Misadventures of Present-Day Innkeepers

More to come

2009-11-19T01:11:00.002-05:00

I know it's been awhile, it has been a busy year. 08-09 Winter Season was a good season. In this March I visited Savannah, GA, and then in June I spend a month on the West Coast, and Alaska.

Tomorrow, I will catch everyone up.

Cheers

-Sir Justyn

75 days of 25 thing before 31 years

2009-08-12T11:39:00.000-04:00

75 days of 25 thing before 31 years

01. Go to Alabama
02. Get Ashley to eat Sushi
03. Visit 11 different states (OH,VA,WV,NC,SC,GA,CA,OR,WA,AK)
04. Reach 400
05. Do something that scares me
06. Dance Party at Club Justyn
07. 30 days of drinking enough water
08. Have one hell of a make out session.
09. Go hiking at my favorite spot at Bluestone
10. Stargaze on the mountain
11. Work on my “Redneck List”
12. Eat some wonderful Sheppard’s Pie
13. Learn a new recipe
14. Finish the walkway
15. Reach 15
16. Carve pumpkins, & have a fall festival
17. Follow someone blindly
18. Commit a Faux Pas
19. Eat something new
20. Coffee Date
21. Take a risk that puts me out of my comfort zone
22. Spend an afternoon someplace I don’t know
23. Watch a sunrise
24. Send a message in a bottle
~~25. Leap before I Look ( and not think twice)~~

It starts today!

Updated: 25 Oct 9

Satori - Complicatedly Simple

2009-07-25T11:30:00.000-04:00

As I sit here writing this I feel the world as hopeless. Not the hopeless where nothing will ever be accomplished again, but the hopeless where I’m powerless to do anything about it. I see situations around me, and I just want to make them better I want to save them from heart ache, from family drama, from the extraordinary stress of ever day life. I want to be the great escape. I can’t and it’s a hard feeling to deal with. I just want to sweep them away and show them the love and compassion they deserve for being great people.

I had a conversation about “Carpa Diem” seize the day. I want to seize the day, I want to tell them, I love them, and I love what they have overcome, what they are, and where they are going. I want to protect them from what I feel is pointless hardship life throws at us. But, I don’t. I just sit and smile, and listen. It’s something I’ve just learned to do. I guess it’s the easy thing to do, but maybe not the right thing to do. I just don’t want to be a burden. It’s not my life; I’m just a player in their game. Patients, patients you try to have patients when you feel you need to say what’s on your mind. When you enjoy being around someone, when you …

I also woke up this morning with the longing to vanish this loneliness that has overcome me in the past few weeks. I enjoy the company of myself, but the company of other recharges me. The company of … the people I want to be around.

Balance, in my life is something hard to achieve. I either have too much, or too little. Extreme shades of gray. For nothing in life is simple Black or White.

Your choices are half chance, so are everyone else’s .Which puts far more of the control to fate, to destiny, into the realm of the unknown where anything is possible, and nothing is given.

I also guess its moment likes these when I firmly understand that as we play this game we call life, we must play within a set of rule we don’t always know, we never know the outcome, and we rarely know when it’s our turn. We try to plan ahead, to wait patiently for our next turn, and we may have missed a chance completely, One word, some random act, the fact that it rained on Tuesday, may have changed everything.

My life will never be a simple life, but I can wish for something complicatedly simple.
- JJ Ryvers

Waiting Patient for love ... <<>>

2009-07-02T23:46:00.000-04:00

waking up wondering where you are, looking back at what you’ve just experienced and thinking hmm, boy life isn’t too bad. No I’m not talking about waking up after a drunken night not knows what her name was. I’m talking about waking up and knowing you’re alive. Looking at the world you just remember is out there, and knowing that you want to live in it. Explore what it has to offer, and find that co-pilot, the lover, someone who enjoy your company to experience the merry-go round with.

I know my direction; I also know my direction is not meant for everyone, it will take a lot to be a silver spoon lifestyle. Old Money, isn’t a luxury of mine, when I have fancy thing it will be caused by my brain power and a passion to be “Nuevo Riche”.

This may sound like a weakness to you strong willed minded readers. Life for me is missing the love story. I want my love story. Sometimes it makes me laugh, for all my ability to understand people, to learn what makes them tick, to be friend strangers; the mystery of love still haunts me. Why we do what we do for and not for love amaze me. Love is truly a human conduction.

