BLACKWATER FALLS STATE PARK — Davis, West Virginia

Blackwater Falls has a pretty easy hike with some boardwalks and steps to get to it. Pretty impressive!

Even from as far back as we were it was still really loud. That is a lot of water crashing down on a lot of rocks. Jim said that he was pretty sure he wouldn’t survive going over those falls. He is so much like Spock from Star Trek. So logical that man is, but it made me think, “He actually had the thought of trying to go over those falls. What in the heck!”

The next little hike was to Lindy Point Overlook. This hike had me wondering if we were in the same place they filmed The Princess Bride, one of my all time favorite movies! 

That mud pit on the left kept me looking over my shoulder for  a R.O.U.S (Rodents Of Unusual Size) to attack my “Wesley” at any moment. IT WAS AWESOME! Another interesting thing was the forest was full of Rhododendrons. I had never seen that before. Have you? A Rhododendron jungle?

Once we got to Lindy Point, the view was spectacular. I’m enough scared of heights that I had no desire to go outside the railing that was provided like I usually do. Those boulders could crash down on the civilians with me on top dying of a heart attack as I am wetting my pants screaming on the way down.

I’ve been in the papers one other time for an Improper Backing citation. It was in the Zeeland paper. It was a very dark cold night and somebody with a black car parked on the side of the road in a residential area directly across from my friends driveway. I did not see the car when I backed out of the driveway and lightly hit his car….IMPRPOPER BACKING. 

Let me make this clear. (This deserves it's own little segment.) I DO NOT, that I know of yet, have an improper back (buttocks or back), I backed up improperly in my car causing damage to another car because that person didn’t think about the risk of parking in that spot with no street lights DIRECTLY across from his neighbor’s driveway. I digress.

Of course I included my husband, a happy man feeling like he is on top of the world. He isn't afraid of falling down, wetting his pants, being in the newspaper, or having a heart attack. A picture of confidence leaning on railing put up who knows how long ago... :)

 

Five River Camp Ground — Parsons, West Virginia

Just had to share the gorgeous view from our campsite in Parsons. Other campsites were on a river. The bathhouse was less than awesome (they tried with colorful shower curtains). It could have easily turned into something from a Walking Dead scene with the mold growing up the walls. That’s okay because the view was outstanding and we had full hookup!

 

 

CAVERNS

Good morning, afternoon, or evening.

At this point, our actual trip is almost over but I’m only halfway done telling you about our adventures. Either that is good news or bad news for you. I’ll let you decide. As we got into the truck to head to the last  and final campground, Jim says to me, “What are you writing about today? I can’t wait to read about Jim and Megan’s adventures!” He cracks me up sometimes.

LOST WORLD CAVERNS — Lewisburg, West Virginia

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Jim getting "close" to Caverns

he caverns were discovered in 1942 and goes down 120 feet. A nice half mile path with hand rails takes you on a 45 minute self guided tour. 

Jim especially enjoyed the rock formation that gave you instruction to touch it. I almost feel bad putting the picture in here. It seems like a private moment for him. Lol. (Just so germaphobes don't freak out...he didn't really lick it.)

Not too bad though...I have a GIF if anyone wants it. ;)

They kept the original access hole in tact. Farmers would throw their dead animals down it when not using a rope ladder to go down and explore. I looked really hard to make sure it was just animal bones in the pile...I’ve seem too many movies.

Greenbrier Valley

 

GREENBRIER VALLEY — Lewisburg, WV

Jim and I knew going into this trip that we liked Kentucky and West Virginia landscape but we have both decided that we actually love West Virginia. Pictures can’t capture the way the light falls through the jagged crevices of the rock formations on the mountainside. Everywhere you look, you see natural curves, and edges. I’m talking about the landscape right now people. The people are pretty curvy in some of these towns as well.

We met some SUPER nice curvy women at the Greenbrier Valley Visitor’s Center. I don’t know if  some, all, or any of them were Christians, but it would have very much surprised me if at least some weren’t. They had Col 3:12 all figured out and well practiced. 

