I love riding in West Virginia. Left the house at 5:30 am on a Thursday. Early enough to mis the start of rush hour. Which is 4 hours long. Out 66 from DC to Front Royal VA for Breakfast. 81 to Winchester then West toward Davis WVA. This was an overlook along the way Davis. It was still early when I got to Davis. I would have liked to try this restaurant. This guy was out front. Next stop, Blackwater State Park. The Blackwater River. I shot this waterfall across the canyon with my 7x zoom. This is the main attraction here. Blackwater Falls. I think it was 214 steps down from the parking area. Nicely done, like a deck the whole way. The water is muddy, I suppose because it's spring and there has been alot of rain. This was the parking area at the top with the gift shop and bathrooms. Notice there is no one in sight. An advantage to being off during the week. I rested here for a while. Next, Seneca Rocks, Dolly Sods, and a really great ride on Smoke Hole Road. Don't miss it.
I love this guy! I'm on paid call every other weekend and to avoid paying overtime the company gives me Wednesday or Thursday off the following week. It's my ride day and it's great being the only one on the road.
I truly enjoy hearing what others think of this area. Helps remind me how fortunate I am to be able to call it home. Looks like you had great weather.
Yesterday I spent 45 minutes working on my report. Clicked a wrong key and lost everything. With that I've decided to do smaller entries at a time. So I road from Blackwater to Seneca Rocks and road through the Canaan Valley. Home of the ski resort of the same name. Snow still on the slopes. Seneca Rocks Had lunch here. The young lady at the deli made her first sandwich ever for me. It was good especially for $2.95. You can just stand in the parking lot and view the "Rocks". Even though you could easily spend a few days taking in the all the area has to offer.
Dolly Sods was not on my itinerary. I just saw the sign and turned around. It's a rough dirt road which is OK on a KLR. The sign at the top said you are welcome to walk in and I could have rode around the gate but I was " scerd ! ". I should have...some adventurer. I rode the other way which went down the other side of the mountain. This was coming back up the again.
This was the highlight of the trip. A really great road for riding. Just off the side of the road was this waterfall. I took about 30 pictures of the road. Next time I think I'll just ride. The road itself...that is the pavement was perfect. This road should be famous.
The next destination was what I found while browsing Mapquest. The road just ends in the middle of the Monongahala National Forest and I could see a clearing, maybe parking? I decided to go there to find out what it is. That is the essence of a great adventure. I get fired up in the planning of it. This is the Smoke Hole Road along a fork of the Potomac River. The shot is looking back. This is the end of the road. The clearing seen on the map is Big Bend Campground. A National Park Service run facility. The river runs around it on three sides. It was very quiet and nice. I should have stayed. I did not go into the campround since the ranger was keeping watch. I rested here just outside. On the way out I found Eagle Rock. Thanks for looking. I took old rt 55 most of the way to Front Royal Va. Which is great for riding. Then home again. 5:30 am to 8:00 pm 450 miles. Thats a big one dayride. See you on the road someday.
Smoke hole Rd is famous.....but only in certain circles. Let's keep it that way. That area is my favorite place anywhere to ride...can't wait to get back.
Blackwater falls and the blackwater river is always at least tea colored because of the bog that feeds it. I used to put in at the base and kayak that stretch when I was less responsible. Looks like you had a great ride, I need to hit that smoke hole road. I'll put it on my list for this summer.
I believe the Scenic Overlook is a view of Saddle Back Mountian on the first major ascent on US 50. Should you have interest in some paved twisties and a nice ride I would suggest US 250 from Staunton VA to Wheeling, WV. You can not find much better scenery and hospitality on the East Coast than you do in WV. Thanks for dropping by.
Yup, you pretty much rode some of the best roads on this side of WV, ya should seen a few inmates heading to Laurel Fork for the ADV weekend ride.
Nice an subtle Lather, rinse, repeat....... Lather, rinse, repeat....... We did that all day a few years ago..... what a blast. Like a bloody water park.
How you been Neal? We all miss seeing you around. Kevin and I should be that way for a 3 day weekend the 13th to the 15th. You should come by or we could meet up for lunch or something.