So, here I’m patiently waiting and wondering when the next chapter of my love story will be written. Patients, that curse of the youth. I truly understand something, some people are worth waiting for. I just need the strength to wait, and the understanding that “she” is worth the wait.

Honestly, I’m going to play this hand out. Some say we only live once.If that is true, I have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. I’ve loved and lost, not loved at all, and I've been left with that taste of scorn in my mouth. Even if this girl only offers me a few good year, it should be one hell of a ride, and if I’m lucky a love that could set my soul on fire. So, yes I will wait; no expectation, no fast forward button, just sitting in the rocker watching her grown into the most beautiful experience I may ever see.

Baron's Advice -Why you aren’t Rich. YET!! revisited

2009-05-10T15:06:00.001-04:00

Baron’s Advice -Why you aren’t Rich. YET!!
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers
The list of reasons you may not be rich doesn't end at 10. Caring what your neighbors think, not being patient, having bad habits, not having goals, not being prepared, trying to make a quick buck, relying on others to handle your money, investing in things you don't understand, being financially afraid and ignoring your finances.

Here are 10 more possible reasons you aren't rich:

You care what your car looks like: A car is a means of transportation to get from one place to another, but many people don't view it that way. Instead, they consider it a reflection of themselves and spend money every two years or so to impress others instead of driving the car for its entire useful life and investing the money saved.

You feel entitlement: If you believe you deserve to live a certain lifestyle, have certain things and spend a certain amount before you have earned to live that way, you will have to borrow money. That large chunk of debt will keep you from building wealth.

You lack diversification: There is a reason one of the oldest pieces of financial advice is to not keep all your eggs in a single basket. Having a diversified investment portfolio makes it much less likely that wealth will suddenly disappear.

You started too late: The magic of compound interest works best over long periods of time. If you find you're always saying there will be time to save and invest in a couple more years, you'll wake up one day to find retirement is just around the corner and there is still nothing in your retirement account.

You don't do what you enjoy: While your job doesn't necessarily need to be your dream job, you need to enjoy it. If you choose a job you don't like just for the money, you'll likely spend all that extra cash trying to relieve the stress of doing work you hate.

You don't like to learn: You may have assumed that once you graduated from college, there was no need to study or learn. That attitude might be enough to get you your first job or keep you employed, but it will never make you rich. A willingness to learn to improve your career and finances are essential if you want to eventually become wealthy.

You buy things you don't use: Take a look around your house, in the closets, basement, attic and garage and see if there are a lot of things you haven't used in the past year. If there are, chances are that all those things you purchased were wasted money that could have been used to increase your net worth.

You don't understand value: You buy things for any number of reasons besides the value that the purchase brings to you. This is not limited to those who feel the need to buy the most expensive items, but can also apply to those who always purchase the cheapest goods. Rarely are either the best value, and it's only when you learn to purchase good value that you have money left over to invest for your future.

Your house is too big: When you buy a house that is bigger than you can afford or need, you end up spending extra money on longer debt payments, increased taxes, higher upkeep and more things to fill it. Some people will try to argue that the increased value of the house makes it a good investment, but the truth is that unless you are willing to downgrade your living standards, which most people are not, it will never be a liquid asset or money that you can ever use and enjoy.

You fail to take advantage of opportunities: There has probably been more than one occasion where you heard about someone who has made it big and thought to yourself, "I could have thought of that." There are plenty of opportunities if you have the will and determination to keep your eyes open

Satori - In the Mind of My Soul

2009-03-29T19:05:00.001-04:00

In the Mind of My Soul (29.Mar.9)

Achieving the simple life is a lot harder then I once thought. I have no rock star dreams, my dreams of fame and riches are not for money and power, but too truly make a different on this spinning rock we cohabitate for a short time on. You’d think that when you have the greener grass, when you’re living on the right side of the tracks things are grand. I’m thankful for my dreams being achieved, for having the ability to fall in love, for smell the fresh air. I’m also alone. This is my price, the trade off. I can sit here in my grand house, looking over my small town and dream a great schema about being the Baron of Flat Top, and one day having the lands for my kingdom. The reality is I clean, cook, and work on my chorus just to keep my mind off my loneliness. Meet me on the street, and I will mesmerize you with tales of my life adventures, the history I have rediscovered, and may even expand your present plans of existence. Then, I return to my ivory tower waiting for the 8bit chime, the digital words of a love lost miles away, unable to reside in my kingdom.

