Now picture this…….these two nomads happily packing up “Betsy” singing John Denver’s – Country Roads loud and proud.

“Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong, West Virginia, mountain mamma, take me home, Country roads”.  

William, of course, in his perfect old school serious country twang and Laura mixing it up Salt n’ Peppa nineties style just killin’ the words “mountain mama” every chance she gets!

Calmly heading south along I-75, when all of a sudden from out of know where, the snow hits.  We are dodging the largest snowflakes we have ever encountered and it quickly reminds us of what it looks like when the Millennium Falcon enters into hyperspace. Stay strong “USE THE FORCE BETSY!“. 

West Virginia HERE WE COME!

Day 1- April 9, 2016

Who knew you could sleep so soundly to the “hmmmm” of 10 semi-trucks? A great sleep, access to a flushing toilet, a sink to brush our teeth in and we are ready for a day of adventure. All thanks to the new app we downloaded from the google play store titled “Rest Stops”.  Check it out my fellow travelers.

The engineer of this dynamic duo appears to have “snuck in” a few bridges on our West Virginia tour. Three to be exact.  Time for this gypsy to polish up on her suspension physics….lol. Our first stop on our adventure is the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. It spans the main channel of the Ohio River at Wheeling, West Virginia. It was the largest suspension bridge in the world when it was completed in 1849.  What we found most interesting about this bridge is it is still in use despite the fact that the bridge was originally designed for horse-drawn carriages.  William do you have your engineering hat on, are you sure we are safe?

On to the next stop….what?!?!? Another bridge.  Dents Run Covered Bridge, is a historic covered bridge located near Laurel Point, Mononglia County.  It was built in 1889, and spans Dents Run. The bridge is of kingpost truss construction and measures 12′-10″ wide and 40′ long. It looks like it was plucked from the movie Bridges of Madison County.

William felt the bridge itself was a bit “anticlimactic” but the howling coyotes during our photo session definitely had the free spirited gypsy running to the van for cover.

If the coyotes deep in the mountains of West Virginia weren’t enough to get these two nomads blood pumping our next adventure will.  The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.

 

 

Despite William’s pleas at reception they are no longer accepting patients. A nationally recognized landmark, this structure offered shelter for the mentally ill in the mid-1800s. The asylum, constructed between 1858 and 1881, is one of the largest hand-cut stone masonry buildings in the Western Hemisphere. It was designed by the renowned architect Richard Andrews, who called for long rambling wings arranged in a staggered formation, assuring that each of the connecting structures received an abundance of therapeutic sunlight and fresh air. Despite these good intentions it quickly became apparent that society’s history of mental health treatment has been devastating.  Lobotomy wings, bloodletting wards, strait jackets, four point restraint hooks and cages are all in plain view throughout the asylum.  The heaviness and pain felt throughout the tour was simply unbearable at times.  

The asylum has also been a popular research location for paranormal investigators. Ghost sightings, unexplained crying, pulling on visitors pant legs, doors slamming, and baseballs independently rolling across the hall in the children’s ward have been documented by many visitors. The shower stall with “REDRUM” deeply carved in the wood of a bathroom door was enough to ground the free spirited gypsy! Laura pretty much spent the entire tour hanging on to William’s arm, and if William wasn’t available a complete stranger in the group sufficed. If paranormal activity interests you the overnight tour comes highly recommended. Although one half of this nomad duo is interested, the other half says…….Ummmm…..FECK NO!

Private lunch for two surrounded by light falling snow and the sound of rushing water…..life is good!   Blackwater Falls State Park received its name from the dark-coloured waters of the Blackwater River.

Tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles gives the water its dark colour. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, boating, swimming, or fishing at the park. Just be sure to take the trail to the main attraction – Blackwater Falls. While these falls aren’t as tall as some, they’re equally beautiful.  The dark, tumbling waters plunge almost 60 feet, creating one of the most photographed sights in the state.

After a long day of adventure these two tired nomads were seeking a spot to spend the night. The parking lot of the Seneca Rock Discovery Center should suffice. “Betsy” is parked at the base of the highest point in West Virginia. Fresh air, a stunning view, and a warm meal of dehydrated mountain house lasagna and we are down for the count. Washrooms and running water are so over rated….lol

Day 2- April 10, 2016

Good morning Seneca Rock! The hunt for coffee in the middle of nowhere begins. Carolyn Harper, the owner of Harper’s Old Country Store had just brewed a pot for herself and was willing to share it with William before he imploded.  

