Summer 2012

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CalEndar insidE!

GorGe GuideFrEE! sUMMEr 2012

CAMPING WITH THE KIDS

A SURVIVAL GUIDE

’SUP? a priMEr on thE nEwEst

watErsport CrazE

Beautiful places to Get wet7

TWo WHEEL REVoLUTIoN

How Biking Finally Arrived in the New River Gorge

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PuBliSher/editor Cristina Opdahleditorial conSultantS Maura Kistler, Christopher Danz

coPy editor Martha Opdahlhealth editor Ginger DanzcontriButinG WriterS Eric Autenreith, Katie Johnson, Maura Kistler, Kim Maxwell, Brian Vincent, Jay YoungcontriButinG PhotoGraPherS Christopher Danz, Colleen La� ey, Mike Turner

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Jessica HoltzclawPlease send request for media kits to [email protected] call 304-573-8113

EDITORIAL CONTENT editorial and photo submissions are welcome. Send a brief description of your story idea or jpeg of the photo you are submitting to [email protected]

copyright© 2011 by nickelville Press, llc. all rights reserved. reproduction in whole or part without written permission is expressly prohibited.

New River Gorge Adventure GuideP.o. Box 372Fayetteville, WV 25840304-573-8113

outdoor activities are inherently risky, and participation can cause injury or loss of life. Please consult your doctor prior to beginning any workout program or sports activity, and seek out a qualifi ed instructor. nickelville Press, llc will not be held responsible for your decision to play outdoors.

coVer: Jonathan danz begins a ride on the long Point trail.Photograph by christopher danz

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New River Gorge Adventure Guide covers the beautiful natural playgrounds in and around the new river Gorge including the Gauley river and Summersville lake area, the meadow river, and more. it is located in south-central West Virginia near Fayetteville, West Virginia, and the new river Gorge Bridge.

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Old River, New Adventures, Lasting Memories

Don’t Miss Out On All The Fun!

www.VisitFayettevilleWV.com*Check the website often for all that’s happening in the ’Ville

❧ Fayette County Farmer’s Market Every Saturday June—October 7:30—11:30AM; located in parking lot between Diogi’s and CVB.❧ Market DayFirst Saturday of every month June—October; 8:00AM—12:00PM Artisan’s Market, Flea Market, Yard Sales throughout town. →Stop by the Farmer’s Market Stand to pick up your Market Day Guide!

❧ New River Gorge Heritage Festival June 29—July 4th “Family Fun in Fayetteville”

www.NewRiverGorgeCVB.com

❦ Fayette County Farmer’s Market

Every Thursday June —October 4:00—7:00PM

located at 137 Main St. across from Wendy’s

❦ Ansted Hometown Mountain Heritage Festival

June 15—17

❦ Oak Hill Oak Leaf Festival August 22—September 2

Old River, New Adventures, Lasting Memories

Hours: Tues – Fri 10:00 am – 7:00 pm; Sat 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm Additional Hours May Be Available Upon Request

Rates: $40/30 min; $70/60 min; $105/90 min local resident discount available

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Summer 2012 Issue9. million dollar man by mary reed a Q&a with roger,

formerly of rocky top retreat

9. Bicentennial Bateau 250 epic miles, much of it upstream, reaches its crux in the new river Gorge

10. Stairway to heaven Th e newest playground in the trees is quirky and cool

10. climber’s Paradise Big plans are in the works for a campground with rock climbers in mind

11. nuttallburg renewed Th e most complete relic from the coal boom is restored and ready for visitors

13. What’s SuP? by maura Kistler What’s up with this latest watersport craze? here’s everything you need to know to go check it out for yourself.

16. drop me in the Water by Brian Vincent, Katie Johnson, eric autenreith, and Kim maxwell From relaxing to exciting, we give you the best places to get wet in the heat of summer

22. Sweet Spot a collection of articles celebrating mountain biking in the new river Gorge featuring:

a cyclist is Born by Jonathan danztips for the trail by andrew ForronWhy i love the nrG by adam StephensWhere to ride by Staff

28. Broken Rose by Jay young a historical reenactment ends in kindling

29. one trout night by Katie Johnson Th e simplest outings make the best memories. Plus, what to bring when you go camping with the kids

30. adventure calendar Th ree triathlons: one traditional, one extreme, one for beginners, and more

32. nature & culture calendar Birding, string bands, and a water festival

33. road tripping by Jim mccormac Searching for sundew and other wild things in the cranberry Glades

34. natural Wonders, renewable energy by rory mcilmoil West Virginia is rich in sustainable natural resources, too

35. Be Well by erin larsen eat your nettles. Who knew those stinging plants could be so nutritious?

36. restaurant Guide Balancing healthy eats with sinful treats has never been so delicious

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summer 2012 NRGORGEGUIDE.com 9

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Happenings

on may 23, a national GeoGraPhic young explorers–sponsored expedition passed its crux in the new river Gorge. Begun on april 5 of this year, the marshall expedition—six young explorers, two with whitewater expertise—retraced a route taken by Supreme court Justice John marshall 200 years ago from richmond, Virginia, to Gauley Bridge, West Virginia. Their 250 mile trip began by ascending the James and Jackson rivers by poling. it took them a month to reach the Greenbrier river, where they turned downstream.

Their craft: a 47-foot long bateau made from white oak and steered by a bow and stern oar. it was modeled after those used during

marshall's time on the James river.

once in Thur mond, the crew waited for the new river to drop before running the class iV lower new rapids at about 4 feet. The boat nearly filled with water

at Keeney's creek rapid (it is not, like most rubber rafts, a self bailer), but recovered. The crew cleaned the remaining runs and reached Fayette Station unscathed.

Bicentennial Bateau

Why did you decide to close? ’cause of health reasons. Sick of workin’.

What kind of reactions did you get when you told people you were closing? People don’t like it, but i can’t help it. if they try to bribe me, a million dollars would do it.

Your four acres and house are for sale. Asking price? million dollars.

You’re the million dollar man. That’s it.

What if you don’t sell?i’ll live here. in peace and harmony. The house suits me just fine.

What are you going to do now? i’m goin’ on a two year vacation – and (won’t) leave the house.

What else? a hobby.

What? Shootin’ campers.

Have you ever kicked anybody out? about 40 people. yeah, it’s pretty fun. Just go away. The road goes both ways, just don’t stop here. you get some jackasses every year.

What does someone have to do to get kicked out? Shootin’ potato guns at climbers. that would do it.

Thank you for kicking that person out. yeah.

What will you do when somebody shows up and pitches a tent in 2012? Get the squirrel gun out. it’s huntin’ season. all year long.

I’m sensing a little burnout here, Roger. yeah, that’s it.

Where are people going to camp now? anywhere they want to.

Q & Amillion dollar manroGer calls it quits, closes campGround

By mary reed

the SiGn aS you enter the campground reads rocky top retreat, but everybody knows it simply as roger’s. “hi, i’m roger,” were the first words you heard upon arrival, whether that was a few months or 10 years ago. located near the top of Kaymoor crag, roger’s campground has been the home base of thousands of climbers since 1993. to pretty much everyone’s dismay, roger Fox (“That’s Foxxx with three Xs – did you get that?”) hung it up at the end of 2011, leaving a hole in the fabric of the new river Gorge climbing community. The New River Gorge Adventure Guide caught up with roger as he shut down last fall to get the beta on what’s next.How would you describe yourself? That’s your job, you can describe me.

Nicest guy at the New River Gorge? i doubt it. They haven’t seen me in the morning.

How would you describe Roger’s campground? rogers? it’s like livin’ in a park. it’s roger’s neighborhood. i just don’t wear the sweater.

Your hosting style? unique … how’s that? i had 18 years to perfect it. i like everybody to have a good time. it’s what you come down here for. Just can’t keep the rain off of ya. i pay the weather bill but it gets stuck.

When did you buy the property? about 30 years ago. i bought it from the land company. it used to be the coal company and then they changed it to a land company because they held so much land.

Do you remember the first day you opened for business? We had an accident. Somebody fell down the cliff. it took the park service four hours to get him. today it would take probably 10 hours to get him.

How many campers do you estimate you have hosted over the years? a million (laughs).

How many on an average weekend? i don’t know. Sixty to 70.Why did you decide to close?

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guides roam the ground, ready to “rescue” anyone who needs help exiting the course. you can fall off , but not to the ground. instead you become what guides call an aG: airborne Guest, dangling a few feet below the course.

Kids as young as 7 can do it. Th e best part is that they can do the yellow course over and over again without adult supervision, while the adults go scare themselves on Peregrine, the black diamond. Highest Point: 60 feetNumber of Courses: 5How rare? one of 8 in the u.S.

Diffi culty: yellow (easiest), green (little bit harder), blue (harder still), black diamond (hardest)How to Get the Guide’s Attention: yell, “hey, trekkie!” Hardest Move: Stairway to Heaven on the black diamond. no handholds, moving wood steps, high steps, and an especially tricky move to get to the platform. here’s a hint: don’t try to jump for it. Coolest Invention: Th e tweezle, a weird looking plastic thingamabob that allows you to leapfrog with your leashes down the course while staying locked to the safety wire at all times. Annoying industry term: treekking. you know, trekking in the trees. Get it? Where to Go: Th e course is located at adventures on the Gorge (888-650-1932, adventurewestvirginia.com)

stairway to heaven

“roGer’S haS cloSed. the timinG is perfect,” says Gene Kistler, co-owner of Waterstone outdoors and President of new river alliance of climbers. We are hiking through a 39 acre parcel of land on the north side of the new river Gorge just uphill of the national river boundary and Junkyard climbing area. Th e american alpine club (aac) has owned the land since december of 2010. it was purchased to create an aac campground—which will be one of only a handful in the u.S.

