2012 - Cathy and Larry Traveling Across the USA

Week 7

Day 43 - September 27 - Stonewall Jackson State Park Area

Well, Mother Nature hasn't actually been on our side lately. This is the foggy morning view we had traveling south down the highway.

The main reason we came to West Virginia was to see the leaves in all their fall colors. So don't be surprised if you see a lot of leaf peeper pictures.

Summersville Lake

Awesome beauty

Lake Summersville Dam and the Gauley River

The Gauley River

More color

The Gauley River from a scenic overlook.

We hadn't planned to stop here, but since we were so close we did. Nothing here really to photograph.

The leaves are showing their colors more and more!

We drove through another coal town. Note how similar the houses on the left are. Probably built by the coal company.

This defines the town.

The Cranberry River showing its colors.

Now I have no idea how this photo turned out like it did. Probably some good scientific or technical reason, but looks like a message from above to me!

Traveling east our next destination was to Hills Creek Falls. This particular hike was quite a feat as it included a lot of steps. Once you get down to the bottom you have to come back up. Ugh!! This is the best pix I could get of the Upper Falls.

The Middle Falls - yes, I am pretty much of a daredevil!

The Lower Falls - it was quite worth the hike.

It is fall, but look at these pretty little flowers!

We had never heard of this type of "glades" before.

The Cranberry Glades -- and they were quite squishy! I saw a little snake on the boardwalk and nearly came out of my skin!!!

Here in the "glades" is a Beaver dam.

And wow, would you look at these colors. We are about in the 3,000 - 4,000 ft. range. Apparently it gets colder in this part of the state earlier, hence the early color.

Getting to this part of the state at the right time was exactly what we were hoping for. While the picutures do look great, they can't compare to the color in person. The reds and oranges were so vibrant.

This little stop was not on our list, but quite an unusual geological find.

Look at the oranges.

Day 44 - September 28 - Stonewall Jackson SP Area

Todays road trip started off with the biggest surprise of our lives. What we saw probably happens once in a lifetime. We are driving down these windy, twisty roads, only going about 35 mph and what do we see up ahead crossing the street???? Three bear cubs crossing the road!!!! I was screaming at Larry to stop the car while at the same time trying to get my camera on. But those little cubs were fast and this is the best pix I could get. We turned around and looked for them, but they were long gone. We're guessing Mama bear had already crossed the road and they were heading her way.

Another dreary day. But I love seeing the fog hanging close to the valley.

And of course, more color.

We took a ride up to Snowshoe Mountain.

In town there was a Porsche Car Show going on.

You can see the ski trails.

Look at those reds!

Our next stop was to check out the Cass Scenic Railroad. Deciding the weather was too nasty, we opted out of the train ride. I don't think anything could compare to the colors we have already seen.

The train departing the station.

This is the National Radio Astronomy Observatory located near Green Bank, WV.

What a pretty picture!

Because of the coal industry, there are a lot of railroads. This is the Durbin Train and Depot.

Beautiful little creek

Note the road. As is becoming normal on this trip, we're driving in the middle of nowhere!!

Day 45 - September 29 - Stonewall Jackson SP Area

Today we started off with a tour at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Assylum. We weren't going to take the tour but this guy in our camp said it was worth it. All I can say -- it's just creepy. This tells the story.

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, subsequently the Armand Auclerc Weston State Hospital, was a Kirkbride^[3] psychiatric hospital that operated from 1864 until 1994 by the government of the U.S. state of West Virginia, in the city of Weston. Built by architect Richard Andrews, it was constructed from 1858- 1881. Originally designed to hold 250 people, it became overcrowded in the 1950's with 2,400 patients. It was forcibly closed in 1994 due to changes in treatments of patients. The first to be comitted was a female housekeeper. The hospital was bought by Joe Jordan in 2007, and partly opened to tours and other money raising events for its restoration.^[4] The hospital's main building is the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in the United States, and, as Weston Hospital Main Building, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990.

This is looking up the "coffin" stairwell, named for its shape.

the rooms

The only thing cheery in the whole place was this community area.

the hallway

the stonework faces

Heading north to the town of Fairmont.

The Courthouse in Fairmont

Now we're on a covered bridge tour. This is the Bracketville Bridge, a modified Burr Truss, ca. 1853.

Simpson Creek Bridge, a King Post Truss, ca. 1881

Center Point Bridge, Long Truss design, ca. 1889

Fletcher Bridge, King Post design, ca. 1891

Philippi Bridge, "Long" Burr Arch Truss, ca. 1852. Today part of the US Highway system, Hwy. 250.

Courthouse in Philippi

Train Depot in Philippi

Carrollton Bridge, Kingport Truss w/Burr Arch, ca. 1856

Day 46 - September 30 - Stonewall Jackson SP Area

Today we headed east and north to the Canaan Valley area. The leaves are alive with color!

Look at these oranges!

Our first stop - Blackwater Falls - amazing

We've had some chilly mornings, yet Larry is still in shorts!

Color, color, color

Blackwater Falls from a different viewpoint.

Canaan Valley's Timberline Ski Resort

Canaan Valley

This little groundhog was so cute! We had to ask the park attendant what it was.

The Canaan Valley was beautiful. So peaceful and quiet.

This is Seneca Rocks. This is the only "rock" formation we saw in WV. Climbers frequent these rocks.

Can you spot the climber?

Beautiful farmhouse at Seneca Rocks.

There's the climber!

Downey Woodpecker at Seneca Rocks. I'm sure the park service is not happy about this!!

More climbers -- brave souls

Now we are at the top of West Virginia.

This is my favorite. I think the sun was right on the mountain ridge at this point.

Spruce Knob Lake

Back at camp, here is a picture of the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. Unfortunatley, we didn't get a chance to play because of the rain.

Day 47 - October 1 - Stonewall Jackson SP Area

We stayed in the area another day so I could go see Ron Hinkle's glass blowing. I love watching this process.

The final product

Down from Ron Hinkles was this little Memorial Chapel

Our campsite at Stonewall Jackson SP

Stonewall Jackson Lake

Some unusual fungus or mushroom!

Day 48 - October 2 - Travel day to Harpers Ferry, WV

Day 49 - October 3 - Harpers Ferry Area

A visit to the Harpers Ferry National Park is like stepping back in time. Here is some information about Harpers Ferry: Harpers Ferry witnessed the first successful application of interchangeable manufacture, the arrival of the first successful American railroad, John Brown's attack on slavery, the largest surrender of Federal troops during the Civil War, and the education of former slaves in one of the earliest integrated schools in the United States.

This is the Shenandoah River