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!)

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!  

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!

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.

Bring in the New Year in Tucker County, WV there’s plenty going on.  Both ski resorts are open with 50+ trails between the two of them.  Night skiing is now offered and worth experiencing under the full moon for New Year’s Eve night. 

Timberline Resort will be hosting their annual Big New Year’s Extravaganza from 5pm to 2am.  The Extravaganza includes New Year’s Eve buffet dinner, live entertainment, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight!  For reservations and more information 304-866-4801 or 800-766-9464 www.timberlineresort.com

Canaan Valley Resort End of the Year Celebration includes something for the whole family.  The Family Bash begins at 6pm and lasts until 12:30am.  This celebration offers dinner, a DJ, family games, contests, and party favors.  For the adults the Hickory Room is hosting a New Year’s Eve menu, champagne toast, party favors and the midnight bash at the Laurel Lounge, all for $45!  If you are looking to just celebrate then head to the Laurel Lounge for the midnight bash with Brother Short from 9pm to 1am, $5 cover charge.  For reservations and more information 304-866-2141 ext. 2651 or 800-622-4121 www.canaanresort.com

White Grass Cross Country Touring Center and Café will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Carefree Snowshoe Tour at 1pm.  This is your chance to appreciate the simple beauty of snowshoeing.  At the café they will have a New Year’s Eve buffet and live music by Matt Lambert.  Reservations are strongly suggested.  Check out the dinner menu at www.whitegrass.com and call for reservations 304-866-4114

The Purple Fiddle is hosting the Hillbilly Gypsies and the Fox Hunt to open for their New Year’s Eve Celebration.  The show begins at 9pm and includes party favors and champagne at midnight.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show.  For the late folks starting at 11:15pm tickets will be $10.  For more information and advance ticket purchases 304-463-4040 www.purplefiddle.com   We always suggest going early, seats fill up fast!

The Mountain State Brew Pub will be hosting a New Year’s Eve “Trailer Park” Party starting at 8pm.  Come out and party like your hanging in the trailer park!  Come in and costume and be ready to dance.  www.mountainstatebrewing.com 304-463-4500

Please be careful and have fun this New Year’s Eve and Happy New Year!