“Th e aac was looking for areas with

thiS SPrinG the neWeSt activity since BridgeWalk opened, and it also involves walking a route way up high. timbertrek aerial Park is a series of obstacle courses in the sky that require you to cross narrow beams, log ends, and other assorted objects that require balance. in between the balance challenges, you negotiate nets; swing on log rope swings; and zipline from tree platform to tree platform.

here’s the neat part: you’re on your own. you are outfi tted with a full body harness. attached to that harness is a double carabiner leash system that ensures that you always stay clipped in to a safety wire.

at the beginning of each course, your guide says Sayonara and sends you off to make your way. other

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hiStory BuFFS haVe had amPle relics of the coal boom to hunt for in the new river Gorge, but the search has required a fair amount of bushwacking. Th ose hoping to lay their eyes on coke ovens, old tipples, bridge abuttments, building foundations, and old machinery have had to reckon with honeysuckle, wild rose, and other vegetation trying to reclaim the Gorge.

now there’s one former coal mine that doesn’t require indiana Jones skills. Th e national Park Service has cleared and graveled paths past stone coke ovens and through the old town of nuttallburg, where nearly 100 homes once sheltered the 400-some people who lived there.

more signifi cant is the coal mining infrastructure for nuttallburg coal mine,

nuttallburg renewedTh e view from under nuttallburg coal tipple up the 1,385-foot conveyor

which has been stabilized and made safe for visitors. a complete mining colliery is still at nuttallburg—everything that the coal workers needed to get a lump of coal from the four-foot-high Sewell coal seam 600 feet above the railroad tracks to the railroad cars. henry Ford had a hand in this. his company purchased the

mine in the early 1920s in order to own the very coal and coal processing that made model ts. he sold the mine in 1928, but not before he renovated and improved things. Th e 1,385-foot long conveyor that curves up the steep slope of the Gorge to the headhouse and mine opening could be called beautiful. Th e tipple at its lower end, where coal was sorted and loaded into railroad cars, is majestic in a rusty and industrial way and pretty cool, too.

HOW TO GET THERE: Skinny, winding backroads alert: don’t go without the detailed Park Service instructions found at nps.gov/neri/historyculture/nuttallburg.htm or by stopping by the canyon rim Visitor’s center (304-574-2115) on u.S. 19 just north of the new river Gorge Bridge.

stellar rock climbing opportunities but lacking in stellar camping facilities, and the new river Gorge fi t that description,” says Kistler, who was instrumental in the project and is now Project manager for the future campground.

We walk through typical third generation hardwood forest—thick canopy, white oaks and poplar, jewel weed and ferns in the undergrowth. eventually there will be 60 campsites, including bathhouse with showers and laundry facilities, communal fi re pits, and a caretaker's cabin. it will be designed with climbers in mind: tents only, no rVs, and a pavilion with a library. Kistler envisions it becoming more than a campground, a gathering place for climbers and a focal point

in the greater outdoor community. We crest a hill where the trees are older and

the forest more open. Kistler grins and imagines the pavilion here. Farther south towards the border with national river property, we enter hemlock forest with rock outcroppings that will become boulder problems once the camp-ground opens. a bit later we walk under three grand old american Beech trees. Th e possibilities are exciting for this climber’s paradise-to-be. “Just imagine,” says Kistler, standing under one of the beeches: “treehouses!”

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BIPLANE RIDES« « « « « « « « « «


What’s SUP?They look like oversized surfboards, but we are 300 miles from the nearest ocean. They are Stand Up Paddleboards, called SUPs, and they are evidence that the hottest new sport to hit the outdoor world has made its way to West Virginia. By Maura Kistler

it’S an unSeaSonaBly Warm may evening and i am standing at the edge of Summersville lake with a dozen or so things that look like oversized surfboards scattered about a patch of grass. With me is a group of about a dozen people, ranging in age from from 15 to 60, mostly women and a few fellas, some fit, some paunchy. We are here to learn a completely new sport. What’s more, we are here to learn a sport that has been described as the hottest, most exciting thing to hit the outdoor industry: SuPs, short for Stand up Paddleboards.

What is a SuP, you ask? exactly my question when i first started seeing them strapped to the roof of cars driving through Fayetteville. take a surfboard, make it bigger and more stable, add a very long paddle so you can propel yourself standing up. it’s a trend or the next generation of water adventure, depending on who you ask. a little web research turns up hyperbole. it’s “like walking on water,” says one website. “intrinsically pleasurable on a deep level,” says another. “anyone can do it!” regardless, it has hit Fayetteville and the new river Gorge, and i have been eager to try it.

Which brings me back to the beach where my classmates and i are wondering if this sport is in fact as easy as they say. our instructor is melanie Seiler—a very fit and psyched gal who’s been leading the local SuP charge. it is 6:00 p.m. and i settle in, prepared for a detailed talk about safety

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14 NEW RIVER GORGE ADVENTURE GUIDE 100% recycled paper

sUp through the Years

• 4000 years ago: Peruvian fisherman are credited with paddling flat boards while fishing. (They still do.)

•18th Century: captain cook made notes in his journal about surfing and stand-up surfers while exploring Polynesia

• 1940s: John zapotocky, credited by the cognescenti as the true father of SuP, takes to standing up with a long paddle after observing duke Kahanamoku, the Father of Surfing, do so in order to get a better vantage point for spotting incoming swells. zapotocky is still paddling in his 90s.

• 1950s and ’60s: The Beach Boys of Waikiki adopted the technique of standing on their hefty long boards and using long outrigger paddles in order to get shots of tourists as they learned to surf. Beach Boy Surfing, as it became known, fell out of practice in the following decades.

• 1995: Big wave surfing icons laird hamilton and dave Kalama took to paddleboarding to maintain their fitness when the surf was flat, later discovering that it was a killer way to catch more waves.

• 2000: hawaiian surfer rick Thomas introduces SuP to california.

• 2005: a surf magazine published a photo of laird hamilton, the ultimate paragon of cool, catching big waves with a long paddle in his hand.

• 2010s: Whitewater kayaking stars dan Gavere, coran addison, and Jimmy Blakeney spearhead the new SuP application: running whitewater.

• 2009: First SuP spotted in Fayetteville...

take Your pick: Flatwater or whitewaterFlatwater: Explore the lakes

summersville lake you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more pleasant SuP playground: The uncrowded, clean and wildly scenic Summersville lake has a myriad of quiet coves to explore replete with waterfalls and ducks and 2,700 acres of open water. Salmon run put-in is the most convenient. head north on rt. 19 toward Summersville. one quarter mile south of Summersville, take a left on airport rd. it’s an immediate left to the put-in.

hawks nest lake a wide, placid section of the new created by hawks nest dam. look for hawks, turkey vultures and, if you're lucky, bald and golden eagles. located below hawks nest State Park, 304-658-5212, hawksnestsp.com.

Boley lake a small, beautiful lake lined with rhododendrons and hardwoods in Babcock State Park. 304-438-3004, babcocksp.com.

Veteran kayakers who think nothing of paddling class V runs suddenly find class i and ii to be thrilling again on a SuP. a word of advice from local Peter iscaro, in his fourth season of SuP: head to the new. “it is deep and warm and not rocky,” says iscaro.

Beginner whitewater: the Upper new Small waves and riffles broken up by long calm flatwater pools make this a perfect training ground for you to find your balance and get your whitewater feet under you.

intermediate whitewater: Fayette station rapid Before attempting to tackle whitewater with any heft, look no farther than this easy test piece. it has everything you need to build your skills in one tidy package. 1. Giant eddies where you can work on the basics above and below Fayette Station rapid. 2. Thread the needle upstream, a gentle rapid with some giant boulders where you can practice ferrying across the current and entering and peeling out of eddies. 3. Fayette Station rapid, a meaty, straightforward class iV that provides some big waves but virtually no risk.

advanced park and play: Gauley river surfspots The experienced SuP whitewater aficionado looking to surf waves will find some stellar “park and play” opportunities on the Gauley river, especially Perfect Wave right below mason’s Branch. recommended flows: beginner, 300-800 cFS (cubic feet per second); intermediate, 800-1,500 cFS; advanced, 1,500-2,500 cFS. (read the Belva, WV gauge at www.lrh-wc.usace.army.mil/wc/whitewater.html). looking for even more? try the lower Gauley’s Five Boat hole and diagonal ledges.

whitewater: Easy becomes hard

and technique. not even. Seiler’s talk is over in eight minutes and includes succinct, step by step instructions on how to stand up and wield the long paddle without looking like a goober.

We tote our unwieldy boards down to the shoreline and tentatively shove off on our knees. my board is surprisingly stable, and i’m not alone in this discovery. By 6:15 most of us have hopped up easily and are planted on our boards. at 6:20 i am confidently paddling along with Seiler’s advice ringing in my ears: “don’t worry about it, just paddle.” By 6:30 i am feeling some glide. By 6:45 i am mulling over what kind of board to buy. By 7:00 my shoulders are burning and i can feel my abs.

There is some magic going on here. no doubt it has to do with being on water alone with the breeze and the birds. i feel a bit liberated, it is so easy.

easy and exciting. Standing up on a surfboard-like craft and paddling about, i feel like the door to adventure is wide open. i am not even thinking about getting hurt, or breathing deeply to calm my nerves. i did not wrangle with a bunch of complicated gear. i just relaxed while i steadily wore myself out.

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Former professional kayaker dan Gavere, current professional whitewater SuP paddler shredding lake creek, oregon

where to try it:adventures on the Gorge offers a ½ day intro to SuP at Summersville lake for $79. 888-650-1932; adventurewestvirginia.com. ace adventure resort offers a number of SuP adventures from $35-$99 800-787-3982 aceraft.com. ace adventure Gear has a limited selection of demo boards available for $20 a day. reserve in advance, 304-574-1900.

where to Find the Gear: SuP retailers: our area is fortunate to have three SuP retailers: ace adventure Gear, located on Fayette station rd., adventures on the Gorge in ames heights, and Water Stone outdoors in downtown Fayetteville.

