Apparently September makes us really feel like we needs to be tenting. A yr in the past we have been glamping at Zion Nationwide Park and this yr we made plans to go to the most recent nationwide park in our new camper! Because the timeframe overlapped each Hailey’s and my birthdays, we knew we needed to make it particular by discovering a spot with enjoyable issues to do. After googling round, we determined to make reservations at Adventures on the Gorge, a spot lower than 5 minutes from the nationwide park providing tenting, cabins, and a plethora of outside journey actions.
We booked a pull by way of campsite and our actions. Sadly every week earlier than we left our family handed round what I’ve deemed the plague which prompted deep coughs, exhaustion, and common malaise. We have been over the illness when it was time to go north, however David’s coughs tend to stay round, so we ended up including on a Sportsman cabin for the ladies and I to sleep within the first two nights, which ended up working very well! The spots have been an in depth strolling distance to one another and it allowed us all to get the remainder we wanted to benefit from the journey.
West Virginia Tenting Journey
Adventures on the Gorge Day 1 – Timber Trek
We wakened our first morning on Hailey’s THIRTEENTH birthday! The ladies slept on whereas I sneaked over to the campsite and adorned with David. Once they wandered over an hour later we blasted “glad birthday princess” and kicked off the morning with bagels and eggs on the Blackstone. Hailey opened playing cards and presents as we eased into her special occasion.
We visited the playground, rode bikes across the property, then acquired prepared for Timber Trek, an impediment course by way of the timber with varied bridges, ziplines, and more and more onerous challenges as you progress up in problem stage. The guides walked us by way of the protection precautions, then the course itself was self led. It. Was. A. Blast! They needed to kick us off after our 2.5 hour very long time slot as a result of the youngsters would have saved going all night time (which is feasible as a result of they mild it up for a in-the-dark problem at night time).
The youngsters got here off the TimberTrek completely raving in regards to the enjoyable that they had and already asking to do it once more. We grilled smash burgers for dinner, however ate inside within the camper as a result of there have been a ton of yellow jackets, then walked over to Smokey’s, one of many onsite eating places, to order birthday ice cream sundaes and watch the solar go down.
Adventures on the Gorge Day 2 – NRG NP
David had some work to do on Monday, so the ladies and I took off to journey on our personal. The New River Gorge Nationwide Park is a lower than a 5 minute drive from Adventures on the Gorge, so we ate breakfast then headed off in the hunt for Junior Ranger Badges.
The customer middle is small however very nice and we loved studying in regards to the crops and animals of the area within the museum and the historical past of it within the brief movie performed each quarter-hour within the theater. The ladies accomplished their workbooks, stated the pledge, and added a brand new Nationwide Park badge and sticker to their collections!
We hiked the few small trails close to the customer middle then spent the rest of the afternoon getting some requirements on the native Walmart earlier than heading again to camp to cook dinner up steak quesadillas on the Blackstone.
Adventures on the Gorge Day 3 – White Water Rafting
On day three we lined up White Water Rafting! The world is within the prime 5 finest white water rafting spots on this planet, particularly throughout Gauley Season, there they let water by way of the dam Thursday-Sunday creating unimaginable rapids. We occurred to be visiting throughout Gauley Season and noticed the flocks of those that descended upon the world on the weekends to get pleasure from it.
Due to Kaitlyn’s age, our rafting choices have been extra restricted, so we signed up for the rafting journey on the higher New River. Being late within the season, we had the river to ourselves. It was stunning, the guides have been pleasant and enjoyable, and the ladies giggled heartily on the mild rapids we crossed. They arrange a riverside lunch midway by way of the journey and it served as a mild entry into the world of white water rafting. We sit up for leveling as much as extra stage 3 and 4 rapids on our subsequent expedition. That night time we grilled hotdogs over the hearth for dinner.
Adventures on the Gorge Day 4 – Citadel Rock Path & The Bridge Stroll
David had extra work to do within the morning, so the ladies and I made the 45 minute drive to a distinct portion of the New River Gorge Nationwide Park to hike a path I had heard good issues about- Citadel Rock Path. It was a cool, grey morning, which set the scene for an ideal fall hike!
