Blue Ridge Country March/April 2023 - 36

NATURAL WONDERS BUCKET LIST
WV TOURISM
ADOBESTOCK
West Virginia: Little Laurel
Trail. Return time and again for an
ascending parade of 70 wildflower
species up a single trail. A steady
1,400-foot climb from the New
River to the ridge near Grandview
offers the chance to see successive
peak times depending on the
species-a consecutive wildflower
show.
Or park at the rim of the gorge
(more spots available) and walk
down the 2.7-mile trail to the
remains of an old coal town on the
river. The wide gravel trail is not
technically difficult but can be a
bit strenuous.
Location: New River Gorge National
Park & Preserve
Peak bloom times: early March
to end of May
*For each of the seven
wildflower trails, download a
checklist to match the specifics of
time, elevation and species. And
use wildflower.org/plants-main for
help with identification.
Tuckaleechee Caverns. See the
east's tallest subterranean double waterfall
tumbling 210 feet from geological
formations tens of millions of years
in the making. Walk through stadiumsized
caverns with 24-foot stalagmites
of glossy " cave onyx. " Learn about " the
most sensitive seismic station on Earth "
at this location and how it keeps us safe.
Stop by the railroad museum and
Smoky Mountain Heritage Center and
access the national park in Townsend.
Time your visit to coordinate with seasonal
festivals. Have a meal of regional
fare (trout, BBQ, pancakes and more) and
a cup of artisan coffee.
Choose from a host of luxury cabins
and lodges or stay retro at local vintage
inns. Sleep just outside the park in a
tent, RV, cabin, tiny home or glamping
accommodation at Little Arrow Outdoor
Resort.
825 Cavern Road, Townsend.
tuckaleecheecaverns.com
West Virginia
Sinks of Gandy. Bring flashlights, wear
waterproof shoes, follow Gandy Creek
into the mountain and emerge about a
mile later out the other side. This " rite
of passage " cave is a single underground
route varying from four to 35 feet in
height and 30 to 100 feet wide. No signs
identify the openings, so old-time discovery
adventures are included.
36 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
Take a walking tour of the largest
nearby town, Elkins. Visit the Appalachian
Forest Discovery Center, Darden
Mill, historic courthouse and playhouse,
Halliehurst and one of the largest powder
horn exhibits in the country at The
Stirrup Gallery.
Eat famous traditional BBQ at Smoke
on the Water and lodge at the Victorian
home, Warfield House.
Dry Fork Road, Whitmer.
elkinsrandolphwv.com/place/sinks-ofgandy
Raven
Rocks. Reserve a docent-led
tour to see where a mountain makes
ice! Learn stories from history about collecting
the frozen blocks. Two Saturday
hikes-one to the top of the chimney
rocks for the view and the other to the
base of the talus for the ice caves-reveal
the secrets of this unique ecosystem. Prepare
for a partially rocky climb with good
boots and poles.
Spend some time at Fort Edwards (one
of a chain of 18th-century frontier forts
associated with George Washington); " sit
and stay awhile " at The River House arts
and music venue; and stop by the Farmer's
Daughter Market in Capon Bridge.
Plan a family vacation at Buffalo Gap
Retreat or North River Retreat. Both offer
friendly lodging surrounded by nature.
Ice Mountain Preserve,
Cold
Stream
Road, Hampshire County.
historichampshire.org/scenic/icemt.htm
https://elkinsrandolphwv.com/place/sinks-of-gandy/ http://www.tuckaleecheecaverns.com http://www.wildflower.org/plants-main http://www.historichampshire.org/scenic/icemt.htm http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country March/April 2023
