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Natural Tunnel State Park: We pack up camp at New River State Park and return one more time to the visitor center to watch videos before leaving. There is a lot about the hellbender salamander as well as the New River. It was a pleasant drive to Natural Tunnel State Park, VA. We set up camp, had a late lunch and then took a lovely nap! We walked around this campground which is very spread out with sites and hiking trails. The Lover's Leap overview gives a wonderful view to the natural tunnel far below.
Description of Natural Tunnel from www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/natural-tunnel More than 850 feet long and 10 stories high, Natural Tunnel was naturally carved through a limestone ridge over thousands of years. William Jennings Bryan called it the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Other scenic features include a wide chasm between steep stone walls surrounded by several pinnacles, or "chimneys." Facilities include two campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas, an amphitheater, a visitor center, a camp store and a gift shop. You'll also find the Wilderness Road historic area and a chairlift to the tunnel floor. Guests enjoy cave tours and canoe trips on the Clinch River, as well as the Cove Ridge Center, which offers environmental education, conference facilities and overnight dorm accommodations. The Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center at 371 Technology Trail Lane in Duffield is a satellite facility of this park. The center has a museum, library, conference room, gift shop and outdoor classroom. Various events, workshops and programs, which are listed under Natural Tunnel's events, are held here. |
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14 May, Saturday: We were still tired and had a lazy morning. After lunch we walked down to the tunnel - very impressive!! It's amazing to think of the erosion and sink holes that made this over eons. You are not allowed to walk into the tunnel as it is still an active railroad. Billy is hungry for pizza so we headed into Duffield, about 3.5 miles away. It was the BEST pizza ever - thin, crispy curst, good toppings, delicious sauce. Across the street is the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center. The Wilderness trail leads from near Roanoke, VA to the Cumberland Gap. Boone was commissioned to explore the land and blaze a trail through the wilderness. He took 30 men and hand cut and notched the trail. The center did an excellent job chowing what the journey would have been like for people/families walking the trail. There were excellent exhibits both static and video with video screens inset into a walls painted like the scenes so that you felt as if you were part of the scene. Boone was one of the few early settlers who could read and write so that he could document his travels and experiences. Along the trail was the Andersen Block house which was a fortified house with the second story over-hanging the first story. This is where travelers could stop, replenish supplies, find shelter, and wait for a sufficient number of people and rifles to gather before proceeding another 2-3 weeks to the Cumberland Gap and then many went on to Kentuckyl. There is a full replica of this house at the state park in a beautiful hilltop setting with other out-buildings (outdoor kitchen, blacksmith, cold storage, etc.) and gardens.
15 May, Sunday: We hiked the Purchase Ridge trail from the park in the morning, then did laundry at the campground. We visited the Block House again in the afternoon as it was fully open (the day before you could view the outside, but wasn't open to go inside). A very personable guide whose family dates back to those early times, gave up much information about the history of the region. We took the chairlift down to the tunnel to see it one more time. That night, we watched a full lunar eclipse - it was awesome!! We sat outside on a picnic table with a clear sky and perfect view. We saw the reddish tint to the moon and watched until it was completely covered at about 11:30 - we didn't stay up to see it uncover (way past our bedtime!)
15 May, Sunday: We hiked the Purchase Ridge trail from the park in the morning, then did laundry at the campground. We visited the Block House again in the afternoon as it was fully open (the day before you could view the outside, but wasn't open to go inside). A very personable guide whose family dates back to those early times, gave up much information about the history of the region. We took the chairlift down to the tunnel to see it one more time. That night, we watched a full lunar eclipse - it was awesome!! We sat outside on a picnic table with a clear sky and perfect view. We saw the reddish tint to the moon and watched until it was completely covered at about 11:30 - we didn't stay up to see it uncover (way past our bedtime!)
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Battle Run Campground, Summersville, WV: It was a moving/driving day over good roads and scenic views. On the way we drove through the New River Gorge - wow! It was fun to see the New River again, although this section is very rapid and at the bottom of a steep gorge. There is a visitor center here with lots of photos and information about the gorge, river and area. What a project to build a bridge across this gorge! At this point the river is ready to flow into the Kanahwa and then onto the Ohio and Mississippi. Our campsite is right at the lake shore with a great view. A short exploration of the campground was enough for the day.
