OUTLOOK: Travel & To urism END-OF-WINTER FUNadvertising.wvgazettemail.com/wp-content/uploads/... ·...
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W INTER doesn’t last forever, but even when it’s time to put away the skis, sleds and tubes, the fun continues at Black- water Falls and Canaan Valley Resort state parks near Davis in Tucker County. Cool weather and snow-making equipment keep the slopes open as long as possible in the new year, but eventually, spring returns and other forms of outdoor recreation take the place of snow activities. Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley Resort state parks are close together, so it’s easy to enjoy the offerings of both parks during the same visit. Blackwater Falls State Park After the snow melts, Blackwater Falls State Park’s sledding and cross-country ski areas take a break to make way for a wide variety of other outdoors activities. The most popular, of course, are hiking trails that lead you to the famous Blackwater Falls on the scenic Black- water River, with side trips to the Elakala Falls on the waters of Shay Run near the edge of the Blackwater Canyon and the Pendleton Falls of Pendleton Run. Other trails take you to Lindy Point – 45 acres of pristine mountain views into Blackwater Canyon – and Pend- leton Point, which lets you see the canyon’s deepest and widest point. Special events and activities are scheduled all year, daily and on weekends. The Nature Center is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day and features displays, programs and information on the park’s natural re- sources. A major spring event scheduled, for April 7-9, 2017, is the Becoming an Outdoors-Wom- an (BOW) spring workshop. This program offers hands-on activities for adult women ages 18 and older of all fitness levels and outdoors experience. This is an opportunity for women to learn new skills or hone existing talents. Early registration is required and the openings fill up quickly. If you have cabin fever and just want to get away for a while on a budget, Blackwa- ter Falls State Park offers a several lodging options. The park boasts a 54-room lodge, 39 vacation cabins and a 65-unit tent and trailer campground, which is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. From March 1 through May 18, 2017, take advantage of the “Spring Cozy Cabin Break” early season special. It features discounted rates of 20 percent off standard cabin rates with a fireplace, housekeeping and linens provided. All you need is your own food and clothing. The special is for Sunday through Thursday, with two nights minimum required. Blackwater Lodge, cabins and restaurant are open year-round and welcome visitors to enjoy spring greening, cool summer evenings, autumn foliage and winter sled riding. To plan your next vacation, visit www.blackwaterfalls. com or call 304-259-5216. Canaan Valley Resort State Park Because Canaan Valley Resort is a four-sea- son resort, there is always something to do, especially in the spring. It offers world-class golf, rugged mountain trails for hiking and biking, and many special activities to let you enjoy an escape from daily life. Early season golf rates go into effect April 2 for the 18-hole, par 72 golf course that was designed by Geoffrey Cornish. It has been rated four stars by Golf Digest and named one of the top 10 courses in West Virginia. Hikers and bikers can choose from among 18 miles of marked trails that lead through woodlands, meadows, hills and streams. Many link with hundreds of miles of marked trails in the Monongahela National Forest. Spring is a good time and this is a good place for bird watching, wildlife sightings, plant discoveries and star gazing. Bike and helmet rentals are available. Canaan’s newest outdoor sport activity is trap shooting, one of the three major forms of competitive clay pigeon shooting. Each shooter gets 25 shotgun shots – five shots per stand – with all shoot- ing done under the authority of a range supervisor. Reserva- tions are highly suggested for this popular activity. Many other recreational op- tions are available at this time of year. Geocaching is popular for “treasure hunters” who use GPS units to find hidden cach- es. Canaan Valley has five geo- caches hidden in the park, and the park offers GPS rentals for anyone who wants to try it. The park’s Nature Center includes a 25-foot climbing wall that holds up to three climbers at a time, and family and friends can sign up for the paintball field for an afternoon of active excitement. Overnight guests can stay in one of 160 beautifully appoint- ed new lodge rooms and suites with full amenities or one of several cozy and comfortable cabins and cottages, and enjoy meals at one of three resort dining areas. Discounts are frequently available. Be sure to ask when making reservations. Most of these activities re- quire reservations. Call 1-800- 622-4121 for information and scheduling. END-OF-WINTER Canaan Valley Resort and Blackwater Falls state parks a hub of recreation even after the snow melts FUN From a snow-covered slope at Canaan Valley to a hiking trail at Blackwater Falls, recreational opportunities abound at state parks in Tucker County. Electric vehicle (EV) driv- ers can now rest assured that they West Virginia’s state lodge parks and return home without fear of running out of charge. EV charging stations have been installed at Pipes- tem, Twin Falls and Cacapon resort state parks, with plans underway to install stations at Blackwater Falls, Hawks Nest, North Bend and Tygart Lake state parks, at Chief Lo- gan Lodge, and at Stonewall Resort. Installation of stations is funded by a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Energy