Gear UpBoards Brace yourself for a bit of sticker shock: boards range from $500-$5000, with the average price coming in around $1000. newbies should look for a multi-purpose design that will allow you to experiment across the spectrum. here are a few guidelines: The longer the board, the faster and easier the glide. Shorter, thicker boards (7’-10’) are more maneuverable and are well suited for running whitewater.

paddles SuP paddles have an elbow between the shaft and the blade to increase stroke efficiency. choose one that is roughly 8” taller than you. if you are sharing it, consider an adjustable paddle. The cheaper paddles will be a combination of aluminum and plastic, making for a durable but heavy paddle. lighter, higher performance paddles are made of fiberglass or carbon fiber. Prices start around $75 and head into the stratosphere.

pFds a Personal Flotation device is required because the coast Guard classifies paddleboards as vessels. choose any coast Guard–approved life jacket.

Fiberglass or Inflatable? like traditional surfboards, most paddleboards are made from a foam core with a fiberglass and epoxy resin skin. recently, however, inflatable boards have entered the market and are increasingly popular. disavow the notion that inflatable means squishy. These boards feel almost as rigid as the non-inflatables. The advantages include durability and ease of transportation and storage. inflatables lose a wee bit of performance in glide and speed.

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Drop Me in the Water

Swimming holes, whitewater runs, float trips, park and play, lake cruising: Take your pick to cool off in the heat of summer.


WATER

her frantic tone caught my attention. We had agreed early on in our relationship to never scream at each other. But it was too late. “uh oh,” was the only response i could muster. our tandem kayak skirted a large boulder on the downstream side pausing on a watery precipice. Th e boat began to lean into the hole. i thrust my paddle in

and arched back, trying to avoid the spray. But like the bar patron trapped by a spit-spraying local drunk, we were going to get wet! We dropped into the hole, fl ipped, and swam aft er a futile attempt to roll up. i sat back into my PFd with my feet up, laughing and enjoying the scenery as our borrowed boat took off down river. Th e driver of the Wednesday night free shuttle had called our craft a marriage breaker, but we had been confi dent in our ability to keep it laid back, upright and fun. aft er all, it is hard to embrace trite relationship battles when immersed in such grandeur. my wife and i met in the eddy aft er Greyhound hole, got back in our boat and kissed before the river’s cascading green backdrop. a prehistoric canyon, the gorge is a steep, forested guardian to a more primitive time. it is wild, runs fast, and is the perfect place to get wet. So get out there. Float the river with your signifi cant other or just grab a friend. i’ve seen more relationships forged in this beautiful gorge than not and that is part of the magic.

hoW to Get there: Th e lower new river is wild whitewater. Seek experience, either learned or bought (guide) before embarking on a river run. a number of area outfi tters off er kayak clinics and lower new raft ing trips. Th e new river Gorge convention and Visitors Bureau (800-927-0263; newrivergorgecvb.com/newrivergorge-raft ing)has a full list of outfi tters.

—Brian Vincent

CLASSIC RUN:

Paddling the Lower New#1deeP in the neW riVer GorGe careening down the chute above the big hole at hook 99 rapid, my wife yelled: “Paddle hard!”

the meadoW riVer iS Well known for smallmouth bass and tiger muskie fi shing, for climbing (the rehab Wall is just uphill from the water), and for class iii to Vi kayak runs. But at summer levels, the water is clear and the current in the middle Section slows to meandering. in between rapids are calm pools deep enough to jump in from a rope swing.

hoW to Get there: Th e meadow fl ows can rise signifi cantly aft er a good rainfall so check the river gauge before going at www.lrh-wc.usace.army.mil/wc/whitewater.html. look for fl ows around 50 cFS on the meadow river (mount lookout, WV) reading. Th e section with the best swimming opportunities is found by taking u.S. 19 north from the new river Gorge Bridge, east on route 60, then north on route 41, which eventually follows the river.

HIDDEN SPOT:

Swimming the Meadow#2 the neW riVer drieS is called the dries because most of the new river is diverted around hawksnest dam. What’s left is a shallow playground. a steep, treacherous trail with loose rocks guards the river from the weak-kneed. Biting fl ies in the heat of summer keep the delicate away. overcoming these obstacles is worth it: an entire riverbed of fl at rocks and a natural waterslide that rivals anything man-made awaits.

hoW to Get there: take route 16 West from Fayetteville. aft er several miles, you’ll reach cotton hill Bridge, which crosses the dries. a half a dozen pull-off s can be found on the left . Steep scramble to the river bank.

NATURAL WATERPARK:

The Dries at Low Water#3

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W -80.8660W -80.8660

SLR ad-Gorge Guide 2012.indd 1 5/6/12 11:20 AM

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canyon doorS iS the cooleSt place that i know of on a hot day. canyon doors is the name of the rapid that lies beneath towering, copper colored cliff s on the lower Gauley river. When the river levels are right—between 400 and 900 cFS—a wave hole forms that is perfect for the whole family to surf. Kayaks are okay in the hole but the real magic is experienced more simply: just a boogie board and a lifejacket. Th is fi sh eye view while the water rushes under you provides endless fascination plus a total body massage. When you wash out of the hole it’s a short swim back into the eddy, and you can do it all over again. it’s the perfect swimmers treadmill with a thrill.

When the hole is in, the river is low enough that you can wade your coolers and gear out to a fl at rock, island perch upstream of the action. Th e water in the Gauley is always crisp so cold blooded folks may like a piece of neoprene to keep their core warm. also, just like any river play spot you have to be aware of dangers. rocks on the bottom of the river form the hole, so if you’re like doing tricks a helmet is a good idea. i like snorkeling goggles to keep the water out of my nose and to look at the underwater world when swimming. also, keep an eye out for each other. higher levels make the eddy harder to catch. Scout out the river downstream and give newbies a few lessons on river swimming and catching eddies before they try surfi ng. Th ere are also plenty of calm pools around for anyone wanting a milder experience.

hoW to Get there: From Fayetteville, head north on u.S. 19. take the route 60 exit towards hawks nest State Park. Just off the exit take Sunday road to the right. Sunday road turns into Saturday road. From there take lucas road (you’re on the right road if you pass liberty Baptist church). Follow this for one mile and take a right at the horseshoe creek road sign. Pass two gates and take your second right. Find the access trail from the parking area next to the pavilion. Th is is private property, owned by adventures on the Gorge, who shares it with the community all year except during Gauley Season in September and october.

—Katie Johnson

EXTREME FUN:

Boogie Boarding Canyon Doors#4

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it muSt haVe Been a hiGh Water day on the new river because we were done with our daily commercial raft ing trip around noon. We had lunch at base camp and then there was plenty of time for a staff run on the Gauley. Th ough a storm front was near and fl ow was a little high—2,900 cFS (cubic feet per second)—we included cute reservationist, Peggy, and forever friend and mom of two of our guides, Stephanie. Th ese were not the types of raft ers who want to swim.

Th e light was beautiful with the aft ernoon sun shining between the sharp storm clouds and fresh greens of the forest. We were one raft of six and several kayaks. our raft was a slightly twisted diB Slipper our company had bought on the cheap as a “second”: a self-bailer, tapered tubes, pretty nice raft but with that extra twist for fun. We got on the water pretty quick and felt pretty darn good. Th is was summer, not fall Gauley season, and we had the upper Gauley, a national treasure, all to ourselves!

our fi rst runs were relaxed over cool, green water, and then the breeze started to pick up when we arrived at Pillow rock, the second of the fi ve big class V rapids on this stretch of river. i fi gured the pillow at Pillow rock rapid would be just a bit extra big with this extra water. We had two non-guides with us, but the day was beautiful and we took a perfect line up high on the pillow. maybe it was that twist, maybe it was meant to be—but the raft went over and we all went into the swirl over, under and around Volkswagon rock and those big boulders on the right. When i came up, one of my fl ip fl ops was fl oating in front of me and one was somehow still on. Sweet Peggy the reservationist was swirling nearby, trying to remain calm, calling in her sweet voice, for

priority attention "office girl! office girl!!" Barber, grinning with the spectacle of it all swooped over in his kayak and saved her.

everyone got back in the raft —there were no injuries and it was more fun than a barrel of monkeys! For commercial summer Gauley trips, sometimes you can luck out on being here for a perfect mix of water, weather, people, but for local river rats, these trips are what make us rich beyond money. Th e rest of the run was just the same old

beautiful, amazing whirl down the river, with good friends.

hoW to Get there: Th e Gauley river fl ows out of Summersville lake, 18 miles north of the new river Gorge Bridge. in

September and october, Gauley Season off ers guaranteed water fl ows as the army corps of engineers draws down the lake to its winter level. Gauley Season isn’t the only time the Gauley runs, though: if your timing is right, it runs aft er unusually heavy summer rains.

Th e Gauley is class V whitewater: choose guided trips unless you have expert level whitewater skills. Both adventures on the Gorge (888-650-1932, adventurewestvirginia.com) and ace adventure resort (800-787-3982, aceraft .com) off er summer upper Gauley raft ing trips when the water is fl owing.

—eric autenreith

LUCKY CATCH:

Summer Upper Gauley Run#5

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laSt Summer, We rented a pontoon boat from the marina for my husband’s birthday. Th e excitement of the adventure built as we all piled onto the sturdy craft , slathered each other in sunscreen and secured the kiddos in their PFd’s. Safety fi rst, right? and then we were off . idling through the wake zone, we spotted another pontoon boat fi lled with friends and chatted as we cruised toward the open water. We kept the caravan together as we sped across the lake, enjoying the wind and the sun and the peals of laughter from the front of the boat. Th e kids took turns driving on dad’s lap as we approached

a quiet cove, perfect for swimming.

