This past month has been difficult for my family. My father passed away suddenly, and it has been quite an adjustment - particularly for my mom. When I visited recently, I wanted to get my mom and grandma out of the house. Oglebay is not far from my hometown, so we had a day trip adventure that included waterfalls, an Almost Heaven swing, a scenic drive, and, of course, some good food. "Welcome to Skyline Kitchen & Bar, Oglebay Lodge’s gastropub family dining experience inspired by nostalgic and regional favorites. Set against the stunning backdrop where the sky meets the horizon, Skyline Kitchen & Bar is the perfect destination for any meal, a casual seat at the bar, or a late-night snack and cocktail," reads the website. After discovering our initial restaurant was closed for the day and then some navigation confusion, we parked near the West Spa entrance, took the elevator up a few floors and made our way to the restaurant. Overlooking Schenk Lake, Skyline Kitchen & Bar does have a few stairs, which can be difficult to navigate for seniors. but once we were seated, I took in the beauty of the space. Large glass windows provide gorgeous views of the rolling hills. I was initially given a dinner menu and was eyeing a pasta dish, but when the waitress swapped it out for the lunch menu, that option was no longer available. So, I opted for the "Not Your Mama's Sloppy Joe," which I thought was kind of funny since I was actually dining with my mom. First, we started with: Jalapeño Potato Croquettes - Mashed Potatoes, Jalapeños, Cheddar. I didn't find these spicy at all. I wasn't looking for that heat to be dominant, but I did want a little bit of flavor. They came off a bit flat. The roasted red pepper sauce helped. The sloppy joe, though, really impressed me. My typical idea of a sloppy joe is Manwich, a bun and a slice of American cheese. This was an elevated take on that. The meat was not as saucy, but it did have some nice spices and a touch of sweetness. There was a vinegary veggie slaw on top that balanced it out and provided some relief. The whole sandwich tasted fresher, yet with more complex flavors. both my mother and grandma enjoyed the club sandwich. And they were thrilled that we could get waters to go. have you been? Grade: B

Hensler's Town and Country Market is a shop that has a bit of everything along Route 2. I stopped here to stretch my legs and find a snack well traveling from Charleston to the Northern Panhandle. Outside, there were a number of fall items - like pumpkins and decor. Inside, there was a deli, refrigerated section, fresh produce, package goods, and more. I zeroed in on the deli because there were so many options. There were cold cut meats and cheeses. But there was also baked beans, pulled pork, pasta salad, and like. I went for a "salad" of olives, cheese and smoked meat. I use the term salad very loosely here, but it is a cold assembly of various items. It was OK. I honestly was hoping for a bit more spice or tang, but it was pretty mild. The texture also had become pretty soft all around. They also have a coffee bar where you can get specialty coffee drinks. I didn't catch one of those, but I did find two new-to-me varieties of Crush. Peach and strawberry. Both are nice, but my favorites will always be orange and grape. Have you been here? If so, what should I get next time? Grade: B

El Botanas food truck was set up in Charleston recently, so my coworkers and I wanted to check it out. I ordered a street burrito made with al pastor (pork that has been grilled and then sliced off the spit), rice, beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream wrapped in a large flour tortilla. Plus a side of esquite - which is street corn that has been cut off the cob. The burrito was pretty hefty, so points for portion size. The interior had a nice mix of all the aforementioned ingredients, but warm lettuce is not my favorite. It lends a slippery texture. but, I was happy with the freshness of the pico and sour cream. The esquites could have used some more flavor to really season all of the corn.

Grade: B

The Peach Cobbler Factory is a cool little dessert shop that offers everything from cobblers and banana puddings, to cinnamon rolls and shakes. There are only two locations in West Virginia – Huntington and Barbourville. I enjoyed cobbler at the Huntington location, so on this visit to Barbourville, I went with a banana pudding. I ordered the New York cheesecake banana pudding, and it was filled to the brim. I carefully removed the lid, and a New York cheesecake with cherries in pudding form stared back at me. Sometimes, cheesecake can be pretty dense and heavy. Here, I enjoyed all those same flavors, but in a light pudding ... 10/10. Slightly messy, but worth it. Grade: A

West Virginia State Parks hosted a series of farm-to-table dinners at select parks throughout the state this summer. My friend Beth and I decided to venture to North Bend State Park to enjoy their feast. BUT FIRST, we did also check out the Silver Run Tunnel, which just said to be haunted. We made it after a short hike and were fortunate to see no ghost ladies in white dresses. Then, we made it to the dinner, which featured music and drink tickets for local beer and wine plus vendors selling some of their wares. The menu at the recent North Bend State Park included freshly baked rolls with honey cinnamon butter Then, we had squash soup: A creamy, velvety soup made from freshly harvested squash, slow-cooked with a blend of warm spices and topped with a side of bread. Next was Fresh Wedge Salad: Crisp wedges of iceberg lettuce, garnished with tomatoes, crumbled bacon, tangy blue cheese, and an Italian vinaigrette Main Courses included:

Herb Roasted Chicken: Tender chicken, marinated in a blend of fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage

Honey Garlic Steak Bites: Chunks of beef, seared and glazed in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce

Roasted Vegetable Medley: A vibrant mix of seasonal vegetables, including carrots, zucchini, and Brussels sprouts roasted with olive oil and herbs

Corn on the Cob: Sweet, roasted corn served with butter

Hasselback Potatoes: Thinly sliced potatoes roasted with olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs, and topped with sour cream Desserts:

Mini Sweet Potato Casserole: Sweet potato casserole, baked with a buttery brown sugar topping and mini marshmallows

Apple Dump Cake: A rustic, easy dessert made from locally sourced apples, cinnamon, and a buttery, crumbly topping, served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect balance of sweet and tart. have you visited one of these farm-to-table state park dinners this year?