Hey there, It’s me, Keith from Opossum Creek Retreat. The Historic Fayette Theatre has been a big part of our winter/spring for quite some time. I haven’t been IN a production for the last two years, but still have managed to lend a hand in building sets etc. for the spring show. However, Geoff is enjoying time in the limelight this year, sharing the stage with BOTH of his kids, Erin and Cameron.
Geoff and Keith in Action
The bottom line is it’s a huge commitment. We take giving back to our community (in this case our community theater) very seriously and love to be involved. This is nothing new, and I’ve written about it before.
Last year we offered our guests tickets to the show; they loved it. So once again, this spring we’re offering our guests who would like to see the show (and trust us, you do), free tickets to a performance during your stay here at Opossum Creek Retreat. Mention this offer when you make your reservation and we will include tickets for your group during your stay. The show is playing several dates the last two weeks in March. There are plenty of great places to eat right within walking distance of the theatre, so make an evening of it and enjoy dinner and show!
The Wild, Wild, Wildest West
Warning: Shows are often SOLD OUT! The Spring show, produced by Millie Petersen and her hand picked crew, almost always sells out. It has grown in popularity so much that people come from all over to see these shows.
Past productions include Cinderella, Jack and the Giant, Oz, Way out West in a Dress, Doo Wop Wed Widing Hood, The Lady Pirates of Captain Bree (after my roll in this play, I was recognized 3 states away). All shows are family friendly.
This year’s production is “Wild Wild Wildest West”, directed by Sharon Bibb, produced by Millie Peterson, and featuring a talented cast. Best of all? See our own Geoff Heeter as “Snydly Dastardly”!
West Virginia is spotted with ghost towns, not of the haunted variety, but deserted.
Thurmond, West Virginia
Coal and timber boom towns along railways, river shores and forgotten timber roads have left fragmented structures that outlived the resources around which the towns sprung up. Boom and Bust are an understood part of the industries even today, some Appalachian communities continue on a slow death march toward ghost town status as timber companies and coal mine operations close or relocate. A look through ones Appalachian family history reveals names of towns that cannot be located on modern maps; we must dig deeper for clues to figure approximately where they once lay.
Thoughtfully exploring where people once busily lived their lives carrying out daily routines, now reclaimed by nature and her elements and forgotten by human recollection, ruins are truly exciting to come across while walking through the woods. Standing stone fireplaces and chimney stacks, moss covered limestone block foundations, long lines of coke ovens, or forgotten family cemeteries marked with indiscernible head stones are all exciting rediscoveries.
The climate here is not favorable to natural preservation as it is in the more arid western U.S. Luckily, we are located next The New River Gorge National Park, and we have a few ghost towns preserved to help tell the story of West Virginian history that has shaped Appalachian lives and culture to this day. The mine towns of Kaymoor and Thurmond are good examples. Both are just around the corner from Opossum Creek Retreat Cabin Rentals, and every bit worth the trip. In February 2011, Travel + Leisure Magazine listed Thurmond as one of Americas Coolest Ghost Towns.
Kaymoor West Virginia
Opossum Creek Retreat has an enchanting link to Thurmond that puts me in mind of Pinocchio. The story begins about 80 years ago with a couple of white pine saplings sprouting in Thurmond while it was still a booming town. No one can know the untold stories that took place under and around the evergreens through their many seasons, but they stood witness as the town prospered, diminished, and was ultimately preserved.
To gain safe access with the least environmental impact in the removal of a dilapidated search and rescue building, the trees were sacrificed but not wasted. Geoff and Keith took the trees home, milled, stacked and dried the lumber. After a patient and painstaking two-year process, the stately timber was transformed into handsome handcrafted tables to be set in The Meadows great room where stories will be shared and countless stories will be made.
Where have you rediscovered the remains of a ghost town?April 2011
The Cowpasture Trail at Cranberry Wilderness is just over 6 miles long. Mostly flat, gentle slopes and a wide, variety of terrain and plenty to explore.
Not too long ago, we loaded up and headed over to hike with a rag-tag group of kids.
6 miles. 6 kids. 3 photos. This, is the story.