Grounded, trying to keep both feet squarely planned in reality. Alas, this is my reality and you are merely a guest. I’m a dreamer, not just for my own preservation, but for the preservation of our future, to retool the world with smiles. Laughter is a great medicine, joy can heal, love is more powerful then the chemical bonds that hold the solar system in place.

Being idle, unable to make a difference destroys me a little each day. Her youthfulness recharges me, this person whom has been with me, helping me explore this corner of my rock, this angelic old soul who understood me from day one. This lover who seems to be lost inside her own head. How do I precede? First, I atempt the straight forward approach, this coming from a passionate being as myself can be way to over simulating. Second, I atempt to scale back, to dance on the fringes, but this I fear will allow her to burrow deeper into the mind. How do I find that spark that is being carried deeper and deeper into the dark cave? Does this cave have a second entrance which I can’t see, and patients are all I need to have?

If I want to save the world, why can’t I currently save myself, save the love of my life, save the future? I’m not seeing the entire picture, does this book have another chapter yet written? The author speaks of more enticing stories, but when I’m also locked in this ivory tower where do I go from here?

My love is strong, it will endure any storm approaching, my faith is solid. I believe our destiny is our epic story we will tell and retell many years in the future. We will change the world together, one small step at a time, and we will be heroes, if just for one day.

When I say forever, I will love you, forever not being the length of time our minds stay intact, not being until these biological machines fall into disrepair, not even being after the total destruction of the solar system, forever being the energy of love, that flows freely through the ether of being, to be felt by everyone, in that moment when you see a new kittens, in that moment when joy racing across a young child’s face, the moment when two elderly lover know that together they will share this last breathe, my love for you will be there.

When the days are dark, and you seek a hand to help lead you on our path, ask I will be there, when together we fear the unknown, know I will face it with you.

When life pitches curve balls, I will be there to dodge with you, when the world attacks; I will be there to shelter you with my very being to take the bullet for you. This so you may carry on. This is my love for you. This is how we save the world, this is how our Epic Love story begins, and this is just the beginning; I love you, Till I see you again, I hold my breathe….
(Dr FF)

Cyber Toys to help Business Grow

2009-01-31T13:14:00.003-05:00

Fellow Adventurers,

I know I have been slacking at my duty of posting blogs about running the Inn here at Mavis Manor, it’s due to the fact that I’ve been doing a million other things, which isn’t really a good excuse. I have a few moments of free time so I will recap the last month.
Mild weather led to slower times, but that just meant I got to explore some cool new tech stuff to help out with around the manor. Let’s review some of them now.

http://www.skype.com

Skype is an IM and VOIP

Cost: Roughly $36 dollars a year. I did have to buy an air phone (portable phone) and I found one made my GE on Amazon for 100$. With that 36$ you can call anyone in the US/Canada Free, and you get voice mail, and Telephone Number which you get to pick the State and most of the Number. Downfalls: NO 911, caller id, could use some improvement. Major ++ : Price is great, if you’re away from your house, but have internet connection, you can always answer on your computer… Which mean you could be in Michigan, and answer your West Virginia phone number. SWEET!!
My Skype Number: 304.460.0136 or xDrfirefly

http://www.twitter.com

Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service.
Cost: Free, it works with your Facebook, and lots of other social networking sites. It also works with your cell. This is a great way to keep people quickly informed about lots of little things. I haven’t really seen as disadvantage to having twitter. It’s a win/win for me, and my business.

Mavis Manor Twitter http://twitter.com/MavisManor

Justyn’s Twitter http://twitter.com/xdrfirefly

There is a lot more cool stuff I found, but I will save the rest for my next installment. Check them out; let me know what you think. And don’t forget out February deals here at Mavis Manor.

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Sir Justyn J M. Baron of Flat Top

Shhh Honey! - Let the games begin!

