It’s never too early to make ski trip plans!  Some of the lodging for the Christmas/New Years period is starting to get a little “snug”!  I am always surprised by the last minute calls this little office fields in December from folks looking for slopeside (with hot-tub) homes for the New Years holiday.

We experienced some light snow last evening and are getting a little “wintery mix” through the day today.  The winter job fair for Canaan Valley Resort is this Saturday…if you want to work at a ski resort, check out the Bear Paw Lodge between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

Forecast for the weekend is sunny and warm(ish) which is good for that late season round o’golf and/or a mountainbike excursion.  We can always count on the good folks at the Purple Fiddle to host an outstanding lineup of music…check them out!

Trick or Treat give me something good to eat….

For the kiddies:  Trick or Treating will be from 6-8pm on Saturday, October 31^st in the towns of Davis, Thomas and Parsons. 

For the Adults: 

Timberline’s Timbers Pub is having their annual Halloween Party on Saturday, October 31^st at 9pm.  There is no cover charge!  Wear your costume for the costume contest and the chance to win a prize.  Please call 800-766-9464 or check out their website www.timberlineresort.com for more information.

Mountain State Brewing Company is having a Halloween Funk Dance Party on Saturday, October 31^st from 8-11:30pm.  There will be a $5 cover charge for the band Young Funk Sung.   Remember to wear your costume for the costume contest.  Check out their website for more information, www.mountainstatebrewing.com

For those non-Halloween folks check out Canaan Valley Resort State Park’s Fall Quilters Retreat starting Oct. 28^th through the 31^st.  Please call 800-622-4121 or check out their website www.canaanresort.com for more information. 

The Purple Fiddle as always has a great line up of music!  Starting on Wednesday October 28^th with Adam Klein, Thursday October 29^th with The Dundidits, Friday October 30^th with Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels, Saturday October 31^st with A Good Natured Riot and Sunday November 1^st with Rebecca Lobe.  Saturday Night includes the Purple Fiddle Halloween Bash show up in costume and your first drink is FREE!  For more information check out their website www.purplefiddle.com

As the fall leaves are falling so are the snowflakes!  The first snowflake was spotted on Wednesday, Oct. 14^th.  But the true snowfall came that weekend, Oct. 17-18^th; we received 3-5 inches!  It was a winter wonderland in October.  This is your reminder that it’s never too early to think about planning your winter getaway to Tucker County, especially for the holiday seasons.  Timberline and Canaan Valley Resort will be offering the Ski the Valley ticket again this year.  With 1 easy ticket you can ski 2 mountains for 2 days for 1 great price.  These tickets are available for sale at either resorts’ ticket window.  Go to www.skithevalley.com for details.  Let’s hope this past weekend’s weather was a sign of what this winter has in store for us. So, go get your winter gear out of the attic and start tuning it up. Pray for snow! 

Check out our flickr page for more photos of the first snowfall in Tucker County.

1st snowfall Canaan Valley, WV Oct. 18th

The rain did not keep the peepers away!  Leaf Peepers 2009 was a success….still waiting on an official total, but one of the largest crowds to date.  Could you image if the sun would have been shining? 

Tour of Davis Run For It 2k/5k Walk or Run had over 700 participants!  All participants were able to raise money to support a variety of community and charitable causes of their choice.  For the winning results and awards please go to www.tuckerfoundation.net.  Oktoberfest was a hit with 3 live bands, food, wine, beer and new this year… inflatable rides.  The inflatable rides were an overall success and will be returning next year with more rides and games too!  The Appalachian Craft & Food Fair was so large this year they had to turn crafters away, but the Oktoberfest tent was more than willing to take in the over flow crafters.  Plans are already in the works for next year on how to accommodate all crafters.  The Golden Knights, the Army’s Sky Diving Team, was able to jump as scheduled.  We would like to thank Anne & Mike Wardwell for bringing the Golden Knights to the Leaf Peepers Festival, the crowd really enjoyed this new addition.  The Alpine Festival would also like to thank Boy Scout troop 96 who were on duck patrol during the annual Duck Race.  The proceeds of this event go to the Alpine Festival Association that brings us Leaf Peepers Festival and other events every year.  The Revenge of the Rattlesnake Mountain Bike Race, Fall Colors Golf Tournament, the 14^th Annual Pet Show, and many other events were very successful during the Leaf Peepers Festival.