Too often the simple fact of being unsure if you are prepared will prevent stepping outside and having an adventure.
Usually the hardest part is just (sorry Nike) “doing it”. Get up, throw the kids in the car, some water, some granola bars and roll. Yes, it can be that easy.
Warm colors of fall in the Cranberry Wilderness
Sometimes, it may be difficult to pry kids away from the Xbox, DS, or TV. The persistence in pushing them out the door is worth it. The adventure to be had on the trail is one that creates awareness of surroundings, and memories of time with friends and family.
On our way up, the fall colors were at their peak at Cranberry. Bright oranges, reds, yellow and muted brown. The colors there are about a week ahead of ours here in the New River Gorge.
It made for a beautiful drive.
The real story of the day was watching the kids experience new things. Unexpected wonders of fall from the deep rich colors, to the smells encountered just walking through the woods. Ready to set sail
From pine thicket to bog there was something new around every corner.
Milkweed pods? Check. Opening them to send the tiny seeds afloat with childhood wishes attached. They also make great projectiles for throwing at your sister (as my son demonstrated!).
The point is this: You do not need to plan an extensive backcountry trip to get out and have fun. Throw on your tennis shoes, grab some water and let your kids show you what they discover.
The Gauley River. We love it. We know many of you do too.Just Below the Dam
If you have rafted the Gauley River, there are many things you do know. It’s big, it’s fun…frankly, it’s the “awesomesauce” (as the kids might say).
With all that you likely do know about the Gauley River. I thought it might be cool to share a few things, you might not know.
Four Things You Might Not Know About the Gauley River
It meets the New River at the Town of Gauley Bridge. Together they form the Kanawha River comprising part of the Mississippi Watershed.
We’re Glad it’s Not the Gad Dam
When the Summersville Dam was created a small, abandoned town was flooded. Thankfully the Army Corp of Engineers broke the tradition of naming the dam after towns flooded in the process. The name of the town? Gad.
Civil War History
The Gauley area was the site of the Battle of Carnifex Ferry on September 10, 1861, a Union victory in the American Civil War.
The attraction of the “Big Five” of the Gauley River is indeed exciting but imagine what it would have looked like as the confederate troops crossed the river near Woods’ Ferry after being defeated during the battle of Carnifex. If you’re rushing here to run the Gauley and heading for home as soon as you’re done, you’re missing out!
While the Gauley River offers some of the finest, most challenging whitewater rafting anywhere, this area offers so much more. The Gauley River, more than just whitewater.
Take a quick peek at the map. What do you see? Or, more importantly, what don’t you see?
East Coast Light Pollution
While I love riddles and trick questions, this isn’t one. There is an explanation.
The image displays levels of light pollution on the East Coast. The brighter the color, you guessed it, the more light. You will notice there is a “hole”.
Take a look at cell phone coverage maps. There it is again.
Road maps? Yup, you guessed it, same thing.
We Are In a Hole…Sort of
Opossum Creek Retreat is on the south-western edge of the “hole” you see in the maps. We spend a lot of family time inside the void, for good reason. While the maps and images may lead you to believe there is nothing there, in fact, it is full of things to do and discover.
The Monongahela National Forest
West Virginia has plenty of public lands, more than 1.5 million acres, with The Monongahela National Forest taking-up close to a million acres alone. Just about anything you can think of to do outside, can be done within the Mon boundaries.
825 miles of trails
576 miles of trout stream
8 Wilderness areas encompassing almost 100,000 acres
75 different tree species exist in the forest
Elevation ranges from 1000′ – 4863′ above sea level
Nearby Favorite
Located about 45 minutes from our cabin rentals is ‘The Cranberry’. Near the National Forest’s southern boundary, a visit to The Cranberry is like venturing to another latitude. Literally.
Red Admiral Butterfly enjoying the late summer wild flowers in The Cranberry Backcountry
This area is the southernmost hold-out from the Great Ice Age of the Pleistocene. The result? It’s like going to the Canadian tundra, without a border crossing, or Loonies, or anyone ending sentences with “A”.