2009-01-16T22:03:00.001-05:00

Jill Biden's comment came during an appearance with her husband on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," taped at Washington's Kennedy Center on the eve of the inauguration. "Joe had the choice to be secretary of state or vice president," she said. Her husband turned to his wife with his finger to his lips and a "Shhhh!" that sent the audience into laughter. "OK, he did," Jill Biden said in her defense. The vice president-elect blushed, grimaced and gave his wife a hug while the audience continued to erupt in laughter. "That's right," he finally said to his wife. "Go ahead." Mrs. Biden said she told him vice president would be better for the family. "If you're secretary of state, you'll be away, we'll never see you, you know," she said. "I'll see you at a state dinner once in a while." After the exchange aired on television three hours later, Biden spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander denied Jill Biden's account in a statement e-mailed to reporters. "To be clear, President-elect Obama offered Vice President-elect Biden one job only — to be his running mate," the statement said. "And the vice president-elect was thrilled to accept the offer." While the statement denies that Obama ever offered Biden the secretary of state job, it doesn't rule out that the two discussed the possibility. Obama's transition office did not respond to questions about their private discussions. Clinton's spokesman declined to comment about the suggestion that she was the second choice. Not sure about VP spot Joe Biden said he didn't immediately take the vice presidential offer since he wasn't sure it was the best place for him to serve. But Biden, who ran against Obama in the Democratic primary race, said he agreed after getting some assurances from Obama about his role. "This is a partnership," Biden said. "He's president of the United States, but as I said to him when he asked me, I said, ..Barack, don't ask me unless the reason you're asking me is you're asking me for my judgment. I get to be the last guy in the room when you make every important decision. You're president. Any decision you make, I will back.' "He said he wanted to have a confidant and somebody who wouldn't be a yes man. He's pretty sure about that last part," Biden said with a laugh.
Let the games begin!

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Cheers -Justyn

Kismet - ’8 recap & 2009 List!

2009-01-06T22:01:00.001-05:00

Before I write down my plan of action for 2009, let's review last years first.

4 the '8s

1.> Be more Prepared!
2.> Enjoy more simply things
3.> See my friends at least once a month
4.> Began my plans on my newest B&B idea
5.> Journal at least once a week!
6.> Get out of debt

a. How to be more prepared. My goals are as followed. I will address the parts of my life that need more attention. I will find the holes in them, and fill then with a plan and scheme to make any problems easier to cope with.
- I did well at the planning stage. My 2008 problems were all solved but 2008 was a very problemic year. I plan to continue this into 2009.

b. How to enjoy more simply thing. First and foremost I need to take myself away from the high tech and pointless things that surround me. Here are the rulez. If something isn't making my MIND, BODY, SOUL, WORK LIFE, SOCIAL LIFE, or SAFETY any better then it need to go. I'm sick and tired of shit owning me! I want to be free and open to experience life in its grandest.
- Ok, so I was doing pretty good at this, then I feel off the train, but with a little improvement I can make this a good thing to have in 2009.

c. How to visit with friends more often? I will make plans to visit them, or have them visit me. When this isn't possible I will communicate with them at least 4 times a month to catch up, on how their life is going, and stay involved.
- I didn't visit as much as I wanted to, but I did communicate. I will count this as an achieved goal for 2008!

d. Planning for B&B ii. If it took me 4 years to plan Mavis Manor, I will need to begin at least a journal about my next future adventure in 2010 or 2011.
- 2008 was a lot of future idea, but I didn't journal them which was a huge mistake; I will not make that mistake in 2009.

e. How to journal. With the web being so easy to journal on I will be added a enter at least once a week with just a general recap of life, and how things are progressing. Weather, or other relative events may play a role too. I may leave the myspace format to a format I control. If that happened I will let all you nosy ppl know.
-Completely failed in this area. I will do a lot better this year. I may even regroup some 2008 and see if I can fill in the gaps.

f. This is one of the hardest. I will do my best to get out of debt. My goal is to be 99% out. Own almost ZERO!!! This will take a lot of hard work, and intent shopping! I will achieve it thought!!!
- I went from 30k to 8k, so I'm well on my way. Regoaling this one. Out of debt by 2010.

Predictions for 2008
Three new friends; See two new places; framing business; reconnect with long lost friends; discover something new about myself; terrible hurricane on east coast;

I did make three new good friends,
Jim Gum Neighbor
Crystal Bowling Post Master
Ginny Denton Girlfriend

Two New Places
Winston-Salem, NC
Ann Arbor, MI

Framing Business
It did come true

Reconnect with long lost friends
I did a lot on Facebook

Discover something new about myself
I discovered it's more important to know in life what you don't want, then what you want.

Hurricane on East Coast, it never happened.
Last year was an Emotional Stormy year for me though.

