Audra

 Audra state park is, without a doubt, my favorite swimming hole. The park is tucked away in Barbour County not to far from Buckhannon, WV. There are about 5 million ways to get there, this time we took the GPS' suggested route and were surprised to find the route took us through the lovely Carrollton covered bridge. Of note, if you are using a cell phone to guide you to the park, save your route for the way out because you will not have service at the park. Audra park has camping sites, hiking trails and picnic areas but the two major draws are the Alum cave trail and the swimming area in the Middle Fork River.

I prefer to take the lower first to get the cave views then enjoy the  upper views on the way out.

If you are coming to swim please consider taking real hiking shoes/sneakers for the trail. The trail can be wet and muddy in spots and following a wicked derecho a few years back some climbing over fallen trees maybe required.

Not a terribly difficult climb but a little much to let the kid walk on his own.

Cave entrance.

Blurry Family Pic

Checking out the rocks and keeping an eye out for Aragog.

All along the trail you can look out for views of the river below. I prefer to  hike the trial in summer so I can reward myself with a swim, but the views are also lovely in the fall season too.

Wild and wonderful

The swimming area is located directly in the front of the park, near the parking lot. This area is home to the rest rooms (which are plenty big enough to change into swim suits ), picnic areas and play ground equipment.

I've never seen a child on this slide, ever.  Is it possible to slide down, launch through the rhododendron and into the river? We did not test it.

Steps to the swimming area.

There is a "beach" area to lay your towel and things. There are rocks to sun yourself on and slide down. I suggest using swimming shoes but they are not a necessity.

The water is very cold but generally not super fast moving, ideal for nice swim (or a lot of splashing).

Of note, the VIPP mailbox is located at the office on the supervisor residence. You will see a sign for it prior to entering the park area.

Prickets's Fort - The Frontier Life

School is ending and the days are finally starting to get warmer and the family was ready to get out on some new adventures. Not even the rain or a plague of cicadas could keep us inside.

It rained for like forty nights, seriously, so much rain

Our first stop on our weekend park exploration was to Prickett's Fort State Park.  Located just off exit 139 in Fairmont, the park is located where Prickett's Creek and the Mon River meet.

My wife and her brother visiting the park sometime in the very early 90s.

       Prickett's Fort was built in the 1970's as a reconstruction of an original fort that was meant to provide protection to the settlers of 1774 from Native American attacks. The fort now provides visitors with a glimpse into early America life on the frontier.

       Our first stop was at the Prickett's Fort gift shop. It is delightfully air conditioned, which was pleasant on the first day the mercury hit 90 this year. The kid had a good time playing with the toy rifles they have available for purchase, though he was a bit upset that we didn't purchase one. For those of you interested in local lore, they have a large selection of texts about the state.

Pick up a copy of Tell Tale Lilac Bush

This is also where you can purchase your admission sticker for the fort. A steal at only $8 for adults and free for children under 5!

From there we went to the blacksmith's shop. He explained the history of blacksmithing in the area and provided a demonstration of how the forge and all of the tools work. It really sparked my interest in metal working. It was delightful to see the live demonstration of smithing and the smell of the burning coal furnace is the essence of West Virginia.

A stop here absolutely has to be part of your visit.

He offered an in depth explanation and history all while bending iron as if it were putty.

In addition to being extremely knowledgeable, the staff was also great with the kid. Here he is with a piece of iron ore from the blacksmith.

Hey! Whats's that behind ya?

 Next we moved into the main fort. As we stepped through the entrance we encountered some of the local Prickett's Fort fauna. This may have been the kid's favorite part...

Welcome to Prickett's Fort

He called it a "meow"*

*all cats are historically accurate

Once we got past the guard cat, we entered into the part of the fort where the women weave and make cloth. They take wool shorn from the sheep on site and weave it into fabrics. You get to see how a loom works, and my favorite was watching the spinning wheel as one of the staff made yarn.

The kid is watching her make a shawl that will be auctioned  off on West Virginia day, June 20th.

We were lucky to be there on a day when they were hand shearing the sheep. The staff explained to us the entire process that would take the wool from warming the skin of the sheep, to warming the skin of the pioneers. It really makes you realize just how far we've come in such a short amount of time.

That's where your shirt came from buddy...

Walking out, the frontier clad staff explained guns and ammunition of the time period and even let me hold is flint lock musket or rifle or muzzleloader (my brain was too busy going "ooh gun" to remember all the details)

They have plenty of bunks and smaller rooms set up around the perimeter of the the fort to give you a good idea of what life would have been like back then. There is a gift shop where you can purchase lots of goodies that will let you bring a little bit of the fort home with you.

Leaving the fort

Although it wasn't scheduled for the day, we were lucky to have an impromptu tour of the Job Prickett house. This house was built by the great-grandson of the man whom the fort was named after. It is a two story brick house filled with true West Virginia history.

