WV Trip, Day 2, New River Gorge

 Ward, Wally, Theo, and I are vacationing for a week in southern West Virginia.

We had a leisurely start to the morning because there was dense fog in the area which interfered with our plans for the day. We used the time while we were waiting for the fog to lift with a trip to Walmart to pick up a few things our house didn't have. Then it was off to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

New River is the US's newest National Park, having become one in late 2020 when its designation changed from a National River to a National Park and Preserve. It is a popular destination for hiking, white water rafting, and rock climbing. Our first stop was the northern visitor's center where we enjoyed the exhibits, movie, and stunning views. After talking with a ranger, we decided that we would hike the Endless Wall trail. Timing was good because the last of the morning fog was just burning off.

Bridge across the gorge. The modern bridge was built in the mid-1970s and until recently was the longest single span arch bridge in the world being 3030' across. In a couple of weeks, the park will be hosting Bridge Day when they close the bridge to traffic for bungee jumping. The bridge is 876' above the New River below.

I was excited to find teaberry (wintergreen) along the trail. It has the most wonderful smell and flavor, although I didn't chew any today.

Along the trail.

We had great views from the top. Ward is looking at the New River below.

From the top you could also see the endless wall of sandstone
that the trail was named after.

After our hike, it was back to the car for a lunch of peanut butter sandwiches and oranges. (And if truth be told, we had enough snacks in the car that we wouldn't go hungry for a week.) Then it was onto Babcock State Park.

Babcock State Park is another park along the New River and has the much photographed grist mill. The original builder combined parts of three different mills that were along Glade Creek (which feeds into the New River), and is now a monument of all of the grist mills of the past. It only operates on the weekend, so we didn't see it in action.

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Glade Creek has good energy for a mill.

At Babcock, I finally got to swing in one of the WV swings.
They are stationed around the state as photo ops.

We explored Babcock for a while before heading back to our Vrbo. Along the way, we stopped for an early dinner at the Secret Sandwich Society Shop which Wally had learned about before the trip as a must go for eating out. We all agreed that the sandwiches were a step above what you usually get.

That evening, we made plans for the next day before heading off for a welcome rest.

Until next time...