-9-

1.> Live Simple
2.> Slow Down
3.> Create a Flexible Structure
4.> Learn a useful Skill
5.> Get out of Debt

a. Live Simple this mean be unplug from the world more often. I need to stop using the Internet for everything. This mainly includes most of my entertainment. The internet is a great tool. It should be used for the tool it provides, Commutations, Education, but I need to relearn to entertain myself better.

b. Slow Down sometime I think I'm living life to quickly. I just need to not be in a hurry to get everything now. Look at a project and think of all the angle. Stop count to ten, and then start again.

c. Creative a Flexible Structure, we all knows I don't really like structure, but I do think it could help me a lot. So, if I make a flexible structure, then I will have a frame work to plan around in, I can always hang the picture weirdly or where I want it.

d. Learn a useful Skill, this would be like canning, shine making, wood curving etc.
e. Out of Debt, the goal is by 2010 to be completely out of Debt! I did great in 2008, so 2009 I should be able to achieve this.

2009 Predictions
I will visit the Ocean, I will travel out of the Country, From 7 to 2, Summertime new State, Depression 2009 (late summer early fall)

I may add more to this, but this is the main 2009 goals.

Kismet - ’8 recap & 2009 List!

2009-01-05T21:59:00.001-05:00

Kismet - ’8 recap & 2009 List!
Category: Life

Christmas Lights

2008-12-15T19:49:00.000-05:00

It’s time to put the Christmas lights back on the house. I had to wait for a nicer day, it was bitter cold this late November, and it hasn’t really got any better these first 2 weeks of December. But, I finally got sometime, so where we go!

This year I wanted to focus more time on the inside, but next year (2009) I plan to make the outside look amazing. I have some idea, but I also don’t want to overpower the loveliness of the house. There is just something special about this place in the winter. On snowy winter days, the house just stands out and looks lovely with the snow everywhere.

Well Merry Christmas, and all that jazz. When I get them, take and looking all pretty I will put up some picture of the inside. Until then…

- Baron

Turkey Bowl 2008

2008-11-30T12:07:00.001-05:00

Turkey Bowl – A backyard football game on Thanksgiving.

I’ve been playing turkey bowl since, like 2002. It all started when a friend from work asked if I wanted to come play football thanksgiving morning. 7 years later I even live in a different state now, and we still play. I’ve only missed one year of turkey bowl. That year was the first year we owned Mavis Manor, and we didn’t Thanksgiving here. My personal record is 0-5-1. I always say my winning game came the year I missed out.

This year was another fine turn out. 16 people. Which can be tricky when you play backyard football. The detail of who scored what, and who tackled who are always lost. It mostly for fun, and for me and Jason to keep track of out record. Did I tell you I was 0-5-1 which makes me at % .083. A tad bit better then the Detroit Lions. ;).

The rest of thanksgiving was good, Ginny my girlfriend came to my parents house and had thanksgiving, we adventures around Akron, and I showed her some of my favorite places, including the Lock on the Ohio Eric Canal. The weather was so so, but at least we could play outside.

Once I made it back to the Manor, it will be time to decorate for Christmas!

Happy Turkey Day!

- Sir Justyn

SnowStorm 17 Nov

2008-11-18T16:13:00.000-05:00

It’s snowing, you all know what that means. Almost Ski Season time!!!

Monday Night / Tuesday Morning we got a lot of snow here in Southern West Virginia. It wasn’t our first snow fall, that was 28 Oct, it was just a dusting and that hardly counts. Here is what that snowfall looked like. You’ll see it wasn’t really a snowfall, just a light coating.

This snowstorm started dropping the good heavy snow early. It was that perfect snow. The kind that is heavy and fun. Almost good enough to make snowpeople, and very good to make snowballs.

The weather make me want to change up the website, which I’m going to guess you’ve seen already. If not, then you most visit it, I’d like some feedback on TV MAVIS?! Do you like it?
www.mavismanor.com

Now that ski season is approaching, rooms book up quickly so PLAN ahead! Booking early saves you some money. Can wait to see some of my winter freinds again this year!

Till I see you!

-Sir Justyn -- Baron --

Xmas Lights

2008-11-16T17:54:00.001-05:00

Here is last years xmas light! Any ideas for this year?

