Wednesday, June 1, 2016

The Greenbrier Trail - West Virginia

Location: Watoga State Park, West Virginia

We continued our eastern odyssey across West Virginia, sticking to the back roads. In case you're wondering, this road is typical of how we roll. While I'd call it a one lane road, West Virginia refers to as the James River and Kanawha Turnpike. "Turnpike or no turnpike" it sure is gorgeous country.

 

We eventually came to the town of Hillsboro, also known as the birthplace of Pearl S. Buck. Here's the place she was born.

One of the things we delight in, is pulling into towns and seeing signs like "Hometown of Miss America", "Childhood home of Booker T. Washington" or "Marshall University" with big signs stating "We Are Marshall". Just love everyone's hometown pride.

 

 

Planning this trip, at the top of my list, was biking the Greenbriar Rail Trail. It runs 78 miles along the Greenbrier River. I even wrote to the State of West Virginia asking them to send me literature on it. (I know, old school). I've had so much fun all winter pouring over the brochures and dreaming about this trail.

First in order was setting up camp. We're camped at Watogo State Park, right ON the river.

 

I couldn't wait for us to jump on our bike and head out. We rode for about 20 miles. The best thing about this trail is that it is almost all under tree cover. The day was hot and humid, but the trail next to the river and under the trees was cool and much appreciated.

I'd love to bike the whole trail someday. There's even bike campsites along the way set up for the bikers. We were so lucky and had the trail all to ourselves!

 

 

 

Loved riding over the old train trestles too!

 

 

 

 

 

The Greenbriar River transitions from wide flat spots to small Rapids. We saw kayakers and people floating on tubes. It really felt like the epitome of summer.

 

It was great to stretch our legs and go for a long bike ride, but it also felt great to just relax around the campsite. While Ned went for a swim, I made sure the hammock was working.

 

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