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Posts Tagged ‘family memories’

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All About Hawks Nest

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

The New River runs through some beautiful areas here in West Virginia. This is evidenced by the six State Parks located in close proximity to the New River Gorge. The closest to the New River Gorge Bridge is Hawks Nest State Park. Its name is very representative of its location.

Seated right on the rim of the Gorge about 3 miles west of the Bridge, this Park offers not only wonderful views but plenty of recreation. Let’s take a look at why Hawks Nest is a great place to visit.

An Overlook at Hawks Nest State Park

The Lake

Hawks Nest Lake was built in 1936 as a result of damming off the New River to produce power for a Union Carbide-built metallurgical plant. Its 250 acres now provide recreational activities like swimming, boating, and fishing. The tunnel built to move water to the hydroelectric plant is still in use.

Located directly below the Lodge in the park, the lake can be accessed by driving down what was once a narrow gauge rail line into Ansted or by taking the aerial tram out of the Lodge. For the more adventurous types, park at the top of the Hawks Nest Rail Trail and hike to the bottom. Once there you can catch a jet boat that offers tours of the lake, culminating in a view of the New River Gorge Bridge.

Hawks Nest Lodge and Nature Center

The 31-room Lodge was built in 1967 and offers some of the most spectacular views from guest rooms of any State Park in WV system. Accomodations are reasonably priced and the Lodge is very close to many area activities. The Lodge also has a full service restaurant that allows guests to dine with a “birds eye” view of the Gorge, courtesy of a wall of windows.

The Hawks Nest Nature Center is located at the bottom of the aerial tram by the lake. It is filled with nature exhibits and interactive displays.. There are also many hiking trails on site. The newest of these is the Hawks Nest Rail Trail, based out of the Nature Center.

Other Activities

The 276-acre Park has lots of places to explore within its boundaries, but is also close to the heart of the New River Gorge. That means there’s plenty of fun to be had within minutes of the park. Here’s a list of recreation opportunities either in Hawks Nest State Park or close by.

  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Golf
  • Whitewater rafting
  • Kayaking and Canoeing
  • Rock climbing
  • Zip lining
  • ATV riding
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Horseback riding

Need another reason to make Hawks Nest part of your New River Gorge visit? Views from the overlooks are spectacular, the people are friendly, and you’ll really be able to get back to nature and relax.

Have you visited Hawks Nest?

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The Rich History of the New River Gorge and the Town of Sewell

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

Sewell is another once-bustling area mining community. It was carved into the hillside of the New River Gorge to take advantage of the abundant coal reserves found there. But Sewell had a greater distinction at one time.

Curious?

Sewell used to be known as Bowyer’s Ferry, after Peter Bowyer. Peter not only established a ferry across the New River there around 1798, but he is also credited as the first white settler in the Gorge. This small settlement was right where the road from Charleston to Lewisburg met the New River. It was nearly 80 years before the CSX line was built through the Gorge. A depot went in at Bowyer’s Ferry and the name of the town was changed to Sewell Station. It was later just shortened to Sewell.

The Depot in Sewell, West Virginia

The name Sewell comes from Stephen Sewell, a European pioneer, among the first to settle and explore these mountains. From this name, it is fitting that this little town became the first commercial center for the Gorge’s small mining communities, with the first store being built by 1871.

Sewell had amassed a population of more than 300 by 1880. Even one of the coal seams running through the Gorge bears Sewell’s name.

Mining

The Longdale Iron Company from Virginia acquired land and opened a mine near Sewell Depot in 1873, the same year the railroad was complete. The Sewell mine was the first operation to have coke ovens in the Gorge, building 50 of the beehive design ovens in 1874. Eventually it was expanded to almost 200 coke ovens, the largest in the Gorge at the time.

Even later when the Sewell mines had been worked out, the town remained a vital link in the Gorge. Mines from the Clifftop area shipped coal down Mann’s Creek Railroad, through what would now be Babcock State Park. That coal was burned in Sewell’s coke ovens. These ovens burned coal until 1956, and were some of the last ovens used in southern WV. The towns last official resident, a railroad employee, moved out in 1973.

