July 15th – Day 8 – New River Valley, WV

The tiniest frog with just his little head and eyeballs popping out.

We woke up to a beautiful morning.  Scott hopped down to the lake and saw the flowers on the lily pads had opened up adding a bright pink hue to the lake.

Me super awake after standing bear guard all night.

The New River Gorge Bridge. Scott mentioned that the iconic bridge has been featured in several movies.

We followed the do it yourself audio tour while Scott drove.

Next we headed to the deserted town of Thurmond.  The National Park Service opens the train depot in the summer months.

Thurmond was once a bustling train depot in the early 1900’s.  When roads and cars became more popular the town began to disappear.

Deuce beater

I was only half listening to Scott when he randomly asked me if I wanted to make a donation.  I said, “Sure, to what?”  He pointed to the solid waste pool at the water treatment plant we were passing.

Next stop, the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.  We thoroughly enjoyed the thirty-five minute coal mine tour from a retired coal mine worker.  The fudge from the gift shop was enjoyed immensely by everyone.  We toured the homes, schools, and shops near the mine after the mine tour as well.  It was a hot day, but the kids kept asking to tour more.

Smiling face bucket.

Scott volunteered to get beat with the paddle.

Scott giggled and requested I pose in front of my favorite house.

The school teacher at the youth school house encouraged the kids to try using quill pens to write.

A home we toured had been two stories, but the entire top floor burnt and yet the timbers used to construct the log cabin did not burn.

Fudge…in the air conditioning…

Our one and only meal out to eat so far on this trip.  Campestre in Beckley.  Oh so delicious. We ate at least a pound of tortilla chips.

The boys and their potty humor.  That’s all I’m going to write about that.

Grandview in the New River Gorge National Park.

We would have liked to stay longer at this campground.  It had multiple mountain bike and hiking trails that started or went through the campground.  The showers were extremely nice too.