On Wednesday, July 8, 2020 I did a 400 mile plus driving loop in West Virginia
for my
WV VIPP Program.
I hit 3 different state parks, got my card stamped
and made it back to Manassas, VA in 1 day. Here's how it went:
Three more to go! I left early Wednesday morning, July 8, 2020. I drove west
on I66->I81->US48->WV32 to Canaan Valley Resort and State Park. The
drive, though long, was wonderful to observe. The Mountain State truly is
wild and wonderful. This resort looked rather new. It was definitely first
class. I got my card stamped, then backtracked up WV32 to Blackwater Falls
State Park.
These two state parks are only about 15 miles apart. I didn't get a chance to
check out the falls but I went to the lodge and got my card stamped again.
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Even though this backpacking trip was in VA, we had
to drive through West Virginia to get the the Laurel Fork Area, VA in 2000.
This lodge looked a bit older than the last one. There seemed to be more
outdoor enthusiasts hanging around here. Mostly bikers and kayakers. I got
my card stamped again and took off for my third and final stop of the day.
This was the most interesting part of the drive. I got a nice image of the
area around Black Water Falls while leaving the park. I then took WV32 south
to Harmon, WV, then US33 east. I stopped at Yokum's store/restaurant and motel
to use the facilities. I took a picture of Seneca Rocks across the street.
It seemed darker than the last image I took of this rock. I think the best
time to capture Seneca Rocks is in late afternoon as the rock has a golden hue
to it then. I also thought about a nice camp & hike that I did with the
Rag Tag Rangers here years ago.
Then I proceeded east on US33, then went south on WV28. I passed Laurel Fork,
another neat place that we backpacked years ago. I then went by the HUGE
dish that is part on the NARO in Greenbank, WV. They listen for ET here. I
then turned onto WV66 west for the final few miles to Cass Scenic Railroad
State Park. I had been hitting numerous construction zones along the highways
today. A few of them had alternating traffic on them. This one was the
worst! They had us sitting in ninety plus degree weather for what seemed like
15 minutes or more. When they finally let us through it looked like they
caused a rock slide on the road and had to clean it up. The guard rail on the
left side of the road was all jagged and the temporary Jersey Barriers on the
right side were all crumpled. And there were rocks piled at least 50 feet high
right next to the Jersey Barriers that had an earth mover precariously balanced
at the top of that pile. The whole scene looked scarry.
I finally made it to Cass Scenic Railroad. I had to ask where to get my card
stamped for this place. They directed me to a small box hanging on the wall of
the adjacent Cass, WV postoffice. I stamped my card there. I had backpacked
the section of the Allegheny Trail between Durban and Cass, WV with the late
Bill Isham and his wife Chris about 15 years ago. I then had a
leisurely lunch at the on site restaurant, then started the four hour trek home.
I passed the Ramseys Draft trailhead on the way back. Memories of two great
backpacking trips there. West Virginia is a wonderful place to explore. But be advised that if you
take US250 from WV28 north of Cass to get back to Virginia, you will be
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treated to a very winding and mountain hugging road. US33 to the north is
not much better. I would try to take US48/WV55 or I64 back to VA and avoid
US250 or US33 at all costs unless you intend to hike/run/backpack the trails
off of 250 and 33.
It took me over four hours to get back home. I got caught in the
their rush hour. So the last 4 hours of this trip were not fun.
Now I only have 3 more parks to visit until I get my $25 gift card, a patch
and officially become a West Virginia Very Important Parks Person. It was a
great day today!
Mike C
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Canaan Valley Resort, WV sign.
By Mike Calabrese
Black Water Falls Lodge, WV.
By Mike Calabrese
View near Black Water Falls, WV.
By Mike Calabrese
Seneca Rocks, WV.
By Mike Calabrese
Cass Scenic RxR SP, WV sign.
By Mike Calabrese
Cass Company Store, WV.
By Mike Calabrese
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