Sir Justyn

Hiking @ Peter’s Mountain and the Appalachian Trail

2008-11-08T11:44:00.006-05:00

Hiking @ Peter’s Mountain and the Appalachian Trail

Ginny and I wanted to get out and enjoy another lovely fall weekend. This time we wanted to go a little outside of our normal realm. We thought, hey lets head down to Virginia and see what we can find!

View Larger Map
We found Jefferson National Forest, which is a pretty cool place. It’s only about 40 minutes from the Manor, and has lots and lots of cool hiking. I had no idea it was so close - I normally just adventure around the house. This place was a real treat. On our adventure we found this cool stream bed, the water was flowing pretty well.

We drove some more til we found a trailhead. To our surprise, we found the Appalachian Trail! I’ve always wanted to hike the Trail, but thought it was too far away. I had a few friends who spent months hiking the entire thing, Maine to Georgia. Guess I just don’t have that much time on my hands! Just as we started up the trail, I found Teaberries. I’ve been looking for these ever since I moved from NE Ohio. I loved Teaberry gum, so it was so cool to find the berries. We picked a few, and then a few more, and then a few more, until we decided we really needed to head down the trail at least a little bit farther.

The weather was amazing, and the trail was very nice. As we hiked on, the trail got more and more interesting, mostly because of the rocks and the Mountain Laurel. We only walked for about 30 mins on the trail, and Ginny found this little spot in the woods that reminded her of World of Warcraft, so we chilled out there for a bit. It was an awesome spot, a little off the beaten trail.

We played around a little more, and found a grouse! Well, we never found it but we heard it. It’s kinda scary if you don’t know what you're walking up to. We searched for about 20 mins, but never found it, though we did really enjoy the sound and the way the sound felt, kind of like when you stand in front of a bass speaker. Ginny had never heard a grouse before, and she thought it was really neat. Then it was time to adventure on back to the car before it got really dark.

Sound of Grouse

Next time we need to spend the entire day here! I think we'll be going back this spring to play around a little more. On the Baron's Adventure Scale, I will give this a 3.5, because it might get cooler as I find more cool things.

Sir Justyn J M

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Election Day in Flat Top

2008-11-04T21:59:00.002-05:00

Election Day in Flat Top

Today was Election Day. Here in Flat Top, we vote in the Post Office / Sunshine Station General Store. This year I (Mavis Manor) supplied the coffee, and Crystal Bowling supplied the snacks(cupcakes, cookies and such).

The morning started off hectic. The people that dropped off the voting machine gave us the wrong one, which meant we were only going to have one machine until the new one could arrive. Normally this isn’t a big deal, since the Flat Top Precinct only has about 500 people, but at 7:30 there was a line, and by 11:30 some people had been waiting for 1 and ½ hours. This in an area where no one waits in line, not even at banks!

By 1 o’clock the other machine was here and from there, things ran smoothly. Parking was a little tricky, but everyone figured out how to make it work, and a few people spilled over into Mavis Manor's parking lot.

By the end of the day 315 people voted in Flat Top, something they had never seen before.

Glad to see so many people got out and voted.

Till next time

- Sir Justyn J Marchese

Here is my prediction for President

Hiking @ Brush Creek

2008-10-03T19:36:00.004-04:00

Hiking @ Brush Creek

A little off the beaten trail, pretty much only known to the locals, is a little wildlife area called Brush Creek. The Nature Conservancy maintains most of this lovely little park.

Here is the official stuff.
“The Falls of Brush Creek drop 25 feet over a sandstone ledge near the mouth of the stream's deep gorge of Brush Creek at Bluestone River. These "block" falls have been a popular local beauty spot since European settlement, though natives most likely frequented the falls for the same reason. The West Virginia Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with Pipestem Resort State Park, maintains a natural area at the falls. A rough trail leads from a picnic shelter to a ledge from which the cascade may be observed.”

If you like Mountain Laurel and cool outcrops of rocks, then this is the place for you. I always joke with friends that in the summer this is a prime spot to observe “redneck” courting practices. This is also a suspected breeding grounds too. Personally this has not been observed. LOL. During the day though, this is quite a nice park to hang out in.

I love going down to the river, and checking out all the cool crawfish and little fish you can find in the water. My friends and I like to do lots of off-path exploration. This trip we found some really cool plants and fungi.

If you want to see something off the beaten path this would be the place I’d adventure to.

The Baron rates this park a 4 out of 5, only because location isn't the easiest to get to.

