A Soccer Moms Guide to the Tri-State

I caught part of the Federation Cup on Sunday as the USA valiantly tried to shock the Soccer world in South Africa. The heroic effort by the Americans came up a goal short but made us all proud of our team. Brazil proved they were the world’s best.

Now the eyes of the Middle-Atlantic, Central Appalachian region are on the village of Barboursville for this holiday weekend’s Region I US Soccer Tournament.

Keith tells me midfielders and strikers from 13 states, some 5000 kids strong will be making corner kicks and headers as they vie for the title of Regional champion.

I am going to update this blog to give out of towners some fresh weather and recreational information. Our friends from the Cabell Huntington Convention Bureau are ready to roll out the red carpet to make the expected 20,000 visitors to our area feel at home.

Among friends at a weekend gathering, I heard stories that every hotel room from Ashland to Charleston was booked solidly!

Right now, the early call is Thursday’s opening ceremonies at Edwards stadium to feature a refreshing breeze and a shower risk with temperatures in the comfy 70s. As usual in summer, any rain shower lasts an hour or less and most of the time is rain free despite the dazzling puffy cumulus cloud parade. That would be in stark contrast to the 90 degree days with tropical humidity levels and dirty hazy sun that July normally fashions.

The “football” frenzy begins in earnest on Friday with a full day of matches at several venues. I sense the risk of showers will ge gone by the opening kickoff of morning matches, so I am rescinding any yellow cards I may have given the weather on Thursday. There will be a morning cloud cover and scattered sprinkle but nothing to slow down the action on the field. Ol Sol will break out timidly by the lunch hour then shine brightly Friday afternoon.

By July 4th, sunshine will send temperatures back into the 80s where they should stay right thru the conclusion of the games on Tuesday. A reminder to soccer moms and players, the weekend sun burn index witll be high so load up with an SPS 30 sun block. Anyone caught without a sun block or screen is sure to be issued a RED CARD as in red sun burn!

For families working on a limited budget, one of my favorite restaurants is down the road in Milton. After hitting Route 60 out of Barboursville, turn right and drive about 10 miles. You will drive thru Ona then into one of the nicest towns in all of America, Milton WV.

Here, the people are as friendly as Mayberry and the home cooking at Shonet's (formerly Granny K’s) is as good as Aunt Bee’s. The veggie soup is to die for, the entries are generous and the price modest.

In addition, one of the area’s biggest flea markets is recovering from a major fire in 2008, so I will bet the bargains are bountiful.

Enjoy your stay and as the South Americans sing at soccer matches, OLAY, OLAY, OLAY, OLAY!