 Mark your calendars for next year!  This annual festival is always held the last FULL weekend in September.  There are sure to be more and more events added each year…..maybe a fireman’s parade?

Tour of Davis Run For It 2k/5k Walk or Run

Summer is coming to an end with crisp mornings and frigid evenings reassuring that fall is around the corner.  As the leaves are starting to change, fall festival plans are being made.  Tucker County’s own celebration of fall is the annual Leaf Peepers Festival, September 25-27.  During this event you can enjoy the Appalachian Craft and Food Fair, the Annual Pet Show, the famous Duck Race, the Tour of Davis 2k/5k Run or Walk, the Fall Colors Golf Tournament and much more.   Your family can bike the famous Blackwater Canyon, take a Ghost Walk, horseback ride through the fall colors or take a scenic chairlift ride.  During Leaf Peepers, Oktoberfest presents live music all day long from 11am to 6pm.  Oktoberfest also brings great food and products from local breweries and vineyards.  New this year is the US Army Sky Diving Team, the Golden Knights.  And a returning favorite is the Bow Shoot that will be held at Canaan Valley Resort State Park. Oh and we can’t forget about the annual Revenge of the Rattlesnake Mountain Bike Race, the longest running mountain bike race.  I could just keep going on listing these great events but there are just too many to list.   For a full schedule of events check out our Leaf Peepers page. 

If you can’t make Leaf Peepers Festival, fall is just a great time to enjoy all of Tucker County’s outdoor activities.  The golf course at Canaan Valley Resort is in impeccable condition and stays open until the 1^st week in November.  Timberline Four Seasons Resort and Canaan Valley Resort offer scenic chair lift rides.  Nothing is quite like sitting on the chair lift being surrounded by all of the colors of fall.  Once you get to the top, you will have an incredible view of the fall foliage.  This is something you’ll just have to see for yourself.  There are scheduled hikes through Blackwater River Canyon, Dolly Sods and even a fall migration bird’s walk.  (check out our schedule of events page for details)  Mountain bikers love the cool weather to explore the trails and see the fall foliage.  Overlooks like Lindy Point in Blackwater Falls State Park is one of my favorite spots to see the fall colors. 

Fall is a time you just don’t want to miss in Tucker County, WV!

Lindy Point in Blackwater Falls State Park last fall

My weekend plans began Thursday evening.  Tyler (my trusty companion aka my boyfriend) and I drove up to Bear Rocks (beautiful overlook!) in Dolly Sods.  I think it was the first time we have been up there all summer.  We usually take the dogs for a walk in the evening somewhere in the lower part of Dolly Sods.  But that evening we decided to try something different and it paid off.  We chose to do Bear Rocks trail and came across some berry pickers.  But as we hiked on we found that there was still a fair share of blueberries farther along the trail.  We enjoyed a nice hike through the woods and we turned around in a beautiful meadow that over look the lower part of Dolly Sods and Blackbird Knob.  On our way back out we came across a friendly little salamander that let us take a few photos of him.  Once we got back to the car we enjoyed a gorgeous sunset.  On our drive home we decided that we were going to enjoy the warm weather (low 80′s no humidity) and go camping this weekend.