We dropped anchor and abandoned ship. Th e biggest kids (a.k.a. dads) cannonballed off the deck and dared the rest of us to join them. With a little coaxing and a lot of shrieking, all the kids (big and small) wound up in the water. We splashed and swam, snorkeled and climbed, and then eventually made our way back to the boat to feast. Between the two boats, we laid out gin and tonics with blueberries, locally brewed beer, lemonade, chocolate chip cookies, and sweet potato, black bean, and cream cheese burritos. We ate to our heart’s content and then baked in the sun until we couldn’t take it any longer, and back into the water we went. and so went the day. Play, eat, bask, laugh and repeat.

hoW to Get there: Summersville lake is located 18 miles north of the new river Gorge Bridge. access points to Summersville lake are found off u.S. 19 and off rt. 129, a left off the highway. Summersville lake retreat (888-872-5580, summersvillelakeretreat.com) rents pontoon boats as well as canoes and kayaks.

—Kim maxwell

DEEP BLUE:

Cruising Summersville Lake#6

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PlayOnTheGorge.com888.406.4675

Play Wild. Stay Civilized. Make Yourself at Home With clean, comfortable lodging and three award-winning restaurants on-site, “roughing it” is no longer a requirement. Now the whole family can STAY CIVILIZED while you PLAY WILD! Luxury Cabins with Hot Tubs and Full Kitchens

Canyon Falls Swimming Pool 3,000 Square Feet of Cool, Sparkling Water

Dine on the Rim of the New River Gorge Only at Adventures On The Gorge!

Unleash Your Inner Adventurer Whether you want to paddle ferocious whitewater, soar high above the trees, scale sandstone cliffs, or tear up the trails, Adventures On the Gorge can show you how to PLAY WILD in Southern West Virginia!

TimberTrek Aerial Adventure Park “Best New Adventure in the South” – Garden & Gun

TreeTops Canopy Tour “10 Great Ziplines Across the USA”– USA Today

Gravity Zip Lines “World’s Coolest Zip Lines” – Travel & Leisure

Get a FREE Season Pass with your all-inclusive vacation! Visit or call for details

TimberTrek Aerial Adventure Park New & Gauley Rivers Buffl er’s BBQ GrillSmokey’s on the GorgeTimberTrek Aerial Adventure Park Chetty’s Pub Rendezvous LodgeTreeTops Canopy TourGravity Zip Lines

WVTOURISM.COM

800-225-5982

12-ATG-6205-Gorge Guide Spread Ad-vf-r2.indd 1 5/10/12 1:59 PM

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LOW KEY:

Floating the Upper New#7PerFect For JuSt aBout everything low key you might want to do: fi rst moving water kayak run, whitewater initiation on a SuP, giving the kids their fi rst taste of whitewater, just fl oating. Several sections are called the upper new: Prince to Th urmond, Th urmond to cunard, even the upper upper new: Glade creek to

Prince. Th ey all off er the same kind of bliss: shallow class i and ii rapids, many fl oatable on your back with just a lifejacket to remind you you’re not a fi sh, toes in the air (keep your feet up!), arms out wide feathering the current that rushes past you, eyes on the clouds.

hoW to Get there: a number of area outfi tters off er upper new raft ing trips. Th e new river Gorge convention and Visitors Bureau (800-927-0263; newrivergorgecvb.com/newrivergorge-raft ing) has a full list of outfi tters.

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Mountain Biking in the New River Gorge Comes of Age


Dawson Trail, Arrowhead Trail System

approach the trail with trepidation,balance point is found.pedal, Pedal, pedalaround the turndown the hillloopdie loop.Whee!!!!!Pure awesomeness.

— casey Gioeli

TRAILS

a cyclist is Borndiscovering two-wheeled Bliss on dirt trails,the second time around By Jonathan danz

FolKS thinK oF WhiteWater raft ing or kayaking when they think of the new river Gorge—of the new river with its reliable whitewater that lasts all summer long. or the nearby Gauley river with its fall whitewater season. Th ey think of rock climbing: the hard nuttall Sandstone in the new river Gorge is featured with cracks and ledges perfect for vertical routes that take you up above the trees. Th ey don’t, however, think of mountain biking. heck, up until last fall, mountain biking wasn’t even offi cially allowed within the boundaries of the new river Gorge national river.

take note: nrG’s bike reputation is changing. and the policy disallowing mountain biking on the new river

••••

For yearS i’d heard people talk about the joys of mountain biking. i’d seen the gleam in their eye as they peeled off sweaty socks, hosed down their bikes and basked in the sheer epicness of the experience. i nodded along and smiled, knowing they were delusional or had short memories or held some arcane secret to which i’d never be privy because i’d always associated mountain biking with suff ering, always happy to have done it, but rarely enjoying the ride itself.

in 1989 i bought a Schwinn mountain bike without any knowledge of mountain bikes beyond how to switch gears and pedal. heck, the rear brake was mounted low by the bottom bracket and i thought that was cool. i took that thing on actual trails maybe a dozen times. truth be told, it scared the hell out of me. Still, i hauled it wherever i went for 15 or so years just in case.

around 2004, a 50-buck raleigh m80 and a new home near the Fayetteville trails encouraged me to give mountain biking another shot. Th e guys i rode with were way more skilled than i, though plenty tolerant of my ineptitude. i battered myself on the rooty,

rocky tight trails (at least they seemed that way to me), and even though i kept at it, i began to dread the rides and the new ways to injure myself.

By the summer of 2005, i was still waiting for the fun.

i chalked up my struggles —fl ailing, stalling on rocky climbs, spinning out on smooth climbs—mostly to inexperience. With a baby on the way in december and starting a new job managing a whitewater raft ing company, the mountain biking was an easy thing to sacrifi ce to my new responsibilities. Th e rides grew farther between, and i stopped riding all together.

last year, a friend asked me if i wanted an old, second-hand mountain bike. he made it seem as if i would be doing him a favor getting the bike out of his yard. he was probably confused by my reticence, but remembering my previous struggles, i wasn’t exactly chomping at the bit. at last, i agreed to take the bike.

next to my raleigh this new ride was about two inches taller, a bit longer, and possessed one more ring on the rear cassette. interesting. Still,

knowing the diffi culty of the local trails, the bike sat.

Fast forward to September 7, 2011, the grand opening of the arrowhead trails, 13 miles of rolling goodness. my brother invited me to ride and, well, you can’t say no to family. created by a massive project (1,500 volunteers) spearheaded by the Boy Scouts of america, this system of nested loops of trails geared toward all skill levels was a revelation.

i stuff ed down my old fears and we cruised along the dips and turns, climbed the gradual, stepped climbs and put some miles behind us, fi nishing in the twilight. it was a good ride, pleasantly tiring. We loaded up and headed home and on the way an unfamiliar feeling came over me that night, a sensation i

Gorge national river land? Th at changed last fall, opening up 65 miles of trails to bikes.

up until then, only a smattering of u.S. national Parks allowed bicycles on a few of their trails—and these weren’t built with the cycling experience in mind. enter some local activists, members of the national Park Service who love to bike and who live near the new river, the international mountain Bike association (imBa), and the Boy Scouts.

last summer, 1,400 Boy Scouts came during the month of July to move rocks, dig dirt, and chisel out 13 miles of new trails in the new river Gorge national river designed by imBa. Th e result has been well received: one local biker calls

the new arrowhead trails “ribbons of pure fun made from dirt and rocks.” and almost 40 more miles of singletrack have passed the planning stage and are ready to be built.

of course we already had the Fayetteville town Park trails within a 5 minute pedal from court Street. and there are more than 25 miles of singletrack open to the public at nearby resorts, scenic trails that border Summersville lake, and almost 60 miles of trails just an hour from Fayetteville in the cranberry Backcountry.

Which goes to say that the new river Gorge has arrived as a bona fi de mountain bike destination. Th ere’s never been a better time to give it a whirl.


Best trail to build technical skills: Th e trails at little Beaver State Park. here you learn that your bike (and you) can roll over more rocks than you thought you could before.

Best trails to build lung capacity: Fire road. if you can make it up the last hill without falling off you get a gold star.

Best trails in the heat of the summer: Summersville lake trail. Jump in the lake mid-ride. Get lost and enjoy it.

Best trails to incorporate jumps: adena trail at arrowhead trail System. Build up enough speed that you scare yourself mid-jump. Get excited that you actually landed it!

— Jessica toth

recognized as anticipation. later that night, i found myself

hoping i could get back out on the trails. Soon.

Th e arrowhead trails are more forgiving than what i was used to, providing time and space to consciously work on more productive pursuits than frustration and fl ailing. my climbing improved. i didn’t fear the crux moves so much as anticipate and learn from them. i rode faster and more effi ciently.

Being on a better sized bike helped increase my confidence as well. i began to recognize how i moved my weight as i rode and felt more stable in the saddle. i was able to concentrate on what was ahead of me instead of what was under me.

i continued to ride through the fall and winter and the rediscovery was complete. Th is February, i pulled the

nrG, how do i love thee? let me count the ways.

By adam Stephens

trigger on a brand new 29er. if you had asked me a year ago if i’d be mountain biking a couple of times a week, i would have laughed and said no way.

a couple of days ago i hit the trails for a ten mile ride. along the way i managed to crash twice at a rocky stream crossing, on my way out and on my way back. Both times i got wet and muddy, even turtled on my back a little. in between, though? heaven. i cleared a log i had dismounted for on previous rides and cleaned a rocky climb that had long frustrated me. Th ose moments are what keep me coming back and make the lapses in concentration tolerable, merely a facet of the ride rather than its entire nature.

and now, those rock strewn, root-infested trails i avoided for so long? i head out my front door and ride them to get to the arrowhead trails. and you know what? Th ey’re fun. — J.d.

