West Virginia Log Cabin Rentals

Nicholas County West Virginia has a great tradition of potato farming and what better way to celebrate that heritage than with a Potato Festival.  Just a short drive from West Virginia log cabin rentals and New River lodging, Summersville is a great little town to visit for a true taste of West Virginia life.

The 41st Annual Nichalos County Potato Festival is happening September 9-11th, 2010 in Summersville, WV.  From potato sack races to potato eating contests, there is something for visitors of all ages.

• Thursday evening is Tater Tots time - with a selection of activities geared specifially toward children.
• Friday evening the festival hosts the Fireman's parade and a tailgating party to watch the WVU/Marshall game.
• Saturday is a full festival day with a 5k run, dancing, live music, and a Potato Weight Contest.

Take a day or an evening away from all the high-energy adventure activities available on West Virginia family vacations and spend a some time among the local folks celebrating our rural heritage.

Mornings on West Virginia family vacations can bring either wild excitement at the thought of what the day will bring - whitewater rafting - mountain biking - hiking in the New River Gorge - or a sigh of relief at the peace and quiet of being away from the everyday rush of life.

What visitors can always expect is the sound of a breeze in the trees, bird song and a home-away-from-home feel.  There is a quiet here that lets everyone relax, even those who are revving themsleves up for a day of action-packed fun.  Some fresh coffee and a sit on the porch of a West Virginia cabin vacation rental are a great way to start the day. 

Waking up in West Virginia makes it hard to remember how short a time it actually took to get here for a great getaway.

Finding great things to do on West Virginia family vacations is part of the fun.  Some outdoor activities, like white water rafting on the New River or the Treetops Canopy Tour are obvious choices, as is a tour of the Exhibition Coal Mine.  But some adventures take more planning because they happen on specific dates. 

Guests staying with children at our West Virginia log cabin rentals might consider planning their vacation or long weekend around the Beckley Classic Kids Festival.  Located throughout Beckley, West Virginia, the Festival includes a Parade & Uptown Fair, a Home Run Derby and Fireworks at Little League.  As a special treat, plane rides are offered at the Airport on one of the days.  Reservations are required for Plane Rides.

Festival Dates for 2010 are September 5-12:

• Sept 5
  - Sunday @ Two, Tamarack
• Sept 6
  - McManus Trail event - meet on the trail lot on 3rd Ave, 11 am, Hunt for heroes / one-mile walk
• Sept 7 & 8
  - One free game of bowling and shoe rental for a child accompanied by an adult
• Sept 8
  - Basketball shooting contest at the YMCA
• Sept 10
  - Baby Fair at Friday in the Park, 11 am - 1 pm, Word Park on Neville Street
• Sept 10
  - Activities at the Youth Museum & Mine, $5; exhibit; WVPBS character;
  - Clown Show at museum's amphitheatre (304-252-3730)
  - Karaoke at the mine
  7:30 & 8 pm - planetarium show
  8:15 - outdoor family movie
• Sept 11
  - Uptown Kids Fair, 10 am - 2 pm - United Games arcade, booths, food, Jr Firefighters Challenge
  - 11 am - Parade (Theme: American Heroes)
  - Noon - 3 pm - Shoemaker Square - Strings of Green recital
• Sept. 11
  - Plane rides & activities at the Raleigh County Airport, ages 6 - 16, 2 - 4 pm, pre-registration required - call 304-255-0476
• Sept 11
  - 4:30 pm - Celebrity Game
  - 6 pm - ESPN The Ticket hosts the Home Run Derby
  - Fireworks at 9 pm
• Sept 12
  - Hamster & Turtle Races, 1:30 pm, Pets N Things
  
  
    Call 304-256-1776 for more information.

Here is a song near and dear to our hearts, John Denver's "Country Roads" with its famous opening line "Almost Heaven, West Virginia".  We spotted this video setting the song to a slideshow of some of the beauty visitors can expect to encounter on their way to vacation at our lovely West Virginia log cabin rentals.   We even have a couple New River cabin rentals named after lyrics in this song!

Every region has its own legends, passed down through the generations and romanticised with each telling.  Some comminities have found a way to share those legends with anyone interested.  Logan County West Virginia, just an easy drive from our West Virginia log cabin rentals, is such a place.

