New River Gorge West Virginia

[Ol'coot]

I took a day of vacation on Friday in conjunction with the Memorial day Holiday for much needed few days away. Janice and I returned to the New River Gorge Area of West Virginia we stayed in Beckley, WV as it is the closest town of any size. There is lots to see and do in this area but not your normal overcrowded tourist destination. The people are very friendly and scenery of the Appalachian mountains is just awesome. I have attached a few shots of different things to plan to see if you visit depending on the season.

(1.) The Glade Creek Mill Located in Babc0ck State Park about 40 miles off of I-77

(2.) The New River Gorge Bridge located Just off I-77 on US-19 you will cross the bridge if you are going to Babc0ck State Park from I-77

(3.) Whitewater rafting on the New River. There are many local outfitters with location all along Hwy US-19 and very near the New river Gorge Bridge

(4.) Cathedral Falls, located at Gauley Bridge, WV Just off 1-77 Take S-19 to SR-16 about 31 miles to the falls and they can be seen from the road. Spring is best as there is not much flow in the summer and fall except after a good rain.

[Ol'coot]

Cathedral Falls

[Auminer]

Beautiful photos all Tony...nicely shot!! :righton: :cheers:

[Ol'coot]

Thanks Dave,
West Virginia Is a very beautiful place and one of my favorite places to visit.

[Tom V]

Ahh, the New River. I was there a few years ago on "jump day" - when base jumpers parachute off that bridge - (no fatalities, but about 3 fractured femurs, and a jumper who got tangled in rappeler's ropes (with the rappeler about 200 feet lower)). I rafted down the nearby Gauley River, and did the unintended 30-second underwater tour of Pillow Rock / Room of Doom - allegedly the wildest rapid east of the Mississippi. Our raft flipped over faster than I ever imagined a raft could flip, and I was shot into the violent foam without a breath. After a while, I started to wonder if I would ever float up (whichever way that was). I figure NO more rafting for me - ever- as I have already experienced the best and worst of rafting in that single rapid.

[jhawk1000]

Been many years since I was last in West Virginia but I remember the sheer beauty of the place. I came through twice, once in the spring and then in the fall and the foliage was gorgeous both times. You have done the scene justice. Very nice indeed.

Mel

PS The only way I would raft anymore would be with scuba gear including tanks. Did it once, never again.

[Ol'coot]

Tom,

I have never rafted on the New River or Gauley River but I have done a lot of river rafting when I was a younger man on the Watauga River in East Tennessee. A smaller river but with some nice rapids. The Watauga river exits the Dam at Watauga Lake and runs for about 20 mile then forms Boone Lake. The speed of the river is determined by the generation of power from the Watauga Dam. We usually run the river during a generation cycle and the water was high without any issue, on one occasion we decided to run the river even though it was low and no power was being generated, a big mistake. After making it about five miles when came to a bend in the river that was normally no problem but because of the low water it was condensed into a small very fast stream and by the time we realize this we were already committed to ride it out. A log had fallen across the river and we were now moving so fast we could not stop and the force of the water took the raft and compressed it under the log. My cousin and I both were thrown out and also forced under the log where I got hung up on a limb underwater. I fought hard to reach the surface and made it just as I was forced to take a breath. This was my last river rafting adventure and I sold the raft the next day.

Mel,

Thanks for your comments

[corneliaB]

beautiful!

[Ol'coot]

Thank you Cornelia for your comments

[5string]

Nice photos ol coot. You were in my back yard. I live about 10 minutes from the Glade Creek mill (helped put the new roof on it 5-6 years ago) and I cross the New River Gorge Bridge every day on my way to work.

[Ol'coot]

Thanks 5string

I wish I had known you were that close by as I would have invited you meet Janice and I for a cold brew :cheers:, We will have to get together my next trip to the area which will probably be in the fall.

[LightWriter6208]

You were most definitely in a beautiful area. I lived in WV for a few years and my daughter and her family still live in Fairmont. We try to go out to visit every year, but with gas prices, we won't be able to see the grandkids this year. These shots were taken last Oct from another place in WV that is just gorgeous...Blackwater Falls State Park. The deer will come up and eat from your hand.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/LightWriter6208/Vacation07203.jpg
If you're able to walk down the 219 steps to the falls you can see the Indian profile in the cliff
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/LightWriter6208/Vacation07210.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/LightWriter6208/Vacation07180-1.jpg
Next time we get out there, I definitely want to see the New River Gorge and the Mill...haven't been to either of those yet- beautiful shots!

Alice