WEAR SENSIBLE SHOES! Sorry for yelling but this alone can save the day. I see a lot of unhappy people each year because they did not heed this grandmotherly advice.
Friday
Food is a big part of Bridge Day and it starts Friday night with the Taste of Bridge Day. It’s sponsored by the rotary clubs and really a good time. And if you can get to town before the Taste event starts to play around in the escape rooms of New River Gorge Escape Rooms, you will thank me.
Saturday
Burn some calories so you can eat all day! This is the first year for the Active SWV Bridge Day 5k and it is going to be OSSUM! Way to go Mel!
I like my funnel cakes first thing in the morning, while the grease is fresh and clear (and I just drooled a little bit.)
This is a short Bridge Day funnel cake video we made just a few years ago to honor this food tradition.
Those boys are now young men whom I am very proud of.
You better share that funnel cake, because you need to save room for the other great stuff like gyros and sandwiches so big it takes a team to eat them, and kettle corn. I missed it last year. Thought I could wait till the end and take a fresh bag home to share with the homebodies, and they were sold out! Not letting that happen again. The food list goes on and on. Hmm, that give me an idea… I’ll get back to you on that.
Now the bridge closes at 3 p.m., so heading into Fayetteville is the ticket. Book your group early for New River Gorge Escape Rooms to ensure you get in on this really fun new attraction. (Yes, worth mentioning twice.) Bridge Day Chili Cook-off in Fayetteville starts after the bridge closes and there will be the music of Bridge JAM to round out the evening.
Wow! That’s a busy day but you still have:
Sunday
May I suggest breakfast at one of our great local spots like Cathedral Cafe or Vandal’s Kitchen, both in downtown Fayetteville. Then taking a hike on one of the 70 miles of trails in our National Parks— yes we have several, and you own them, so go use them!
I will be out there in the dark setting up the Chamber of Commerce tents on either end of the bridge, and secretly taste testing my way across the bridge and back.
A big shout out to The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and CVB staff for pulling this monumental task off each year. Thank you Sharon and Mandy, and everyone else who helps make this great event happen.
See you out there wearing my sensible shoes! And enjoying the amazing day.
PsicoRoc was something very special. You can tell by looking at me, I don’t climb. I do, do events. Not bragging, just saying, I have helped put on some cool events. And I only say that to say, I know a really outstanding one when I see it.
PsicoRoc was outstanding.
Hats and shirts and shoes— let’s stop there— off to all the volunteers of NRAC (New River Alliance of Climbers) for making this happen. From the happy people serving food and drinks on the flotilla:
To the local sponsors:
To the National sponsors:
To the Army Corp of engineers for being open minded!
To the athletes— some of the best in the world!
Did I mention the countless volunteer hours that NRAC has poured into this in a rather selfless attempt to help focus the spotlight on West Virginia, and the world-class destination it is?
Thank you all for taking part in what you have to know was a very special event.
We just finished up a Beginner Bird Banding class taught by certified instructor from The Institute for Bird Population. This is an intense (too intense for me) week-long course that puts everyone through the paces. They learn everything they need to get a certificate to work under a master bander. This intensive, all-inclusive event is limited to 8 people. We have had this event before, and hope to make it annual. You can learn more; just call Keith at 888.488.4836.
This week is BIG in a small way. Small birds, small groups, big fun! The New River Birding and Nature Festival is a unique event that allows our guests to spend quality time with lots of birds and each other. Yep, bird nerds are social creatures in the right environment, and man, do we have fun.
The New River Birding and Nature Festival is in its 15th year. From the beginning, we have used the proceeds to fund educational programing for the Students and Teachers of Fayette County. Our flagship program is Leadership Fayette County. We also put on a week-long middle school academy and close to a dozen other events throughout the year.
We are very proud to be part of such an OSSUM event that gives so very much back to the community.
See you in mid-May. Till then, look at a bird and smile.
Every time! I am so gullible! The spring flowers pop out like these beauties I found while driving along in The New River Gorge National Park over the weekend.
And then one afternoon it is so hot I turn on the AC in my car and boom my mind, body and soul are falling all over themselves to get in summer mode.
