Road Trip Report - West Virginia

[QB93Z]

We just got back from a weekend road trip to eastern West Virginia and I wanted to share our trip with you.

We left Friday morning and got back Sunday evening and covered 650 miles. Instead of our usual trips in the Yellow 1994 ZR-1 we decided to travel in our Black 1990 ZR-1. The Black Z is a Lingenfelter 368 and is a lot louder than the stock YellowZ. We didn't sneak up on any wildlife (or locals) this trip.

In addition to just getting away and Enjoying the Road, we were hoping to see and photograph some "Fall Color". The weather forecast was ify, with rain predicted, but we thought it might clear up by Saturday afternoon, so we got underway.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/Map-10Oct2.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/Map-10Oct2.jpg.html)

We headed west from Westminster, Maryland, skirted Frederick and crossed the northern tip of Virginia on our way to Davis, WV to visit Blackwater Falls State Park.

It was raining by the time we got to West Virginia, but since it was just a drizzle, and the sky looked clearer around each bend, we decided to press on.

Blackwater Falls is a West Virginia State Recreation area in the Monogehela National Forest:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0121.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0121.jpg.html)

Blackwater Falls State Park is a beautiful, peaceful place. The primary attraction is the falls which are easily accessed by a well-maintained walkway.

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In addition, the park has a nice scenic road along the south side of the Blackwater Canyon , a beautiful historic Lodge, numerous picnic and some camping areas . We were rewarded with some nice Fall colors and a brief let up in the rain.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0203.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0203.jpg.html)

Here is Lyndi by the sign to Lindy Point, which, if the fog had not rolled in, is a north west facing overlook of serveral counties:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0254.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0254.jpg.html)

On our way back to the main Park road we surprised some deer, or as they call them here in West Virginia, dinner:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0259.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0259.jpg.html)

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[QB93Z]

After visiting Blackwater Falls, we passed through Thomas, WV, a nice small town built on the side of the river gorge, A significant renovation effort is underway . We enjoyed browsing the shops and will probably go back some time to see some of the galleries we missed.

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From Thomas, we headed west to get on WV-219, which is known at the Seneca Trail. Our destination for the evening was the Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0367.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0367.jpg.html)

As we were enjoying the colorful scenery and open road, the fog rolled in and then it got dark. By the time we got to the turn off for the Resort, visibility was about 50 yards. We turned up the mountain road and the visibility dropped to following the guard rail to the top of the mountain. It was a slow 6.5 mile drive.

We stayed at the Allegheny Springs which is a condominium resort that rents rooms and suites. The off-season rates were very reasonable. We had a beautiful 1-bedroom suite with a fire place. Allegheny Springs is just one of many lodges and resorts in the Snowshoe Village. There are also many restaurants and shops. We were told that in-season it is a very busy place.
The next morning, the fog lifted a little so we could just barely make out the ski lift behind our room:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0314.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0314.jpg.html)

On Saturday morning, we went down the mountain and posed under the resort welcome sign with the fog (cloud) layer just over our heads:

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[QB93Z]

On Saturday, the rain had changed to a very intermittent mist and the visibility at low elevations was greatly improved. We drove south on the Seneca Trail to the Highlands Scenic Highway, a National Scenic Highway

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/Map-11Oct.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/Map-11Oct.jpg.html)

The Seneca Highway is a well-maintained north-south artery for eastern West Virginia. The towns along the route have gotten together to promote their beautiful counties with shops, Parks and festivals.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0552.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0552.jpg.html)

We were immediately rewarded with beautiful panoramas with wonderful Fall foliage:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0553.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0553.jpg.html)

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0610.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0610.jpg.html)

We stopped at all the scenic overlooks and sometimes we had to double back to get the great photos:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0679.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0679.jpg.html)

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[QB93Z]

