EGN NEWS DESK
We booked a pull via campsite and our actions. Unfortunately per week earlier than we left our family handed round what I’ve deemed the plague which triggered deep coughs, exhaustion, and normal malaise. We have been over the illness when it was time to move north, however David’s coughs generally tend to stay round, so we ended up including on a Sportsman cabin for the women and I to sleep within the first two nights, which ended up working rather well! The spots have been an in depth strolling distance to one another and it allowed us all to get the remainder we wanted to profit from the journey.
West Virginia Camping Trip
Adventures on the Gorge Day 1 – Timber Trek
We wakened our first morning on Hailey’s THIRTEENTH birthday! The ladies slept on whereas I sneaked over to the campsite and adorned with David. When they wandered over an hour later we blasted “completely satisfied birthday princess” and kicked off the morning with bagels and eggs on the Blackstone. Hailey opened playing cards and presents as we eased into her special occasion.
We visited the playground, rode bikes across the property, then acquired prepared for Timber Trek, an impediment course via the timber with varied bridges, ziplines, and more and more laborious challenges as you progress up in problem degree. The guides walked us via the protection precautions, then the course itself was self led. It. Was. A. Blast! They needed to kick us off after our 2.5 hour very long time slot as a result of the children would have saved going all evening (which is feasible as a result of they mild it up for a in-the-dark problem at evening).
The youngsters got here off the TimberTrek completely raving concerning the enjoyable they’d and already asking to do it once more. We grilled smash burgers for dinner, however ate inside within the camper as a result of there have been a ton of yellow jackets, then walked over to Smokey’s, one of many onsite eating places, to order birthday ice cream sundaes and watch the solar go down.
Adventures on the Gorge Day 2 – NRG NP
David had some work to do on Monday, so the women and I took off to journey on our personal. The New River Gorge National Park is a lower than a 5 minute drive from Adventures on the Gorge, so we ate breakfast then headed off seeking Junior Ranger Badges.
The customer middle is small however very nice and we loved studying concerning the crops and animals of the area within the museum and the historical past of it within the brief movie performed each quarter-hour within the theater. The ladies accomplished their workbooks, stated the pledge, and added a brand new National Park badge and sticker to their collections!
We hiked the few small trails close to the customer middle then spent the rest of the afternoon getting some requirements on the native Walmart earlier than heading again to camp to prepare dinner up steak quesadillas on the Blackstone.
Adventures on the Gorge Day 3 – White Water Rafting
On day three we lined up White Water Rafting! The space is within the prime 5 greatest white water rafting spots on the earth, particularly throughout Gauley Season, there they let water via the dam Thursday-Sunday creating unbelievable rapids. We occurred to be visiting throughout Gauley Season and noticed the flocks of those who descended upon the realm on the weekends to get pleasure from it.
Because of Kaitlyn’s age, our rafting choices have been extra restricted, so we signed up for the rafting journey on the higher New River. Being late within the season, we had the river to ourselves. It was stunning, the guides have been pleasant and enjoyable, and the women giggled heartily on the mild rapids we crossed. They arrange a riverside lunch midway via the journey and it served as a delicate entry into the world of white water rafting. We stay up for leveling as much as extra degree 3 and 4 rapids on our subsequent expedition. That evening we grilled hotdogs over the fireplace for dinner.
Adventures on the Gorge Day 4 – Castle Rock Trail & The Bridge Walk
David had extra work to do within the morning, so the women and I made the 45 minute drive to a unique portion of the New River Gorge National Park to hike a path I had heard good issues about- Castle Rock Trail. It was a cool, grey morning, which set the scene for a fantastic fall hike!
The nationwide park could be very canine pleasant however I had heard there could be steep drop offs so we left Finley behind. The path was brief (solely a mile, loop) nevertheless it did have some magnificent rock formations and overlooks! They say no younger youngsters as a result of there are a couple of steep drop offs alongside the trail, nevertheless it’s nothing in comparison with Zion’s Angel’s Landing or Acadia’s Bee Hive. The youngsters have been each relieved and disenchanted by that, however the path itself is a good one and all of us loved it.
