This is not a complaint column despite what some may think. It is, however, my opportunity to question the logic of some things.

Much to our surprise and delight, last week we encountered West Virginia state road crews patching potholes on Boone Hedges Road in Ohio County — in the rain. That’s not a diss. It’s just a simple observation.

In fact, I am grateful for any attention given to this country road that we and others use to reach their homes, cattle and horses. As a semi-retired county resident and full-time taxpayer, I and some of my neighbors often wonder if this road was even on a map.

I am not an engineer or road construction expert by any means. But here’s the rub.

Starting at the intersection of GC&P Road and Boone Hedges, I began to count the number of potholes that have been patched. While I can’t be absolutely sure of my count, I did record 247 potholes or areas of patching that were performed on the road.

Some of the patches were longer or wider than a normal pothole so the total could actually be higher when you take into consideration how much asphalt material was used in the process.

The patching has resulted in fewer holes in which to lose a tire or bend a rim. Thank you for that. However, the road now resembles a bumpy parking lot splattered with wads of used chewing gum. You get the picture?

My one real question is, with so many holes to fill, why not just pave the entire surface. I’m sure the answer would be “money.” Even so, it took a major, disastrous flash flood years back (not last year’s June flood) to have a portion of the road paved. Most of that part of the road has remained intact.

We were promised even more paving that never materialized. So we must be happy with the patchwork quilt of a road and continue to drive slowly and carefully. Before the pothole patching, driving up or down the road was exhausting. It’s not much better now.

I know there are dozens of people in this county who are still without decent roads to travel because of flooding. I empathize with them and wish the people in Charleston would pay as much attention to the Northern Panhandle as they do downstate.

OK, I’ve said enough. Now take me home, country road.

Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.