through the West Vir- ginia Division of Energy. “We’re opening the door for a whole new demographic,” says Paul Redford, district administrator for the Parks and Recreation Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “West Virginia will be the first state that has EV chargers at all of its lodge parks. With all the Interstate systems running through the state, we are sitting in an area that’s per- fect for electric car charging stations.” Redford says State Parks officials anticipate the in- stallation of the EV chargers will make the parks more attractive to visitors from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and even as far away as Canada. “Once they visit us, we hope our hospitality and facilities will bring them back again,” says Redford. The stations, which will have dual chargers, are clas- sified as Level 2 stations that have 240 volts and can pro- duce 30 to 80 amps. Although it is hoped the stations will help draw overnight guests to the state park lodges, they also are available to any day visitors who drive electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. There is no charge, so to speak, to use them. Besides making the state parks more attractive to EV drivers, the installation of the stations fits in with part of the mission of West Virginia state parks, which is to promote conservation by preserving and protecting natural areas while providing outdoor rec- reational opportunities. “We are trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible by doing our part to reduce admissions,” Redford says. “We’re really preparing for the future as technology improves and more and more travelers are buying electric and hybrid vehicles. This is a good way to encourage them to visit West Virginia as they plan their vacations and busi- ness trips.” Learn more about West Vir- ginia’s state parks at wvstate- parks.wordpress.com. STATE PARKS West Virginia State Parks irst to install electric vehicle charging stations EV charging stations have been installed at Pipestem, Twin Falls and Cacapon resort state parks, with plans underway to install stations at Blackwater Falls, Hawks Nest, North Bend and Tygart Lake state parks, at Chief Logan Lodge and at Stonewall Resort. Service promotes conservation goals Photos courtesy of West Virginia Dept. of Commerce 2K OUTLOOK: Travel & Tourism Sunday Gazette-Mail, February 19, 2017 T rain EXCURSIONS Since 1966 ® New River Huntington, WV Hinton, WV thru the gorge October 21, 22, 28, & 29, 2017 From Huntington, WV to Hinton, WV and Return! Four, 300 Mile Long Round Trip One Day Excursions Through The Majestic & Historic, Grand Canyon of the East, The New River Gorge! Heritage: $179 • Premium: $279 Dome: $329 • Silver: $550 Premium & Dome includes Breakfast and Dinner! Silver Class Includes Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner! 15% cancellation fee on and before September 1, 2017. 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Transcript of OUTLOOK: Travel & To urism END-OF-WINTER FUNadvertising.wvgazettemail.com/wp-content/uploads/... ·...
W INTER doesn’t lastforever, but even whenit’s time to put awaythe skis, sleds and
tubes, the fun continues at Black-water Falls and Canaan ValleyResort state parks near Davis inTucker County.
Cool weather and snow-making equipmentkeep the slopes open as long as possible in thenew year, but eventually, spring returns andother forms of outdoor recreation take theplace of snow activities. Blackwater Falls andCanaan Valley Resort state parks are closetogether, so it’s easy to enjoy the offerings ofboth parks during the same visit.
Blackwater Falls State ParkAfter the snow melts, Blackwater Falls State
Park’s sledding and cross-country ski areastake a break to make way for a wide varietyof other outdoors activities. The most popular,of course, are hiking trails that lead you to thefamous Blackwater Falls on the scenic Black-water River, with side trips to the Elakala Fallson the waters of Shay Run near the edge ofthe Blackwater Canyon and the PendletonFalls of Pendleton Run. Other trails take youto Lindy Point – 45 acres of pristine mountainviews into Blackwater Canyon – and Pend-leton Point, which lets you see the canyon’sdeepest and widest point.
Special events and activities are scheduledall year, daily and on weekends. The NatureCenter is open from Memorial Day throughLabor Day and features displays, programsand information on the park’s natural re-sources.
A major spring event scheduled, for April7-9, 2017, is the Becoming an Outdoors-Wom-an (BOW) spring workshop. This programoffers hands-on activities for adult womenages 18 and older of all fitness levels andoutdoors experience. This is an opportunityfor women to learn new skills or hone existingtalents. Early registration is required and theopenings fill up quickly.
If you have cabin fever and just want toget away for a while on a budget, Blackwa-ter Falls State Park offers a several lodgingoptions. The park boasts a 54-room lodge, 39vacation cabins and a 65-unit tent and trailercampground, which is open from MemorialDay through Labor Day.
From March 1 through May 18, 2017, takeadvantage of the “Spring Cozy Cabin Break”early season special. It features discountedrates of 20 percent off standard cabin rateswith a fireplace, housekeeping and linensprovided. All you need is your own food andclothing. The special is for Sunday throughThursday, with two nights minimum required.
Blackwater Lodge, cabins and restaurant
are open year-round and welcome visitors toenjoy spring greening, cool summer evenings,autumn foliage and winter sled riding. To planyour next vacation, visit www.blackwaterfalls.com or call 304-259-5216.