All summer long, Tuesday through Saturday nights, at 8:30pm (box office opens at 7:30 pm), "The Aracoma Story" is presented.  This West Virginia historic drama tells the story of Boling Baker, a scout from General Braddock's Army who is captured by the Shawnee and adopted by them.  He marries Princess Aracoma and the Shawnee move to an island in the Guyandotte Valley, where the city of Logan is now located.  They live in peace for 20 years before the outside world catches up with them...

For a fun evening out during West Virginia family vacations, this drama is worth seeing.

As the mercury hits record temperatures all the way up the coast we're even happier than usual that we get to spend our days near West Virginia's most beautiful Rivers. 

There are a dozen ways to escape the heat in West Virginia, from relaxing on hot nights in airconditioned West Virgnia log cabin rentals to playing in the water. 

Down in the New River Gorge, the rafting is adventurous and refreshing.  High up in the canopy, visitors create their own breezes as they fly along shaded ziplines.  Summersville Lake offers great swimming and boating. Visitors can even explore cooler temperatures underground in the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum.

In the evenings, front porches of New River Lodging provide great views of fireflies while cool drinks are sipped.  

West Virginia family vacations usually include a visit to the spectacular New River Gorge National River Park.  Located just a short drive from the area's most popular West Virginia log cabin rentals, this New River National River Park is famous for stunning views and wild areas to explore.  There are two information centers on the rim of the Gorge - one of them is the unique Sandstone Visitor Center - a building that serves not only as a source of information, but is also itself an educational tool. 

Sandstone Visitor Center was built to LEED™certification standards.  (LEED™ stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System. This voluntary point-rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The council rates sites on water efficiency, materials and resources, site sustainability, indoor environmental quality, and energy and atmosphere.)

The building was built using local materials on land that was once a quarry.  A geothermal heating and cooling system and solar sensors controlling lighting and insulation made from old newspaper make the building 60% more efficient than current standards.  The landscaping around the building is irrigated by roof runoff and has been created from native plants. 

Not only is the building an example of concious and thoughtful building, but it is actually an educational tool for visitors.  Signs and exhibits throughout the facility serve to inform visitors about the techniques used in construction and to express how the philosphy used to create Sandstone ties into the preservation of the New River Gorge as a National River.

Who hasn't heard of the Hatfields and the McCoys and wondered what the heck that feud was all about?  Theatre West Virginia, just down the road from our West Virginia log cabin rentals is the perfect place to get a dramatic look at the infamous clash of families.  Weekly throughout the summer, Theatre West Virginia performs the play "Hatfields and McCoys" decribed by the Theatre below:

"Some say it started with a dispute over the ownership of a hog. Others say the ill-fated love of Roseanne McCoy and Johnse Hatfield caused it. Whatever the reason, there was bad blood between the Hatfields of West Virginia and the McCoys of Kentucky.

This historical drama chronicles the battles and bloodshed spurred by pride and politics. The story of the Hatfields and McCoys has been told and retold until the real men and women diffuse into myth, but they did exist."

This production contains some violence which may frighten very young children but it is great fun for adults looking to add a little bit of WV cultural history to any evening away from West Virginia log cabin rentals on romantic cabin getaways.

In preparation for the coming of warmer weather, if is always good to find great guidebooks to carry on West Virginia family vacations.  One thing everyone always wants to know is "What is that flower?"  A great resource to answer that for West Virginia visitors is Spring Wildflowers of West Virginia by Earl L. Core.  Originally published in 1948, this book has been reprinted and is still a gold-standard of native wildflower identification today.

Whether it's a flower seen along the roadside on the way to West Virginia log cabin rentals, or one spotted on the edge of a visitor center parking lot, or best of all on a hike, this book will help identify those early season blooms.  And, for the adventurous, on the new TreeTops Canopy Tour just down the road from our New River Gorge area cabins, you can see those spring wildflowers in the woods long before anyone else! 

There is no denying the historical and cultural impact coal has had on West Virginia.  The Coal Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway is a perfect way to explore the history of coal.

Wind through stunning valleys and across ridge tops as you explore the heart of coal country.  Stop and visit the homes of coal miners, as well as the infamous "company stores", company offices, railroad depots You can even go below ground at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine where you ride through the mine in coal "man cars" guided by veteran miners.

A drive along the Coal Heritage Trail makes a fantastic day trip from your Hawk's Nest lodging, or a great scenic route to reach West Virginia log cabin rentals.  This road is a trip worth making during your getaway to West Virginia.

West Virginia family vacations are made special in part by the special sights, great activities and comfortable lodging found in our beautiful state.

