Canaan Valley Resort and State Park - Day 3

I'll tell you, this part of West Virginia is beautiful - like really, really beautiful.  The only problem - ok two problems - is that it's hard to get to - because of the mountains and because the GPS data is ridiculously out of date - and there is practically no information available online about what to do here.  We have been able to find lists of things to do but with no detailed information.  It's really strange - usually the State Tourism boards do an amazing job pushing information out online but either West Virginia doesn't want to or doesn't have the funding.  I'm guessing it's the latter.

So another weird thing is that some of the ski resorts are also State Parks.  Yesterday we went to Canaan Valley State Park - which is also a ski resort, golf course and lodge.  One of the ski lifts operates during the summer and for about $20 for all of us, we rode it up to the top.  There was a trailhead to Bald Knob (what rock covered tops of mountains are called in the South) that took us about a mile and a quarter over to the top of an adjacent mountain top.  At 4,308 feet, you can see a very long way and it was perfect weather - partly cloudy and mid 70's.  What an amazing change from the upper 90's in DC!  The kids did a fantastic job with the hike and it helped that we had granola bars to eat on the mountain top - snacks always help!!!

We hiked back to the top of the chairlift and headed back down the mountain.  We could have continued on our hike to the bottom of the mountain but the chairlift is much more fun!  Since we were only 10 minutes from our cabin, we came back, rested and ate lunch.  After we were all refueled, we headed back over to the ski lift area to do some tubing.  Basically they use the rope lift to drag you up the bunny slope in a inner tube.  After you get to the top, you can slide down the hill.  The kids had a fantastic time but were completely exhausted after about an hour.

Once we wore them out, we came home and grilled hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner.  Everyone ate a ton and then the kids spent a few more hours in the hot tub.  By this point, the water is disgusting and there is no way I'm setting a foot in that thing - the kids don't seem to care at all and have loved having it.  It's really nice that they can use it and I can see and hear them while I'm making dinner!  They have all agreed to stay here forever - I guess they're having a good time!!

Seneca Caverns - West Virginia Day 2

We woke up in beautiful West Virginia this morning!  Both Brendan and I went for runs before we all had breakfast and then packed up to head to Seneca Caverns.  It was quite a drive through the mountains and we even went over the Eastern Continental Divide - which I didn't even know was a thing - at about 3500 feet!  After about a 30 minute drive, we arrived at the Caverns.  The noon tour was just leaving so we decided to wait for the 1:00 tour.  We thought we would eat at the restaurant but it was closed so we snacked on the food that I had quickly packed before we left.  (Good thing!!) We sat on the porch of the restaurant and enjoyed the magnificent view and then played on a little playground before heading back to the entrance of the cave for the tour.  We had to wear hard hats and Declan got a hat with a light on it - super adorable!!
The tour was great and the cave was beautiful!  I was pleasantly surprised.  They have done a great job with the cement and gravel and all of the railings and stairs.  Everything was solid and felt like it was in great shape.  Let's just say that we've been in caves that didn't feel quite as safe!!
On the way back we stopped at the Seneca Rocks information center.  The hike to the top is a mile and a half and 900 feet in elevation.  I think we have to save that for another day!
We stopped for ice cream at a little shop in Davis on the way back.  It was the perfect snack - especially since we hadn't really had a proper lunch!!!
Excited for Day 3 tomorrow!!