Following a premature little October storm named Sandy (40+ inches), the ski resorts are getting more and more terrain open for your skiing/riding/tubing enjoyment.  Why go to a “mega resort” or something closer to the cities…everyone (and their brother) can do that.  Spend a little extra time to enjoy your winter vacation in the real mountains of West Virginia.  Few (if any) crowds, affordable for every budget, wide variety of lodging choices, 150-200 inches of natural snow per year and more make this the logical choice! For more detailed winter sports/activities information, feel free to click here to visit our winter site, skithevalley.com!!  

It’s been hot in Tucker County, WV the last couple of days…shoot weeks!  How are you beating the heat this summer?  I’ve been trying to spend as much time as possible at our favorite swimming holes.  But work, yard work and random thunderstorms keep getting in the way.  Do you have a favorite swimming hole?  But here are some other fun summer options… If you are looking for some water activities, I would suggest Blackwater Outdoor Adventures.  They offer white water rafting, canoeing, duckies, tubing, and fishing trips.  There are also paddle boat and canoe rentals at Blackwater Falls State Park, where you can float at Pendleton Lake.  Canaan Valley Resort has an outdoor pool along with an indoor/outdoor pool if that more your style. Great thing about warm summer days are berries!  Mid to late July is a great time for berry picking.  I’ve been told that the blueberries are ripe and ready for picking.  Camp 70 road behind Shop-n-Save in Davis will lead to you the Canaan Valley Institute trail system and you can access some great berry bushes there.  If you are looking for an adventure I would suggest taking the scenic chair lift ride to the top of Canaan Valley Resort ski area and hike to the top of Bald Knob then walk the trail down.  Along the trail you’ll find blueberries and blackberries!  You can also drive to the top of Dolly Sods to Bear Rocks and not far from the parking lots are loads of berry bushes.  This spot is well known and you’ll find a lot of other pickers, including bears!  There has been a spotting or two of bears so far this season so just beware, they are typically out traveling and looking for food in the morning and around dusk.

There is so much happening in Tucker County, WV I don’t even know where to start!  Mountaineers Days will kick off Friday evening with Mr. and Miss Mountaineer Coronation followed by karaoke in the M&M Bank parking lot.  Saturday events include; Craft and Food Vendors, patriotic bicycle contest, parade, cakewalk, firemen’s water battle, live music, ELVIS and the evening fireworks.    Come Sunday morning you can enjoy at pancake breakfast at the Thomas Fire Hall.  Check out their website, www.thomaswvmtdays.weebly.com for a complete schedule of events.  Saturday evening’s Fireworks are sponsored by the Thomas Vol. Fire Department and we recommended heading up the mountain a little early, it’s always packed! Sunday afternoon come to the Canaan Valley Ski Area for the 21^st Annual Celebration of the Arts, an FREE outdoor concert by the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, at 3pm.  This annual event is a wonderful way to spend a relaxing afternoon.  Don’t forget to bring you blanket and lawn chairs.  There will be some refreshments available but feel free to bring your own.  The event is FREE to the public but donations are greatly appreciated. 

 

    Canaan Valley Resort hosts their annual Windfest this weekend.  Family activities will be held all weekend for children of all ages.  There will be magic shows, kite demonstrations, kite building and much more.  Check out their website, http://www.canaanresort.com/, for a complete schedule.   On Monday, July 4^th they will hold their annual Red, White and Blue Golf Scramble.  Come out and hit the ball around and enjoy some friendly golf.

 

Live Music will be featured all weekend at the Purple Fiddle and Mountain State Brew Pub.  Check out their websites, http://www.purplefiddle.com/ and www.mountainstatebrewing.com/thomas.html , for a complete schedule.  Take the time to check out all of the local shops and dining areas while you are in Tucker County.  Some them are hosting their own activities and specials for the weekend.  Happy 4^th of July to you and your family!

Took a hike with Maggie, my 11 year old yellow Lab yesterday afternoon and experienced a wonderful trail system.  Off of Cortland Road in Canaan Valley the US Fish and Wildlife Refuge has established a nice trail system on, what is known as the “Beall Tract”.  It is a series of loops and one can make their outing as short or as long as they want.  You’ll find gently rolling paths through a mainly wooded setting with the ground mainly covered in ferns.  Kinda like a Hobbitland! Towards the end of my hike on that particular afternoon, the Magster took note of something just off of the trail.  And I mean JUST off of the trail.  No more that three feet in the longer grass I found……. This newborn fawn had “hunkered down” and didn’t move a muscle except for it’s eyes.  The Mags seemed more maternal towards it as opposed to wanting it for a snack and she sat right next to it.  Momma deer was nowhere to be found. I’m not a wildlife biologist, but this is what I understand.  Fawns are born basically without scent and the spots act as camoflage.  As they are not all that mobile, instinct directs them to remain motionless until the threat passes.  My best guess is that momma deer was not too far off and was watching my (and the Mags) every move.  We took some pictures and moved on! The Beall tract trail system is very suitable for just about every hiker in the family.  Not too steep in any one spot, some great views of the Valley and a portion of it follows the Blackwater River.  Check it out!  I highly recommend it!  (After all, your tax dollars paid for it!)