What’s Left

The remains of the old community are located just upstream, but across the river from the rafting access point at Cunard. The remains of some of the foundations and the coke ovens can still be seen. Many rafting companies use the areas between the river and the town for lunch and camping areas for overnight trips.

It’s easy to see why CSX chose this area to base a depot. There is a lot of flat area associated with it between the water and the steep mountainside.

How many mining towns of the Gorge can you name?

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New River Gorge History: The Lost Town of Kaymoor

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

There were well over 60 mining camps and communities located within the New River Gorge at one time. Many of them were no more than a few miles from the New River Gorge Bridge. The Industrial Revolution fueled a need for natural resources. The Gorge area, with its vast coal reserves, was able to prosper from this.

One of the towns that developed from this boom was the mining camp of Kaymoor. A little over a mile from where the New River Gorge Bridge is now, Kaymoor was home to one of the last operating mines in the Gorge. What is left today are a few of the old buildings, coke ovens and a couple mine openings that have been gated off for safety.

Let’s take a look at a little of the history of the Kaymoor mines and camp.

Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service

The Beginning

The Kaymoor mine was opened by the Low Moor Iron Company around 1899 to supply coal for its iron furnaces in Low Moor, Virginia.  This mine was a bit different than most because they built two complete coal camps for it, one at the top of the Gorge and one at the bottom. There were no churches, banks, saloons, or town halls associated with either one of these areas. Only company stores, a pool hall, and a pair of segregated schools were part of the camps.

Kaymoor partly gets its name from James Kay, the man in charge of building the town. In all, close to 130 houses were built to house the miners. In order to get these workers from the town to the mine, a single track incline was built to transport workers and equipment over a 1,000 foot slope. A similar double track incline was built to move the coal down to the processing plant and coke ovens. Both inclines were in operation until the mine closed in 1962.

The Decline of Kaymoor

Low Moor owned the mine until 1924, when, after the processing plant burned, they decided to sell. It was purchased by the New River and Pocahontas Consolidated Coal Company. They modernized the mine over the next couple of decades, including building a brand new processing plant.

The Kaymoor bottom camp was abandoned around 1952, with any remaining residents moving to the top. This made life more convenient for them because the bank the townsfolk used was in Fayetteville. Most of the structures that remained were destroyed by fire in 1960.

Kaymoor is unique too in that the average existence of a coal town was around 25 years, but Kaymoor was inhabited and worked for 62 years.

Today

Some of the remains of the Kaymoor Mines are still standing today. A short hike down the side of the Gorge will take you to the area with the old mine openings. Here you can also see the remains of some of the structures that were part of the mining operation.

The National Park Service has worked on preserving much of this area, and it is a neat look back at the past. You can also access the 800+ steps here that follow the same path as the old double incline , taking you to the bottom. There you can see a few more of the remains including the coke ovens.

It’s a strenuous hike into Kaymoor, but if you’re into history, it’s well worth it. Just be careful and keep your eyes open. There’s no telling what remnants of the past you might see.

Do you have any memories of Kaymoor?

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Growing Up in Edmond, WV: Life in the Shadow of the Bridge

Friday, April 27th, 2012

By Ashley Thomas

There are many small towns in the area around the New River Gorge Bridge, many of which were once coal towns. Once upon a time, these towns were bustling with activity and excitement. Although things have quieted down today, many folks still live there and remember the “good ‘ol days”.

Some of my fondest memories as a child involved the goings on in the unincorporated area called Edmond, WV. I say “area” because other than the Post Office, there really isn’t much else there. It was a small community inhabited mostly by folks that used to work in the mines in the Gorge. As a young adventurous boy, I found Edmond to be a place of great fun and looking back, maybe a life lesson or two was learned there.

