Cass Scenic Railroad

I took video of the old shay engine taking leaving with the tourists. I will try to post the video. This is new so not sure I can get it right!

Day 6 Friday

Having some problems with a tooth today and look forward to getting home and calling the dentist. Took the ride into the coal mine at Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.

Learn something new everytime I go there. While at the New River Gorge Overlook, the sky was pretty hazy. Everyone is exhausted and glad to be headed home.

Thursday, Day 5

Went to Joe Knob Mines

where the reclamation work is finished. Was surprised at how well the area looked. Learned all about how the areas differ if they are being reseeded by man or done naturally. Went to see the Bucklilly gob piles, and I have to admit I didn't know what a gob pile was until we went there. It made me sad to visit Thurmond, a ghost town now.

Was pretty eerie seeing the empty buildings.

Wasn't a lot of water going over the Glade Creek Gristmill at Babcock State Park.

Day 4 Wednesday

Left earky this morning for National Radio Astronomy Observatory. This was the first time I had taken the bus tour. It was great getting so close to everything. The sky stayed overcast . We left Greenbank and visited Cass Scenic Railroad. One of the few old shay engines that can be found working these days. Also went to Droop Mountain Battlefield, the sire of a Civil War Battle that had brother fighting agianst brother. The park superintendent, Bill Smith, talked with us and gave us details of the battle.

We stopped by Pearl S. Bucks birthplace. This is just down the road from the Droop Mountain Battlefield. Everyone enjoyed the walk on the boardwalk through Cranberry Glades. I never did see a pitchur plant, but some others did. These are really long days but we are seeing some tremendous historical sites.

day 2 Monday

We headed to Blackwater Falls today. I have been going to the lodge there for years. Today, I learned about Lindy Point at Blaackwater Falls. I was so surprised because I had never heard of it before. You get a beautiful view from there and I realized I had seen it in ads before. This is the second most photographed point in WV. I can't wait to take my husband there to see this spot.

We headed to Smoke Hole Caverns and the cool a air inside was a great relief from the heat of the day.

Our guide even taught me how to remember the difference between a stalagtite and a stalagmite. The temperature remains at 57 degrees year round in the cavern. It is thought to have been used by the Seneca Indians as a place to smoke meat . It was used by the military during the Civil War.

day 3 WV studies project

Another busy day on our roadtrip. Today we went to Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob, Dolly Sods,and Smoke Hole Caverns. We walked on the Northland Trail on Dolly Sods. The blueberries were ripe and I enjoyed picking and eating some.

Rainy and drizzly as we walked on the trail at Spruce Knob. While visiting Dolly Sods I ate some wild blueberries. I love the flag trees.

It was warm and cloudy while we were at the sods. We left and went to Seneca Rocks and Smoke Hole caverns. I now remember the difference between a stalagtite and a stalagmite. The constant temperature of 57 degrees felt wonderful after the hot days we have had.

Sunday Day 1

Left Cabell County this morning heading to Harpers Ferry via the Antietem Battleground in Maryland.

A great crew in our van to travel with. Enjoying walking around Harpers Ferry and learning some history. It was super hot and thought I was going to melt down completely.

We had a great dinner at the Anvil restaurant with a park ranger who was full of information. Back over to town in Harpers Ferry tomorrow then heading for Romney at noon.