And we are getting ready for a great one!  Some of the activities include: Today: I noticed the Mountain Laurel is blooming. (see photo) The wild Rhododendron should follow within the next couple of weeks! June 25-26 is the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Corrick’s Ford.  This is the site where the first general was killed in the Civil War.  Visit corricksford.org.  Tours of the site, living history, artillery demonstrations, reenactment of the battle, great food, music and much more! July 1-3 is our “little” 4th of July celebration.  Mountaineer Days, with the regions largest fireworks display will be on Saturday.  A Free Outdoor Concert featuring the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra will be in the natural outdoor ampitheater at Canaan Valley Ski Area on Sunday, Windfest will be held at Canaan Valley Resort…to name a few of the activities! Do not forget the hiking, biking, golf, fishing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting that your family can enjoy here at the “Top of the Mountain State”.  This pristine area can run between 10-20 degrees COOLER than most and is never crowded (like the beach)!  Make plans today, visit this website and chose some lodging out of the many options.  If that doesn’t fill the bill for you, you can always call our office and we can and will help you find what you are looking for!

Maybe it’s time to consider coming to Tucker County!

•The first annual Artspring, a tour of art galleries and studios, will take place throughout the county.  Live music and working artisans at each venue coupled with student art displays at many participating businesses.  The event will close Sunday with a benefit auction at the Opera House lobby in Thomas.   For a complete schedule click here.

•The Tucker County 4-wheelers present the 32^nd Annual Challenge in the Hills!  This long standing event gives you a chance to come out and get your 4-wheeler dirty “Tucker County Style”.  For a complete schedule, entry fee, registration and more information.  www.tc4x4.com

•Canaan Valley Resort is hosting Memorial Day Weekend Demolition.  Games include; Dirt Eating Contest, Hammer Time, Block Building, Backhoe Toss, Duct Tape Target, and much more.  They will be also hosting a Golf Scramble on Monday, May 30^th.  For more information www.canaanresort.com

•Mountain Top Library is hosting a fundraiser in downtown Davis at the Fire Hall.  They are raising money for a new building.  Children games, book sale, cake walk, silent auction, flea market, caricatures drawings and much more on Saturday, May 28th from 10am-4pm.  Followed by an evening of dancing and music at the Mountain State Brewing Company.  Music by Matt Lambert and Young Funk Sung.  Come out and support the local library.

•Timberline Four Seasons Resorts kick off their summer with the opening of their scenic chair lift ride and downhill mountain biking.  Timberline Stables will also be offering horseback rides and the pub will have live music all weekend.  For more information www.timberlineresort.com

•The Tour of Tucker County Road Race will be held in Thomas on Saturday, May 28th.  Pre-registration can be done at www.bikereg.org for $25 and day of race registration will be $35 and is open from 9am to 11:30am.  USAC license is required for all riders.  One-day licenses can be purchased at the event for $10.

The snow starting falling yesterday afternoon (Nov. 4^th) and has been snowing off and on all day today!  This is the first true snow of the season.  The forecast says we should get 2-4 inches tonight and an additional 1-2 inches tomorrow.  I’m sure it won’t last long since the ground is not frozen.  But it’s still exciting to see the first snow of the season.  It’s time to start getting your winter gear out and ready for the season. This is Mother Nature’s reminder that Ski Season is around the corner.  Make your holiday reservations NOW!  Holidays always fill up fast and you don’t want to miss out.  Especially after the winter we had last year, over 250 inches of snow.    We are hoping for another winter just like it!  

On the way to work this morning and I passed a State Road crew headed out to Cortland Road in the Valley to start installing snow fencing!  It won’t be long now and we have already received a little of the white stuff! Which reminds me…If you are considering a ski/wintersports vacation over the Christmas – New Years holiday period, I would strongly suggest getting started on obtaining lodging.  The best properties tend to book fairly early and I would want you to have a good selection!  I spoke with one of the Vacation Rental companies and he indicated that the reservations were coming in fast and furious!!  Feel free to visit http://www.skithevalley.com to get information for vacation planning!  Timberline and Canaan Valley Resorts are gearing up for another fantastic season of winter fun!  Yes, the drive is a little longer than other ski areas, but skiing at Canaan Valley Resorts and Timberline offer a real “High Mountain Experience”!  Just ask anyone that was here last year!!