We encourage folks who want to take a day off from rafting or biking near our West Virginia log cabin rentals to journey along the Highland Scenic Highway.  This West Virginia Scenic Byway travels through the stunning Monongahela National Forest, rolling through hills and mountains and offering striking views of mountain ranges, rivers and waterfalls.

Among the places to stop and explore along this beautiful stretch of road is Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, famous for its rare orchids and carnivorous plants.  Visitors love to stop and take a stroll along the boardwalk through the bogs and are usually amazed by the unique life of these mountain bogs.

Another favorite stop is the Falls of Hill Creek.  A partly paved .75 mile trail leads past three waterfalls.  The trail turns challenging after the first quarter mile, with a boardwalk and steep, slippery steps, but the beauty of the waterfalls makes it a worthwhile excursion. Want more info or free help planning your vacation itinerary, contact the owners of Country Road Cabins.

A little known fact about the New River Gorge National River is it is part of the US National Park System.  The park is huge - over 70,000 acres of land along the New River and offers the chance to explore culture heritage and recreational opertunities unique to this part of the country.  The views alone tend to make visitors think they have journeyed much further from home than they actually have.

Numerous hiking trails, overlooks and cultural points of interst fill the National River Park.  Ranger led programs allow visitors of all ages to learn more about the landscape, the river  that created it and the people who live with the river, both historically and currently.  Visitors between 7 and 14 years of age have the opportunity to become 'Junior Ranger' and earn a Junior Ranger patch and certificate.

The Park is open year-round, so no matter what season folks are planning a visit, this National Park is offers something to do for all ages.  Visitor's can play all day and return to the comfort of West Virginia log cabin rentals with hottubs and plan the next day's adventures!

Blue Smoke Salsa started as a the dream of Robin Hildebrand.  Number 12 of 14 children, Robin is a West Virginia native and began making her salsa from family garden left overs.  In 1993, she began making Blue Smoke Salsa out of a 10 x 12 state-approved commercial kitchen in her basement.  It was a hit, and remains a hit today in Blue Smoke's present location at 119 East Main Street in Ansted, West Virginia. 

Today, Blue Smoke takes up an entire building, with a sales salsa shop and a hometown cafe.  Products include everything from the Original Recipe Blue Smoke Salsa, to Peach Salsa, Hot Pepper Jelly and Specialty BBQ Sauces.  And Blue Smoke offers tours to folks can see how all the good stuff is made - and taste a few samples as well.

Add a Blue Smoke Salsa Tour to the list of things to do on West Virginia family vacations.  It's just a few minutes away from some great West Virginia log cabin rentals.  Taste some mountain goodness here and even take some home.

We think romantic cabin getaways should always include a hot tub.  There are only a few places that have private hot tubs with every cabin - and we are one of them! Whether it's to warm up on a winter night after a day on the slopes, or a soothing soak after an active day paddling or hiking or biking, or just a bubbly place to sit and sip wine, hot tubs are a great place to cozy up.  Early sunset, a bottle of wine, some crackers and cheese, a quiet wooded setting...romance is definitely afoot. We LIKE that!

There's a ton of stuff to do in the New River Gorge area, from Canopy Tours to mountain biking to or easy hikes along the Gorge rim to fabulous views.  What's nice about West Virginia log cabin rentals is they don't have to be rustic, even if the setting is, and when visitors are done adventuring for the day, they can return to a deluxe abode and settle into that hot tub for the evening.  Or cozy up in front of the fireplace....

If you love to bring your two-wheeled friend along on to you West Virginia cabin vacation rental, don't miss out on late season riding. 

Mountain biking in the south eastern forests is always an adventure, and it's worth saying that as much fun as summer riding is, it can be a little intimidating because lush forest undergrowth can make seeing what's coming next a bit of an adventure if the trail is new to you.  Then November fall comes along and the leaves start to come down and riders find a double bonus of the last sparks of fall color and better visibility on the trails.  Cooler temperatures that make long rides less sweaty don't hurt either.

Another plus is that there are fewer riders out and about, so whether it's just you and your friends or you're riding with a professional guide from our friends down the road, New River Bikes, you'll have more peace and quiet on the trails.  And you get to look forward to hot drinks and warm showers back at those cozy West Virginia log cabin rentals.

