If you've never been to West Virginia, you're missing out. Carl and I took a tour of the best of the best last week, packing the dogs in the Subaru and driving south and west to Dolly Sods Wilderness. The last of the brilliant leaves still clung to the trees and one bank we passed reported the temperature as 87 degrees. It got predictably cooler as we turned off the paved road and headed up into the hills. From the trailhead, it only took us about 40 minutes to reach the best campsite in the area, perched above two streams coming together and complete with fire ring and seats.
Luna loves camping more than anything (even tennis balls), and she barely slept the first night because there was so much to keep track of outside. At one point we heard what we thought was a raccoon hissing at us from the dark.
The next morning we left camp where it was and set off with day packs to explore the area. Our trail took us across beaver dams...
...and through bogs, where at some point we lost the actual trail and ended up bushwhacking our way up to the ridge through thick stands of hemlock, pines, and mountain laurel.
Up on the ridge we discovered our lost trail, massive rock formations, and sweeping views of the Canaan Valley below. Not a bad place for lunch.
The pups were troopers through the whole adventure, bounding around the bogs and keeping track of everyone in the brush.
True to form, Luna managed to find a tennis ball in the middle of a wilderness area. Luckily for us, she was so tired out by our 12 mile jaunt that she promptly curled up when we returned to camp. That night we were treated to several choruses of coyotes calling to each other first from one direction, then the other.
Day three we took our time breaking camp before hiking back to the car. Everyone was still pretty tired from our death march the day before, and it was hard to tell who was more relieved to settle into the vehicle. Our tour continued south to Seneca Rocks...
...and then back north to Blackwater Falls...
...and the quirky towns of Davis and Thomas. Right next store to each other, these places are a little pocket of dirty hippie in the mountains of West Virginia. Thomas is the home of the Purple Fiddle which serves up organic food and live music. They also have a couple guest rooms that even welcome dogs. It was a little like staying at your crazy great-aunt's house, complete with VCR and video cassettes. That evening we joined a couple other folks in the cafe and stayed on to watch a band of recent college graduates rock out.
With all that, how could you not love West Virginia? Back at home we've unpacked and turned our sights to the next big adventure: surviving Hurricane Sandy. We've already gotten 2 inches of rain, laid bets on how high the river's going to get, and are bracing for the winds that are on their way. The power will most certainly go out but don't worry, we are stocked up on M & Ms, knitting supplies, and dog treats. Bring it on!
