Fabulous Conditions at Snowshoe Ski Resort!

News Flash, News Flash.....in case you are blissfully unaware the East Coast is getting hammered with what some are already labeling as one of the worst December snowstorms of all time. As I am typing this blog entry I am watching the snow fall outside and twitter "tweets" fly by my other screen from friends all up and down the Atlantic seaboard rattling off the latest snow statistics in their area. 11 inches in Western Maryland, 15 inches in Virginia....the tally goes on and on.

I've also been poking around the internet to find out what is going on up and around Snowshoe. The buzz appears to be what every die hard skier lives to hear - Snowshoe Ski Resort is getting pounded with the white stuff! And it's not the heavy, sticky kindof snow - it's the powdery stuff - the good stuff that every skier dreams of. Check out this pic I found on the internet that was taken a few days ago on one of the slopes - isn't it gorgeous! So far the official tally is somewhere over two feet in the last 24 hours with the possibility of another 12 inches to come before the storm is over. Coincidentally, today is Snowshoe Ski Resort's Birthday - what a great Birthday gift - I don't think that they could ask for anything more!

Our Latest Addition

I've been meaning to post pics of our latest addition for quite some time now. I'm really excited to announce that we've recently added a brand new deck onto the back of our larger cabin. Back in October of this year we were fortunate enough to steal some cycles of a local builder who was able to fit this in for us and the results are just fantastic! Our previous deck was in need of a desperate rework and this overhaul was perfect! As part of the overhaul the main beams of the deck were reinforced and all of the decking boards and rails were replaced. What a difference!! The best part about the overhaul is that the decking boards are closer together meaning that the legs of patio furniture won't get stuck in between the boards anymore! Needless to say new patio furniture is on the agenda for the spring! This new deck is sure to be a great addition for guests who want to sit outside and enjoy the great mountain scenery from our backyard. I can't wait to sit out there and enjoy the backyard myself - it's going to be just fabulous!

Thanksgiving Getaway in our West Virginia Cabin

It's getting to be that time of year again - it's November and before you know it Thanksgiving will be upon us! Thanksgiving is truly a great holiday - a day of reflection, a day filled with great food and family, beautiful parades and lots of football. If all of that isn't enough Thanksgiving is also the one day of the year that allows us to officially usher in the start of the Holiday Season! I don't know about you, but for me the holidays can't start until Santa takes his annual ride down Times Square as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Once the ride is complete the craziness of the season has officially begun!

Last year we actually took advantage of the long Thanksgiving Day weekend and made our way out to Mountain Valley Retreat for some great rest and relaxation before the hustle and bustle of the holidays began. There was no better way to relax and recharge than spending time at our mountain hideaway. We enjoyed great breakfasts together vs. our normal crazy morning routine and lazed around by the fire as a family until late morning. Once we were all up and moving about we spent the days taking in a few movies on TV, going for leisurely walks around the house and we even spent one afternoon up at Snowshoe Ski Resort where we enjoyed a great dinner and watched the early season skiers make their runs down the slopes. It even snowed a bit during our stay which thrilled the kids to no end! All-in-all it was the perfect opportunity to rest and regroup in preparation for the hectic holiday season. And for those of you wondering how I could actually leave Black Friday behind - it wasn't a problem at all - we've got WiFi remember?

Snowshoe Ski Resort is gearing up for another great season!

The weather is definitely changing in the mountains of West Virginia. The last reminders of summer are all but gone and the fall season is quickly being overshadowed by glimpses of winter. It seems as if everywhere I've turned today there's been a story in the news or a comment in my twitter stream talking about the early snowfall throughout the state. All of this got me thinking about the upcoming ski season and Snowshoe Ski Resort is on my mind today. I visited the resort's website today - opening day is set for November 25th - are you ready?

The Ghosts of Droop Mountain

I just stumbled onto a great article in the Pocahontas County Times that talks about the various Droop Mountain ghost legends. For those who are unaware, Droop Mountain was the site of the last major conflict of the American Civil War in West Virginia. A private in the U.S. Army at the Battle of Droop Mountain, John Sutton, became the leader in the movement to create the park when he served in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Dedicated on July 4, 1928, Droop Mountain Battlefield became the first state park in West Virginia.

Droop Mountain is a great place to go hiking with the family and it also has a wonderful re-creation of a Civil War era observation tower that provides amazing views of the Greenbrier River Valley. All of that aside, after reading this article I'm wondering how I'm gonna feel the next time we visit - I'm sure to think that someone's watching me!

Enjoy the great read! - http://www.pocahontastimes.com/index.php?id=982

Visit a Boardwalk in the Heart of West Virginia!

A boardwalk in West Virginia - how can this be? When you think of a boardwalk you most likely think of a long stretch of walkway at your favorite seashore getaway, but did you know that West Virginia has it's very own boardwalk just without the beach? This boardwalk actually winds through the many bogs found within the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. Bogs are acidic wetlands typically found in Canada and the northern United States. Originally brought here by the glaciers, the four bogs of the Cranberry Glades contain life similar to the bogs or “muskegs” of the north. The ground in a bog is spongy and consists largely of partially-decayed plant material known as peat. Because of its unique conditions, some unusual plants grow in bogs, including carnivorous or insect-eating plants. In total, the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area encompasses 750 acres. The boardwalk extends for a half-mile through this area and allows visitors to experience all of the uniqueness of a bog without disturbing the unique and exotic ecosystem.

A stroll along this boardwalk is a great way to spend any afternoon and is actually #2 on my list of "101 Great and Affordable WV Family Vacation Activities" . Located off of the Highland Scenic Highway at the intersection of Rt 39 and Rt 150, admission to the area is entirely free and guided tours are conducted at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer months. Along the tour your family is sure to see several of the over 60 unique plant species in the bogs, many descended from seeds that took root here over 10,000 years ago. Wild animals are also known to frequent the Glades. Keep a watchful eye as you walk through the area and you might spy some of these wild animals: American Black Bear, WV Northern Flying Squirrel, Red-tailed Hawk, American Bald Eagle, Red Fox, coyote, White-tailed Deer, Cooper Hawk, and Eastern Screech-Owl.

Affordable WV Family Vacation Tip #1

Spend a day traveling the Highland Scenic Highway!

In my previous post I mentioned that I would be highlighting 101 great and affordable family vacation activities throughout West Virginia - my "101 things to do in WV list". Today I'm highlighting the first activity - The Highland Scenic Highway.

The Highland Scenic Highway is a designated National Scenic Byway. This byway winds it's way through over 40 miles of West Virginia beginning in Richwood, WV at Rt 39 and ending just north of Marlinton, WV at Rt 150. Don't think for a moment that traveling down this highway is just taking another trip down an ordinary road. This byway is more than just a road, along the way you'll be sure to encounter breathtaking views of the Allegheny Highlands, wetland bogs, trout-filled waters, a waterfall and hundreds of hiking trails at various points. It's estimated to take around 2 hours to drive the whole length of the highway but it's highly recommended to think instead about turning this 2-hour car or motorcycle ride into an entire day trip. Moreover - this day trip is absolutely family-friendly and totally affordable since all of the stops along the way are free meaning you don't have to spend a dime to enjoy them!

As an example of a fun and affordable activity along the Highland Scenic Highway, why not plan a great family picnic along one of the four developed scenic overlooks? Each overlook was specifically designed to enjoy the amazing views of the Allegheny Mountains and has a paved parking area, restrooms and picnic tables. The scenic overlooks are named Williams River, Big Spruce, Little Laurel and Big Lick and each are clearly noted along Rt 150. With amazing views stretching for miles an ordinary picnic will be transformed into a visionary masterpiece!