When i thinK oF ridinG in the new river Gorge what i think of most is diversity. right from the town of Fayetteville i can get to several trail heads in literally seconds. From these trail heads i can connect to rides that will take me through all types of landscapes, forests, and past beautiful overlooks.

When you are in moab, utah, you ride rock and sandy terrain. When in the rockies it seems you mostly ride the same dirt and tree landscape. But when in the new river Gorge you are treated to several types of terrain ranging from old winding rail road beds to tight twisty singletrack with amazing vistas spotted along the whole trail. Th e soil has a lot of sandstone which allows for great drainage. no matter what the storm brings it is sure to dry quickly and leave some beautiful fast trail behind.

Adam Stephens rides competitively on the West Virginia Mountain Bike circuit. He owns and runs Marathon Bicycle Company (marathonbikes.com, 304-574-2337) on East Maple Avenue in Fayetteville, which sells and rents bikes.

GET INVOLVED!Art In SightFirst Fridays

Artist CooperativeMusic and Art FestivalArt Classes for all agesFayettevilleartscoalition.

org


1. Keep your head up. look as far ahead as you can. look where you want to go. don’t look at things you don’t want to hit.

2. Focus on being smooth. look for transitions on and off obstacles. avoid things that force you to brake or slow you down. Smooth is fast.

3. momentum is your friend. it will carry you over most things.

4. Keep your arms and legs loose. Float above the bike. your body is by far better than the fi nest suspension on the market. relax and let the bike fl oat over the terrain.

5. try and hit roots, downed trees, and other somewhat rounded objects as close to perpendicular as possible. right angles allow you to roll right over them.

tips for the trailfeeling wobbly? read on for steps that will bring you up to speed. By andrew Forron

6. Brake before turns and accelerate out of them. Braking requires traction. turning requires traction. Slow down early and use your traction for the turn.

7. let some air out of your tires. it’s amazing what a soft er tire will do. let it out slowly and get used to it. Soft tires pinch easier so be careful. an accurate digital gauge helps.

8. learn to pump speed from trail obstacles. it’s amazing how much free speed you can gain from the trail. Plus, it’s really fun. Th e new arrowhead trails are an excellent place to learn this wonderful skill. it’s a lot like swinging on a swing set: pull up as you go up the obstacle and push down as you go over. Th is one takes some practice getting used to. check out pump track videos on youtube for examples.

9. don’t avoid mud, sand, or other soft areas. maintain your momentum and go through them. a little speed goes along way. it’s also much better for the trail.

10. if something is a challenge try it anyway. you will get a little better each time and eventually clean it.

11. ride new lines on your home trails. Th e main line is usually the easy one. look for challenges as you improve. you can fi nd new lines on trails you have been riding for years. Th is helps when you go somewhere new and don’t know the trails.

12. learn to bunny hop. it’s a great skill and you can practice it anywhere.

Andrew Forron has been mountain biking for 24 years. He owns and runs New River Bikes (newriverbikes.com; 304-574-2453) on Court Street in Fayetteville, which sells and rents bikes and off ers mountain bike tours.

••••

Photos, clockwise from opposite page: ribbon cutting at the arrowhead trailhead, a biker on the clovis trail, a connecting link to the dalton trail, and a snake stops for a snack on an arrowhead trail

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CALL AND RESERVE YOUR

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Canyon Rim Visitor Center

SandstoneVisitor Center

Thurmond Historic District

Grandview

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GAULEY RIVERNATIONAL RECREATION AREA

NEW RIVER GORGENATIONAL RIVER

BLUESTONENATIONAL

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Belva

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Cotton Hill

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Primitive campsite

Rapids

The degree of di�cultywill vary from rapid torapid and with water level.River users should consultwith an experienced riverrunner or ranger beforeattempting river running.

Picnic area

Unpaved roadNational ParkService area

Much of the land withinthe National Park Serviceareas remains privateproperty; please respectthe owners’ rights.

Little Beaver State Park:18 miles of singletrack

ACE trails, 25 miles of mixed trails

Arrowhead Trails13 miles singletrack

Summersville Lake: 7 miles of trails

Fayetteville Town Park Trails

New River Gorge National River: 65 miles of trails

NEW RIVER

GAULEY RIVER

BABCOCK STATE PARK

where to find a Bikemarathon Bicycle company (304-574-2337, www.marathonbikes.com) rents 26” bikes ($25 half day, $35 full day) and 29” bikes ($35 half day, $45 full day); bike demos cost $55 per day. new river Bikes (304-574-2453, www.newriverbikes.com) rentals are $35 for full day/$25 half day, and can include an intro to mountain Biking package for $50 for 2 hours. demo bikes, $25 per day. ace adventure resort (800-787-3982) rents mountain bikes for $39 half day, $59 full day.

A UNIQUE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE FEATURING ONE-OF-A-KIND STAINED

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Hours: Wed — Sat 12-5 and by appointment304-574-1859

Located at Dove’s Outlet Village, Route 19 and Hinkle Road. Other gift items are available. There’s always something new!

Like to go Whitewater Rafting?

Log on to NRGorgeGuide.comby July 15 and enter to win a free Lower New Rafting Trip for 2!

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312 North Court St.Fayetteville

Hours:Sunday – Thursday 11:30 AM – 9 PM

Friday – Saturday 11:30 AM – 10 PMBar open ’til midnight(304) 574-3647

800-582-0256OpossumCreek.com

i want to ride my Bicyclewhere to find those ribbons of dirt

Arrowhead Trails: 13 miles of singletrack at new river Gorge national river designed by the international mountain Bike association specifi cally for biking pleasure. clovis trail, just 1 mile of smooth and twisty trail without much technical demand or uphills, is a perfect one to try for fi rst singletrack. Th ree other loops—adena, lecroy, and dalton—get a bit trickier in the technical department, and are quite a bit longer. a downloadable map can be found at nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/bicycling.htm Intermediate to Advanced

ACE Trails: 25 miles of mixed singletrack and old logging roads moderate to advanced in diffi culty. open to the public. Stop at the welcome center to get a car pass before you ride. aceraft .com for directions. Intermediate

Fayetteville Town Park Trails: a network of of singletrack trails that follow ridgelines and drop down into several creekbeds including picturesque Wolf creek canyon. Begins with the 1.1 easy Park loop. trails that branch off from the loop step it up in diffi culty and length. Bonus: you can link up to the timber ridge trail and arrowhead trails from town. Beginner to Intermediate

Little Beaver State Park: 18 miles of singletrack, much of which is rooty, rocky, and very technical with few smooth sections for relief. located in a scenic state park near Beckley, West Virginia, with an 180-acre fi shable lake and hiking path circumnavigating it. littlebeaverstatepark.com, 304-763-2494 Advanced

New River Gorge National River: 65 miles of varied riding opportunities ranging from gently sloping gravel roads to heart pumping singletrack. Formerly illegal to ride but recently opened to bicycles. check out nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/bicycling.htm for a list of nrG biking trails. Beginner to Advanced

Summersville Lake: 7 miles of mostly fl at out and back trails, all ending near the lake. downloadable map can be found at lrh.usace.army.mil/projects/lakes/sum Beginner to Intermediate

“if the adena trail was a woman, i’d marry it!”

—tiny elliott

“i start my day by dropping in on the Fayetteville trail, cross Wolf creek Bridge and head up timber ridge to the long Point parking lot where you can cross the road and hit a short connector trail to Kaymoor road. From there you can access the lecroy trail to enter the arrowhead hike and Bike trails. lecroy connects to dalton, then adena to ride the pump track then down the gravel road to get back on dalton and loop back to lecroy to get back to Kaymoor road and long Point parking lot and fi nish it off bombing down timber ridge and back home in time to kiss the kids as they head off to school.”

—doug arbogast

“i refuse to tell you how good the 25 miles of bike trail are at ace. no, there aren’t incredible views. it’s totally overcrowded. you should go elsewhere.”

—reid Williams

104 East Maple AvenueFayetteville, WV(304) 574-2337

Ask for Adam, Thom, or Chris

“Dedicated to promoting a lifestyle of

cycling through education and

encouragement.”

BBI certified mechanics; custom work and routine maintenance

Hours: Monday – Friday 10am – 6pmSaturday 10am – 4pmClosed Sunday www.marathonbikes.com

Rental BikesFree Trail Maps

the Bateau roSe oF nelSon WaS in trouble. Broached as she was against the rocks in the middle of a class-iV rapid called dudley’s dip in the lower Gorge of the new river, she took on water about as quickly as one might expect of a 43-and-a-half foot long wooden bucket.

her crew tried valiantly to bail her. Th ey heaved water from the rose’s hull into the river like a bucket brigade dowsing a fi re, but to no avail. Within moments, the bateau tipped upstream and exposed her innards to the rushing torrent. Pinned and swamped, she fl exed around the rocks. She held for a brief second, which to her crew, must have seemed like an hour, and then fi nally fell apart, sending splintered wood and her crew into the drink.

Th e year was 2004. in 2003, to celebrate the 25th anniversary

of the new river Gorge national river, the Park Service organized a reenactment of c.P. huntington’s 1869 voyage.

at the time of the reenactment, however, the new ran at fl ood levels. Th e water gauge at Fayette Station read 20 feet. contrary to popular belief, neither the nPS nor the industry as a whole dictates a “cut-off ” level past which no commercial raft ing will occur, but a relatively low 12 feet, which is itself a huge volume of water, is the unoffi cial guideline. Before she even reached the lower Gorge, the rose of nelson braved standing waves up to seven feet tall with little to protect her but a six-inch bulkhead her builders installed to help her shed water. against waves that large, though, the bulkheads did little and the boat swamped regularly.

every night and oft en throughout each day, the rose eddied out for repairs. her crew pounded cotton into the spaces between planks in a futile eff ort to keep the river out of the boat. When camping at night they purposely swamped the bateau to keep her boards swollen and tight.

