Friday evening:

University Avenue reopened today–at least partially.

It’s still a construction zone, it’s a rough asphalt job, and the sidewalk is supposed to be closed. But you can drive down University again.

Here’s what we saw:

First view coming around the corner:

Sidewalk closed! (I ignored this.)

Here’s where you can see the drop.

Panorama of Beverly & University.

Some new, nice wide sidewalk!

Oooh! Metal barriers to separate the pedestrians from the traffic! And they’re not ugly!

The garage is open! (At least the upper floors are.)

Many more pictures if you click through to Flickr.

NOTE: The first two pictures were taken last week, by Michael, when he was on site for work.

The rest were taken by me, this evening, because I can.

The change in this sign amused me.

Where the triangular house was:

The new sidewalk? The new curb? Random cement pouring?

The road is covered in dirt–it has not been torn up yet.

Here’s how things looked today!

Here’s how things looked today!

These are taken coming down University (heading south).

These are taking walking south on Beverly.

Michael: I bet the rent is dirt cheap.

As I was taking pictures with my phone, I was unsurprised that this picture didn’t turn out as I wanted.

When I looked in the hole, I could see water rushing by.

This is taken at the Y, standing on University and looking down onto Beverly.

And there are today’s updates.

It’s still raining, which is why I didn’t wander down to see the destruction yesterday. But there was a break in the weather this evening, so I got to see what’s happened.

They’re moving quickly.

So University Avenue is going to be closed for a couple months (so they say) so they can drop the road 5 feet for a flat intersection with 3rd street.

The construction started yesterday, so today I walked down to see what has happened so far.

The placement of this sign is apparently to ensure the maximum number of cars ignoring it.

And having to turn around here.

You didn’t think I was going to obey that sign, did you?

This is, I am guessing, the section of road that will be dropped 5 feet.Yes, it is already relatively steep. No, I don’t know what they were thinking.

I am not at ALL sad to see this building go.

Current state of the intersection. I presume nothing is going to happen until that house is down.

3rd Street

Beverley. Weirdly, there is a hole in the ground here, behind that pile of gravel.

That’s just me being easily amused.

My supposition is that this is where the re-grading will start.

There you go! The current state of the University Avenue construction project!

It was Sunday, and the weather was beautiful, so of course we were at Coopers Rock.

Location: Coopers Rock State Forest
Trails: Climbing Area trail, Raven Rock trail, McCollum trail, Roadside trail
Distance: 5.6 miles
Elevation: 1091 feet

First, the views from Raven Rock.

I think you can see to Maryland there.

You can definitely see Pennsylvania here.

Despite the view, I can’t say Raven Rock trail is a favorite. It’s extremely rocky, which just isn’t particularly comfortable to hike. (At least not with my ankle.)

Amusements along the hike:

The root structure being left behind as the stump disintegrates.

We stumbled upon the mating of the picnic tables. I was embarrassed.

This happy tree!

Yesterday was both a vet appointment first thing in the morning, and the Winter Blues Farmers Market in the early afternoon, so traveling anywhere was right out.

So today, we had a nice hike at the arboretum. Not much in the way of flowers, but we saw plenty of birds, and the plants that will be those spring flowers are popping up.

Location: WVU Arboretum
Distance: 1.4 mile
Elevation: 441 feet

Crocuses are right at the front entrance. I noticed for different kinds of crocuses.

Actual wild flowers! If I wasn’t looking closely, I would have completely missed them.

Baby oak tree!

And I noticed this sitting on a bench.

GPS Map of the walk.

Because the roads still weren’t clear, and there were multiple accidents on the Interstate, we got a second day off from work.

After lunch, I took another walk.

An utterly gorgeous day.

These trees by the Law School were FULL of robins. At least 20.

Near the President’s House, looking down to Beechurst, the Mon, and the power plant.

At the Law Center, looking over and past the football complex.

Location: Coopers Rock State Forest
Trails: Scott Run and Roadside Trails
Distance: 5.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1038 ft

Scott Run Trail
2.9 miles
763 ft elevation gain

Roadside Trail
1.8 miles
187 ft elevation gain

Today’s excursion was biking along the Decker’s Creek Rail Trail.

When I was little, Decker’s Creek was dead. Due to acid mine drainage and other pollutants, nothing lived in the creek, it was an unappealing shade of orange, and it stank.

Today, I still wouldn’t drink from Decker’s Creek on a bet, but it’s a whole lot better, and the community is working to continue to improve it.

Ride details
Location: Mon River & Decker’s Creek Rail Trail
Distance: 22.3 miles
Elevation change: 693 feet

We went to the Arboretum today, to hike with some friends (both grown and kids). Got a couple pictures of the flowers.

White Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus)

Star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum umbellatum

Rhododendron (Rhododendron )

Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata)

Dame’s Rocket/Dame’s Violet (Hesperis matronalis)