POTG Travelogue Goes Backwoods, Ellis Aftermath, and Friday Findings

This week's POTG Travelogue takes us to the Canaan Valley and Eastern Mountains of West Virginia. It is an area that most folks have never seen, or even knew existed. Until I met my wife Cathy, West Virginia was one of the few states in the East that I had never traveled through.











It is a very rural area (think John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Roads") that has plenty of natural scenic beauty. It is very green in the summer, colorful during Autumn and bleak during the long winter months. There is a year round resort at Canaan Valley that offers skiing and snow sports in season.

It is rugged country with few straight roads as most follow the flow of water cutting through the hills. Creeks and rivers are abundant with waterfalls like Blackwater Falls (below) that gush year round with a heavy flow of water. Fishing, whitewater rafting, and kayaking are the primary summer activities.












The mountains are small by comparison, rising only to peaks of 3000 feet. There is a mix of limestone and sandstone in the area which leads to underground caverns (Smokehole Caverns) and stark, treeless spots such as Seneca Rocks (below).











While most folks reading this will never go to the West Virginia backwoods, if you find yourself in the area, there are more things to do than you would expect. There are plenty of small towns and villages, many of which have been restored into shops and restaurants. If you are looking for a place to get away from it all this would be a place to consider.

Special Thanks...

Thanks to Gus Katsaros of McKeen's Hockey for the copy of McKeen's Hockey Pool Yearbook that I received in the mail yesterday. It is 144 pages of past performances and future projections that you can use to plan your fantasy league strategy or just to enjoy on it's own merit as we wait for camps to open. Click on the picture of the cover on the right or go to this link to see where to find your copy or to order it today.

In Pred Nation...

The Peterson for Parkinson's event was a huge success last night. Here is a story from Josh Cooper and some pictures from Andrea Richardson. Everyone was jealous of Jim Diamond won won a Kerry Fraser official's shirt.

David Legwand has assumed the position as the Predators rep to the NHLPA since former rep, Dan Hamhuis is in Vancouver. Josh Cooper talked to David about his new responsibilities.

Jim Diamond has a unique story about what several Predators players remember about the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York that happened nine years ago tomorrow.

Ryan Porth has the Predators edition in his 30 in 30 series and also catches up with Pekka Rinne for a quick interview.

Jeremy Gover also catches Cody Franson at practice for a few questions.

Mark Willoughby has his weekly My View at The View From 111.

Forechecker found news that a couple of new sheets of ice may be coming to the north side of Nashville.

Chris Burton has the outlook for Jerred Smithson at OnTheForecheck.

Danielle has an update on the Cincinnati Cyclones at Cycwords as they get ready for camp.

In another Cyclones story at the team site, there is news of more additions to the team.

(Hopefully) The Final Wrap on @33dellis...

After being blamed for nearly everything bad in the past ten years under the #WyshynskisFault hashtag, Puck Daddy tries to put the @33dellis saga behind him and invites Dan to return to the internet world in a different forum than Twitter.

For an upper level Psychology class on Dan Ellis' Twitter meltdown, Chris Link has an interesting analysis at OnTheForecheck.

Joe Yerdon felt the demise of Dan's account was predictable. Jon Jordan writes about it a Kukla's Korner. Even the MSM in Tampa got in on the shutdown with an article by Eric Erlendsaon.

Adrian Dater makes a couple of excellent points about @33dellis-gate and reflects back on his brief respite from his Twitter account last season.

Elliotte Friedman takes a wider approach in looking at what players Tweet.

Michell Kenneth has the final say on the sad saga of Dan Ellis.

Around the NHL...

The Gillette Drafted 2 competition kicks off Tuesday, September 14 at 9 p.m. Central on The Score. Here is the official Trailer. We can't wait to see Launy "The" Schwartz become Canada's next Schwartz-caster.

GILLETTE DRAFTED2 TRAILER from Colin McRae on Vimeo.

It is time for the NHL player reps to vote yes or no on Donald Fehr. It won't be final until it goes before the full membership but it would be rare for the body to go against the vote of the reps, especially if it isn't close.

Mirtle writes about the odd pairing of Brian Burke championing the cause of small market teams in the area of long term, high dollar contracts.

Adam Proteau of The Hockey News makes his Eastern Conference picks for the coming season.

Matt Reitz finishes up the Eastern Conference round-table with the news from the improving Southeast Division.

Jaroslav Halak had his big coming out in St Louis yesterday. Blues fans are optimistic that he will continue to play like he did down the stretch in Montreal last season.

I didn't realize that it was an open item but we hear this from @TGfireandice: Bill Daly said via e-mail today that NHL hasn't made decision yet if/how it will penalize the Devs for first Kovy contract. Deadline is 9/17

Bob McKenzie was tweeting that this year's list is really wide open. Here's when it will be available @TSNBobMcKenzie: TSN Pre-Season Top 10 Prospects for 2011 NHL Entry Draft will be on TSN and www.tsn.ca on Tuesday Sept. 14. Just an FYI.

Another defection to Europe as Richard Park leaves the Islanders for Switzerland.

Taylor Hall wearing number 4 in Edmonton has rankled a few feathers. The Copper and Blue has the reaction.

Anthony Perez has a few thoughts about the Coyotes as the move closer to the opening of camp. Fans are still optimistic about the potential of Matthew Hulsizer. The Yotes also extended their affiliate agreement with the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers.

Also in Phoenix, AZ Vive Sports has an extensive list of Twitter accounts of Coyote related folks.

Tonight on NHL Home Ice, the NHL Radio presents the return of the Hockey Diaries show with "The Almost Season: 09 -10 Washington Capitals season." Catch the show on NHL Home Ice at 6 p.m. Central.

The Prospect Park has a good interview with Isles GM Garth Snow.

No one is expecting much out of Calgary or Olli Jokinen this year but Olli is expecting a better season.

The annual Traverse City Rookie tournament starts Saturday and Inside Hockey has the story. The Predators have not participated since the early days of the franchise.

All of the major leagues came together to discuss promotion of renewable resources. The new CONSOL Energy Center appears to be one of the best out there of all sports venues.

Odds and Ends...

For those looking for something to do Saturday night, check out the Nashville RollerGirl's Benefit Dance Party.

Here is a random list of 60 ways to increase your online marketing. I wonder how many @33dellis employed.

Fisher's girlfriend, Brittany, is glad she isn't a dog at Fish N Britts.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass