Date: 7/21/2023 – 7/23/2023
Location: Dusty’s Dandy, near Durbin WV

The 2023 WVMTR Annual Meeting was held this weekend at Andrew Rhodes’s and Carissa Herman’s family property near Durbin WV. The weather was between 55-72 degrees Fahrenheit for the weekend, quite perfect for camping and running. It rained on Thursday night, but clear skies for the remainder of the weekend.

There were 16 people in attendance including two toddlers. Camping started on Friday night with everyone arriving in the evening. Tents were set up in the yard and the woods, and two hammocks were hung in the woods. The two families with toddles slept inside the cabin. Friday dinner of pasta and salad was eaten around the campfire.

Saturday morning started with breakfast of oatmeal, fruit, toast, and Quantum Bean coffee. We carpooled to the Locust Spring Picnic Area located in the George Washington National Forest. Yes, this is in Virginia territory, but the picnic ground is only accessible from the West Virginia route 28! There we met Adam Casseday playing banjo on the picnic table. Seven of us set out for a 6.5-mile group run down Buck Spring Trail and back up Locust Spring trail. The first 3.25 miles were nearly flat and downhill. There were a few fallen trees and a handful of creek crossing. Heading up Locust Spring trail, the nettles were overgrown and up to my chest (over 4 feet tall) in places. Here the running was not as enjoyable, but the scenery was still beautiful. Some folks ran through the nettles, some walked through the creek, others bashed the nettles down with a stick. The last mile of Locust Spring trail opens up with a soft bed of pine needles before returning to the parking lot.

After the run, we returned to the cabin and ate a pot-luck lunch. The annual meeting commenced around the campfire ring (no fire yet). We discussed the previous years finances, races, club events, and proposals for next year. The Board of Directors meeting immediately followed. Then we relaxed in the yard. There were yard games with rope pull on wood blocks, frisbee, and Adam played banjo and Aaron played guitar and sang. Mikala let everyone try the Recovery Air leg pressure cuffs. Martha and Claire put sparkling hair clips in everyone’s long hair. At one point, Davis dropped a toy, Riven picked it up and said “help” while passing the toy back to Davis. Dinner was chorizo and beef tacos with all the topics. We ate around the campfire, made s’mores, and told stories.

Sunday was breakfast of bacon, eggs, coffee, and fruit. Everyone spent time cleaning up their campsite and the cabin. Ian went for another run. We all left by 11am.
It was another great camping weekend for the 2023 annual WVMTR club meeting. We spent time with old friends and made new friends. Even the toddlers played together and shared their toys. We look forward to seeing everyone again at the remaining 2023 WVMTR races and at next year’s annual meeting.

Andrew + Carissa + Riven