Walking in Wheeling, West Virginia

Two weeks ago, I traveled to Wheeling, West Virginia, on a solo trip. I stayed in an old apartment on 16th Street and spent my days walking, reading, and photographing.

I chose Wheeling on account of a friend who, a week prior, texted: “Man. I think you should skip Iowa. Come to Wheeling, WV. This place is amazing.” He sent the message during a 45-minute stop through Wheeling, which he had long wanted to visit since reading a poem about the city years ago.

I found it a beautiful city with a depth to its history and a complexity to its present, with some committed people betting on its future. On Tuesday night, I met Doug, who moved home from Atlanta to restore an old building downtown and operate Bridge Tavern & Grill on the first floor. On Thursday morning, I read Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson over a delightful breakfast at Sarah's On Main (thank you Betsy Sweeny for the tip). Later that day, I took the truck 20 minutes down the Ohio River to see my great-grandmother's hometown, Powhatan Point. And each day, I walked the streets for hours on end.

I cannot wordsmith my gratitude for a chance to leave my tasks at the studio, rest, and see a new city; it belongs to my family, friends, collaborators, and clients in this strange line of work. It was my first week of vacation since starting the business five years ago.

Please enjoy a selection of photographs from my week in Wheeling.