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17 May, Tuesday: We took an early morning kayak on the reservoir with calm water and beautiful surroundings. The wind picked up just as we were returning. After lunch, we took a walk on the Kevin Brown Trail - over the huge dyke, through the woods and along the reservoir. Lots of geese and ducks on the water - Canada geese seem to be everywhere. Along the trail we saw a black snake with a hood that raised up at us as we walked by.
18 May, Wednesday: Another early morning paddle where there was some wind as we started but then it died down to glassy water. We saw an eagle perched in a tree, then dive down into the lake to fish and flew away. After lunch we drove a short distance to Battleground Carnifex Ferry State Park. It is a lovely little park with no-one else there. There is a great lookout over some of the rapids on the Gauley River. We walked on the Patterson trail which loops around through an old growth forest and back to 2 lookouts over the river. The rapids here are supposed to be some of the best white water kayaking anywhere - not for us! Rained at night. We laughed to see our tiny camper amidst so many huge rigs!
18 May, Wednesday: Another early morning paddle where there was some wind as we started but then it died down to glassy water. We saw an eagle perched in a tree, then dive down into the lake to fish and flew away. After lunch we drove a short distance to Battleground Carnifex Ferry State Park. It is a lovely little park with no-one else there. There is a great lookout over some of the rapids on the Gauley River. We walked on the Patterson trail which loops around through an old growth forest and back to 2 lookouts over the river. The rapids here are supposed to be some of the best white water kayaking anywhere - not for us! Rained at night. We laughed to see our tiny camper amidst so many huge rigs!
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Bush Recreation Area, Saltsburg, PA It was a long travel day as we are headed north, but roads and traffic were OK. The campground is old, nothing special, but the sites are wooded and private. We had a good dinner of zucchini, pasta, pesto... talked to Chuck, and scoped out our last campground in the Allegheny Mountains.
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20 May, Friday: We had some gentle rain at night, but the morning looks good so we transfer our bikes from the trailer to the car, make lunch, get all ready and head out. Just as we are leaving we get more rain and a check on the radar shows much more rain coming - What forecast place did I check this morning that said no rain??? We drove to Loyalhanna Dam and around town. Saltsburg is named for salt mills that distilled salt from the Connemaugh River. Finally the rain stops and we get to do a lovely bike ride on the Westmoreland Heritage Rail Trail. The trail goes over a couple of old railroad bridges on a very well maintained trail with interesting signage of the local history (canals, railroads, coal mining, salt) and it was a great surface for riding. Nice sunset sitting on the dock in the evening.
21 May, Saturday: It was HOT, sizzling! We rode bikes on the West Penn trail where the first part is like a normal rail trail, the next section goes up and up and up and up and up and up steeply and we walk our bikes over parts of it. We get to the top and decide not to to down the other side, as we would only have to come back up! We were already very sweaty and tired. Later we find out that the trail then continues to another normal rail trail but the middle section goes through land where the owners would not allow right-of-way which is why the trail goes over the mountain. On the way back we meet people who are working along the side of the trail removing all obstacles so that the mowers can get through. Nice chatting. Riding back we see a baby fawn curled up in the leaves a yard or so off the trail - looked like it was just born. We both had forgotten our phones so no photos on this trip! This trail is older, not as well maintained as the trail yesterday, but certainly adequate. Then it was back to camp for lunch, rest and a couple hours downtime. We bring our car with the kayaks down to the reservoir and are met by CHAOS - kids, families, jet skis, boats - yikes! We launch our kayaks and once away from the crowds the reservoir is quiet, especially down a long finger of the lake. Billy maneuvers through a brush covered tiny channel to get back to the main lake, and Ann manages to get through as well. There are a couple of huge spaces near the shore - maybe an otter? The water is very brown due to iron content. It's still HOT - a shower felt so good!!! Tacos for dinner.
21 May, Saturday: It was HOT, sizzling! We rode bikes on the West Penn trail where the first part is like a normal rail trail, the next section goes up and up and up and up and up and up steeply and we walk our bikes over parts of it. We get to the top and decide not to to down the other side, as we would only have to come back up! We were already very sweaty and tired. Later we find out that the trail then continues to another normal rail trail but the middle section goes through land where the owners would not allow right-of-way which is why the trail goes over the mountain. On the way back we meet people who are working along the side of the trail removing all obstacles so that the mowers can get through. Nice chatting. Riding back we see a baby fawn curled up in the leaves a yard or so off the trail - looked like it was just born. We both had forgotten our phones so no photos on this trip! This trail is older, not as well maintained as the trail yesterday, but certainly adequate. Then it was back to camp for lunch, rest and a couple hours downtime. We bring our car with the kayaks down to the reservoir and are met by CHAOS - kids, families, jet skis, boats - yikes! We launch our kayaks and once away from the crowds the reservoir is quiet, especially down a long finger of the lake. Billy maneuvers through a brush covered tiny channel to get back to the main lake, and Ann manages to get through as well. There are a couple of huge spaces near the shore - maybe an otter? The water is very brown due to iron content. It's still HOT - a shower felt so good!!! Tacos for dinner.
