WV Trip, Day 2, New River Gorge

 Ward, Wally, Theo, and I are vacationing for a week in southern West Virginia. If you're interested, here's Day One.

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.

s

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...

To West Virginia, Day One

Ward, Wally, Theo, and I left Wednesday for a vacation in the New River Gorge area of West Virginia. The drive was foggy and misty. Occasionally, there was a parting of the clouds and by evening when we reached our destination, the the skies were clear. During the drive, we listened to a fascinating podcast, Aquired, featuring the history of Costco. It was interesting to stop the program occasionally and ask Theo his perspective as a Costco employee.

Seneca Rocks

Our first stop was for lunch at Seneca Rocks, WV. Seneca Rocks is a popular hiking and rock climbing destination in Pendleton County, WV. The rocks are Tuscarora quartzite which has been upturned to vertical. We have hiked there before but stopped only for lunch this day at Yokum's restaurant beside the rocks. We had a WV chili dog, which had been voted the second best hot dog in WV. We all agreed that it was good and wondered what won the top spot. A little research shows that the best hot dog in WV is a matter opinion. I'm going to go with a grilled hot dog topped with my Aunt Doris's hot dog sauce.  😋 

Our next stop was the main destination of the day -- Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, WV. Green Bank is an astronomical observatory featuring different kinds of radio telescopes. It is in a 13,000 square mile radio quiet zone to minimize interference with the telescopes. Thus, no cell phones, watches, Fitbits, digital cameras, etc., are allowed outside of the entrance to the visitor center. Unfortunately, the visitor's center was closed on Wednesdays and there were no tours running, but we were able to take a walking tour among the telescopes. It blew my mind when I thought about the far away things in space these telescopes were discovering.

We weren't allowed any pictures
 past this point.

This telescope discovered Sagittarius A*,
 the black hole at the center of our galaxy.
(I was able to get this picture before I had to put my camera away.

Then we had another three hour drive until we reached the Vrbo where we are staying for the week. Unfortunately, it took four hours because some how we got turned around and went several miles into Virginia before we figured out we had taken a wrong turn. Fortunately, we were able to reach our house while we still had some daylight. Good thing, too, because it is located on a narrow road with a steep driveway. 

We unloaded the car and settled in for the evening. After pizza for dinner that we brought from home, we planned our next day. 

We had a good day. and we were looking forward to the next one.

Until next time...