And then it freezes and snows, and I walk out the door barefoot, and it feels like my feet just had the bottom layer ripped off them. And my mind, body and sole are confused: WHAT HAPPENED? How do I get my feet unstuck from the ground? I am afraid to move; it hurts! I have to move; it hurts! Where did I put my ski gear?
Anyway, I have learned how to help fix this cruel joke called April. I need some relief from this, and thought you might, too. My recipe for getting back at April (Not you, April; the month of April). All through April you would really get into this type of weekend.
MIND: It is tax time, and this weekend, you could use a getaway.
BODY: take a stroll on some of the 70 miles of trails, get a massage in the cabin, or soak for too long in the HOT TUB.
SOUL: Surrounded by nature and eating really good food in Fayetteville, WV and doing all of the above, the soul knows what to do.
We can only offer this until the 20th, because we are full after that until mid-May, because some folks have figured out just how OSSUM this time of year is here. One group is a Bird Banding Class and the other is the New River Birding and Nature Festival, which has a couple of spots still open.
Choose the package and take ⅓ off— yep, 33% off— because we are about ⅓ of the way into 2016.
We love you, and want to say thank you, again. We always offer 10% off for veterans anytime, but come Veterans Day, we give it away. And this year we got some big help.
We have a bunch of people that said, “Yes, whatever you need,” so brace yourself for an all-inclusive Veterans Day getaway/giveaway for free:
It’s our thanks to you. And you can say thanks back to these local business by giving them some love on social media. You know, take a selfie in front of their sign and post it on Facebook, or tweet about it, or review us on Google or any other spots.
The bonus: It’s like a treasure hunt. Get all of these great local business to sign your passport (waiting for you in your cabin), and we will give you a set of Opossum Creek Retreat logo glasses/mugs as a bonus.
This is the only time we wish we had more cabins. We only have 6 cabins available: 3 cabins with 2 bedrooms; 2 cabins with 1 room; and The Farmhouse with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. (Bring an old army buddy or 3 or 4!)
Here are the rules:
You must be active duty or retired military, any branch.
If you have taken advantage of this special in the past, please allow others a chance.
If you show up, it is free. Only reserve a space if you are 100% sure you will be able to come. We will require your credit card info, and will charge your card for the full price of the stay if you do not show up.
To enter, send your name, rank and branch of service to retreat@opossumcreek.com, and also tell us how many people are in your group. We will draw from the hat and notify you by Sunday, Nov. 1.
Market: yoga and climbing in the New River Gorge on the 4th of July weekend.
Climbing ropes. One way to start a weekend out right around here!
Not exactly a huge demographic to draw from.
You want to feel old and overweight, show up on this weekend. OMG are these people happy, healthy and happy and beautiful.
Smiles from the happy bunch.
This is the 3rd or 4th annual yoga and climbing weekend that New River Mountain Guides have hosted. So I am no stranger to this stereotype. If you read this blog you know I “do the yoga,” and we have hosted lots of yoga events.
I stopped by to fix the hot tub. “Strike one.” It has been raining for 4 days. Rain and climbing do not mix. “Strike two.” And you can only do so much yoga. And the hot tub was busted. “Strike three!” I was expecting to see some glum faces.
The cute kitten himself!
Happy! Yep, smiling happy faces playing with ropes and a stray kitten. (Don’t worry, one of them is taking the kitten home.) It is not raining today, so they will be on the rock and really smiling. These people’s faces must hurt from smiling so much.
I wonder if there is a yoga pose to help with that?
The New River Birding & Nature Festival in West Virginia
Hello,
Birding and nature festivals have boomed over the past decade here in the USA. I co-founded the New River Birding and Nature Festival 13 years ago to help boost tourism in our off-season, and raise money for nature-based, hands-on school-age education.
While some events boast up to 5,000 participants, like the biggest day in birding and the Space Coast festival, ours is small and intimate with a back-porch feel. We provide guided trips with no more than 20 guests and 4 guides per trip. We are famous for finding wood warblers singing on-territory.
Get an up-close look at the New River Gorge’s wildlife.