The author and his grandfather the Edmond home place

My great grandparents, Percy and Elizabeth Morrison, lived at what I would consider the epicenter of Edmond, being that the Post Office actually sat on their land. We would make the trip to go visit them on most every holiday and just about any other time something was going on. Or, when I would beg and plead enough.

One of the reasons I found Edmond fun was that Grandpa Morrison had about 18 acres and there was always something happening there. Grandpa planted two gardens every spring, even up into his late 70′s. One was across from the house and one was behind it. I guess he had certain vegetables he didn’t like cavorting together.  Plus, he plowed a field of corn, mostly for fun I think.

The author and family at the Edmond home place

The fun there for a young boy never stopped. I loved catching salamanders in the root cellar and out of the little creek that flowed on the property. This was mostly for fishing in the pond across from the house, although salamanders are just fun to play with too. There was even the occasional shooting rats off the axle of the trash trailer, strictly as a way of keeping our marksman skills sharp. I could run around and get as dirty as I wanted in Edmond and that was okay.

Grandma used to cook dinner for the family at least one Sunday a month until I was probably 10 years old. Family gatherings there could get really hectic if everybody showed up. There were 9 children, 20 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren in the family, so it could be a real shindig if everybody visited at once. It was cool to see cousins that you only knew from those rare occasions when everybody got together.

I can still see my Great Grandpa napping in his recliner chair on a Sunday afternoon. He would have golf on the TV and he had a small transistor radio that sat on the table beside him. He’d have an earpiece in one ear listening to the Cincinnati Reds. I’m sure he was dreaming of being at deer camp, his favorite spot outside of Edmond.

I have always felt lucky that I got to know my great grandparents that way and will forever remember the times I spent with them in Edmond. Every time I drive by the town now, I take a moment to remember how much my time on that little farm is still with me to this day.

Did you grow up around the New River Gorge and the Bridge? Share your memories below in the comments.

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Before the New River Gorge Bridge

Friday, April 13th, 2012

By Ashley Thomas

Most local West Virginians who are over the age of 40 can remember the days before the New River Gorge Bridge was built. Even though I was a young child, I have lots of memories of making the trek through the Gorge, watching the growth of this grand structure as the building process progressed from each side to meet in the middle.

I lived in Fayetteville, but my great grandparents lived in Edmond. At least one Sunday a month we would go to their house for supper. This would involve a 35-minute trip to get to their house, most of which was navigating the crooked road that everyone used to take through the Gorge. That trip now takes about 9 minutes, aided by the 40-second trip across the New River Gorge Bridge.

Building the New River Gorge Bridge

Through The Gorge

The road through the Gorge is State Route 82, and other than going down Rt. 16 to Rt. 60, it was one of the only ways to get across the 900-foot deep canyon.  For anyone who has driven through the Gorge since the Fayette Station Bridge was rebuilt and the road was reopened, the drive feels different now.  The mostly one-way route that now exists makes for very easy driving.

It is hard for some to picture this route as a two-lane road that once had a lot of traffic. Passenger vehicles, coal and log trucks, and all kinds of tractor trailers once had to navigate this narrow mountain passage. One reason the trip took so long is that driving very quickly was treacherous. Around any curve you might have met a large vehicle that was taking up a lot of the road.

Fun or Fear? Both!

As a young child, I always found that driving through the Gorge closely resembled a carnival ride, one loaded with twists and turns and excitement.  I always tried to ride on the side of the car where I would have the best view of the Gorge. I could see straight down the steep sides of cliffs. More than once I thought about how crazy a tumble to the bottom would be.

The author's family in the Gorge

The road was so narrow in many spots that in order to maximize it’s width, it was necessary to eliminate a guardrail. This always added to the excitement. Nothing like knowing that there is nothing between you and the edge.

Riding on the inside didn’t feel much safer. Looking straight up the mountain at rocks and logs precariously balanced above the road, I was always sure one was about to let go and crush the car. You can get that same feeling today, if you really want. Just look up the hill next time you drive through and some of those same rocks are still perched there. 35 years later they still haven’t moved (thank goodness).

