New River Gorge National Park - Fighting my Fears!

"Fear has two meanings: 'Forget everything and run' or 'Face everything and rise. The choice is yours." -Zig Ziglar

So, you’ve probably wondered where we’ve been. Well, until last week, we’ve been mostly at home. Jack broke his ankle while riding his Vespa in late March and was out for over 6 weeks. But guess what? We’re finally back on the road, enjoying our travels! We decided to take a quick trip to the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. Only about an hour into the trip, we got rear-ended at a stop light. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Just some damage to our van’s bumper and bike rack, and the cops ticketed the young lady involved. Now, we’re waiting on insurance to fix it.

So, we hopped back on the CamperVan and hit the road, ready to get our camping groove back and plan our next epic adventure.

Day one - After our cozy stay in our van at a Harvest Host winery, we embarked on a journey south towards Beckley, the southernmost point of the National Park. Our first stop was the Sandstone Visitor Center, where we learned about the area’s rich history and geology. Next, we headed to the breathtaking Sandstone Falls for a short hike. The views were simply stunning! These falls are unique because they’re wide rather than tall, but they’re just as impressive.

After that, we headed to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. It was an incredible experience! Our guide, Gerald, was a coal miner for 45 years before becoming a tour guide. He told us he did it to help raise three amazing kids, and they’re all doing great. I’m so glad I never had to work in those conditions.

Next, we did a short 3.2-mile hike to and from the Grandview Main Overlook to Turkey Spur Overlook on the Grandview Rim Trail. It was a moderate trail, and Jack enjoyed most of it as he continues to regain full mobility of his ankle.

Finally, we took a windy ride to Fayetteville, WV. Along the way, we listened to the GuideAlong tour, which made the trip so much more fun. That evening, we found the Secret Sandwich Society restaurant and had two amazing sandwiches with fries and drinks. Yum!

Day two - After a restful night’s sleep in our Van at The Outpost at The New River Gorge Campsite, we set off on an adventure to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and then the New River Gorge Bridge Walk. Now, let me tell you, I’m not exactly a fan of heights, but I decided it was time to face my fear head-on. We joined a guided tour with Paul, a 77-year-old who had a knack for calming my nerves and making me laugh along the way.

The catwalk was a bit of a challenge for me. It was only 24 inches wide, but the railings were super sturdy, and I gripped them tightly the whole time. We were also securely attached to a safety cable. Paul took us for a leisurely 1.25-mile walk across the 876 feet high bridge. We stopped occasionally to take in the stunning views, while he shared information about the bridge.

Looking out at the gorge and the river, I was grateful to see the beautiful scenery, but while we were walking, I had to keep my eyes on the back of Jack’s head to avoid looking down. It was a thrilling experience, and I can’t believe I did it! Just writing about it makes my heart race!

After our exhilarating adventure, we decided to treat ourselves to a late lunch at Pies & Pints. I had a gluten-free pizza that was absolutely delicious, and Jack couldn’t resist his pie either. It was probably the best pizza we’ve ever had in the states, especially the gluten-free crust!

That evening, after my heart rate had returned to normal, we decided to relax and enjoy the rest of our trip. It was a truly unforgettable experience, and I’ll cherish the memories we made together.

Tips

1. April and May are the pre-season for the National Park, so there weren’t any ranger-led events. But hey, there weren’t too many crowds either!

2. One must-do is the New River Gorge Bridge walk. If you go between 11 am and 11:30 am, you might even get Paul as your guide!

3. And don’t miss the Beckley Coal Mine for a bit of education.

4. Oh, and Fayetteville has some amazing food! Both places we ate at were absolutely delicious.

5. We did enjoy The Outpost campsite, but the camper sites are very close together.