West Virginia Wanderings…
Welcome to our journey to West Virginia. Hope you enjoy all the photos etc.
Mid-Atlantic Backcountry discovery route
We are back from our trip to West Virginia cutting it short by a week. Although the truck performed beautifully, after about 1000 miles give or take we discovered a leak in one of the shocks. There were no immediate issues however we thought it best to head home. We took our time spending most of the time remaining on the MABDR arriving in north east Pennsylvania to jump on the highway and back to Vermont.
Thurmond, WV was one of our primary destinations, a ghost town with several really cool buildings that dominate the landscape and trains that travel through the town. The towns people are preserving the rich history including a house that once renovated, will be rented out on AirBnb. It could literally be a ghost house in a ghost town. Sounds fun right….. :).
We found a great place to stay in the Babcock State Park Campground which was inside the state park and housed the still working Grist Mill. Not only was it beautiful, but to see its age and that they still use it today to grind corn sold in their gift shop. It’s beautiful and technologically simple. In addition to the grist mill, the property was beautiful and close to the New River Gorge and Thurmond. Having this as a home base for a few nights simplified things quite a bit.
The Grist Mill
This beautiful wood structure that works as it did before the art of grinding stone died out it the 1950’s
Almost Heaven
Swing into a new year, decade, or just for fun, the park presented a photo op for anyone wanting to share a swing with social media.
There were at least 3 other ghost towns in the New River Gorge area that we had on our list of places to see, but due to mud slides and roads being washed out, they were inaccessible. But this didn’t hinder our exploration. While in Fayetteville, we did wander around the town and have lunch at the Riverchick Farm food truck with a menu full of unique crepes that were very filling as well as delicious. Fayetteville is a charming town worth spending a little time soaking up the culture.
New River Gorge
The bridge over the gorge is over 3000 feet across and is a beautiful example of steel construction.
Abandonded
A home long left for the greenery to takeover, is nestled in the trees like a fantasy land.
This special place we found near
Staying with our quest for ghost towns, Cass, WV area is considered a ghost town. However, quite different from Thurmond in that the town has done a magnificent job restoring and maintaining the main street and beyond. Many of the homes are rented out on a daily or weekly basis so visitors can take full advantage of the surrounding area as well as the town. It would be a fun place to relax and take yourself back to a time slower than we typically experience. Places to walk and a central town area with a restaurant, post office, soda fountain and gift shop. Cass also offers a steam train ride and hiking trails. Neither of which were part of our experience. Dogs were not allowed on the train, and it was getting too warm for Kira. So, we opted to move on to allow her the opportunity to cool down.
Luke Street Cass, WV
Charming side street to mosey and go back in time, just a little
The fence row along Luke Street
Makes you want to grab a stick and start running.
Heading north, we lunched at a cute little diner, The Korner Shop and were served delicious wholesome food with a smile. Jumping back onto our route while the storms roll in, the thought was to get into the Monongahela State Forest and find a place to camp. This proved to be impossible. Permits are required and with spotty service getting a call back never happened.
Loves Way Village
Glamping at its best. Fun, relaxing respite.
By late evening, we decided it was time to get serious and opted for AirBnb. What we found was the MOST adorable glamping experience Loves Way Village. Platform tenting, with amenities different than our camper and out of the rain, this was perfect. We booked one with a hot tub. Can you EVEN believe it.??? So rhetorical. After a very long day on the road, this was exactly what we needed. No putting the camper up in a thunderstorm while relaxing in the hot tub. YES PLEASE. With a grilling/firepit area and snacks in the camp store it was heaven. Our hosts were beyond lovely and we have shared this place with friends and family. Also looking to revisit some time.
The gathering place
What a wonderful spot to hang out with new friends, grill a meal and laugh into the evening. I believe it was only the rain that held us back.
Jumping back onto the MABDR we imagined small towns to explore as well as the forest. The towns weren’t really what we expected but with our minds set on getting to camp a little earlier the search began.
Yes, you guessed it, no luck. This is where Hipcamp became useful. Near Gettysburg, PA we lucked out with another beautiful camping spot. Old Soul Farm is a working farm with sheep, kittens, ducks and chickens. The property is nestled in a quiet spot with a pond and a very quiet rooster. Well there were two, but they were quiet. We were also fortunate to have a sunset and sunrise that added incredible beauty to the setting. Discovering the leaky shock, we began the trek back. This did not compromise the beauty of this amazing property!!
Camping at Sunset
Kira lounging by the camper watching the kittens and hoping for a chance to sniff and lick one. The kittens were probably only 6 weeks old and just adorable.
The sheep having breakfast
Our campsite on the farm brought us animals to enjoy. We had not seen them in the evening, so it was a nice treat to watch them run to the field for a morning meal.
As the trip was winding down, there were two more nights of camping left. We knew to start searching early finding spots in Greenwood Furnace State Park and another hipcamp called Ricketts Glen State Park Campers.
Typically preferring to find things within a national forest or plan more than a day ahead, these both worked out great. Even though the State Park was near many other campers, it was beautiful, and mostly quiet. Ricketts Glen site had a large space between other campers, and since we arrived early in the day we had plenty of time to relax, enjoy the other campers. In the evening once the kids had settled in for the night, someone was playing the trumpet quietly and with a mood like being in a 1950’s night club. It was as if we had ordered special entertainment.
Bunker Hill Farm stone remains
Part of the Appalachian Trail goes through the Greenwood Furnace State Forest and these remains were along the trail.
Once home, we took our time to enjoy things in Vermont including Shelburne Farms and South Hero Island on Lake Champlain. These photos are on the Instagram page.
That’s a wrap
Winding down and going through photos. Fun days on the trails, in the woods and finding places not seen by us before.
Thank you for going on this trip with us.