There’s no doubt the Bridge has made travel in this area easier , but when you have time, take a drive through the Gorge on Rt. 82.  Think about how that was once one of the only ways to cross the New River. I take my girls on drives through the Gorge every chance I get. They love it as much as I always have.

Do you remember the Gorge before the Bridge was built?  Tell us about it in the comments!

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Bring Bridge Day to the Holidays With Funnel Cake

Friday, December 30th, 2011

One of the staples of Bridge Day is the funnel cake. Some locals hit the Bridge just for a taste of this wonderful goodness.  No matter how many funnel cakes you eat throughout the year, you always want just one more.

Funnel Cake = Deliciousness

So why not bring a bit of Bridge Day into your life and make funnel cakes part of the holiday celebration?  Kids (and lots of adults) are on vacation, New Year’s parties are taking place, and there’s plenty of football to watch.  It’s the perfect time to give funnel cake-making a try!

Try this basic recipe, and then make one (or all) of these fun toppings.

The Batter

There are a few different recipes for funnel cakes, but they all share one crucial ingredient: FUN!  Seriously, you and your loved ones will have a blast making these cakes. You will need a deep fryer to properly make these treats.

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups of milk
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 Cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • ½ stick of butter, melted

 

Directions

Combine milk, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, and sugar and gradually add to wet ingredients. Beat with a mixer until a smooth batter forms. Fold in melted butter. Pour batter into a funnel or squeeze bottle while using your index finger to stop the flow of the batter. Bring the funnel over the hot oil and release your finger to start a stream of batter while moving the funnel in a circular motion to create spiral-like shapes. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and fluffy.

The Toppings

The traditional topping for funnel cake is plain ‘ol powdered sugar.  But if you’re going to make these treats from scratch, you may as well up the ante and top them with some holiday cheer. Here are a few ideas for some toppings:

Caramel Topping

  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1 cup dark corn syrup
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup margarine
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine sugar and syrup. Cook until soft ball stage. Remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil and remove from heat.  Pour over funnel cake.

Cranberry Topping

  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 16-oz can organic whole-berry cranberry sauce

In a small saucepan whisk together the cornstarch and orange juice to combine, making sure there are no large clumps. Pour in cranberry sauce, stir, and bring mixture to a boil over medium to medium-high heat for one minute. Cool for 10 minutes.  Pour over funnel cake.

Cinnamon Apple Topping

  • 2 tbsp. bottle lemon juice
  • 1/3 c. water
  • 7 c. thinly sliced, peeled, Granny Smith apples
  • 3 c. sugar
  • 3/4 tsp. Cinnamon

In a 6-8 quart saucepan, heat lemon juice for 1 minute over medium – high heat. Add water, apples, sugar and cinnamon. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Continue boiling for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Spoon out over funnel cake.

What’s your favorite funnel cake topping?

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Holidays Happenings Around the Bridge

Friday, December 9th, 2011

Old Man Winter has only shown his face a couple of times so far this year (here, at least).  On the other hand, St. Nick is getting ready to make his appearance and this means festive times in the New River Gorge.  Whether you need to work on your Christmas list or just want to get into the holiday spirit, you’ll find everything you’re looking for right by the Bridge.

Shopping

There are plenty of shopping options in this area, especially if you’re looking for something a little different than a department store offering.  Canyon Rim Gift Shop and the National Park Service Canyon Rim Visitor Center are next to the Bridge and have a lot of interesting gifts that you won’t find anywhere else.

Wisteria’s Gifts, located just south of the Bridge in Fayetteville, has a great deal of handcrafted and unique gifts. Pottery, jewelry, glass, children’s items, and much more line the shelves of this cozy shop.

If you need a present for someone who loves being outside, then Water Stone Outdoorsin downtown Fayetteville can’t be missed. From climbing gear and shoes to all sorts of outdoor clothing, Water Stone has a great selection of items for all kinds of outdoor activities.