The plants and animals you might encounter along the Botanical Area boardwalk are from the great white north. Red Crossbills (a bird I have yet to see), Canada Warblers, Skunk Cabbage wild flowers and trees, are all normally only found much further north.
Bears & Scenic Drives
Black Bears are beautiful, graceful creatures. They are plentiful in and around The Cranberry, in fact we see one on almost every trip over. However, don’t let that stop you from making the trek, make it a reason to go!
Be sure to stop in the visitor center (a great one) for a map, some books, great exhibits and modern facilities. Then take a trip across the Highland Scenic Highway for a “Sunday Drive” to remember.
There is so much to do while you are in the “hole”, we couldn’t possibly share it all in one post. After your next trip, be sure to share the photos.
I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Bucks County to be specific. Far, far away (or so I thought) from a vacation cabin in the New River Gorge region of West Virginia.
I was definitely not the city streets, but not nearly as rural as here in New River Country, either. When I was just a young tot (hard to imagine, I know), one of favorites was when dad would build a fire in the fire pit in the back yard. That usually happened on a warm summers evening and it meant friends and family would be joining us.
Roasting marshmallows, making s’mores and catching fireflies were the top activities of the youngsters. Roasting the mallows and creating the perfect s’more was always supervised by an adult or at least one of the teens in the group. Then, when the sun was long gone and the fireflies began emerging from the grass making their ascent to the tree tops, we were free to go get’ em.
The hunt was on. We gathered jars with carefully crafted foil lids with holes so the tiny that captives would have plenty of air, but no hope of escape. I wasn’t the most compassionate kid.
The idea was to get enough fireflies into the jar to simulate a lantern. Once we had collected a jar full of the all natural illuminating creature,s it was off to explore the caverns and search for Injun Joe, or something just like him. Our childhood treasures were usually found under the huge Lilac bush that resided in the back yard. It was mom’s voice calling for us that snapped us out of our fantasy adventures, I can still hear her to this day. That’s when the foil lids were torn off the jars and the fireflies were set free.
See? I wasn’t all bad.
I thought we had a lot of fireflies back then, but the number of fireflies here in the New River Gorge area is amazing. Sometimes there are so many that the trees look as if they have lights strung over them. If you’re here, you should let your kids in on this great tradition. Heck, you may want to try it yourself. Get yourself a Mason jar and some foil and get out there with your kids and show them how.
And if you’ve never tried catching fireflies yourself, do yourself a favor and get going. Summer’s almost gone. And so is the season for catching firefleis.
My daughter and I grew up together, here in the New River Gorge.
We have been exploring it since she was just a tot. We hunt, fish, hike, pretty much anything outdoors. Alex is in College now, but we still get out when we can (I’m looking forward to some time together this summer).
"Just Hanging Out"
Any time you can spend together with your children is quality time. There is a lot to do still, and we’ll eventually get it all in. Eventually.
There are just way too many things to try and do, even on a short visit to the New River Gorge. Here are five things you shouldn’t miss with your kids while you’re here:
1.) Somehow, some way, you need to get on the river. Whether it’s a playful float on the upper New River or thrill filled “white” water excursion on the Lower, you’ll find the day exhilarating and full of great memories. I can remember Alex when she was just seven or eight years old, paddling around and singing “Just Around The River Bend” from Disney’s Pocahontas.
2.) Horseback riding is another don’t-miss experience, especially in Babcock State Park. Babcock Stables offers you a not so usual horseback ride as it is set in the pristine woods in and around the state park. There are high mountain vistas, and plenty of places to stop for a rest and enjoy the wild outdoors. Not your typical gravel road ride. Wildlife abound in the park, so chances are you’ll be seeing plenty during your ride. Years ago on a ride here Alex said, “This reminds me of the old pioneer days, Dad!”
3.) Hiking Long Point trail is a great way to spend an evening with the whole family. A short, moderate trail the ends in a breathtaking view of the Gorge from on high. 3.2 miles round trip and not too difficult, this one makes for another awesome memory-maker. You’ll want to allow enough time to sit and take it all in when you reach the rock outcropping that overlooks the Gorge. It gives you a totally different perspective of the Bridge. Great family trip.
