Bethany, WV

Last week the Frau was scheduled to do her presentation at Bethany College in Bethany, WV.  I was her chauffeur and dutifully drove her there and back.  I must admit I love these little trips to small colleges in Appalachia.  Bethany is a real jewel.  Think Oxford in the Appalachian Mountains.  Beautiful!

Bethany College

 The school had an almost monastic feel.  The small town of Bethany had only one general store for shopping, but it had a little bit of everything.  To find more extensive shopping one has to drive 15 or 20 miles.  Bethany is very remote, and that, we were told, was by design.

Bethany College

The General Store in Bethany, WV

The college was founded by Alexander Campbell in 1840.  Campbell was also the founder of the Disciples of Christ denomination.  He lived in a mansion approximately one mile from the present day campus.

The Campbell Mansion

 Another interesting fact is that the college was where the fraternity Delta Tau Delta was founded.  I am not a member of Delta Tau Delta, but my fraternity,  Pi Kappa Phi, had a friendly rivalry with them at my undergraduate Alma Mater of East Texas State University.  Many a bottle rocket was shot off between our two houses.

The Delta House

The historical marker in front of the Delta Tau Delta House

 I walked around photographing most of the day, but the Frau was there to work.  Her presentation was well received by students and professors alike.  It was quite a turnout for a Friday afternoon lecture!

The Frau doing her thing

The presentation complete we drove home the next day stopping by the New River Bridge.  The New River (despite its name) is actually one of the oldest rivers on the earth.  It also one of the few rivers that flows from south to north.  The bridge is the third highest vehicular bridge in the United States.  Each year, on the third Saturday of October, the bridge is closed for "Bridge Day".  On this day folks are treated to demonstrations of rappelling, base jumping and ascending.

Panoramic view of the New River Valley and Bridge

We arrived home that evening tired from the long trip but happy.

Stay tuned!  We will be traveling to Hippie Jack's in a few short weeks!