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Sir Justyn

Bluestone River Adventures

2008-09-20T23:37:00.006-04:00

Bluestone River Adventures

Hey Fellow Travelers,
It’s time again for another review of the fun things to do near Flat Top, WV. Just in case this is your first time coming across my blog, let me give you a quick recap. I’m Sir Justyn, the Baron of Mavis, an Innkeeper of Mavis Manor, an 1897 Queen Anne Victorian country Manor located in the small hamlet of Flat Top, in Southern WV. I moved down to Flat Top in Aug 2005 from Akron/Green, Ohio to build my parents a retirement business. Okay, enough about me - now to the grand adventures!

I just came across some pictures of my last trip to the Bluestone River. This is one of my all-time favorite places near my home. Here is a little secret - I was meeting a girl I’d been talking to for a little while on the phone, and I wanted to impress her with some cool serene scenery. That's why our first date was at the Bluestone River.

“The 77-mile-long Bluestone River rises along the northern flank of East River Mountain 2.5 miles southwest of Springville, in Tazewell County, Virginia (VA), and flows northeastward 83 miles through Mercer and Summers counties in West Virginia to join the New River. Eleven miles of its lower course is protected by the National Park Service as the Bluestone National Scenic River. Parts of Bluestone State Park and Pipestem Resort State Park are also located in the scenic lower section of the river. The Bluestone River is a popular warm-water fishery and canoeing is possible through mid-summer when water levels drop to a point where shoals are exposed across the stream. Kayaking is popular on the Bluestone in spring and during floods.”

The part of Bluestone River I found is easy to get to, but alas there is no way to GPS it or anything. There really isn’t any town left around my favorite part of the river, it’s just pure wilderness. It’s honestly super easy to get to. Here are directions from Mavis Manor:

Rt19 North to Ellison Ridge Rd. Follow Ellison Ridge Rd. till the road does this weird triangle thing. Turn left onto the road, (I forget it’s name but the road only goes left) and if the sign is still there it’ll say "To Bluestone NWA." Follow that road down the mountain until you get to the park's car park, and you're there.

Something about living in WV can make you forget GPS and road names, neither really seems to work. This park is totally worth the trip. The river is beautiful; the mountains are towering over you. It is definitely a sight to see.

Ps: It was a great first date… or at least it must have been because we have been dating ever since! 

Till next time.

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Sir Justyn, Baron of Mavis

White Water Rafting - New River

2008-09-02T22:43:00.004-04:00

As an Innkeeper I need mini holidays sometimes. My best friend was coming down to hang out with some of her college friends for summer break before school started up again, and we had the grand idea to go White Water Rafting. Out of all the cool crazy things i've done White Water Rafting was never something I'd tried. Being only 30+ mins from the house, I just had to try this adventure.

It was a very warm September day. Mid-80s Hurricane Faye just dumped a lot of rain in the southern part of the New River via the Carolinas, so that meant great water levels for us in Southern WV.

The day began like most other days. Fed the guests some breakfast, did a quick cleanup, and hit the road for adventures. By 9am we arrived at Class VI off of Rt-19.

After a short bus ride we were at the river. I was a little afraid. I love doing new things, but still...this was slightly dangerous. Well, onto the river we went. Our guide Doug was a local. We swapped a few stories about Winterplace Ski Resort, the Ghent/Flat Top Area and the people we knew.

Now it was time for the fun part! Class I and II are kinda like playing in the ocean, but Class III and IV are very fun. Joop's friend Cathrine got thrown out of the boat. It was funny!!! LOL. She climbed back in and wanted to do it again.

All and all it was a great adventure. It will be added to The Baron's Venture's book.
If you've never been rafting, it's something everyone needs to try.

A Baron's Rating of 5 Coolness Factor

Ducky whitewater trips aren't what you might think they are. On our full day Upper New trips we take the whole family, from six years old to 86 years young, down a wonderful stretch of class I and II rapids with lots of river fun and floating in between. With the emphasis on fun, adventure, and safety, Class VI customizes our trips to the age and abilities of your family members. Everyone in the group will have the option of taking a ducky, which is like a small personal raft, or relaxing in a full-size guided raft. There really is something for everyone on this family river trip, from running the gentle rapids to swimming and floating in the lazy drifting pools. From start to finish, there's no better way for the family to spend a day together than doing the Upper New river with Class VI!