4.) The Tree Tops Canopy Tour is another adventure we love. Zipping along in the hemlock forest ranging from 20 to over 100 feet off the forest floor is now our favorite way to explore the forest and woodlands. Looking down into a blooming magnolia blossom is something you don’t get to experience too often. Watching canopy dwelling bird behavior at eye level is another. Not to mention the thrill of the ride. One zip is over seven hundred feet long! Wow! We’ll be talking about zipping in our family for a long time.
5.) Summersville Lake and Plum Orchard Lake are both great spots for a canoe or kayak excursion. Spend the day playing on the water, casually floating and cruising the steep banks of Summersville Lake. Exploring the hidden pockets of Plum Orchard Lake will give you a perspective not found or seen from the banks. Get out there and show your kids what there is to see!
Having a really cool, clean comfortable cabin to curl up with your clan is a must.
Okay, okay. This post is about the river, not the Cabins rentals. (Biased? Me biased?)
I have my PHD in rivertrip-ology. Really. I guided trips for a living/lifestyle for many years on many rivers in several countries. Rafting was very very good to me. I still occasionally take my family out for a New River Family rafting adventure (they’re still too young to drive or they would take themselves).
WE love taking first timers. This is how we like to go about a day on the river:
Best Family White Water Trip
First and foremost is safety. Gear is checked. The kids deliver the safety talk to newbies, and if there aren’t any new bees, they give it to each other and us. It’s a ritual that takes place before each trip. Commercial or private.
Then we’re off, or, y’know, on, depending on how you look at it. You shove off but are on the river, anyway.
I really believe that everyone should start out with a mellow float trip first. Relaxing into it, getting a feel for the way the raft moves on the current. Becoming comfortable with the vocabulary, the pace, the fun. Feel your paddle move the raft. The buck and the dip as you slip down a wave train into a rapid, the tug of an eddyline as you pull into shore for a break, eating in your lap while sitting on a rock, swimming (floating) in your lifejacket- that’s a PFD (personal floatation device) for you professionals out there, standing up in the raft and not worrying you’re going to fall out.
Family and freinds Rafting the New River
After a while you’ll feel comfortable enough to enjoy the views. All these things make it easier to enjoy the big stuff when you get there, if you ever get there. We rarely get there anymore. Not just because we have kids that are just getting to the point they are big enough to self rescue, but it’s less stressful and more fun on the easy stuff.
Quality time for Father and Son Swiming with Dad on the New River WV
Don’t get me wrong. You can still get in a whole lot of trouble on the easy stuff that’s why we do the safety talk every time.
The industry has taken its cue from the guests and shortened trips to maximize the thrill factor. For my money and yours, you should take the time to start slow and easy. Get warmed up with a day on the Upper New. Then, if the kids are excited and really ready, meaning you don’t have to talk them into it, go for the Lower New.
But take a day’s rest in between. Don’t over schedule your activities plan in some downtime.
Here is the itinerary I would book for my family knowing what I know now.
Pull into The Gorge area before dark and go to the bridge over look check out the NPS visitor center. Get a feel for the area our history and culture. It’s well worth it. Then, go check in at the cabin, cook something on the grill, and soak off the day in the hot tub.
Day 1: Book the earliest trip you can get on the Upper New. Enjoy the day with your family. Swim, laugh, and relax. Take in the views.
Day 2: Back on dry land. Take a hike go out to eat. Rest up with a book or movie in the cabin. If you’re feeling adventurous, go rappel with New River Mount Guides or canopy tour (there are several in the area).
Day 3: Dinner trip. It’s not much more money, so just do it. It’s not the food that makes it worthwhile; it’s the fact that you’re on the water after everyone else has taken off. You have the place to yourselves, mostly. Definitely the right time to be on the water.
Day 4: Head home. Sure, there’s a lot more great stuff to do that could keep you busy all week, but this is a blog about the raft trip. The best white water vacation ever. And know going in that that’s impossible to obtain even in a month. I had the best raft trip ever, and it took me years to accomplish it.
Have questions? Let me know in the comments. See you on the river!
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