Homeschool Field Trip to Oglebay Resort

While we were out and about, we decided to head to Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia. It's a family tradition of sorts, so we try to get over there every time we visit. We only had a few hours, but we managed to pack some good stuff in!

First we took the dogs for a walk around Schenk Lake (more like Schenk Pond). The kids wanted to rent a paddleboat, but since they don't let kids under 12 go out alone anymore, we had to say no. Then the kids wanted to feed the ducks and geese, but there are signs saying not to because they've got an over-population problem. Then Anemone wanted to climb on a tree that grew out over the lake, and my mom said no. I overruled her. It's good to be the mom. :D

Okay, here's the homeschool field trip part. After our walk, we watched a class about making art glass at the Oglebay Institute Glass Museum. We did not arrive in time to participate, but the kids were allowed to watch and ask questions. One of the ladies got into a long conversation with JellyMan about glass blowing, which he remembers seeing at Jamestown, Virgina. They didn't do any blown glass during the class; they were making paperweights. Anyway, I thought it was nice of them to let the kids hang out.

After that, we toured the museum. It houses the "world-famous" Sweeney Punch Bowl (I'd never heard of it) which is the largest piece of cut lead crystal in the world. It is five feet tall and weighs 225 pounds. I didn't think it was much to look at, personally. In fact, I didn't think anything in the museum was worth the price of admission, but it made my mom very happy so I can't complain.

By the time we got out of the museum it was pretty late, so we just toured the grounds for a while. We also watched a wedding party do their thing. Deer were all over the place, but I was too far away to get a decent picture with my little dinky camera. My favorite part was the herb garden. I have always wanted a formal herb garden and this one makes me quiver with envy, in part because it's so small and simple. I could actually HAVE an herb garden like this someday! It fills me with hope.

The next time we visit, The Man and I will spend the weekend at the lodge. It is in the background of the landscape photo. They remodeled it last year, and I am dying to see it. We haven't stayed there since 2000, I think.