Cruising West Virginia

Saturday June 30

This was a day for driving through scenic eastern West Virginia. It began with a stretch of the New River Gorge, and continued roughly north and east from there. This area is generally quite rural, and the going alternates between expansive views and curvy roads up or down the sides of ridges -- this is the southeastern Alleghenies. I eventually ended up at Spruce Knob Lake Campground, a 3700-foot remote campground in the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. The principal recreations here appear to be fishing and rock climbing.

Spruce Knob, for those keeping score, is the highest point in West Virginia. (The score for this trip is five high points: Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and West Virginia. I drove up the last three.) It has great views, which are wonderfully captured in my previous blog entry and mislabelled as views from the Pipestem Resort observation tower. The summit was a wonderful place to spend an evening...

Sunday July 1

This day was again spent cruising in West Virginia, and also western Maryland. It started early at the Seneca Rocks, a promining outcrop that is a popular climbing destination. (Eric, take note.) I merely hiked up to a viewing area to see what was to be seen, which included some local wildlife.

In the area near the Maryland border, I encountered a windmill farm -- I wish I had pictures, there were actually some interesting views of them from the road. (Opponents of wind energy like this project, take note.)

North to West Virginia

Friday June 29

This was a day spent winding northward through the mountains of North Carolina, a jaunt along I-81 in Virginia, and more winding through to hills of eastern West Virginia. Parts of the day featured rain, including not too long after arrival at Pipestem Resort State Park.

This park features a gorge on the Bluestone River. There is a trail down to a viewpoint (descent of about 800 feet), as well as a gondola that goes down to facilities along the river. I hiked down this trail for the views, but had to endure a little rain. Bear was fortunately spared dampness by clever use of the umbrella.

There was also an observation tower near the park entrance that had some lovely views.