Ramps.

Its Ramp season here in West Virginia. Don't know what a "Ramp" is?? Me either.

This is the story of how I discovered what a Ramp was.

So, a few weeks ago I noticed this same guy standing on the highway between my house and work holding this sign that said "Ramps". Naturally, I thought he was looking for a ride to the nearest ramp. Yet, everyday--morning and night, rain or shine,  he was in the same spot with the same sign... I just didn't understand. I thought to myself--what an idiot this guy was. There is a ramp to the freeway only about 2 miles from where he was always standing--if he just took some initiative and started walking, he would have been to the ramp already. Geesh! Thats what's wrong with people these days--they just can't do anything for themselves, right? The freeway is only a short walk away, but this toothless loser has to try and flag down a ride for pete's sake.

A few days later, a co-worker was talking about how she had stopped and bought Ramps from this guy, and how she had cooked them on a pizza. I was puzzled. What in the hell are Ramps and why would you be eating them--on pizza no less? Apparently, the guy holding the Ramp sign, was not looking for a ride--but rather he was selling Ramps. I guess here in Mountain country, on the weekends people go out in the woods and dig for Ramps. Ramps are a kind of potent wild onion. Why they are called ramps--i have NO idea. It makes no sense....but I am in West Virginia, so I guess its justified. I felt like a complete idiot, when I realized my mistake. Everyone at work had a good laugh over it.

Well, then a few days ago. I had to take a trip with some co-workers for a work related project. There stood the same guy--selling his Ramps. On our way back to work--he was still out there, but now he had a whole yard sale set up on the side of the highway. What in the hell. Are you kidding me--an entire yard sale--no joke. He had a lazy boy out there, an old 70's lamp, various frames...he had like 5 tables and a friggen cash register out there. My co-workers let me know that, in the spring and summer this is normal in West Virginia.

Obliviously, if you want to have a yard sale--you just find yourself a nice patch of freeway and set yourself up. Can you even believe it? The look on my face must have been priceless.