Friendly Salamander

We spent Friday evening discussing where we would go and how I desperately need a pack.  You can’t go backpacking without a pack.  We chose Otter Creek for our weekend destination, since we were just in Dolly Sods and go there often.  We decided on an 8mile loop; 4 miles the first day and 4 miles the second or at least I thought.  Anyway, first thing Saturday morning we headed to Highland Prospects in downtown Davis for a new pack.  I had been eyeing up one or two and Jeremy Golston, the owner, was going to fit me for one.  Once I got the pack on it just didn’t fit me….I’m only 5’1” and the pack was a large.  But Jeremy suggested I rent one.  They keep a few packs on hand along with other camping need for renting.  He fitted me into a size small pack and it fit great!  Nothing’s more important than being comfortable and having a pack that fits right.  Thanks Highland Prospects!  

We parked at the parking lot just above Bear Heaven and begun our adventure onto Otter Creek Trail (FS131).  We followed the river for about 3 miles on this trail then took a right onto Mylius Trail (FS 128).  We stumbled across some fishermen at the river crossing.  We decided to take a break here since our dogs had already scared all the fish away and the friendly fishermen moved upstream.  We cooled off, ate lunch and refilled our water supply.  We ventured on Mylius Trail, totaling just over a half mile before reaching our next trail Shavers Mountain (FS129).  I thought since we had gone just about 4 miles there would be an ending point…soon.  We even came across a great campsite just before we had to head up the mountain.  (I hate hiking uphill).  But Tyler had a different idea, “let’s head to the top and enjoy the stars and we will get the uphill out of the way.”  I had to agree I wanted to get the uphill done and over with and it was still early in the day.  So we left this perfectly good campsite to find another.  And the uphill climb began.  We climbed for just over a mile from about 3,000 feet to about 3,811 feet.  Just when I thought I couldn’t go any further and I was calling Tyler the drill sergeant we came across a great campsite.  No stars because we were covered by trees but we were on top of the world and didn’t care.  The uphill battle wasn’t as bad as I thought and we really enjoyed the cool breeze on top of the mountain.  We set up camp, got a fire going, ate dinner and passed out!  The next morning we rose to the morning light coming over the mountain and ready for our descent.  Since we got most of the mileage done the day before (almost 5 miles) we just enjoyed a nice stroll down the mountain.  We were on Shavers Mountain trail for just over a mile and half before meeting up with Hendrick Camp Trail (FS 165).  We were on Hendrick Camp Trail for about a mile and ended right outsisde of the parking lot.  What a wonderful weekend!  The dogs were tired and we were exhausted.  Thanks West Virginia for another Wild and Wonderful weekend. 

Most people come to Tucker County for Blackwater Falls, as they should it is quite the site, but most are unaware of Douglas Falls.  Some call it the sister waterfall of Blackwater Falls.  As I found when trying to do some research to write this blog, there is very little information about Douglas Falls itself.  There is plenty of information on the history of the starting of the surrounding towns and the lumber yards, coal mining, railroad and coke ovens.  I will share with you my experience and the location of falls and the coke ovens.  I will provide links at the end of the blog to websites with more information on the history of the area.  Here at the visitors’ center we also sell books on the history of Tucker County.

 But the glorious site of the falls is what you must come discover on your own.  To get to the falls is not an easy task.  I suggest a 4-wheel drive vehicle or walking part of the road and the trail to the falls is a tricky so take your time and make sure you have proper footwear. 

