Day 4 – Glassblowing and “Hill Billy Hot Dogs”

OK Murphy, you win this one! I put a 12v charger on the batteries to charge them up. I decided to wait until The Rally in Louisville to do anything about fixing it. We got our other chores finished and went out to see the local sights.


Our first stop was Blenko Glass Company in Milton, WV. For those unfamiliar, Blenko is very different from Fenton. Fenton Glass is much more highly decorated and the pieces are generally more complex. The factory was operating, thus we could go watch the glass blowing process. Production glass blowing is done with teams, with each member of the team performing a specific task in the process. It might be a bit hot, but you get to sit down on the job! It’s amazing how quickly a molten blob of glass evolves into a finished piece.

Blenko Glass Visitor's Center

The Blenka Glassblowing Team Process

Opps! Amost forgot Donna's special vase SHE spotted in the Blenko Museum. That's it below. I'll refrain from any comment. I Do have my dignity you know!

After leaving Blenko we headed for Barboursville, WV. Just another old town with old houses. We then drove over the mountain to the Ohio River and our “5-Star lunch” at Hill Billy Hot Dogs.” As you can see this drive-in/dive has a certain aura about it.

Now try to go inside to get some food. The door hinge is right next to the door handle! It opens on the other side dummy. Ok, so I needed some nice lady to give me a hint as she went near hysterical at my expense. Guess I not the only “flatlander” to have a bit of trouble with this simple task. Now walk inside and be ready for hill billy rustic décor.

Be sure to get a menu to take home and read. We went easy with 2 Hill Billy Special hot dogs and fries. All freshly prepared. What’s on our dogs? Well, start with a deep fried all beef weenie topped with mustard, onions, chili, and slaw. Chin drippin’ good! Where did we sit to eat? In one of the 2 school busses embossed with 10 years of graffiti and signatures. Oh yes, the seat were the originals, the tables old barrn wood screwed to the walls with a tree trunk leg.

Now how did I find this place? It’s world famous, featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-in, and Dives” and on Travel Networks “101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown”(#15).  If you thinks this is a run down dump, it only looks that way!  The owners started building in 1999 and customers provided most of the "stuff."  The biggest, baddest dog is the "Homewrecker."  A 1 lb. weenie and 2 1/2 lbs of Fixin's.  Something about the Habanero sauce might indicate it's "hot."  And yes, all the weenies are deep fried. No, not breaded you fool! That's a corn dog or something.

Looks like company is arriving hot and heavy. Bill & Carol arrived on Friday, Bud & Sharon and Roger & Ann, just now (3:15 PM).  A bit later Joe & Sandy, and Dean & Jean.  Before long the whole gang will be here, 7 rigs to caravan to The Rally. Where's Walt & Cathy?  It's Ann and Walt's birthday today.  A celebration of sorts is planned.