Page/Vawter House Christmas Lights

Downtown Fayetteville has many other little specialty shops offering antiques, clothing and crafts. Take some time to stroll around town and pop in on these local merchants.  You never know what you might find.

And here’s what we think is the perfect gift – a West Virginia adventure experience!  Purchase a gift certificate from one of our area outfitters and give a rafting trip, a jetboat ride, or a zip line tour.

Holiday Activities

Lacy’s Lights are an annual favorite at the Fayette County Park.  For just a small donation, you can drive through the display, which boasts over 300,000 lights.  In Ansted, visit the Page/Vawter House for it’s Christmas lights and tour. If these holiday lights don’t get you into the spirit, nothing will.

The Historic Fayette Theater has a couple of holiday shows in the works. The New River Youth Symphony Chorus will have their winter concert on December 10 at 7 pm. Then, The Wild Rumpus will host their third annual New Years Bash on New Years Eve. Both of these events are fun for the family.

How are you getting in the spirit around the Gorge this year?

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My Ride in the Rescue Boats

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

By Sarah Powell-Henning

I was born and raised just down the road from the New River Gorge Bridge, in Oak Hill, WV.  One of my earliest childhood memories is of being on the Bridge with family and friends.

My mother, father, grandparents and great-grandparents (and several generations before that!) all, were born and raised in the area. My Grandmother has told us stories of watching the Bridge being built. Her house was just a stones throw away.

Dad (in green life jacket) at Bridge Day in the mid-80's

It’s safe to say my family has been here awhile, and it’s safe to say that Bridge Day seems to be in our blood.

My Dad

The Dragan Brothers, founders of Wildwater Expeditions, along with Butch Christian, Tom Stafford, and some other Wildwater originals, were part of a group that formed the Bridge Day rescue boats. Many know them simply as, “The Pick Up Guys”.

My dad, Tom, was a part-time raft guide in the 70’s and 80’s for Wildwater Expeditions, and for a couple of years was part of this team.

I remember hanging out on the rocky shore of the New River, watching the jumpers aim for the target. More often than not (or so it seemed), Dad and the other guys would rush to pluck jumpers out of the water.

The jumpers would get out at the bank, cold and soaked, but smiling and ready to pack up and do it all over again.

Dad and Tom Stafford pull in a jumper

Jon Dragan and Tom Stafford are no longer with us, nor is my Dad. He passed away two years ago.

So this past Bridge Day, I was beyond touched to have the opportunity to get into the rescue boats with Tom Dragan and his crew and experience for myself what it’s like to be part of “The Pick Up Guys”.

Riding with the Rescue Team

I didn’t know which rescue boat I’d be in.  When I stepped into Missy and Shane Dragan’s boat, it was a good feeling.  After all, our fathers had worked together.

Here’s what I learned:

This team moves fast.  Missy and Shane kept their eyes on the sky most of the time, expertly judging where the jumpers would be landing.  Before they even hit the water, a boat was on it’s way.

And once they got to the jumper, they had to quickly pull them up into the boat, gear and all, because chances were good that someone else needed to be picked up.

Dropping a jumper off at shore (side note - some sweet 80's fashion going on in this pic!)

Jumpers (as many as four at a time, at one point that morning) ride in the boats until the rescue team gets a break in the action and can drop them off at shore.

Their job is critical.  There’s no doubt that what the rescue boat team does is one of the most important jobs on Bridge Day.

After the exhilaration of just jumping off The New River Gorge Bridge, some of those who make a water landing might not exactly have swimming at top of mind.  Jumpers are not wearing life jackets, making it imperative that a boat get to the jumpers quickly.

One of the strangest things we saw was a jumper who landed in the water and lost her shoes in the drink. The jumper was fine. The shoes? Never to be seen again.  She didn’t seem too worried about it though, since she’d just made her first jump off the New River Gorge Bridge.

Teamwork is key.  And this team was tight.  There was constant communication about jumpers coming in, who would grab them, the status of jumpers.  There were times when two or three boats needed to work together to assist a jumper.  I’ve never seen a team more focused or in control.