Douglas Falls is located in Douglas, WV just outside of Thomas, WV.  To reach the falls; heading north on Rte 32 through Davis and just before downtown Thomas you make a left onto Douglas Rd toward the Mountain Made Artisan Gallery.   Continue on the paved road past the artisan gallery.  This road will wind and bend down the mountain on the other side of the road is the old rail road grade.  Once you go over a small bridge and there is a small “Y” in the road, stay to the left onto a gravel/dirt road, which is the old rail road grade.  If you start heading up the paved road after the bridge you missed the gravel/dirt road.  Now this road gets to be a little rough.  I would suggest only venturing out if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle or if you are custom to driving on these types of roads.   You should be able to make it about half way on this road before you hit some serious pot holes.  You can walk the remaining of the way (a mile or two) to the falls or continue driving.  Half way is about where the Coke Ovens are located.  During summer months they are over grown with vegetation so you will have to look for them.  This gravel/dirt road was once the old railroad grade that is now used as part of the Blackwater Canyon Trail.  Once you reach the end of the road there will be a gate across the road, which continues the Blackwater Canyon Trail.  At the gate directly to your left down the hill, is Douglas Falls.  Be careful this trail is steep and has loose gravel.  I would only suggest venturing down if you have a good footing and proper footwear.  The river that flows over the falls is the North Fork of the Blackwater River.  The rocks are amber and the river is dark red due to the Acid Mine Drainage from the mines and coke ovens.  This makes for beautiful photographing of the falls.  There are and have been lots of efforts to clean the Blackwater River and over time it is getting better.  There are different statistics on the size of the falls one I read said it was about 35 feet high, but I’ve heard it is larger.  There are also a few pictures on the internet circling around of daring kayakers going over the falls.  But this not recommended due to the rigid rocks in the landing pool.  But most will put in at the bottom of the falls and will venture down the rest of the Blackwater River. 

Close to the falls is a wonderful Bed and Breakfast called the Douglas Falls Bed and Breakfast.  It is a little off the beaten track, but in a wonderful setting with glorious amenities. 

Douglas Falls

 

Coke Ovens

Below are sites on the history of Tucker County, kayaking, Blackwater Canyon Trail, the railroad, the coal mining, the coke ovens, and the saving of the Blackwater River. 

North Fork Water Shed

Blackwater Canyon Circle Loop Virtual Tour

WVBike.org History on Tucker County

Douglas Falls Bed and Breakfast

Kayaking

Go to our flickr site for more pictures.

 

Last night was the first night of the 3 day bluegrass festival, Pickin’ in Parsons.  Hosted by Five River Campground in Parsons, WV.  Our evening started with the Hillbilly Gypsies that never disappoint and ended with an amazing performance by Rhonda Vincent and Rage.  This outdoor event has partial covering; there is a large tent that covers most of the seating area.  Bring your lawn chairs and/or blanket for a great weekend of pickin’ in the mountain air.  There are food vendors, crafters and comfort facilities set up around the campground.   Tickets are for sale at the gate for $30 a day or $65 for the whole weekend and includes camping at the campground.  Five River Campground is located at the end of Walnut Street off of Rte 219 in downtown Parsons.  Come and enjoy bluegrass at its finest at the 2^nd largest bluegrass festival in the state of West Virginia, Pickin’ in Parsons.  For more information go to Five River Campground’s Pickin’ in Parsons site   or call 304-478-3515.

The next two days schedule is as follows:

FRIDAY, JULY 31^ST 

11:00am           BLUE MOON RISING

12:00pm            DAVID DAVIS & The Warrior River Boys

1:00pm               KARL SHIFLETT & Big Country Show

2:00pm               The Lewis Family

3:00pm               Tennessee Mafia Jug Band

4:00pm               BLUE MOON RISING

5:00pm               Dinner Break

6:00pm               DAVID DAVIS & The Warrior River Boys

7:00pm               KARL SHIFLETT & Big Country Show

8:00pm               The Lewis Family

9:00pm               Tennessee mafia Jug Band

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1^ST 

11:00am           JAMES REAMS & the Barn Stormers

12:00pm            AUDIE BLAYLOCK & Redline

1:00pm               JIMMY BOWEN & Santa Fe

2:00pm               RANDY WALLER & the Country Gentlemen

3:00pm               GOLDWING express

4:00pm               JAMES REAMS & the Barn Stormers

5:00pm               AUDIE BLAYLOCK & Redline

6:00pm               JIMMY BOWEN & Santa Fe

7 :00pm             RANDY WALLER & the Country Gentlemen

8:00pm               GOLDWING express

9:00pm               RANDY waller & the country gentlemen with special guest Jimmy bowen

Hillbilly Gypsies

 

Pickin’ in Parsons 2009