The kid pointed at the bed and said "Night Night" and that's how we knew it was time to go.

Although our day was cut a little short, there are plenty more things to do at Prickett's Fort. There is museum on the second floor of the gift shop, picnic areas, nature trails, bike rentals and a boat launch. The Prickett's fort webpage is the best way to keep up with events such as workshops to teach you smithing, concerts, children's events, fishing tournaments, and heirloom plant sales.

Up next is Audra!

Valley Falls

Park excursion number two takes us to Valley Falls State Park, one of my favorites. Growing up in Fairmont, I have gone to Valley Falls numerous times for group picnics, dates, an occasional wedding and generally when I'm feeling the need to connect to the outdoors. In baseball terms, this is my home park. 

Located between Grafton and Fairmont, this park can easily be found off state road 310.

Coming into the park we find the place to get our stamp in a little mailbox at the entrance. The park does have staff but they are generally out and about during park hours. There are maps available here for those looking to hike and bike. The main entrance road leads to a parking lot, restrooms, playgrounds, vending machines, and several picnic shelters. 

STAMP!!

The area that we all know as Valley Falls used to be home to a lumber and grist mill in the era where railroad was king. The railroad is still important to this park as it marks the entrance to the falls area.

Over the tracks we go! Also a popular spot for those senior pics.

The kid checking out a stone from the old grist mill (grinds grain).

One of my favorite things about this park is the rather easy walk out to the rocks where the falls cascade down the river. You can get very close and just listen to the water. Many of my parents generation will tell of time where swimming was allowed (don't do it! Its not allowed and is altogether dangerous) but sitting on the rocks watching the river tumble by is the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon.

Another wild and wonderful view

The water was rather high due to several days of rain.

The kid and I

The park itself is truly a family friendly place, they have a ton of areas to picnic and and nice playground to let the kiddos burn some of that magic toddler energy.

Room for the whole reunion

The kid's favorite part "slide slide slide slide slide (well you get the idea)"

On this trip we decided to stop by grandma's for dinner on our way home. If you're passing through, pop down Hammond road and she might feed you too. 

One last look

Valley Falls family selfie

Blackwater Falls

        For our first trip we decided to check out Blackwater Falls State Park with a quick stop by Fairfax Stone State Park. Coming from our home in Harrison County, we decided to take route 50 to our destination, a choice my stomach would later regret. Also the weather man made claims to a sunny day with cool temps,  I should have known the mountains have a very separate forecast. The fog was so thick even the Hounds of Baskerville would have been taken aback.

Roads? What roads?

            We made it to our first stop at the Fairfax Stone, a fitting start to our journey due to the fact the stone was/is an important marker in West Virginia. I had read about the stone on the state parks website as a "determining factor in the state boundary between West Virginia and Maryland". I was a little confused when we showed up to two stones. Turns out I should have payed more attention in West Virginia History.

My son with the 1910 stone, this stone was the result of a supreme court ordered land survey that definitively settled the West Virginia/Maryland Border

Plaque on the Fairfax Stone

What's a trip without a family selfie?

The one and only Fairfax Stone (so its actually the forth or fifth version) that marks the  headspring of the Potomac river. 

        Although the park is small (4 acres) and is outfitted with only a parking lot, trash can and picnic table, it was cute and well kept. My son, when showing him the stone let out an "ooooh" that I can only assume meant he was impressed. We left the stone to continue our journey to the falls.

One last look

     Blackwater Falls is only a short twenty minute drive from the stone. We decided to stop at the lodge first which is tucked way back in the park to get our stamp for our VIPP passport (see VIPP blog).  The employees working the desk were very nice and provided us with a map and directions to the falls trails. Traveling with a toddler we did not have the ability to take part of the many hiking trails that the large park offers but for the right outdoor enthusiast this park could occupy them with days of trails.

The lodge, where maps, information, food and bathrooms can be found!

         We had planned on stopping at the petting zoo but it was not yet open this time of year. We started with the gentle trail first. This trail can accommodate strollers and wheelchairs and has a parking lot at the very start of the trail. I recommend anyone take this trail just because the view is so incredible from this upper vantage point.

Seriously, it is fairytale gorgeous.

     We got back in the car and drove to the other side so we could get closer. Across the road we found a parking lot, restrooms and a snack bar and the 214 steps to the best view in the park.

Just the start.

Getting close!

      Although a lot of steps, the trail is not bad (this is coming from someone who is terribly out of shape). Of course, the way back was harder but by that point you know that its worth the hike.

Beyond gorgeous, truly wild and wonderful

The kid enjoying the sites and sounds.

Family selfie

One last look

The falls were truly awe inspiring. There is a beauty that my cell phone pictures fail to capture. I would definitely go again. I would love to have added to this blog about a local restaurant we visited but unfortunately my stomach did not get any better and a speedy retreat back home was made.