But as she approached the town of Th ur-mond, everybody aboard her had the same thought: “Th ere’s no way we’ll make it through the lower Gorge.” Prudence won the day, and instead of trying, the team removed the rose from the water and dried her out for a rain date with the new.

Th at day fi nally arrived a year later, when the rose again put in at Th urmond and headed into the Gorge. Th e fi rst half of the journey from Th urmond to Fayette Station is relatively calm. Th ere is only one signifi cant rapid, a class iii called Surprise, and the rose of nelson made it through easily to the delight of everybody aboard her.

Th ough they had to stop oft en to aff ect repairs, the crew of the rose watched rapid aft er rapid disappear around the bends behind them. one of those is a rapid called lower Keeney. together with upper

and middle, lower Keeney forms one of two class-V drops, but only at higher water levels when they blend into one long fl ume. Th at day the new fl owed low enough to give it a go.

deft ly, the crew maneuvered the rose of nelson to river left (the left side of the river as a boater faces downstream) in the calm pool above lower Keeney. once lined up for the rapid, they paused to let the river push them where they needed to be. Th ey hovered over the entrance to the drop and took in the roiling path stretched out below. Both banks were lined with spectators cheering her on.

Th e rose dove into the fi rst waves and the bateau fl exed and bent to absorb the rise and fall of the river. in a moment that passed all too quickly, they were through. Th e crowd erupted in cheers.

next up they knew would be dudley’s dip, a rocky dogleg left . dudley’s is a wide-open green highway at some water levels, but would be steeper and more diffi cult that day, so the crew eddied out once again for repairs. Th ey spent hours plugging leaks, sometimes with people in the water with masks and snorkels trying to locate the many tiny gaps that had developed throughout the day.

Finally, with the boat as plugged as she could be, they pushed off and headed downstream.

cliff Bobinski, a ranger working out of the Glen Jean Park headquarters, rowed up along side the bateau, running safety for the crew in case the worst happened. Bobinski recommended a clean line to them. “enter right of center,” he advised. “and then turn back left with the current to split the diff erence between two rocks.” he watched in horror, however, as the boat fl oated exactly the opposite way, entering too far left . instead of turning left with the current, the panicked crew forced the bateau right—broadside to the current, which swept her against the rocks.

Th e event marked the sudden end of the reenactment, which was itself historic. Bobinski spent the rest of the aft ernoon and much of the next day picking up pieces of the rose of nelson.

Excerpt

Ginger Danz ~ [email protected] • gingerdanz.com

304.640.2850Still Life, Landscape, Abstracts

Commissions Accepted

Erin Larsen Holistic Health Coach & Yoga Instructor

Personal and Group Yoga Instruction and

Individualized Health Coaching

[email protected]

Broken roseBy Jay young

“Broken Rose” is an excerpt from Whitewater Raft ing on West Virginia’s New & Gauley Rivers, published last year by Th e history Press. it is available at Waterstone, cathedral cafe, and Ironarchmedia.com.

Yoga on the Gorge

Sundays, 8—9AM at Adventures on the Gorge

162 S. COURT STREET FAYETTEVILLE (304) 574-2202

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We had tWenty-Four hourS: 3pm to 3pm and we needed to get out of the house. Th e falling leaves were whispering to our woodsy souls. “escape,” they said. “now while you can. Go!”

So we packed. “Simple” was our theme: a few potatoes and an onion, some apples and nuts. We had a couple of fi shing poles. a couple of backpacks. a water fi lter and one pan. We had a lighter, knife, rope and a tent fl y, no tent. We loaded the dog, canon, and bikes.

When i signed the kids out early from school they asked, “Why are you here now, mom?”

Th ere was some tension at the trailhead, fi guring out how to strap everything onto our bikes and selves. “Wear all of your clothes,” i told one of the kids. We rode the gentle grade on a gated road along the cranberry river. in less than an hour we found a spot.

logan and i gathered fi rewood. BJ and laurel cut poles and built our shelter. Th ey used the rope to tie the fl y to three poles balanced on each end which supported a head beam. We had our shelter. We went fi shing. trout was the planned staple. Between the four of us we caught one. We cooked our potatoes, onion and our fi sh on a fi re. We drooled around our little pan. i made the kids sit still, nervous that someone would dump it or fl ing dirt into it. it was dark now and we divvied up the goods into four piles and ate with our fi ngers by fi relight. Food never tasted so good, even without salt. Th e trout was big and we sucked every bit of meat off the bones. our little fi re died and we went to bed.

With fl eece jackets for pillows we snuggled while i told stories. Th e four of us shared two sleeping pads and two sleeping bags. it was raining in the morning so we played uno. Th e dog’s big body stayed outside in the drizzle, but his head was on my lap under the fl y. i’ve never enjoyed uno so much as then, in our little home by the river. time stretched out in our favor. For brunch we enjoyed each other and our apples and almonds. When the rain stopped we designed a bike course through little half-pipes made by the river at higher water. We did laps trying to better our time until it was time to go home. i had to be at work. on our way back, with the truck in sight, a small bear ran out in front of us. canon treed it.

Th at was it, short and simple. Barely remarkable except that it is one of our most memorable camping trips. “remember that tent we made?” remember the best trout ever? remember the rain and playing uno? remember that bike course? remember the bear?” i think of all of the days that zoom past and are lost even to my kids’ elephant memories. i wonder why this short trip stays with us? it was nearly fi ve years ago and when i asked them which camping trip i should write

about they both agreed that the one trout night on the cranberry was one of the best ever.

one trout nightBy Katie Johnson

Camping

pack smartlet your mode of transportation dictate what you can bring along. Got a raft ? Bring the kitchen sink. Biking? aim for nearly nothing. adding kids doesn't change the essentials. you still need a med kit, food, water, shelter and smores. room permitting, here are a few more ideas:

1. Headlamps. Great for fl ashlight tag, nighttime trips to the bathroom, fi nding night crawlers and your toothbrush. 2. Tarp or extra tent fl y. Keep the kitchen out of the rain. if it’s not raining, makes a great fort.

3. Hammock. always a hit. turns into a swing and provides hours of entertainment.

4. Doormat-sized piece of outdoor carpet. Keeping the dirt out of the tent is extra hard with little feet coming and going.

5. An extra tent. two total means one playhouse for the kids, one sand free sleeping zone.

6. A frisbee. also makes a great plate, shovel, fan, cutting board, water bowl for the dog.

7. Plant and animal identifi cation cards. Find out who you're living with.

8. A notebook and pencils. We’re always fi nding inspiration to write while we’re outside. also good for hangman when you're holed up during a storm.

9. Goggles. one small item that opens up a big underwater world.

10. Glow sticks. tiny, cheap, and locating your wandering four year old aft er dark is priceless.

where to camp→New River Gorge National River has several primitive camping areas including Glade creek and Grandview Sandbar alongside the river—free, on a fi rst come, fi rst serve basis. nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

→Babcock State Park, home of the much-photographed gristmill, has reservable and fi rst-come-fi rst serve sites. babcocksp.com

→Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area has sites right next to this picturesque fi shing lake. plumorchardlakewma.com

→Got to the New River Gorge Adventure Guide website for a complete list of new river Gorge area camping options: nrgorgeguide.com.

Sunrise at Plum orchard lake


Photos (top to bottom): runners follow old bison and native american trails duringt the Kanawha trace trail run; swimmers churn up Summit lake in the Scenic mountain triathlon

July 15Scenic Mountain TriathlonWhere: richwood, WVWhat: 23.8 miles run, Bike, Swima traditional swim, bike, run triathlon in one of the most beautiful areas of West Virginia. you’ll swim 0.5 miles in chilly Summit lake, cycle 17.1 miles over 4,000–foot Kennison mountain to the cranberry mountain nature center, then run 6.2 miles of rolling terrain to the cranberry Glades and back. www.scenicmountaintriathlon.com

Adventure Calendar

June 15-17 Space Race Cyclocross Where: Green Bank, WVWhat: cyclocross in case you didn’t know, cyclocross is kind of like ninja mountain biking. courses are short circuits with pavement, dirt trails, grass, steep hills, and obstacles that require you to dismount and carry. This particular cyclocross race course circles the national radio astronomy observatory, a 140 foot telescope so powerful it picks up residual tremors from the Big Bang. www.gb.nrao.edu/rumpus/cyclocross.shtml

July 21 Cycle to Tamarack Where: oak hill, WVWhat: 50-plus miles of road cyclingtake the best way to tamarack—a circuitous route along the mountainous backroads from oak hill through the tiny towns of Whipple and mossy, over haystack mountain, and past Paint creek. Shop for West Virginia-made crafts and art, eat at the Greenbrier–run food court, and then haul home a slightly different but equally scenic route. total elevation gain: 3,700. This is an unsupported ride, so make sure you’ve got someone who can come rescue you if you can’t finish. For more information on this and other rides, go to new river Bicycle union’s page on Facebook. Ph

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July 29Little Beaver Chainring ChallengeWhere: little Beaver State ParkWhat: 7, 14, or 21–mile mountain Bike racelocally famous for its techically demanding trails, the little Beaver singletrack is a perfect place to test how well you can negotiate rocks and roots. add a hundred other bikers out there, and it becomes fun. rcccrides.com

July 28 Kanawha Trace Trail Runs Where: ona, WV What: 10K & 50K run The longer run crosses three West Virginia counties using old bison and native american trails for part of the course. run through meadows, over creeks, past waterfalls, and over ridges in this beautiful countryside. wvmtr.org

July 21Wheels of Hope Ride Where: lewisburg, WVWhat: assorted distances road cycling riders can choose from assorted routes ranging from 20 to 83 miles through the lush and rolling hill countryside of the Greenbrier river Valley. Whichever route you choose, you’ll feel good about riding: proceeds benefit the leukemia and lymphoma Society and local residents fighting cancer. lewisburg.org/hope

June

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August 18 The Good Bowl Where: Fayetteville, WVWhat: Skateboard contest The second annual skateboard contest at Fayetteville Skate Park will have contests for different age and skill brackets, and a “masters" skateboarder demonstration. come to watch or come to show off your inverts, aerials and grinds for an audience. afterparty and free camping for volunteers and participants at cantrell’s ultimate rafting. For more information, go to Fayetteville Skate Park’s Facebook page.