The nationwide park may be very canine pleasant however I had heard there could be steep drop offs so we left Finley behind. The path was brief (solely a mile, loop) however it did have some magnificent rock formations and overlooks! They are saying no younger children as a result of there are a couple of steep drop offs alongside the trail, however it’s nothing in comparison with Zion’s Angel’s Touchdown or Acadia’s Bee Hive. The youngsters have been each relieved and dissatisfied by that, however the path itself is a good one and all of us loved it.
After our hike we picked up David, grabbed a scrumptious lunch at Secret Sandwich Society and headed to our subsequent adventure- the Bridge Stroll!
The Bridge Stroll was a final minute add on for us. I wasn’t positive the ladies could be down for it, however they each enthusiastically declared they needed to do it. I’m not a giant fan of heights however knew that us be harnessed in would ease my fears. We suited up, bussed over, and acquired clipped in. As we took the primary few steps out onto the catwalk that runs beneath the bridge my coronary heart began pounding. It was WILD! I used to be principally nervous in regards to the children and should have stated one million occasions to not goof off (though they weren’t enjoying round in any respect). They cherished it!
I need to admit that my coronary heart pounded onerous the entire time however it was a very distinctive expertise that all of us completely loved. The New River Gorge Bridge is 876′ tall, 3030′ ft lengthy, and made with 44,000,000 lbs of metal. It’s extremely spectacular and gives a tremendous view. The entire tour most likely took rather less than 2 hours begin to end. Extremely advocate!
Afterwards we stopped by Pies and Pints in Fayetteville, 5 minutes down the street, for a scrumptious pizza. It was an ideal spot with a energetic environment, some video games for the youngsters, and severely good pizza.
Adventures on the Gorge Day 5 – Float Fishing and Gravity Zip Line
We needed to be up early for fishing and whereas the ladies have been sleepy, they rallied. The morning was serene and the water was nonetheless. Completely breathtaking.
Once more we lucked out with guides that have been personable and enjoyable to be with. The fish weren’t captivated with being caught that morning, however we did hook a couple of, reel all of them the way in which to to boat, after which watched as they hopped off the hook and swam away. Nonetheless, all of us actually loved the float, the exercise, and the dialog and hope to return and check out for these small mouth bass once more sooner or later!
After fishing the ladies and I grabbed lunch on the town and did somewhat purchasing whereas David had a piece name. Then that afternoon we had one other exercise, only for the birthday ladies. Kaitlyn wasn’t large enough to take part within the Gravity Zipline Course, however Hailey and I partook and ended up being the one two on a tour of which often holds 16 individuals. It was fantastic to have it to ourselves (with the guides) and we so loved racing one another on ziplines by way of the forest.
That night we ate on the nicest onsite restaurant, Smokey’s. The pimento hushpuppies have been delicious and total we have been impressed the standard of of the meals. It was an ideal meal to finish a full and enjoyable day.
Adventures on the Gorge Day 6 – Infinite Wall Path and Rock Climbing
On our final day, I awoke one other yr older. I welcomed the birthday hugs, contemporary cup of tea, and the breakfast of hashbrowns ready on the Blackstone. It was a good looking day to slot in the final of our scheduled activities- a hike within the nationwide park and mountaineering.
The Infinite Wall Path is a straightforward three mile loop with attractive views on the gorge alongside many of the method. Finley got here with us and cherished it! Afterwards we grabbed lunch at The Secret Sandwich Society (so good, we went again twice) and headed to our afternoon activity- outside mountaineering within the nationwide park! We lucked out as soon as once more being the one ones signed up and loved a non-public lesson on climb on an actual mountain. It was such a enjoyable new expertise for us and all of us loved the brand new problem. I used to be so pleased with how effectively the youngsters did!
That night time we grilled up no matter meals we had left within the camper fridge and relaxed by the campfire. It was a full and motion packed week and whereas we had a blast, we have been additionally wanting ahead to actual showers and beds again at Nana’s. We headed south and spent yet another night time tenting close to the brand new home so we might swing by and see it Sunday morning earlier than heading residence. One month away from shifting into our new residence and we couldn’t be extra excited!
Fast Info
- Favourite Eating places: The Secret Sandwich Society, Pies and Pints, The Wooden Iron Eatery
- Favourite Retailer: Misplaced Appalachia Buying and selling Co
- Favourite Actions: Timber Trek, The Bridge Stroll, Fishing
- Favourite Hikes: Citadel Rock and Infinite Wall
- Camper Favorites
