If you have a “Bucket List”, this is a great place to fill it up! I might not always remember that though.
It’s kind of like when I worked at Disney. I had all of these awesome activities right at your fingertips, but ended up taking it for granted every day.
Skydiving on your bucket list?
So when Geoff told me that one of his family members here for their family reunion ticked off 4 items from his bucket list, it got me thinking.
There really are some great and unique things to do here at the New River Gorge National River! For a lot of people, the things you can do here are “Bucket List” items. For example:
Doing a Barrel Roll in a WWII Bi-Plane!
Rock Climbing!
Get on the catwalk of a REALLY tall bridge!
White Water Rafting!
Learn to kayak!
These are just a few of the awesome adventures you’ll find in the Gorge. And remember, bucket list items don’t only have to be extreme adventure. Maybe your bucket list includes seeing an eagle in the wild, or trying a West Virginia craft beer. Maybe it’s been your lifelong dream to see The Mystery Hole.
So if you have a list, c’mon over and we’ll start helping you cross those tasks.
Every spring here at Opossum Creek Retreat we host The New River Nature and Birding Festival. It has quickly become one of my favorite weeks of the year. The privilege of being a part of the festival has allowed me access to the amazingly diverse flora and fauna of the New River Gorge and surrounding areas. Each trip afield offers a new learning experience in all things nature.
With the Red Eft
There is something for everyone on the variety of field trips in and around the New River Gorge National Park. Here a Red Eft is adored by some of the folks on the Nuttalburg trail trip. This was a new trip for this year and will quickly become a favorite.
Female Canada Warbler
Getting a close up look at birds in hand is always a treat as Bill Hilton Jr., educator-naturalist extraordinaire puts on highly educational and fun banding demonstrations throughout the week. A female Canada Warbler was a first for her species here at OCR.
Common Lytrosis (lytrosis unitaria)
A great part of the the festival is its world class guides, a lot of whom are authors.I was able to identify this Moth, a Common Lytrosis (lytrosis unitaria) thanks to Seabrooke Leckie, author of the new Peterson field guide to Moths.
Just a few of the New River Birding and Nature Festival folks
The best part is introducing great folks from all over to the natural beauty of southern West Virginia, our home.
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”!
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.
Baby, it’s hot out there! I’m talking about the New River Gorge in West Virginia. Y’know, the big backyard for our cabin rentals.
Time to cool off in a mountain stream.
I remember when I made the move here in 1992 from Central Florida. My dad and I rented the box truck, loaded it and made the trip. It was July and it was H-O-T in the old F-L-A. When we arrived here, the temperatures were in the high 70’s, and dad was digging for his sweatshirts and long pants. We were only here for a day or two before we headed back, just long enough to unload the truck.
The mountains of the New River area are usually a cool retreat from the hot south. Even when the temperatures are in the 90’s you can always find relief in the shade of the hemlocks or an old maple. Mom and dad would come for several weeks during the summer to visit, and when the temps went up you could find dad in the shade of the big maple in the front yard. He was always amazed at how much cooler it was there. “It’s gotta be twenty degrees cooler under here” he’d say, and invite me under to sit a while.
There are plenty of cool things to do here when the heat is on.
One hot afternoon on the way home I decided to take a drive down to Fayette Station, just for kicks. When I got there I ran into some friends who were cooling off in the river. I kicked off my shoes and joined them in the water. We floated and caught up since it had been a while. Floating with friends is a pretty cool way to spend an afternoon.
Summersville lake is another cool spot that’s close to Opossum Creek Retreat. There are some great swimming holes, and you can enjoy the cool clear water of the lake, fed by the Gauley River. My daughter Al and I have had some great times playing in the water at Battle Run Camping area and beach.
Of course a whitewater rafting trip will give you plenty of opportunities to get wet and cool down. That always helps beat the heat. On the Lower New River there are a few long pools that are great for swimming alongside the boat. And if a more controlled environment is what your after the Fayette County Park has a pool that offers some refreshing public swimming, and lifeguards too.
There are also plenty of hiking trails that wind through the heavily forested areas of the New River Gorge. Remember “it’s gotta be twenty degrees cooler under here,” from my dad? Fern Creek trail is a “cool” walk with some beautiful views of the gorge.
So, when it gets too hot where you are, come try the New River Gorge National River. It’s our backyard. And we’re pretty sure it will quench the fire.
