West Virginia Suggestions

[sprintamx]

Maybe "off topic" but . . .

Me and the missus are taking the Targa on our first driving tour/vacation. We are heading to WV for a couple of days, and will be staying at the Blackwater Falls lodge / State Park.

I am wondering if folks can offer some interesting routes to explore, or roads to avoid. We will be leaving/returning from/to the Philadelphia area. One day will be spent traveling to and from Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water house. Otherwise, we have no specific plans other than to casually knock around Blackwater and maybe head down to Senneca Rocks. We aren't only interested in driving as we really enjoy hiking and otherwise moving about. But, this is not a backpacking trip by any means.

Any suggestions for routes out and back to Philly? While we are in and around Blackwater?

All suggestions are very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Aaron

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by sprintamx

...
roads to avoid.

Remember "Deliverance" was a documentary. Many think that it and "Easy Rider" were fictional films.

They aren't.


More seriously, the Spruce Knob & Seneca Rocks areas, and the small part or ext. of the Blue Ridge Pkwy in WV are nice.

Dolly Sods, Cathedral, Blackwater Canyon.

some places have very high ATV use so avoid that when hiking

[sprintamx]

Umm, you're not suggesting I bring the .45 . . .? Smiles everyone!

[jpl500]

I lived there for 18 years. Try route 250N/S between Fairmont and Grafton or parts of Route 33 just East of Elkins. Really fun roads, twisties and changes in elevation. Not heavily policed. I used to have a blast in my MGB on those roads back then.

Also, if you are coming down 81 from PA/MD get on Route 50 heading west around Winchester toward Romney. There are a couple towns where you'll have slow down but the mountain roads are fabulous.

cheers,

pat

[onboost]

You look just like hawg....

[call911]

Aaron,

Falling Water is spectacular! About 20 minutes away is Nemacolin Resort. Great weekend getaway but expensive. One of the restuarants there is Falling Rock, built by one of FLLW's students:

http://www.nemacolin.com/FALLINGROCK




Shepherdstown and Harper's Ferry are also nice, but not close to the PA turnpike.

Have a great time, just don't get lost.....

[sprintamx]

I just knew that WV was going to bring out the ribbing and cautions. But, hey its a beautiful state, right!?

Thanks for the suggestions so far though.

[onboost]

Yes, WV is a beautiful state with a lot of great driving to be done. I get up towards the Harper's Ferry, Charlestown, and Summit Point areas every couple of months. Very enjoyable!

Then thar's ol' Ned, just a turn or too off old 36, best darn moonshine in the state! And man that wife of his... or was that his cousin..anyway, she was kin!

[RichF]

I once went to West Virginia and had a lady ask me if i was from around here, I replyed no ma'am I have all my teeth.

[EarlyPorsche]

Not sure how far out this would be but go to Charles Town Raceway along with Summit Point Raceway (www.summitpoint-raceway.com to check race schedule) and then end the trip at a nice local gentlemen's club.

[sprintamx]

Err . . . any suggestions for where the wife can go while I conduct those post-race track pleasantries?

[kfosburg]

You didn't say which weekend, but Woodbridge Kart Club races on the new Shenandoah circuit this weekend at Summit. Entry is like $5 including pit pass. Watch the 125CC shifters to see some seriously fast and close racing! They run at 3:50 on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.

Karl

[RWebb]

very beautiful and a well-spring of American music & culture

was much much more beautiful before the coal companies tore it up

[OldTee]

Stop by Summit Point Race Track. SCCA races this WE.

[sprintamx]

Again, thanks for the suggestions folks. By the way, we are heading out this Sunday.

I am planning to get onto Route 50 near Winchester by way of Charlestown and Harpers Ferry. We will coming down 95S, heading around Baltimore to 70W, and then to Harpers Ferry.

We'll take 50W through Romney to 219S, then straight into Blackwater Falls.

Looks like some good play time knocking around Blackwater Falls, Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob, and all the interconnecting roads. We might even be able to get onto 250 and 33. Our day trip to Falling Water and back should be very cool also. Henry, thanks for the link to Nemacolin. Looks like a lovely way to round out what should be a specatacular day.

So, even though we can use the rain in the Mid Atlantic, here's hoping for clear and sunny skies!

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I wrote a Conde Nast Traveler West Virginia "Great Drive" article about eight years ago (or at least when the Prius, which I used, was new). Maybe you can find it on line...

[Mike_Lettrich]

Route 250 is a great drive. I've taken a few motorcycle trips from Pittsburgh down through WV towards Charlottesville, VA. There are some great roads through the mountains and the George Washington and Allegheny National Forests. Lots of turns and elevation changes.

[whiteSC59]

I grew up in 'West-by-God-Virginia! If going through Fairmont grab a Yann's hot dog at the foot of the bridge a steak hoagie from Mama's Pl, a Collasessano's Cheese pizza, and a bag of pepperoni buns from country club bakery for the road. ask any one for directions when you get there. Roads are ALL twisty and narrow. Blackwater area has incredible trout fishing if you hike up or down stream a mile or two and find a few deep pools. Theres nothing like fresh pan fried trout and eggs for breakfast!!! Make sure and take your camera and post some pics, youll love it there.

[jpl500]

Originally Posted by whiteSC59

I grew up in 'West-by-God-Virginia! If going through Fairmont grab a Yann's hot dog at the foot of the bridge a steak hoagie from Mama's Pl, a Collasessano's Cheese pizza, and a bag of pepperoni buns from country club bakery for the road. ask any one for directions when you get there. Roads are ALL twisty and narrow. Blackwater area has incredible trout fishing if you hike up or down stream a mile or two and find a few deep pools. Theres nothing like fresh pan fried trout and eggs for breakfast!!! Make sure and take your camera and post some pics, youll love it there.

I second the Yann's dogs and the Colasessano's. I prefer the Spider sandwich to the pizza however.

pat

[Todd Simpson]

If you want to see more FL Wright check out Kentuck Knob, I think about 20 minutes away from FW. There are also some scenic falls near there as well.