Jim and I stopped into the Visitor’s Center in downtown Lewisburg for information on trail maps. We found SO MUCH MORE!!! There was a large beautiful garden quilt hanging in one side of the room. On the same side, there were lovely art pieces displayed. Jim and I separated, looked at the trail maps available and soon I was over at the art. The woman sitting at the table in front of the beautiful quilt started working on Jim. She was selling the raffle tickets to raise money for the Garden Club.

The thing about it is that she wasn’t pushy or anything like that. She was telling Jim about the quilt, what the raffle was for, and that she would ship it to us for free if we won. If it wasn’t our style, we could give it away as a gift! She was genuinely so excited we were there. I had the thought that it was a good thing that she was a larger woman because gravity was no match for enthusiasm. 

While Jim was finishing the purchase our raffle tickets, a couple of elderly individuals came in. Our short, talented, excitable friend (Stef for short) suddenly made a short scream of intense joy.

Stef then said to us. “I’m sorry, but you HAVE to stay for our Ukulele Group Performance! The woman who just walked in has been really sick. We didn’t know if she would make it. I’m so glad to see her. Have you eaten dinner yet? There are several great places to eat nearby. You would have just enough time to eat and then come back and enjoy the show!!” 

At that point Stef gave us all the information we needed to make an excellent dinner choice. While talking to her, the artist and others there, it didn’t take long to convince us that it would be a wonderful place to come back to or move every family member, friend, and neighbors there as soon as possible! It was contagious hospitality. So contagious Jim told the hostess, and the waitress what our plans were after dinner. Neither one of them seem too impressed. What is wrong with these people!! Lol! We made it back after dinner to cheer on some mediocre musicians with  average singing voices named of Greenbrier River Optimistic Ukulele Players (G.R.O.U.P).

Heritage Farm Museum and Village

HERITAGE FARM MUSEUM AND VILLAGE — Huntington, WV

We packed up our camper and headed out for the next campground with high hopes for our planned stop on the way there.

The village showcased the arts of the first mountain settlers, their inventions, and progress made since. We viewed an impressive collection of antique cars in the Transportation Museum, all in pristine condition. I had to slurp up the drool as I looked at the 1927 Ford Roadster truck.

In the Progress Museum is where you find Zane’s Park. It’s an old animatronics display created by a school janitor using things available to him. Items such as a wire brush, bucket, jugs from his used cleaning supplies, etc. were all used to make it a reality to entertain the children he served and loved at the school. 

The picture on the left is just one of the many structures. The whole thing was around 10 x 10 feet.  It had a rollercoaster, ferris wheel, along with other wonders. Flashing lights and dancing ballerinas seem to be a big hit with the kids in the building. Progress Museum Superwoman (we will call her PMS, no...let’s call her Superwoman for short), told us that the BEST part is when the kids see the couple in the upstairs window KISS!!!! She gets to stand to the side, turn in on and see the kid’s faces as they witness the wooden man and woman swapping sawdust. 

When we arrived, we had an hour and a half to see it all. They said it wasn’t a problem. It wouldn’t have been if West Virginia people weren’t so friendly. The very first staff person to welcome us asked where we are from and we said West Michigan. She enthusiastically said she loves Traverse City, yada, yada, yada. She was as sweet as honey and I wanted to tell her the next time she comes to Michigan, her and her husband can just stay with us. However, Jim might not like that too much. ;)

This trend continued with more people asking, and everybody talking about their experiences at the Tulip Time Festival, Mackinaw Island, the Upper Peninsula, and many more.

With 16 minutes to closing, the nice smiling late middle aged woman in the Industry Museum asked where we are from. We told her and her face lit up. She told us that her son lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and they are going to have their first grandchild. That’s not that crazy. Everyone here had some connection to Michigan!! However, it was a little more interesting when she said that her son is Jay Plyburn, a news anchor on WZZM 13. They will be visiting them in a month.

She was a VERY proud, as she should be! She said to go over and say something to her husband in the Drug Store. So, of course, we did. He played it all cool. Ha! Guys are so different than girls.

If you get a chance to stop by, it’s worth it. They also have a zip line, ropes course, a petting zoo, and wagon rides. I’m sure we missed something but give yourself enough time and save up your words and you will have a blast!

P.S. To whom it may concern, would like this Six Shooter Arcade game for our basement for Christmas.