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. 

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!!

Out and about with camera in hand last evening and early this morning and got some shots to share!  Although not the brilliant display of color that this area enjoyed last year, one can still find some nice colors!  We receive many calls to the Visitors Center asking about the leaves.  My closest guess is 75% of peak color! Cold (30 degrees) this morning and gorgeous bright blue skies for the entire weekend!!  C’mon up to the Valley and relax in Autumn’s finest!!

Threw the kayaks in the Blazer and headed out to the North Fork of the Blackwater on Tuesday to pursue the elusive swimming beast AKA Mr. Largemouth Bass.  A gorgeous, sunny, cool day greeted us with semi-murky waters due to weekend downpours although it sure beat being in the office.  Had to conduct a little “product evaluation” y’know! Got into some smaller (6″-8″) bass with just a few that actually  had some shoulders.  We were throwing Rapalas, buzz baits, salamander imitations all the while paddling around on a glorious late spring day. Towards the end of the trip, a WV Conservation Officer AKA the game warden walked to the water’s edge and signaled us to come over.  I was certain that he was just checking fishing licenses and (being the conservation minded folks that we are) we paddled on over.  We were asked to produce our fishing documentation and we complied.  Towards the end of the conservation, the officer asked if we had our PFDs (Personal Floatation Device/Life Jackets).  To make a long story short, we ended the day with a WV DNR citation for “No life preservers in kayak”. When boating in the State of WV, it is mandatory to have adequate PFDs for all passengers.  Passengers 12 years and under must be wearing the PFD.  Live and Learn!!  A great day nonetheless!! If you are interested in this sort of activity, our friends at Blackwater Outdoors Adventures can set you up on the Cheat River.  The Cheat is a target-rich environment with regards to Mr. Smallmouth and other species.  (They’ll make sure you have your life jacket!!)

Is upon us!  The event is taking place this weekend, June 4-6^th, at Canaan Valley Resort.  We are expecting the biggest turn out yet!  But it’s not too late to register for the weekend activities.  The first 50 to register receive a free hat!  You don’t want to miss the Mountaintop Bird walk that includes a scenic chair lift ride to the top of Cabin Mountain, Canaan Valley Resort’s Ski Area, at an elevation of 4,200 feet. Canaan Valley and the surrounding area are known as the “Warbler Crossroads of the Easter”, as some species are here in their northern-most range and some in their southern-most.   Every spring, thousands of birds come to nest in the areas lush boreal rainforest and its surrounding mountains and valleys.   Some birds to be seen are the Blackburnian Warbler, Indigo Bunting, and Scarlet Tanager.  In years past the “Brewster’s Warbler”, a hybrid of Blue-Winged and Golden-Winged Warblers has been spotted.  Bird walks, workshops and guest speakers will introduce birders, from beginners to seasoned veterans, to our area’s surprising diversity and abundance of avifauna. For more information go to: www.canaanresort.com/southern-boreal-birding-festival/.  Here you will find the registration form, walk leaders bios, festival bird list, and details schedule of events for the whole weekend.  We hope to see you out there!

Memorial Day weekend, May 28th – May 31st, in Tucker County is jammed pack full of things to do.  Both resorts, Canaan Valley Resort and Timberline Resort, kick off their summer activities this weekend.  Canaan Valley Resort, along with their regular activities, will be hosting a Golf Scramble on Monday May 31^st.  Timberline Resort opens their scenic chair lift rides and downhill mountain bike trail system this weekend.  Live music is scheduled all weekend by Sonshine Rivers and Fiddlin’ Mike at Timberline’s restaurant, the Fireside Grill.  Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge is hosting an Early Summer Bird Walk on Saturday, May 29^th at 7am led by specialist Casey Rucker.  On Sunday May, 30^th at 2pm “What’s Blooming?” walk will be led by Master Naturalists Volunteers.  You’ll most likely be able to see Pink Lady Slippers.  The Tour of Tucker County Road Race will take place on Saturday, May 20^th at 11am.  The race will start and end at the top of the mountain at Sugarland Rd, near the windmills.  The bike race is part of the Appalachian Road Race Series and goes right through the heart of the Monongahela National Forest.  Bring your climbing legs for this race; there will be 3 large climbs!  Local brewery, Mountain State Brewing will have live music starting Friday evening by Rebecca & Alex Wudarski continuing Saturday evening by local favorite’s Young Funk Sung.  Performances are from 9pm until 12am and there is a $5 cover charge.  The White Room Gallery, on Front St. in Thomas will be hosting their annual Wine & Cheese Party on Saturday, May 29^th at 6:30pm.  The gallery will feature a one man show by local artist Paul Lucchesi.  Paul is a world class painter and sculptor from New York City that moved Thomas, WV.  The brother and sister duo, Rebecca & Alex Wudarski, will be performing during the event and cocktail attire is preferred.

Awwww, the warm weather of spring has arrived.  After a record breaking winter we are ready for warm weather, ramp digging and trout fishing!  Ramp digging, that’s right I said ramp digging!  Ramps are a local favorite.  It is a wild onion that grows throughout the state and starts to pop up in the spring (mid-March thru April).  The ramp is best described as a mix between an onion and garlic with a unique smell.  The ramp tends to be a little stinky and is an acquired taste.  They are great mixed into a burger, in a salad and with fried potatoes.  But there are endless things you can do with them, just treat them as you would an onion.  While you are in Tucker County stop by one of the many restaurants, they are usually offering a ramp special this time of year.