August 18Cycle to Tamarack Where: oak hill, WVWhat: 50-plus miles of road cycling if you missed the July ride–or had a great time and want to do it again–join the new river Bicycle union for its monthly ride to tamarack from oak hill. you'll travel on (mostly) backroads over mountains and past beautiful scenery to share some great food. it's what cycling is all about. For more information, see new river Bicycle union's page on Facebook.

August 4 The New River Gorge Challenge Where: Fayetteville, WVWhat: 28.5 mile extreme triathlon Begin at the Fayette county courthouse with a 15–mile bike ride that follows the ridgelines of the new river Gorge. you’ll descend to riverside at cunard, then get in your kayak or raft for 7 miles of big water rapids on the lower new river to Fayette Station. From Fayette Station, it’s a steep 6.5 miles back to the finish line in front of the courthouse in Fayetteville. newrivergorgechallenge.com

August 5 Thurmond Triathlon Where: Thurmond, WVWhat: Beginner triathlonit’s a perfect length for a first triathlon: bike 2 miles from the Thurmond train depot to Stonecliff beach, paddle flat moving water 1.5 miles (inflatable duckies are available if you pre-register), then run a 2 mile loop around Thurmond, a former coal-mining hub, now a picturesque historical landmark. Kids as young as 7 may enter; suitable for grownups wanting a mellow triathlon experience as well. www.thurmondwv.org

August

Photos (clockwise from top left): The women’s winner of the 2011 new river Gorge challenge crosses the finish line; a first triathlon is logged; a biker tackles the chainring challenge

Nature & Culture Calendar

August 12Hummingbird FestivalWhere: ace adventure resortminden, WV

only one kind of hummingbird darts around the eastern u.S. forests—the ruby throated hummingbird —which can be found from canada to costa rica. Find out more about this bird and more from experts invited by the new river Birding & nature center. birding-wv.com

July 27-August 5Clumsy Custard Horror ShowWhere: historic Fayette TheaterFayetteville, WV

the clumsy custard horror Show is based in the land of zob, which is being terrorized by an evil ruler —enough said? this community theater production contains equal measure of rocky horror Picture show and spoof. historicfayettetheatre.com

August 10-12New River FestivalWhere: Fayette Station roadFayetteville, WV

This first annual event kicks off with a Wild and Scenic Film Festival before moving on to a fly-fishing clinic, rain-barrel demonstration, and live music. Proceeds to benefit the new river clean Water alliance.www.npca.org/newrivercleanwater

August 3-7Appalachian String Band FestivalWhere: camp Washington carver, clifftop, WV

a five-day gathering of stringed instruments, the musicians who play them, and the people who love to hear them. Fiddling contests and other assorted competitions are held, as well as workshops and square dancing. wvculture.org/stringband

June 2, July 7, August 4Market DaysWhere: Fayetteville, WV

The first Saturday of every month June though october features open air markets all over town in historic Fayetteville, WV. Start at the Farmer’s market in front of diogi’s for fresh tomatoes, and work your way to pottery and jewelry at the artisan’s market. continue on to the flea market and assorted yard sales. 8am to 12 noon. visitfayettevillewv.com

July 12 + assorted datesHatfield & McCoysWhere: Theatre West Virginia, Grandview State Park

a classic West Virginia tale of a feud between two families, the hatfields of West Virginia and the mccoys of Kentucky, at a cliffside amphitheater. theatrewestvirginia.com

June 24Blackwater MojoWhere: tamarackBeckley, WV

Primitive acoustic rock describes the sound of this band from elkins, WV. www.tamarackwv.com

June July

August


Nature

JuSt a Short, BeautiFul one hour drive from Fayetteville is one of the premier natural areas in the eastern united States. The 750-acre cranberry Glades Botanical area is nestled in a bowl-shaped mountaintop valley high in the monongahela national Forest. Just drive north on u.S. 19 to Summersville, and head east on State route 39/55 for about 25 miles and you’ll be in a world utterly different than the forest communities found along the new river Gorge. The drive up to cranberry Glades illustrates the rich diversity of West Virginia’s mountains. after leaving the town of richwood, route 39/55 begins an ascent up the mountains that offers vistas of mountain streams and high altitude flora. once the road climbs to about 3,200 feet, you’ll be in a zone of fabulous plant diversity. naming this special site a “botanical area” was quite apropos. north meets south on this special mountaintop. as soon as visitors jig onto the quiet road leading to cranberry Glades, they’ll be greeted by the most conspicuous plant from up north, the red spruce. These stately conifers migrated south along the crests of the appalachian mountains when conditions were much cooler, and cranberry Glades is near their southern limits. The red spruce rub shoulders with another conifer of the north, the eastern hemlock, and these plants create a boreal-like habitat that provides nesting conditions for bird species that normally breed far to the north. Birders will notice birds not found around Fayetteville, other than in migration. dark-eyed juncos are common summertime residents, as are blue-headed vireos and red-breasted nuthatches. living amongst the canadian transplants is classic appalachian flora such as great rhododendron and Fraser magnolia.

People go ape over the colorful little songbirds known as warblers, and cranberry Glades supports a bundle of rare West Virginia nesters in this tribe. The aptly named canada warbler is here – this site is nearly as far south as they breed. Stunning Blackburnian warblers, their chests emblazoned with flame-orange, sing from the hemlocks, and loud chanting songs of northern waterthrushes echo from the wetlands. it may take an avid birder a few hours to work down the road to ground zero—the fabulous boardwalk. eventually all guests reach the parking area and the boardwalk’s entrance, and this is where the real fun begins. The planked walkway loops through the best of cranberry Glade’s habitats. even though the trail is but one-half mile in length, the diversity of flora, fauna, and scenery that buffers the walk is staggering. Wispy fumaroles of cloud often spiral off the surrounding mountains, which rise to over 4,000 feet and provide a jagged backdrop carpeted in timber. hit the trail early, and you might share the boardwalk with a black bear! These burly mammals are not rare, and often enter the glades to feast on abundant berries. Perhaps the most notable natural feature is the vast cranberry glade that is the namesake of this place. This big open meadow is actually a bog, and its turf is primarily Sphagnum moss. Sphagnum keeps the substrate damp and acidic, which fosters a luxuriant growth of small cranberry, and a bit of its sister species, the large cranberry. The latter is the source of commercial cranberries. high-flying common ravens often

croak overhead, and broad-winged hawks give teapot whistles, providing aural ambience to plant-questers. neat as these birds are, it’s hard to tear one’s eyes from the interesting plant life. early spring brings the blooms of beautiful Bartram’s serviceberry, a small shrub found no farther south than this spot. Golden-yellow carpets of marsh-marigolds cannot be missed, and long-stemmed marsh blue violets hold their violet flowers high on spindly stalks. Plastic-looking clumps of leaves courtesy of the green hellebore, a strange species of lily, help create the look of a gargantuan outdoors terrarium. Summertime visitors become orchid-seekers. Brilliant pink jots of color dot the cranberry glade: the blooms of grass-pink and rose pogonia orchids. hiding in the gloom of swampy thickets are spectacular spires of magenta flowers attached to a truly spectacular orchid, the greater purple

fringed orchid. in July, the meadows are covered with the strange beige tufts of tawny cottongrass, an odd sedge of northern bogs. look a bit deeper into the meadow, and you may be rewarded

by spotting a true carnivorous plant, the round-leaved sundew. The hairs that adorn its tiny leaves glisten with false dewdrops, and this sticky liquid snares inquisitive insects which are eventually absorbed by the plant. There is never a dull season at cranberry Glades, and it is well worth the trip up the mountain to visit this crown jewel of West Virginia’s natural heritage. Be sure and stop at the cranberry mountain nature center, which is just down the road at the junction of routes 39/55 and route 150. you’ll find a wealth of interpretive displays, and the helpful staff often has a line on interesting animal and plants sightings. For more information, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/mnf or call 304-653-4826.

road tripping searchinG for sundew and other wild thinGs in the cranBerry Glades

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natural wonders, renewable energy

By rory mcilmoilWeSt VirGinia iS KnoWn For its many natural wonders, including the new river Gorge, the Gauley river, the dolly Sods Wilderness, and cranberry Wilderness areas. For those living and working in the state, West Virginia is best known for its traditional energy resources: coal and natural gas. Few think of the energy opportunities provided by the state’s wealth of renewable energy resources. Part of the reason for this is because the state has a long history of being a coal producer.

For over a century, our state has been one of the top producers of coal in the united States. This coal fueled the industrial revolution and until recently provided nearly half of the nation’s electricity needs. demand for West Virginia coal is now on the decline, but demand for our natural gas resources is starting to boom. energy development has now shifted toward natural gas, once again leaving renewable energy out of the conversation. however, there is a rich diversity of renewable energy opportunities in West Virginia that, if developed, could provide a substantial amount of clean electricity and a sustainable source of jobs and tax revenues for current and future generations.

here are some of our resources and energy potential for each:

Hydroelectric Power. existing infrastructure and wealth of waterways makes new hydropower generation an attractive source of renewable energy. most of the resource available is suitable for small-scale and low-power hydro development—which has a lower environmental impact—rather than for the construction of large-scale hydroelectric dams. in 2006, the idaho national laboratory estimated that West Virginia’s feasible hydropower potential amounted to 484 megawatts of actual electricity generation, all from small and low-power resources. in 2010 existing hydroelectric plants provided 156 megawatts of electricity, accounting for 1.7% of total generation. if fully developed, the remaining resources could increase hydro’s share of state generation to as much as 7%, more than a four-fold increase.