The New River Gorge National River offers some fabulous hiking trails, including the spectacular Endless Wall Trail.  Located just a short drive from our West Virginia log cabin rentals, the Endless Wall Trail was added to the Park in 1998, when the Nuttall Estate agreed to sell the property to the National Park Service.  The Endless Wall Trail is one of the best kept secrets of the Park.  Hikers find themselves 1000 feet above the New River Gorge, enjoying unbelievable views - and the trail is only 2.5 miles long. 

Another significant feature of the Endless Wall Trail is its historical value:  It was the site of the Nuttallburg Mine in the 1800s— the largest mine in the New River Coalfields at the time.  Add this trail to the list of things to do on your West Virginia family vacations.

(Photo courtsey of National Park Service)

West Virginia in the autumn is something to see - vivid fall foliage, misty rivers, spectacular vistas of the New River Gorge...what's not to love?  And love is in the air as couple getaway to out mountain cabins for Romantic weekends with a mountain twist.  New River cabin rentals are deluxe log cabins that come with fall colors painting the mountains, cozy fireplaces to enjoy sipping coffee (or wine) and cuddling on cool evenings, and a true sense of escaping it all. 

Our West Virginia log cabin rentals are close to everything.  Quiet, beautiful hiking and horseback riding trails lead to fantastic views.  The Treetops Canopy tours offer a special shared thrill that will be a favorite memory for years to come. Adventure is to be had on ATV tours or mountain bikes. (We can book these guided adventures for you with our partners at nearby Class VI - Mountain River.) Winding roads offer spectacular days of leaf-looking, even on rainy days.  How many intimate moments can you find in the mountains?  The possibilities are endless.  Pretty darn good for an easy, affordable, authentic romantic cabin getaway!

Autumn is a stunning time here in the mountains of West Virginia.  Between crunchy, leaf-carpeted trails through tunnels of shining leaves and views of morning mist rising off the New River, it doesn't get any better than this for a weekend on ATVs!  Some folks bring their own rides, some rent them and add a guide to the mix to make finding the best trails easier. You can take guided ATV Tours with our friends just down the road at Class VI-Mountain River.

West Virginia log cabin rentals are deluxe cabins with private hot tubs, grills, and fireplaces. When you come off the trail after a day of exploring, you'll find a comfortable cabin waiting for you.  Great nearby trails, peak fall colors, talented guides and deluxe log cabins... hmm... sounds pretty good for a weekend away!

Hawks Nest State Park is a beautiful place to visit less than 15 minutes from Country Road Cabins. Nestled in the heart of whitewater rafting country, the Park encompasses 276 acres bordering a rugged section of the New River Gorge National River.

Long known for its panoramic views, the park offers great day hikes, picnic areas, lake access for fishing and boating, and a very cool sightseeing aerial tram, along with jetboat tours that leave from the park's dock. Not to be missed is the park's Nature Center. There is a 31 room lodge at the park as well, if you prefer a lodge room over your own deluxe New River log cabin rental.

Below the lodge, the New River forms peaceful Hawks Nest Lake. Above the lake, the narrow canyon and rushing water create one of the most challenging whitewater paddling waterways in the nation.

Hawk’s Nest Nature Center
This is one of the best parts of our nearby State Park. The Nature Center is definitely worth a visit when you are visiting our southwestern WV area.

The River Nature Center features opportunities for kids of any age to enjoy and experience the life within the New River community. The nature exhibits demonstrate interactive nature displays, as well as an on-site naturalist for assistance and information.

The Nature Center is also the base contact station to the new Hawks Nest Rail Trail operated by the Town of Ansted. Hawks Nest Nature Center is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on weekends after Labor Day through closing in late October. The Nature Center and the aerial tram operate on the same schedule.

The Nature Center may open for school or other groups on a reservation basis, as available, during the week. (A minimum of a two week advance notice is required for groups.)

Gift shops at the park
There are three gift shops at Hawks Nest State Park. The Lodge Gift Shop is open daily. The Lower Park Gift Shop is located 1/4 mile west on Route 60 and is open May through October. Both gift shops offer many varieties of souvenirs, T-shirts, toys, jewelry, glassware, and other items. The third gift shop is located at the River Marina where you will find our Nature Center. Items you will find include educational gifts related to nature.

Free and low cost fall vacation fun is waiting for you in the beautiful New River Gorge Region of southwestern West Virginia! Next blog is on things to do at Hawk's Nest State Park. We'll cover hiking, jebtboat tours, and the aerial tram.

Hawks Nest State Park:
49 Hawks Nest Park Road
Ansted, WV 25812
(304) 658-5212 or 1-800-CALL WVA