One of the toughest things about being part of the rescue boat team?  Finding time for a bathroom break.  Who would have thought?

Me on the boat in 2011 with Missy and Shane

A Reflective Day

I want to thank Missy, Shane, and Tom Dragan and the entire rescue boat team for providing the opportunity to experience something that was a very special part of my Dad’s life.

For a moment, I was able to close my mind to the action and reflect on how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place, full of determined, generous people.

Most of all, I thought of my Dad.

I thought of his life, and how grateful I’ll always be for our time together.  He was my best friend, and riding with the rescue team gave me a chance to connect with him again in ways I didn’t expect.

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A Family Guide to the New River Gorge

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

This time of year parking lots throughout the New River Gorge fill up with cars hailing from New York to Florida and all parts in-between.  They come for the fun, the adrenaline rush, and for getting back to nature with the ones they love.

Photo Courtesy of Hard Rock Climbing

Family Fun - Rock Climbing!

And if you’re traveling with children this year, here’s a quick guide to finding things everyone can (and will love) to do:

8 and under

  • Rock Climbing – There are plenty of climbing spots that kids can tackle, and guides who can show them how to do it.
  • Whitewater Rafting (special boats) – Talk with one of the area rafting companies about a trip that will work for your family.
  • Horseback Riding (certain trips) – Even if your kids have never been on a horse, there are some beginner trips that are lots of fun.
  • Tram and Jetboat Ride - At Hawks Nest State Park, you can take a tram to the bottom of the Gorge.  From there, catch a ride with New River Jetboats and get an up-close view of the New River Gorge Bridge.

 

10+

  • Canopy Tours and Ziplining – There are lots of options in the Gorge; just remember, many canopy tours and zip lines have weight and height guidelines.
  • Bridge Walk (new!) – Take your family under the Bridge and look 876 feet down into the Gorge!
  • Whitewater Rafting (special boats)
  • Horseback Riding (certain trips)
  • Paintball – Local outfitters will provide you with the gear and tips on how to have a safe, fun time.
  • Mountain Biking – There are plenty of Gorge trails that kids will enjoy.  You can bring your own gear or go out with one of the Gorge’s local guide companies.
  • Standup Paddleboarding (new!) - A cross between surfing and kayaking, standup paddleboarding is a fun water sport that everyone can learn together.

 

12+

  • UTVing – Some local outfitters allow children ages 12 and up to be passengers in UTVs.
  • Wild Caving - Take a cave tour to the next level by going off the usual path, with a guide of course.  Warning – you will get muddy!
  • Kayaking – Many area outfitters teach the basics of kayaking and then take groups on guided tours.

 

13+

*Please note some activities also have a weight requirement. Many activities also require an adult or parent to be present.

What other activities do you and your family enjoy doing together?

 


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Rails to Trails Projects Give the New River Gorge Several Great Trails

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

West Virginia is fortunate to have 27 different rails to trails projects throughout the state – with one large site right here in the New River Gorge.  Our site is made up of four different trails – the Kaymoor, Glade Creek, Southside Junction to Brooklyn and Rend Trails – all converted railway right-a-ways.

If you’re a biker – you’ll want to check out the Southside and Rend trails.  They are six and three miles in length and offer an easy grade.  Along the way are great views of Dunloup Creek, the town of Thurmond, and abandoned coal towns.

Rail Trails in the New River Gorge

On the hiking side, all of the rail-trails are hiking approved, with Kaymoor being moderately difficult.  The National Park Service also sells a great book on the Kaymoor area, which you might want to take along.

The Hawks Nest Rail Trail, which runs from the top of Ansted along Mill Creek to the bottom of Hawks Nest Lake, is a great trail for the family.  Be sure to stop and snap some pictures of the Mill Creek Waterfall.

The National Park Service has information to plan your next hiking or biking trip.

Have you been on the New River Gorge area rail trails?

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