Each day after our field trips, we have 2 presentations: the “popcorn talk,” which is a casual, short program by one of our guides/authors, and the evening keynote after a home-cooked dinner. All of the guides are well-known stars of the birding world, and most of them are authors. We pay a lot of attention to the ecosystem and our area’s rich coal mining history. Most of our trips are in and around the New River National River in Southern West Virginia. This area is under the protection of the National Parks System.
The proceeds from this event are used to fund a 501c3 non-profit organization called the Fayette County Education Fund. This organization sponsors the Fayette County Leadership Program for high school juniors. This is a competitive admission program, and only 12 students are accepted from across the county to take part in the year-long curriculum. All graduates receive a $1,000 scholarship. We also provide hands-on field trips, studying our local environment for hundreds of elementary and middle school-aged children, plus weekend programing for the public.
All of this is made possible because people love spending time together enjoying nature in a fun and informative setting.
You can learn more on our homepage at www.birding-wv.com. Or, feel free to contact me.
Enjoy!
Geoff
(888) 488-4836
Managing Partner, Opossum Creek Retreat www.opossumcreek.com
President, Fayette County Education Fund
Co-founder, New River Birding and Nature Festival
Birds and Opossum Creek Retreat have a long history.
A warbler from the nets at the New River Birding and Nature Festival.
For twelve years now, Opossum Creek has hosted the New River Birding and Nature Festival,which has evolved into an event that has a wonderful “back porch” kind of feel— like a family reunion with a family you would hand pick for yourself.
From the very beginning, bird banding has been a part of the festival. This year, we are taking it to another level: Opossum Creek Retreat and the Institute for Bird Populations are teaming up to offer our first ever “Beginner Bird Banding Class” Aug. 18-24 here in The New River Gorge.
Bird banding helps us learn more about the birds we love, understand their behavior and their habitat needs. With the information gleaned from banding, we are able to address environmental issues that have an impact on our feathered friends.
Now, there’s a whole lot more that we learn from the info gathered, but you can read more about that from a more accurate source, like the Institute for Bird Populations.
You too can learn more about our feathered friends! There are still a few spots left. For info on the class, call Keith at 888-488-4836.
Beginner Bird Banding Class details
August 18th- 24that Opossum Creek Retreat $1,800.00 per person; includes all class materials, instructors’ fees, lodging and meals.
At Opossum Creek Retreat for the Birding & Nature Festival
The class will begin on the afternoon of Aug. 18 and end after banding Sunday, Aug. 24.
Each day, we will be in the field at sunrise and work the nets for 5-6 hours. Then, we will have lunch (1 hour), and a 2-3 hour classroom session, followed by a break and then dinner.
There will be some “homework.” Information and details of course materials can be found at the IBP website.
Proper field attire is necessary. (Mud boots and rain gear, too). We are in the woods. Mosquito and ticks are present.
FACILITIES & LODGING
Opossum Creek Retreat is nestled uniquely just minutes from theNew River Gorge National River in South-Central West Virginia.
Interacting with the birds at the festival
Classroom activities will be held in the 1,000 square-foot meeting /great room of the Meadows Cabin. Lodging in the Meadows Cabin is included in the registration fee. Each registrant will have his/her own private room (all linens and towels are provided). There are 3 full bathrooms to share.
There are several other privatecabins available at an additional fee if you would like your owncabin.
There is a guest laundry available for your convenience during your stay.
Also included in the registration fee is a continental breakfast, lunch and a home-cooked dinner each day. Please let us know of any dietary needs or issues upon registration.
REGISTRATION
Class is Limited to 8 people, with a minimum of 6. Full payment is due upon registration. To register, contact Keith at 888-488-4836. Please do not book your flights until the class minimum is met.
A cabin getaway for the holiday. Sounds nice itself, right?
Yeah, but here at Opossum Creek Retreat, there’s a lot more to do than just get away.
Bond with the family (or take a break from them) with our Top 10 things to do at Christmas at Opossum Creek Retreat.
1. Cozy Cabin Family Time
Family meals together ’round the table.
Find solace in a luxury home-away-from-home. Big family? There’s room for everyone. And not just room, but comfortable sleeping quarters; no quilts sprawled across a hard floor.