Canaan Valley Resort State ParkBecause Canaan Valley Resort is a four-sea-
son resort, there is always something to do,especially in the spring. It offers world-classgolf, rugged mountain trails for hiking andbiking, and many special activities to let youenjoy an escape from daily life.
Early season golf rates go into effect April2 for the 18-hole, par 72 golf course that wasdesigned by Geoffrey Cornish. It has beenrated four stars by Golf Digest and named oneof the top 10 courses in West Virginia.
Hikers and bikers can choose from among18 miles of marked trails that lead throughwoodlands, meadows, hills and streams. Manylink with hundreds of miles of marked trailsin the Monongahela National Forest. Springis a good time and this is a good place for birdwatching, wildlife sightings, plant discoveriesand star gazing. Bike and helmet rentals areavailable.
Canaan’s newest outdoor sport activity istrap shooting, one of the three major forms ofcompetitive clay pigeon shooting. Each shootergets 25 shotgun shots – fiveshots per stand – with all shoot-ing done under the authorityof a range supervisor. Reserva-tions are highly suggested forthis popular activity.
Many other recreational op-tions are available at this timeof year. Geocaching is popularfor “treasure hunters” who useGPS units to find hidden cach-es. Canaan Valley has five geo-caches hidden in the park, andthe park offers GPS rentals foranyone who wants to try it. Thepark’s Nature Center includes a25-foot climbing wall that holdsup to three climbers at a time,and family and friends can signup for the paintball field for anafternoon of active excitement.
Overnight guests can stay inone of 160 beautifully appoint-ed new lodge rooms and suiteswith full amenities or one ofseveral cozy and comfortablecabins and cottages, and enjoymeals at one of three resortdining areas. Discounts arefrequently available. Be sure toask when making reservations.
Most of these activities re-quire reservations. Call 1-800-622-4121 for information andscheduling.
END-OF-WINTERCanaan Valley Resort and Blackwater Falls stateparks a hub of recreation even after the snow melts FUN
From a snow-covered slopeat Canaan Valley to a hiking trailat Blackwater Falls, recreational
opportunities abound at stateparks in Tucker County.
Electric vehicle (EV) driv-ers can now rest assured thatthey West Virginia’s statelodge parks and return homewithout fear of running out ofcharge. EV charging stationshave been installed at Pipes-tem, Twin Falls and Cacaponresort state parks, with plansunderway to install stationsat Blackwater Falls, HawksNest, North Bend and TygartLake state parks, at Chief Lo-gan Lodge, and at StonewallResort.
Installation of stations isfunded by a grant providedby the U.S. Department ofEnergy through the West Vir-ginia Division of Energy.
“We’re opening the door fora whole new demographic,”says Paul Redford, districtadministrator for the Parksand Recreation Section ofthe West Virginia Divisionof Natural Resources. “WestVirginia will be the first statethat has EV chargers at all ofits lodge parks. With all theInterstate systems runningthrough the state, we aresitting in an area that’s per-fect for electric car chargingstations.”
Redford says State Parksofficials anticipate the in-stallation of the EV chargerswill make the parks moreattractive to visitors fromPennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia,Washington, D.C., and evenas far away as Canada. “Oncethey visit us, we hope ourhospitality and facilities willbring them back again,” saysRedford.
The stations, which willhave dual chargers, are clas-sified as Level 2 stations thathave 240 volts and can pro-duce 30 to 80 amps. Althoughit is hoped the stations willhelp draw overnight gueststo the state park lodges, theyalso are available to any dayvisitors who drive electric orplug-in hybrid vehicles. Thereis no charge, so to speak, touse them.
Besides making the stateparks more attractive to EVdrivers, the installation of thestations fits in with part of themission of West Virginia stateparks, which is to promote
conservation by preservingand protecting natural areaswhile providing outdoor rec-reational opportunities.
“We are trying to be asenvironmentally friendly as
possible by doing our part toreduce admissions,” Redfordsays. “We’re really preparingfor the future as technologyimproves and more and moretravelers are buying electricand hybrid vehicles. This is a
good way to encourage themto visit West Virginia as theyplan their vacations and busi-ness trips.”
Learn more about West Vir-ginia’s state parks at wvstate-parks.wordpress.com.
STATE PARKS
West Virginia State Parks irst to install electric vehicle charging stations
EV charging stations have been installed at Pipestem, TwinFalls and Cacapon resort state parks, with plans underwayto install stations at Blackwater Falls, Hawks Nest, NorthBend and Tygart Lake state parks, at Chief Logan Lodge andat Stonewall Resort.
Service promotesconservationgoals
Photos courtesy of West Virginia Dept. of Commerce
2K OUTLOOK: Travel & TourismSunday Gazette-Mail, February 19, 2017
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