Location: Babcock State Park
I tried, really tried to embrace the city today. Didn't happen. We were all set to spend the day playing tourist in Huntington or Charleston, WV. The truth was I couldn't wait to get out of there and head for the mountains. Who could pass this up?
We spent the morning in Ohio driving next to the Ohio River going through towns that have seen hard times, like Portsmouth. (I mean really hard times!). When we crossed over into West Virginia, I wasn't sure what to expect. Initially we thought about poking around Huntington, but nothing really caught our eye. Next up was Charleston. It has a nice Capitol building and surrounding grounds, a couple of quaint streets, but mostly it seemed like abandoned industrial.
We did find an old building that has been transformed into a farmer's market, with wine, cheese, chocolate, produce, and flowers. We had fun poking around in it (mainly cuz it was air conditioned), thought about having lunch there, but then decided on sandwiches sitting inside Winnie - next to a homeless shelter. Actually, we were going to go for a bike ride around the city, but then decided that it wasn't our vibe, so we decided to push on to the hills of West Virginia.
We're driving The Midland Trail, Highway 60 across West Virginia. It takes you along the Kanawha River, through coal towns next to railroad tracks. Really interesting to see the same set up in most towns. The railroad is next to the river, and then the town and houses are built up the hill. Here's the town of Gauley Falls. Beautiful cascade of falls!
Little General Store at Chimney Corner on the hairpin turn!
Loved the drive thru the mountains and really enjoying Babcock State Park. We spent the afternoon walking around the grounds, seeing the Grist Mill (that still makes cornmeal), the falls and the blooming rhododendrons. So peaceful and beautiful.
Love this little pathway thru the hardwood forest.
It took us to some old log cabins and a swinging bridge over the river.
We were going to go swimming in the mountain lake, but apparently it is spring fed and is a cool 55 degrees. Ha, not me.
This was more my speed.
(Lisa, take note. This is what a hammock looks like when it is hung up correctly. I still crack up thinking about that time we hung up the hammock only to have our butts hit the ground! I think there was wine involved.)
Ned, the master chef grilling up some burgers. Mountain Mama West Virginia suits me just fine.
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