Your own home & kitchen can stay clean as a whistle when the family comes to town. All the cabin kitchens are fully stocked for cooking your family meals. The Meadows even has 2 ovens so you can bake up an indulgent holiday feast for the whole family.
The New River Gorge is the capital of outdoor excitement on the East Coast. And that’s all year long.
For starters, there’s Winterplace Ski Resort. There, everyone can take their pick— a day of skiing, snowboarding or snow tubing. The little ones as young as 4 can start sliding the slopes, and anyone who’s sprouted more than 44 inches can hop on a tube.
Up the ante with some of Fayette County’s cross-country skiing trails. Or, grab the little ones for a snowy trek through the forest or out to one of the Gorge’s ghost towns. Strap on some snowshoes and wade through the pristine powder just outside the cabin door.
3. Season On Stage
Remember gathering around the TV together for a Christmas classic? Relive that at the Raleigh Playhouse, which will be sharing your favorite movie memories on the big screen. They’ve dug through the vault for “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Home Alone,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and more.
4. Fayetteville Flavor
No one has to cook to enjoy a homestyle meal. We have countless small, family-owned restaurants nearby, where someone else’s grandma is eager to whip up her secret recipe for you.
Fayetteville is hub of culinary creativity, with unique eats as well as down-home comfort foods. Gourmet pizzas, south of the border dishes with an El Salvadorian spin, the simple and spicy kick of cajun and creole, sandwiches with juicy toppings and homemade sauces.
And that’s just a sampling of the smorgasbord. Want our insight on which plates to taste? Read our dining guide.
5. Artisan Gifts
Appalachia is home to rich crafting tradition, and you can find unique works here you won’t see outside this region, from hand-blown Blenko glass to sewn quilts. Just down the road, you can explore 20+ small, local artisan shops. Our local shopping guide will lead you to some of the best.
You can even watch artisans at work at Tamarack. Learn what goes into crafting each holiday gift, and discuss the details and inspirations with the artists themselves.
6. Scenic Winter Scapes
A winter stroll through the forest.
There is nothing out there more beautiful than the New River Gorge in the winter. Nothing.
Enjoy the beauty with your loved ones. Hike along the mountain terrain and peek down over the snow-blanketed mountains. Or, get the bird’s eye from the architectural icon of the New River Gorge Bridge. BridgeWalk’s seasonal discount lets you get the best view of the entire sweeping scene, crossing the catwalk from 800+ feet above it.
And Opossum Creek is right out in the middle of the wilderness beauty. You won’t even have to leave the cabin for stunning forest views.
7. The Best Decor Setting
Everyone loves the shimmer and glow of Christmas lights, but the seasonal views are so much more breathtaking against the backdrop of the Gorge.
Take a mini-tour of our favorites: Hawks Nest State Park lights up the forest beautifully and over-the-top every year. You can drive by and enjoy them from the warmth of your car. Then, it’s only a short trip to see through the more than 150,000 sparkling Lacey’s Lights at Fayette County Park.
8. Nostalgic Tradition
Sometimes, it just takes something simple.
Head out to one of the local tree farms, and look over the lush greens to choose your perfect tree. Find the grandest, fullest fir, or choose the smallest of the patch to spruce up and decorate royally.
Cut your selection yourself, and bring it back to the cabin to decorate with the family. String it with lights and your favorite ornaments, or bring out the paper and scissors for a fun evening of creating together.
Heck, if you want, we will pick one out for you and have it ready for you to decorate.
9. New Year Celebration
Christmas isn’t the only holiday of the season. Get ready for 2-0-1-4!
Take a trip and enjoy the evening tucked away with your closest for a toast. Or make it a big deal. It is a whole new year, after all. Join the festivities at Smokey’s on the Gorge for a grand celebration! Enjoy local musical favorites Big Daddy and the Mudcats, and dine on the finest flavors of 2013 at the chef’s gourmet buffet.
10. Relaxation
Relaxing at OCR. So basic we almost forgot it. But it really is nice to just sit back and soak in the hot tub (every cabin has one!) Or enjoy a deep massage. Ahhh… nice.
Whew. That was a heckuva list. And those are just our personal top 10.
You might fancy something else this season. Let us know what you like, and we’ll help you plan your trip to Opossum Creek Retreat.
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