Bobby is still half-asleep as we walk up to the Morgantown Farmers Market on a cozy, overcast morning in West Virginia. Neither of us were too eager to get out of bed this morning, after a late night with good friends, but a few minutes in the buzz of this friendly community and it's a different story. Out comes the camera. Good morning Morgantown!

I find myself craving a salad as I sip my coffee...this bounty of produce is unbelievable. Brilliant colors, rich textures, and loads of Apple Pie American pride radiate from the display tables. Each one is decorated and arranged to entice, but what really catches my eye is the vendors. Smiling eyes, bushy beards and full body coveralls....I love it.

The aisles of my local Harris Teeter seem less and less appealing as I watch my friend and her husband do their weekly shopping. Meat, cheese, produce, even flowers for the table. Everything grown locally and sold honestly....right from the truck. The meat guy lovingly shares details about how the cows are doing...his weekly report to regular customers. The cream cheese guy has a new flavor this week, chive and garlic. His faces lights up like a little boy when he tells us about it. They care. You can taste it in the food. 

I feel comfort in knowing that this place is only three hours from my doorstep. When the din of suburbia starts ringing in our ears, we can find some small town sanctuary without an all day drive. The friendly faces seem to appear everywhere I look. This place is good for the soul. Makes me wanna curl up on the couch with the pups and watch some college football.

The Mountaineers are playing Texas tonight and even though it's not a home game, the town is decked out. Blue and gold as far as the eye can see. Morgantowners, young and old, talk shop, predicting the results of tonight's game as they make their transactions.

Bobby snags a photo of the monorail as it wizzes past and we pack up our goodies. 24 hours was far too short. I'm already planning our next visit back...

~ Kolleen Kintz

Check out the market: http://www.morgantownfarmers.org

See the album: http://www.second-glance-photography.com/p999956057