Summer 2024 Trip Day 6: New River Gorge National Park

 

Welcome back to Bathroom Blues travel blog!

Today I'm sharing more of our visit to New River Gorge National Park and some of the things we saw while there.

Let me begin by saying this park is absolutely beautiful and those bathrooms had me singing a happy tune. 

There's a lot we didn't do or see due to time restraints, but for those who love to hike, bike, camp or have an adventure white water rafting, New River Gorge National Park is for you!

Although there is no way to walk across as it's a highway with no pedestrian walkway, we explored the area around the New River Gorge bridge and got lot's of pics. This is my best one.

We took a few short hiking trails around Sandstone/Brooks falls, but there are many areas and falls we did not see. Check them out HERE.

That's one thing I'm not crazy about on a long trip is only 2 or 3 days in each spot are never enough!

Alas, this time in West Virginia was lovely. Hopefully I'll go back one day and explore a lot more.

Hope you enjoyed today's trip down memory lane with me and that you'll check back weekly as I reminisce on my Summer 2024 vacation.

Until next time, remember... Spending time in nature is good for the soul, so get out there and find you some!

PamT

Day 5 of 2024 Summer Trip - Thurmond WVA

Good Morning and Welcome to another day down memory lane as I recount my 2024 Summer trip.

We spent 3 days in West Virginia and days 2 & 3 were all about checking out New River Gorge National Park.

First stop was the historic town of Thurmond.

At one time, Thurmond was a bustling boomtown with lots of businesses and a thriving coal mine community for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway.

People flocked to Thurmond via 15 passenger trains per day, some for job opportunities. Others as tourists. Either way, the hotels overflowed and businesses thrived.

However, the Great Depression, two major fires and diesel locomotives as well as people's love for travel via the automobile in lieu of trains, shut it down.

The Thurmond depot, restored in 1995 as a visitor center by the National Parks Service, restoration of some of Thurmond's buildings is an ongoing process. The town is still incorporated and hosts an annual reunion for former residents.

Today, Thurmond is on the National Register of Historic Places and sits in the heart of New River Gorge National Park.

If you're into hiking, there are 6 trails around Thurmond that offer beautiful views of nature and wildlife surrounding this historic town.

Hope you enjoyed this peak into Thurmond and if you're ever in the area, you'll stop by and enjoy the scenery and history of this once booming city in the heart of West Virginia.

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time, keep traveling.

PamT

Day 4 of 2024 Summer Trip - West Virginia

 

After a beautiful wedding and lot's of family time, we left Santee, SC early Monday morning, June 10th for our vacation. 

First stop on our trip was Surveyor, WV in Raleigh County, where we stayed at Lake Stephens Campground. This lovely place has been built on 2300 acres around an old hunter's campsite that was established in the late 1700's.

This gorgeous park with bathrooms that had me singing a happy tune AND doing the happy dancing that goes along with it, surrounds a stunning mountain lake. 

You gotta take it slow going on these "country roads." As my honey puts it, there's no drag racing in West Virginia because there's not a straight quarter mile road anywhere in the state. LOL!

Not sure if that's entirely accurate, but just look at this scenery....

These pictures were taken from the truck while driving to our destination.

We were blessed with perfect traveling weather and had no trouble setting up and enjoying a lovely dinner cooked outside while listening to music (John Denver anyone?) and soaking in the breathtaking views of the campground.

One of the things I found most enchanting about Lake Stephens was the "Almost Heaven" swing which looks out over this body of water, unspoiled despite the fishing, boating and swimming that takes place on it. 

You're supposed to set up your phone or camera on the wooden cutout of West Virginia and take a picture of yourself on the swing with the lake in the background.

Alas, I do believe I've mentioned that I am not a photographer and I had no clue on how to set the timer on my phone at the time! 

Not sure if I could do that even now LOL!

Anyway, our stay in WVA was memorable in every way.

These swings are located throughout West Virginia. Find out where HERE.

My next post will outline what we did and where we visited,so check back often.

Until next time, happy trails.

PamT