This is a great trip for families, scouts and youth groups.
The Upper New is rated Class I to Class III with gentle, playful waves and plenty of calm water in between to enjoy the majestic scenery!
Depending on water level and the Upper New Canyon we are able to run, we will stop at Dowdy Creek to play under the waterfall or stop at Jump Rock (you guessed it - a rock you can jump off!)
There are plenty of opportunities for swimming, bird watching, picture taking or just plain tuning out.
Don't forget to add meals and lodging for money saving packaging.

Till next time!

-Sir Justyn

Satori - The Sappy Stories

2008-06-20T10:24:00.000-04:00

The Sappy Stories
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.

The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it if it will save her.'

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away'.

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her but he had chosen to save her anyway.

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Always remember those who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked.

'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.

'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies..

You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

Life Writing Weekend Retreat

2008-05-19T16:49:00.002-04:00

Thank you to everyone for a great event. Hope to see you all next time. Good Lucky with all those wonderful book starts!!

-Archbaron of Mavis (Sir Justyn)

Life Writing Weekend

2008-04-16T21:18:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT
J.P. Grace 304-617-1292 or Sir Justyn Marchese 888.628.4798

LIFE WRITING WEEKEND RETREAT JUNE 6-9

People who keep saying "I'm going to write a book" will have an opportunity to get started, or move their manuscript forward, during a Life Writing Weekend retreat June 6-June 9 at the Mavis Manor Bed & Breakfast in Flat Top, West Virginia.

The Weekend Retreat will be led by John Patrick Grace, Director of the Huntington-based not-for-profit Publishers Place, Inc. Author or coauthor of five nonfiction books, Grace has edited dozens of books for publication and has agented books to major publishers as well as published books under several imprints.

To date he has conducted 23 sessions of The Life Writing Class in venues from Ironton, Ohio, to Huntington, Hurricane and Charleston, West Virginia. Thirteen books have thus far been published by alumni of this class, including the national award-winning historical novel Father's Troubles by Carter Taylor Seaton.

Another alumna of the class, Justine Rutherford, was named 2005 West Virginia Author of the Year by Tamarack, the showcase of West Virginia crafts, located in Beckley. Rutherford has written and published two books created from her work in the class, Rough Lumber and Wild Mustard, both memoirs.

Space is limited for the weekend, which will cost $425 per person, based upon double occupancy. Fee includes a full weekend of exercises to prep a book concept, outline, and drafts of material, two nights lodging, wine and cheese reception on Friday, two breakfasts and two lunches. Also included is a complimentary copy of The Life Writing Class book edited by Grace and issued by Publishers Place.

For more details or to register please see www.lifewritingclass.com or phone Mavis Manor 888-628-4798. You may also email Dr. Grace at publish@cloh.net or call at 304-617-1292.

2008-03-17T10:20:00.001-04:00

Happy St. Patty’s Day!

Erin go Braugh!

A slow week here at Mavis Manor, we are just enjoying the little kittens. They are just starting to get mobile. After the mama cat moved them upstairs, we thought that the safest place for them would be in the bathroom downstairs. We put some blankets in the tub, moved the kitten cave in, and that is where they are living for now. Soon, I will need to make a new area for them.

If you ever wanted to learn about writing a book, Mavis Manor will be hosting a Life Writing Class retreat weekend June 6-June 9. Please visit www.lifewritingclass.com.

Till next time

Archbaron Justyn

Mobile blogging

2008-03-10T00:01:00.002-04:00

The Archbaron has just learned how to blog via mobile phone! This is the first mobile blog. For those out there in the internet 'verse this is a really cool thing. See, I have a Sidekick w/ the keyboard, so txt and email from the phone is super easy. I don't really have anything else much to report. Kitten update: all 4 have their eyes open and are moving around a little bit. If you visit my Facebook I have pictures - xdrfirefly@hocking.edu for my page. I've got my clean team supplies and it is a lot easier; I'll tell you more about that later. The Archbaron of Mavis -out-

Sir Justyn

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Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®

Heavy Snow

2008-03-01T21:36:00.001-05:00

Hey guys,
Wow I can't believe how much it snowed in the last few hours. I think we got almost a foot since 5. The roads are getting bad, but luckily I just got back from a little store trip. Late season snow is nice. It's a perfect snow for making snow forts or snowmen, so hopefully I'll get out there and have a good old time...

That's all for now!

Cheers

Sir Justyn