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Willow Bay, Allegheny National Forest, PA: Another driving day took us to Willow Bay in Pennsylvania near the NY border. So much better driving than on the way down - stay off route 81! We set up and walked around this lovely spread out park, it was very cool and uncrowded. There is no phone signal and only wifi up near the entrance booth.
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23 May, Monday: We took a hike on the North Country Scenic Trail which goes over 4000 miles from North Dakota to Vermont - we had never heard of it before. It is a beautiful, beautiful forest. The NCT is very well maintained, but the side trails not very well. We hiked a loop trail in the Tracy Ridge area that was blazed well but not maintained with lots of mud and huge blowdowns. There was a great view by the reservoir for lunch. Only when we got back to the main trail did we see one other couple hiking. We were tired on the return trip of our almost 30000 steps!
24 May, Tuesday: We had a slow morning and took a paddle in Willow Bay which is a part of the huge Allegheny Reservoir. We rounded a corner at the end of the bay into a quiet inlet to hear lots and lots of loud smashing - a bear? otters? It turned out to be huge carp spawning underwater in the foliage near the edge of the water. Huge 2-3 foot fish were diving and splashing - quite an amazing spectacle! The wind came up on our way home and we had a good, hard paddle back across to the dock.
25 May, Wednesday: We took a walk to the boat launch in the morning, had a nap, then hiked a couple of hours north on the NCT into New York. Windy day! We marvel at the windows in our camper that allow us to feel as if we are part of the surrounding forest. Everything is within an arm's reach! Memorial Day is coming up soon the entire park will be full - so grateful to have been here in the quiet, down time.
24 May, Tuesday: We had a slow morning and took a paddle in Willow Bay which is a part of the huge Allegheny Reservoir. We rounded a corner at the end of the bay into a quiet inlet to hear lots and lots of loud smashing - a bear? otters? It turned out to be huge carp spawning underwater in the foliage near the edge of the water. Huge 2-3 foot fish were diving and splashing - quite an amazing spectacle! The wind came up on our way home and we had a good, hard paddle back across to the dock.
25 May, Wednesday: We took a walk to the boat launch in the morning, had a nap, then hiked a couple of hours north on the NCT into New York. Windy day! We marvel at the windows in our camper that allow us to feel as if we are part of the surrounding forest. Everything is within an arm's reach! Memorial Day is coming up soon the entire park will be full - so grateful to have been here in the quiet, down time.
Cooperstown, NY: We packed up and left for Cooperstown where we had hoped to see Billy's brother and wife, but they were headed to Maine. We stayed one night at their River Road house and got to visit with Uncle Dick. Oh, a long, hot shower felt so good!! We then moved down to the Arnold Lake House for a couple of nights. There was one cold day and then one beautiful day. We kayaked on the Susquehanna River. We were shuttled up the river to Milford and kayaked down to Portlandville. (We realized that this river is so slow that we didn't really need a shuttle - will know for next time!) We happened to kayak on the same day as the annual General Clinton Canoe Regatta which is the world's longest single day, flat water canoe race. We put in amidst the excitement of spectators, racers, sag crews heading out to racers with food and water... exciting to see! The bulk of the racers soared by us and left us with a quiet river and only a few stragglers. There are many different races throughout the weekend, but this was the main 70 mile race - whew, can't even begin to imagine 70 miles at the pace they are going! There were all different kinds of canoes, some 2 person, some 4 person. Sitting on the dock at the lake house in the afternoon is lovely.
Well, it was time to wrap up this trip and head home. We arrived back in Vermont on May 30th.
Great trip, multiple states, 8 campgrounds, new places, good people, lovely vistas, great hiking, lots of paddling, love our camper, .. what lucky puppies we are!!
Great trip, multiple states, 8 campgrounds, new places, good people, lovely vistas, great hiking, lots of paddling, love our camper, .. what lucky puppies we are!!