The New River Gorge is surrounded by small towns, and it’s perfect for the 4th of July. I came from a much bigger place, but a lot of the traditions are the same.
Back in the day I can remember weaving red, white and blue crape paper through the spokes of my bicycle.
Like this, but with more fireworks.
A couple baseball cards taped strategically to the rear forks created the sounds of the motor as they slapped the passing spokes. And a couple of American flags attached to the handle bars.
It meant we were ready for the parade.
All the neighborhood kids got together and rode along with the parade as it went through town, displaying our patriotism and cheering on the veterans and others who marched. Back then I knew the definition of the holiday and why we celebrate it. But it wasn’t until much later that I would understand the true meaning, sacrifice, and perseverance that it represented.
The day always ended with a fireworks display of some kind. Some years it was a magnificent display with a grand finale that left us in awe. Other years it was a neighbor with some illegally imported fireworks that they set off in their back yard (sometimes I was the neighbor).
My favorite memories of the 4th of July are when families got together and celebrated together. Kids running around the yard with sparklers (as a parent I would discourage this), marshmallows over a campfire, hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill. You know, the stereotypical 4th of July that you’d see advertised most everywhere. Watching my daughter Alex when she was six or seven years old holding a sparkler, imitating the Statue of Liberty while singing the Star Spangled Banner, still makes me smile.
If you’re in our neck of the woods around the 4th of July, these 5 tips will help you have the best ever.
Make sure you have family and friends around you that you like.
A hike in the Gorge is a great way to start the day.
When I signed on here at Opossum Creek Retreat I had no idea what I was in store for. Sure, I knew what the job was. I learned Geoff’s techniques. But there was so much more. You know, stuff that would only be revealed as time went on. Jedi stuff.
Yellow Rumped Warbler. Ha! Rump.
One of the things that were new to me was the New River Nature and Birding Festival. I had heard of the festival from when I worked with Dave Pollard at the County Courthouse, but I never really got more than an overview.
Since Opossum Creek hosted this festival I found myself smack dab in the middle of it. So the romance began. Aw yeah.
I was amazed at how the birding guides were able to identify birds by their calls. This seemed an almost supernatural ability to me. Lynn Pollard was one of the first to introduce me to the art of birding by ear. She’s able to ID over ninety species by ear- incomprehensible to me!
I was introduced to many top birders from all over the states who showed me birds that I would have never imagined in this area. But the New River Gorge area is a main thoroughfare for Neo Tropical migrant birds looking for work (Ha! I joke.) So this might be the place to see all kinds of North American birds. Birds that come here to nest. Birds that inhabit the area for the summer. Birds that just pass through on their way to their nesting grounds farther north.
Here are the five things that helped me get familiar with birding. But a word of caution: I spend stupid amounts of time outside looking for birds I can’t see, or can’t hear, or both. Now that I know these tips, I can never go back to my pre-birding life. You’ve been warned.
1- Get to know a birding enthusiast. Geoff and most of the people you will meet at the NRB&N festival are very excited to turn new people on to the “sport”. I say sport in parenthesis because, while many of the birds you will encounter will definitely give you a run for your money while trying to get a good look at them, a lot of times you’re not moving much at all. Some of the wood warblers are especially secretive; their thick habitat can be a challenge.
2- Get yourself a decent pair of optics. Some of the birds you will be trying to find are small and elusive or they won’t let you get too close. A good pair of binos are essential.
3- A good field guide is also important. Look for something that’s not too big and that’s well illustrated. You’ll want to carry it with you while out hiking or even in your back yard. Peterson’s and Sibley’s are my favorites. A word of caution; don’t get so into the book that you stop looking at the bird. I’ve learned to watch the bird for as long as it will let me or until I feel I have all the visual information I need to make a proper ID. The book will always be there to look at. The bird will not.
4- Get out there! Birding is a great hobby because you can do it anywhere from your office to the wilds of your area. Whether you’re in the city or way out in the country, birds are there.
5- Get a friend into it. Having someone to bird with is even more fun. Share your newfound activity with a friend or family member that you want to spend inordinate amounts of time with.
Birding also raises awareness of our environment and why we should protect it. It is also another excuse to get outside if you need one. If you haven’t already, give it a try. Checkout Birdwatcher’s Digest. Also, take a look at the Beginning Birdwatchers Book. Perfect for kids, this one’s got 19 pages stickers, too!
