Cousin Jimmie, Aunt Chris, Grandmom

Grandmom & Popbo

Grandmom & Popbo

I had to put in one with curlers. :)

I still miss you Grandmom.

Thank you, to those who have served, who are currently serving, and to their families.

Thank you.

I didn’t get solo pictures of each kid, because my time was short and there were various schedule issues. But these are some of the pictures that I loved.

And that was MY past weekend.

So this year’s birthday gifts to the small people in my life were hiking backpacks.

So what do you need for a hiking backpack?

First a foremost, a good backpack: 4-6, 7-9 (Smaller is better, since it will keep them from making it too heavy to carry comfortably.)
At least one water bottle
Naturalist notebook with pencil and a sharpie (use a sharpie to mark a ruler on the inside cover so Things Can Be Measured)
Emergency whistle
Lip balm
Flashlight
Magnifying glass (simple, more complex)
Compass (simpler, nicer)
A bandana or a pack towel
Trail mix or dried fruit (and chocolate milk and a pepperoni roll for a longer hike)
A first aid kit
Used ziploc bags for your trash (or trash you find on the trail)
Perhaps a pair of binoculars, or a pocket knife or matches, or a shovel, or a thermometer
Maps of your trails (Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley)

And of course, nature books:
Trees, Leaves & Bark
Wildflowers, Blooms & Blossoms
Berries, Nuts, And Seeds
Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies
Birds, Nests & Eggs
Tracks, Scats and Signs

Then you go have adventures!

We hiked / walked a lot around Blackwater Falls, and there were lots of areas that were great for kids–rocks to climb and leap off and lots of water to play in.

The best places to play in the water were Elekala Falls (the water was low–higher water with a faster flow might not be recommended for smaller kids), and a stream just past Lindy Point–park at the Lindy Point trail head, and continue down the road that says it’s for 4×4 vehicles only. You’ll soon come to a stream.

Stop and play.

Location: Blackwater Falls State Park
Trails: Elekala Falls, Cannan Loop “Road”, Balanced Rock Trail

We took some of the kids up to Dolly Sods, where the blueberries were in fruit.

We didn’t hike much, and blueberry pancakes were made for breakfast the next day (I didn’t get any!)

To remember my cousin Ben, on his birthday we hike up to the top of Seneca Rocks. And because we’re doing it in memory of Ben, we go up without stopping. (Stopping is allowed on the way back down, as is resting once the summit has been reached.)

Location: Seneca Rocks
Trail: Seneca Rocks Trail
Distance: 3.9 miles
Elevation: 1393-2468 feet (11% grade)
Average Speed Hiking Up: 2.3 mph

This was perhaps the slowest slide EVER. And the more you weighed, the slower you went.

But it was better than all the other trips this year!

Ice cream was made…

…and eaten!

There was walking…

…and jumping.

Rocks were picked up and checked under.

Big sticks were found and carried.

Stairs were climbed…

…as were rocks.

It was a marvelous day.

Like many females on the planet, I am uncomfortable with how I look in a swimsuit. I sometimes cringe when I see a picture of myself dressed, so bathing suits are like an explosion of self-loathing.

However, I’ve refused to let that stop me from swimming, because the only person who cares about what I’m wearing is Jules, who needs me to be able to swim and horse around with her.

We also went to Valley Falls.

It was a very good day.

My cousin Ben would have been 34 today.

Just as we did last year, this year we hiked up Seneca Rocks in his memory.