After our hike we picked up David, grabbed a scrumptious lunch at Secret Sandwich Society and headed to our subsequent adventure- the Bridge Walk!
The Bridge Walk was a final minute add on for us. I wasn’t certain the women could be down for it, however they each enthusiastically declared they wished to do it. I’m not an enormous fan of heights however knew that us be harnessed in would ease my fears. We suited up, bussed over, and acquired clipped in. As we took the primary few steps out onto the catwalk that runs beneath the bridge my coronary heart began pounding. It was WILD! I used to be principally nervous concerning the youngsters and will need to have stated 1,000,000 occasions to not goof off (though they weren’t taking part in round in any respect). They liked it!
I need to admit that my coronary heart pounded laborious the entire time nevertheless it was a extremely distinctive expertise that all of us completely loved. The New River Gorge Bridge is 876′ tall, 3030′ ft lengthy, and made with 44,000,000 lbs of metal. It’s extremely spectacular and presents a tremendous view. The entire tour in all probability took rather less than 2 hours begin to end. Highly suggest!
Afterwards we stopped by Pies and Pints in Fayetteville, 5 minutes down the street, for a scrumptious pizza. It was a fantastic spot with a full of life environment, some video games for the children, and critically good pizza.
Adventures on the Gorge Day 5 – Float Fishing and Gravity Zip Line
We needed to be up early for fishing and whereas the women have been sleepy, they rallied. The morning was serene and the water was nonetheless. Absolutely breathtaking.
Again we lucked out with guides that have been personable and enjoyable to be with. The fish weren’t smitten by being caught that morning, however we did hook a couple of, reel all of them the best way to to boat, after which watched as they hopped off the hook and swam away. Still, all of us actually loved the float, the exercise, and the dialog and hope to return and check out for these small mouth bass once more sooner or later!
After fishing the women and I grabbed lunch on the town and did a little bit procuring whereas David had a piece name. Then that afternoon we had one other exercise, only for the birthday ladies. Kaitlyn wasn’t large enough to take part within the Gravity Zipline Course, however Hailey and I partook and ended up being the one two on a tour of which normally holds 16 folks. It was fantastic to have it to ourselves (with the guides) and we so loved racing one another on ziplines via the forest.
That night we ate on the nicest onsite restaurant, Smokey’s. The pimento hushpuppies have been delicious and total we have been impressed the standard of of the meals. It was a fantastic meal to finish a full and enjoyable day.
Adventures on the Gorge Day 6 – Endless Wall Trail and Rock Climbing
On our final day, I awoke one other yr older. I welcomed the birthday hugs, contemporary cup of tea, and the breakfast of hashbrowns ready on the Blackstone. It was a gorgeous day to slot in the final of our scheduled activities- a hike within the nationwide park and mountaineering.
The Endless Wall Trail is a straightforward three mile loop with attractive views on the gorge alongside a lot of the method. Finley got here with us and liked it! Afterwards we grabbed lunch at The Secret Sandwich Society (so good, we went again twice) and headed to our afternoon activity- outside mountaineering within the nationwide park! We lucked out as soon as once more being the one ones signed up and loved a personal lesson on climb on an actual mountain. It was such a enjoyable new expertise for us and all of us loved the brand new problem. I used to be so happy with how effectively the children did!
That evening we grilled up no matter meals we had left within the camper fridge and relaxed by the campfire. It was a full and motion packed week and whereas we had a blast, we have been additionally wanting ahead to actual showers and beds again at Nana’s. We headed south and spent another evening tenting close to the brand new home so we might swing by and see it Sunday morning earlier than heading dwelling. One month away from shifting into our new dwelling and we couldn’t be extra excited!
Quick Facts
- Favorite Restaurants: The Secret Sandwich Society, Pies and Pints, The Wood Iron Eatery
- Favorite Store: Lost Appalachia Trading Co
- Favorite Activities: Timber Trek, The Bridge Walk, Fishing
- Favorite Hikes: Castle Rock and Endless Wall
- Camper Favorites