Okay, Geoff and I play with the stickers. But it’s a good book, I promise!
But I don’t limit it to just going outside. I love to read about the outdoors. When I was a kid I lived for outdoor magazines. Whenever I got a new one I usually consumed it cover to cover in one sitting.
Aha! There's one!
The white tailed deer was my all-time favorite mammal to read about and see in the wild. Dad had me in the woods as soon as I was old enough, and I shared his passion for the outdoors. Still do. Dad doesn’t get out hunting anymore, but there is not a time I go to the woods that doesn’t remind me of something we did together. As I write this, I realize that my daughter Alex will have that same joy.
Gotta say, that makes me tear up a little.
Anyway, not long after moving to West Virginia, I met a man named Max Elkins. Max is, like me, an avid outdoorsman. As a matter of fact, I often say that when I grow up I want to hunt like Max. If there is an open season Max is hunting. It wasn’t long after we met that he introduced me to grouse hunting.
Now, I’ve hunted grouse as a kid a few times but never like this. Max’s dogs were amazing. I was hooked. A year or so later I had a pup out of a litter from his two dogs, Autumn and Thorn. What great names, huh? My daughter Alex had a part in naming the pup, and since Disney’s Aladin was her favorite movie at the time, well, Jasmine it was.
Max operated a bird hunting preserve and there were plenty of birds to train her on in the off season. January and February is the time to be in the woods and after the native birds. There were plenty of birds around ten years ago but they have definitely been steadily declining. Contrary to what a lot of people think, hunters are avid conservationists. We do so much to save habitat and game populations, it’s hard to know where to start. That’s a post for another day, I guess. Thinking about it, I long for the days described by writers like Burton Spiller and George “Bird” Evans, the days when a hunter could have thirty plus flushes in a day.
All of the research done on the Ruffed Grouse says that the bird is cyclic. Meaning that the populations fluctuate over time. There has always been much debate among grouse hunters everywhere as to whether the numbers will ever be what they used to here in Appalachia. I sure hope so, but right now there seems to be fewer than ever.
Aha! Another one!
The West Virginia Division Of Natural Resources has had a research program in place for a while now in cooperation with several other states to try a find out where all the grouse have gone. According to the reports the main source of grouse mortality is due to avian predation. Mammal predation is second and hunting is responsible for only fifteen percent. Anyone who has ever hunted grouse knows that the odds are heavily in the favor of the fast flying, extremely agile bird.
Grouse hunting for me is not about the bag, but where it takes you. Suddenly you will find yourself high on a ridge overlooking an awe inspiring landscape. That, and spending time with friends and family. I think most people like me, who read outdoor magazines, who go outside just to be outside, who love it in their hearts, feel the same way.
Full disclosure: One of them’s not even a flower. Check out the list below if you feel like skipping ahead.
First, a little background…
I can remember the neighborhood gang of kids and I would all get together and escape to the nearest woodlot any chance we could. Being in the suburbs of Philly, there weren’t vast expanses of forest like there are here in Wild Wonderful West Virginia. The gang and I (probably because of me) were always trying to figure out what kind of tree we were looking at or what kind of animal made that hole or… well you get the idea. The point is my curiosity for the things of nature was always there, and has never waned.
After spending a few years with Jim McCormac during the New River Nature and Birding Festival, my curiosity and intrigue was called to a new level. Jim is a botanist and all around nature guy who can spout the genus and species of almost anything you might encounter out there. The great thing about Jim is his child-like enthusiasm. It’s hard for me to imagine anyone who is even slightly interested in the outdoors not being encouraged to learn more when you’re around him.
coltsfootRampsMay AppleTrilliumVirginia Bluebell
Last year on Jims recommendation I purchased Newcombs guide to Wildflowers. It is a great book once you learn to navigate it. Here are my favorite first five:
Coltsfoot – Tussilago fafara
This one is native to Europe but is considered one of our own. The flower resembles a dandelion.
Ramps – Allium tricoccum (comes from the old anglic word rampion meaning leek)
May Apple – Podophyllum peltatum. Forms fruit in late April early May. That’s probably where the name comes from.
Trillium – grandiflorum. This plant has three leaves and three Sepals. Hence the name.
Virginia Bluebells – Mertensia Virginica. Better catch this one while you can. The whole plant is gone by late spring.
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