Apparently September makes us really feel like we ought to be tenting. A 12 months in the past we have been glamping at Zion Nationwide Park and this 12 months we made plans to go to the most recent nationwide park in our new camper! For the reason that timeframe overlapped each Hailey’s and my birthdays, we knew we wished 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 out of doors journey actions.
We booked a pull via campsite and our actions. Sadly every week earlier than we left our family handed round what I’ve deemed the plague which brought on deep coughs, exhaustion, and basic malaise. We have been over the illness when it was time to move north, however David’s coughs generally tend to stay round, so we ended up including on a Sportsman cabin for the women and I to sleep within the first two nights, which ended up working very well! The spots have been a detailed strolling distance to one another and it allowed us all to get the remaining we wanted to take advantage of the journey.
West Virginia Tenting Journey
Adventures on the Gorge Day 1 – Timber Trek
We awoke our first morning on Hailey’s THIRTEENTH birthday! The women slept on whereas I sneaked over to the campsite and adorned with David. Once they wandered over an hour later we blasted “joyful 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 big day.
We visited the playground, rode bikes across the property, then bought prepared for Timber Trek, an impediment course via the timber with numerous bridges, ziplines, and more and more laborious challenges as you progress up in issue degree. The guides walked us via the security 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 stored going all night time (which is feasible as a result of they gentle it up for a in-the-dark problem at night time).
The children 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 women 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 quest of Junior Ranger Badges.
The customer heart is small however very nice and we loved studying in regards to the vegetation 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 women 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 heart then spent the rest of the afternoon getting some requirements on the native Walmart earlier than heading again to camp to prepare 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 realm is within the high 5 finest white water rafting spots on this planet, particularly throughout Gauley Season, there they let water via the dam Thursday-Sunday creating unbelievable rapids. We occurred to be visiting throughout Gauley Season and noticed the flocks of those who 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 women giggled heartily on the light rapids we crossed. They arrange a riverside lunch midway via the journey and it served as a mild entry into the world of white water rafting. We stay up for leveling as much as extra degree 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 – Fortress Rock Path & The Bridge Stroll
David had extra work to do within the morning, so the women and I made the 45 minute drive to a special portion of the New River Gorge Nationwide Park to hike a path I had heard good issues about- Fortress Rock Path. It was a cool, grey morning, which set the scene for an incredible fall hike!
The nationwide park could be very canine pleasant however I had heard there is perhaps steep drop offs so we left Finley behind. The path was brief (solely a mile, loop) nevertheless it did have some magnificent rock formations and overlooks! They are saying no younger children as a result of there are a number of steep drop offs alongside the trail, nevertheless it’s nothing in comparison with Zion’s Angel’s Touchdown or Acadia’s Bee Hive. The children have been each relieved and disenchanted by that, however the path itself is a superb 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 certain the women could be down for it, however they each enthusiastically declared they wished 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 bought 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 largely nervous in regards to the children and should have stated 1,000,000 instances to not goof off (despite the fact that they weren’t enjoying round in any respect). They liked it!
I have to admit that my coronary heart pounded laborious the entire time nevertheless it was a extremely 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 affords an incredible 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 highway, for a scrumptious pizza. It was an incredible spot with a full of life environment, some video games for the youngsters, and significantly 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 women 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 obsessed with being caught that morning, however we did hook a number of, reel all of them the best way 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 women and I grabbed lunch on the town and did somewhat buying whereas David had a piece name. Then that afternoon we had one other exercise, only for the birthday women. Kaitlyn wasn’t sufficiently big 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 normally holds 16 folks. It was fantastic to have it to ourselves (with the guides) and we so loved racing one another on ziplines via the forest.
That night we ate on the nicest onsite restaurant, Smokey’s. The pimento hushpuppies have been delicious and general we have been impressed the standard of of the meals. It was an incredible 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 12 months older. I welcomed the birthday hugs, recent cup of tea, and the breakfast of hashbrowns ready on the Blackstone. It was a fantastic day to slot in the final of our scheduled activities- a hike within the nationwide park and mountain climbing.
The Infinite Wall Path is a simple three mile loop with beautiful views on the gorge alongside a lot of the manner. Finley got here with us and liked it! Afterwards we grabbed lunch at The Secret Sandwich Society (so good, we went again twice) and headed to our afternoon activity- outside mountain climbing within the nationwide park! We lucked out as soon as once more being the one ones signed up and loved a personal lesson on how you can 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 trying 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 may 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 Details
- 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: Fortress Rock and Infinite Wall
- Camper Favorites