Wind Power. as of 2010, wind energy in West Virginia was providing 107 megawatts of electricity and accounted for only 1.2% of total electricity generation. This represents only a small portion of the state’s wind energy potential. in 2010, the uS department of energy estimated that West Virginia’s total large-scale wind energy potential amounted to 664 megawatts of actual

generation. if the wind resource were fully developed, large-scale wind farms alone could provide up to 7.2% of all electricity generated in West Virginia. developing small wind turbines throughout the state where the wind does not blow as strongly could generate a substantial amount of electricity as well.

Solar Power. There are two ways that solar energy can be currently developed in West Virginia. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert energy from the sun directly into electricity. Solar hot water systems heat up

a liquid which transfers the heat through convection to the water used in a home or business. West Virginia has a far better solar energy resource (i.e. sunlight) than Germany, which leads the world in solar PV development. Through 2010, only one-tenth of a megawatt of solar PV capacity had been developed in West Virginia. The new rules Project estimates that roof-mounted solar PV alone could provide 11% of West Virginia’s electricity needs if all solar-accessible roof space had solar panels installed, equal to just over 1,000 megawatts of electricity generation.

Sustainable Forest Biomass. another great and underutilized renewable energy resource in West Virginia is the vast amount of woody logging ‘waste’ or ‘residue’ that is left in the forest following timber operations. When a timber company logs a tract of forest, it leaves behind the treetops and limbs of the trees and normally only remove the thick trunk. leaving some of the remaining residue is beneficial for reforestation; excessive residue can inhibit new growth. removing much of this residue and using it to fuel distributed electricity generators or to substitute for a portion of the coal burned at coal-fired power plants can help provide a source of ‘renewable’ electricity. researchers at downstream Strategies and West Virginia university estimate that logging residues can be used to provide 4.5% of the state’s electricity needs.

Combined Heat and Power. combined heat and power (chP) is better understood as an energy efficiency practice rather than a source of renewable energy. chP systems recover and re-use the heat that would normally be wasted while generating power on-site at the facility. a total of 381 mW of chP capacity is installed in West Virginia, and the uS department of energy estimates that between 1,000 and 3,000 megawatts of additional capacity can be installed at existing commercial and industrial facilities. at full development, chP could account for over 15% of total electricity demand in West Virginia.

estimates suggest that renewable energy (plus chP) could eventually provide up to 45% of the state’s current demand for electricity. The benefits of doing so would be substantial, both economically and environmentally.

Rory McIlmoil is Project Manager of the Energy program at Downstream Strategies, a West Virginia–based environmental consulting firm.

1 million people visit the New River Gorge

National River every year. Some come to look at

the Bridge. Some come to paddle

whitewater. Others come to climb the rocks. And others come

to commune with the barred owls and cedar waxwings. All

of them want to know about your

business.

To advertise in the New River Gorge Adventure Guide,

contact [email protected]

or 304-573-8113.

www.nrgorgeguide.comPhoto above: Solar panels at a Virginia winery


304-574-1300

aS Soon aS SPrinG arrives i start salivating for wild foods. Spring and summer greens can add variety to your diet, boost your health and protect against allergens and sickness that flourish this time of the year. you can find wild greens such as purslane, violet leaves, cat briar tips, dandelion greens, fiddleheads, poke weed, ramps and stinging nettles all right here in the new river Gorge. once you learn a few easily identifiable wild plants you will begin to notice them everywhere.

Stinging nettles are easy to spot, freeze well and are one of the most nutritious wild greens. high levels of vitamins a and c, potassium, iron, calcium, manganese and protein make this wild food a powerhouse. This dark leafy green helps to stimulate the blood and kidneys, as well as boost the immune system. This year i made nettle pesto and froze a couple of containers. nettles can be substituted for spinach, especially in frittatas for breakfast.

nettles will grow in the same spot year after year and they like a moist, cool environment. The places i have found them are around large rock outcroppings and near streams. The spines of nettles contain formic acid, which causes the sting and inflammation when you touch them. Stinging nettles have been used to treat rheumatism and arthritis because of this

inflammation reaction. They have also been used to prevent hay fever, control dandruff and make hair shine, as well as prevent anemia. incorporating stinging nettles into your diet will nourish the body like no store-bought green can.

Guidelines for picking nettles:

• Pick nettles when the plants are young. They become tough later in the season and the stingers can be an irritant to the urinary tract.

• Pick only the top four leaves, these are the most tender and best for eating.

• Do not pull the plant up by the root, you want to make sure you have a nice patch year after year to return to.

• Protect your skin: use gloves and scissors if desired, wear closed toed shoes, and long pants and sleeves.

to use nettles you must deactivate the stingers first. Pour boiling water over the nettles and let them sit for 3-5 minutes. you can then use them to make pesto, freeze or add to recipes. if you are using them right away, toss them in stir-fries and the heat will do the trick.

Baked Shitake Mushroom and Nettle Frittata

¼ c Shitake mushrooms ¼ c onion, chopped1 clove of garlic, mincedhandful of blanched stinging

nettles, choppedbutter for sauteeing2 eggsFresh grated Parmesan cheesesalt and pepper

Sautee shitakes, garlic and onions in a small cast iron pan with butter. Whip eggs with a little water to make them fluffy and pour into the pan. distribute nettles throughout and add cheese, salt and pepper to taste.

Bake at 350°F until the frittata is cooked in the middle. Serve with fresh bread and nettle pesto if you have it!

Interested in learning more about finding and preparing wild foods? Join Erin next spring, May 10-12, 2013 at River Rock Retreat in Fayetteville for a weekend of spring cleansing. Contact [email protected] for more information or visit riverrockretreatandhostel.com.

HealthBe Well

By Erin Larsen

Pho

to B

y m

iKe

turn

er

River Rock

Retreat

and Hostel

Quality Affordable

Lodging on the

New River Gorge!

2012 Healthy Immersion

Retreats

• July 20-22• September 14-16

yoga, healthy cooking courses, and plenty of time

for rest and relaxation

riverrockretreatandhostel.com


Restaurant Address

Cathedral Cafe304-574-0202

134 South Court StreetFayetteville

Chetty’s Pub888-650-1932

Ames Heights Road, Lansing

Diogi’s 304-574-3647

312 North Court StreetFayetteville

Dirty Ernie’s Rib Pit304-574-4822

310 Keller Ave.Fayetteville

Gumbo’s Cajun Restaurant304-574-4704


Pies and Pints Pizzeria304-574-2200

219 West Maple Ave.Fayetteville

Secret Sandwich Society304-574-4777

103 1/2 Keller Ave.Fayetteville

Smokies on the Gorge888-650-1932

Ames Heights Road, Lansing

Vandalian304-574-6912


Wild Flour Bakery304-574-0001

105 West MapleFayetteville

clockwise from top: Bread pudding at diogi’s, stained glass windows at cathedral cafe, places to digest at Gumbo’s, the chocolate peanut butter brownie terrine at Pies & Pints, jukebox at dirty ernie’s, and the eleanor salad at Secret Sandwich Society

The New River Gorge Adventure Guide’s Restaurant Guide

Food


Fare Hours Truly Decadent Healthy Treats

American breakfast & lunchEgg, spinach and bacon bagel with homemade veggie cream cheese, $5.25

Teriyaki chicken salad with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and cashews, $8

American lunch & dinnerCardiac burger, with bacon and portobellos, cheddar cheese and chili, $10

Crabcake sandwich with sesame Asian slaw, $12

Latin American food lunch & dinner Bread pudding with sweet lechera cream and caramel, $6

Veggie Liberty—a burrito with the whole garden plus refried beans, served with a salad, $12

BBQ, steaks, and sandwiches dinner Full rack of baby back ribs, $20 Grilled fresh Atlantic salmon, $16

Cajun cuisinelunch & dinner; brunch on Sun; closed Mondays

Taste of Bridge Day “best entree,“ shrimp and grits, $18

Salad with local, organic greens and blackened chicken, $8

Pizza and beer lunch & dinnerThe very rich chocolate peanut butter brownie terrine, $4.50

A spinach salad with gorgonzola and red grapes. We recommend trying both dressings, $7

Sandwiches, burgers, and homemade soups

breakfast, lunch & dinner; closed Tuesdays

A burger called the Lark with 1,000 island and a fried egg on top, $11

The Eleanor salad with homemade Green Goddess dressing, cucumbers, and (don’t tell) crumbled bacon, $9

Gourmet Buffet breakfast & dinnerThe menu varies, but cross your fingers for blackened pork tenderloin with pineapple salsa, $27 buffet

The edamame salad with sesame seeds and rice wine vinegar, $15 salad bar buffet

Contemporary American breakfast & lunch; dinner Fri.–Mon.

Cheesecake with brandied pecans and bacon, $7

Quinoa salad with romaine lettuce and cherry tomatoes, $8.50

Bakerybreakfast & lunch; closed Sundays and Mondays

Strawberry shortcake with local organic strawberries, $3.50

Spinach and feta roll (think pepperoni roll, but a shade healthier), $3

Where To EatWhat You Should Get

a mild winter and wet spring made for a great creeking season in the new river Gorge area this year. here, cameron hall makes mill creek Falls on mill creek look easy. Photograph by mike turner.

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Summer 2012

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