Hiking · Travel

Blackwater Falls State Park

Driving in West Virginia can be interesting, in that what shouldn't be as far away is. Because nothing is a straight line, and you have to cross a lot of mountain ridges to get into even the edge of the interior of the state, if you live in the Eastern Panhandle of the state. I… Continue reading Blackwater Falls State Park

Hiking

Walking Morgan’s Grove Spring

Spring break ended on Sunday, and Monday felt like an easy hike kind of morning. One of those West Virginia mornings where the temps are rising, but first rain. We drove a few miles to Morgan's Grove Park, which I have hiked at several times. It was feeling a bit humid, but there was a… Continue reading Walking Morgan’s Grove Spring

Hiking · National Park

Ferry Hill Plantation

Across the Potomac River from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, sits Ferry Hill Plantation, which has been part of the National Park system since 1974. Looking back from the top, you can see the Rumsey Bridge, which crosses the Potomac River and parts of Shepherd University poking up. There are two entrances to the property off 34/Shepherdstown… Continue reading Ferry Hill Plantation

Hiking

Civil War Walking: The John Brown Legacy

This walking tour came out of our youngest son's history class last week. They were studying the history of John Brown in West Virginia. So I decided we would go for a walk and visit historical sites in person to learn more deeply. Alistaire loves these walks and happily came along. While John Brown's acts… Continue reading Civil War Walking: The John Brown Legacy

Hiking · Travel

Luray Caverns

If you drive I-81, you have definitely passed the (many) signs for Luray Caverns as you enter Virginia. And who doesn't love a good tourist trap, am I right? Kirk and I took the boys down to Luray to visit it this past weekend. It's definitely a good tourist trap, with museums and the requisite… Continue reading Luray Caverns