Thanks Mrs. Harper! Mrs. Harper recommended we tackle the easy groomed 1.5-mile trail that leisurely winds around the mountain to the summit. The result, a wrong turn and now Laura is dodging falling boulders as William mistakenly follows the “blue diamond” rock climbers trail ahead. Um….William the sign says “helmets and rock climbing shoes required”, you certain we are on the correct trail????

Deep in the hills of West Virginia are the Seneca Caverns. These formations began 460 million years ago.  In the 1400s, the Seneca Indians, began to use them for shelter, storage, and special ceremonies. The constant year round temperature, access to fresh water and the million year old stalagmites have both these nomads considering a stent of cave living.   

ALL ABOARD! Back into “Betsy” and off to our next stop. The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, is where you will find the remnants of an old historic railroad town and even the option of taking a ride on a functional historic steam engine. A historical railway enthusiast’s dream.

Tucked away in a narrow gorge just off the Highland Scenic Highway is a hidden treasure known as The Falls of Hills Creek, Monongahela National Forest. This popular area contains three waterfalls – 25 feet, 45 feet, and 63 feet. The lower falls, at 63 feet is the second highest waterfall in West Virginia.

After finally climbing back up from the depths of the Lower Falls, we jumped back in the van to rest our weary bones and make tracks towards the third bridge of this trek.

A sight that took us both by surprise. The New River Gore Bridge was at one time the largest single span arch bridge in the world and today it still boasts number three. The view was breath taking with the New River being some 876′ down below. Bridge itinerary complete!!

 

Van parked, P.J.’s on, candle lit, wine poured…….Cheers! What a fantastic way to end a day.  Heading to Charleston in the morning.

Day 3- April 11, 2016

A charming stroll through old-time Charleston was a great start to our morning. With a little pep in our step along Capitol Street, our hunt for a quaint morning café was under way.

 

 

Enter stage left….Taylor Books!  A full-service bookstore, espresso bar, and art hot spot that has helped to change the face of downtown Charleston. Taylor Books is the type of place that definitely beckons you back.

It has a patina that is worn and comfortable like your old favourite pair of jeans. There is no such thing as a short trip to Taylor Books, there is just too much to see. If you are in the area check it out, the homemade dill and cheddar scone is a little slice of heaven!

You can’t spend the morning in a state’s capital without a pit stop to see the Capital Building. Visitors to Charleston often gape in awe at the 293-foot golden dome, which is five feet higher than the US Capitol’s dome.

Finally back on the interstate heading north with “Betsy” on cruise and these two nomads relaxing to the radio, we noticed an exit sign for Marshall University. All of a sudden Williams wealth of movie trivia knowledge kicked in and in a blink of an eye we were standing in front of the Marshall University Football Stadium.  

In 1970 the entire football team and support staff died in a plane crash. Even though this tragic event occurred before either of these two nomads were born. In the movie We Are Marshall, Matthew McConaughey did a brilliant job bringing it to light.

This unexpected detour also led to another little surprise treat, “FROSTOP”!!! Enough said, the picture says it all.

Time for lunch and a quick bite in the van was not going to cut it. We needed something “BIG”; so we headed over to Hillbilly Hot Dogs.

This place is located on the side of the road across from the Ohio River in the middle of nowhere. At first glance it looks like Sandford and Son’s Junk Yard, but walking around looking at all the trinkets and laughing at all the goofy slogans, you quickly realize there was a method to their madness.

 

We ordered their one pound gourmet hotdog with twelve toppings and sat in an old converted school bus titled the “Hillbilly Express” to dig into this feast. The best hot dog we have ever had and don’t worry although the Hot Berry Cobbler “Alacommode” was a tempting dessert option, we passed!  Hillbilly Hotdogs a definite must see and if you’re the marrying type they have the Hillbilly Chapel right there. Fully equipped with a “Kissing Cousins” cut out for the perfect wedding pics…..lol

 

Bridges, ghosts, a near death boulder dodging experience and a full blown Hillbilly Wedding Chapel;  our job here in West Virginia is done. “Home William!”