Seneca Rocks

After roaming through Blackwater Falls State Park last month, we drove down to Seneca Rocks in the Monongahela National Forest.

In an alternate universe, there’s a fitter, braver adventuring Brandi who would go there to rock climb (that Brandi also flies an airplane and rides an ostrich). Alas, I’m not at all brave so I kept both feet planted firmly on the ground.

Instead, we nosed around the visitors center and an old homestead.

The garden was mostly spent but there were still some interesting vegetables and pretty flowers and things to enjoy.

In fact, the colors were striking!

We also admired the 900 foot tall rock formation from afar while seeking out climbers as they inched toward the top.

Someday, I’ll go back and do the hike but, for that day, it was a low key and relaxing stop before climbing back in the truck to head north toward home.

Not all adventures require bravery and excitement. Sometimes it’s just a quiet moment among friends, admiring the scenery and respecting someone else’s courage.

Picnic At Blackwater Falls

Every trip is defined by a handful of memories both big and small.

The morning we spent at Blackwater Falls started out overcast and gloomy. Luckily, the sun had come out by lunchtime and the sky was a gorgeous shade of azure. It was cool but not cold when we set off on a short hike to Lindy Point Overlook.

It’s not a difficult hike since it’s flat and short but it is a quality experience. Plus, the destination is pretty spectacular. The view seems endless as you are high above the world.

Here, we sat on a rock, enjoying a picnic lunch while we drank in the views and watched tourists come and go.

There’s something about fresh air that makes ordinary food taste better.

Blackwater Falls State Park

When we discovered the road closure that kept us out of Dolly Sods, we were just a few miles from Davis, West Virginia and Blackwater Falls State Park.

I had been there before and really loved it so returning was not a sacrifice at all. In fact, I was excited to find the parking lot at the Falls trailhead completely empty.

It was just the three of us as we made our way down the hill and down the large system of steps and boardwalks to view the falls.

Lack of rain meant that it wasn’t raging but the falls were powerful enough and just as pretty as I remembered.

We took our time, posing for selfies, making some videos and drinking in the peaceful September morning. Just a couple of hours later, the place would swarm with tourists but we had a lovely private screening.

Our next stop at this park was a fishing area where there’s a rustic trail through the woods that gives you access to the river as it meanders under a bridge.

I stumbled upon it by accident a few years ago and it’s a special place that I always visit when there.

It was still early and the sky was white as the sun fought to burn through the clouds. All the same, it was a soft, quiet moment where we could appreciate the rocks and water and the aroma of fall.

Come back for another special memory from this place.

Vanished

Twice in the last year, I have written and scheduled a WordPress post that has magically disappeared. Not only only does it not publish, it’s not in the drafts, the scheduled posts or the trash.

It’s like it never existed. Although, I can assure you it did exist just eleven hours ago.

It was about Blackwater Falls, a lovely West Virginia state park I visited with friends last month. Since I just write my posts in WordPress, it’s gone. I’m taking this as a sign that the goddess of blogging thought I could do better.

So, for now, here’s a pretty picture from Blackwater Falls and I’ll try to do better later!

Happy Monday, y’all. And whether you call it Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day, enjoy that too. Maybe read up on why we have two holidays related to history on this second Monday in October.

Blackwater Falls State Park

The highest state park in West Virginia is Blackwater Falls State Park. It’s situated between Thomas and Davis and is worth the drive. In fact, I have found a new favorite place.

With miles of trails for hiking, there’s much opportunity to get your boots muddy. There are year round activities including boating, geocaching , fishing and plenty of snow sports. Plus there are cabins and lodge rooms to extend your stay.

The lodge is being renovated now and I am dying to go stay there. It appears to be a massive overhaul of the mid century facility. They call it “The Lodge In The Sky” because of the elevation and I think that’s the best name for it.

I spent an afternoon wandering around on foot and in the car, exploring the park. The views are stupendous, the trails are in great condition and the place is easy to navigate. While there is picturesque beauty everywhere you go, the star of the show here is a 57 foot waterfall.

It reminded me a little of the Hocking Hills State Park near my home. The rock outcroppings, foliage and trails attracts large crowds of sightseers every year as well.

At Blackwater, the amount of visitors caused them to build a system of wooden steps and landings, presumably to protect the ecosystem from so much foot traffic and to make it easier for people who don’t really hike to access the views.

It isn’t exactly a hike but it would be challenging if you aren’t typically active or in good shape. Round trip it isn’t even a half mile but it’s important to remember that what goes down must come up in this instance. You’ll walk down a wide trail and a bunch of steps on the way to the view. Then you have to walk back up.

It’s a gorgeous view but there are many other pretty views in the park and I would like to see more of them.

Want to learn more? Visit their website here!