As we continued along the Highland Scenic Highway, we parked and hiked a trail to the Falls of Hill Creek. There are three falls visible from the trail. The trail was well maintained and along the creek were all boardwalk construction to reduce the impact of all the visitors on the landscape. There were a lot of steps to climb and the hike took about one hour.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0005.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0005.jpg.html)

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0019.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0019.jpg.html)

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0072.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0072.jpg.html)

After our hike, we left the Highland Scenic Highway and went east to get back on the Seneca Highway to return to the resort. The road from the Highlands was steep in many places, but was in very good condition:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0113.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0113.jpg.html)

More beautiful scenery:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0125.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0125.jpg.html)

On Sunday morning, the fog at the top of the mountain finally cleared enough to get a picture of our resort:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0032.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0032.jpg.html)


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[We Gone]

Thanks for posting, So happy to see you and your wife enjoying your ZR-1's as they were made to be enjoyed.

[QB93Z]

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/Map-12Oct.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/Map-12Oct.jpg.html)

We left the resort and went east over the mountain to Cass, WV to start our trip home. Cass is home to the Cass Scenic Railroad, one of the premier tourist rail excursions in the East. We did not have time to ride on this visit but we did get a photo:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0083.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0083.jpg.html)

We stopped in Green Bank, WV for a photo with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Telescope. The Green Bank Telescope is not an optical telescope, but instead it capures radio frequency energy from distant stars and galaxies. The telescope sits near the heart of the United States National Radio Quiet Zone, a large area where all radio transmissions are limited to avoid emissions toward the GBT and the Sugar Grove Research Facility nearby. The existence of the telescope within the Radio Quiet Zone allows for the detection of faint scientific signals which otherwise would be eclipsed by man-made signals. The observatory borders the National Forest and is shielded from radio interference by the Allegheny Mountains. (thank you, Wikipedia)

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0129.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0129.jpg.html)

We went north to Spruce Knob - Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. We visited the area called Smoke Hole and hiked a short distance to an interesting rock formation along the southern branch of the Potomac River:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0608.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0608.jpg.html)

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_05962.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_05962.jpg.html)

After our last hike, we turned towards home. We stopped at a few towns to visit the shops and craft markets. We had to stop in Monterey, VA to get our picture taken with the Blues Brothers:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0615.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2014%20WV%20Trip/DSC_0615.jpg.html)

All things considered, it was a good Road Trip. Plenty of driving with a lot of enjoyable roads. There were plenty of photo opportunities and things to do. The accomodations at Snowshoe in the off-season were great. The weather was poor, but we made the best of it. We will be going back to this area because there were a lot of things that we didn't get to do.
　
Jim

[efnfast]

Thanks Jim. Man, you take us on the best trips. -Steve

[FU]

Beautiful Country. Thanks for sharing your trip with us :cheers:

[USAZR1]

I've always loved traveling through West Virginia. Thanks for letting us ride along with you and Lindi.

[Jagdpanzer]

Here are a couple of photos of Black Water Falls our daughter Sarah took last spring:

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg333/pwasinger/photo2_zpsf50e3e1e.jpg

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg333/pwasinger/photo1_zps95c6d8a1.jpg

[KILLSHOTS]

Thanks for the great pics, Jim. Glad you and Lyndi had fun and made it home safe and sound. Time for another trip to AZ...this time with QB93Z!

[z proud]

As always thanks for sharing, will be visiting Winchester Va Thursday thu Sunday, May take the bike into WV.

[Dynomite]

Thank you Jim and Lyndi for sharing the great photos :thumbsup:

More trips by Jim and Lyndi including the CA Redwoods Trip by bdw18_123 ....thanks again.

ROAD TRIPS
West Virginia Trip (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24004)
Florida Trip (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20835)
Alaska Trip (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17990)
Canada trip (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15143)
CA Redwood Trip (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15858 )
CA or Bust Trip (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22607)
Gatlinburg Tenn Trip (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=206694)

[PhillipsLT5]

WOW!

[edram454]

Nice pics and beautiful scenery. Must have had a great time seeing all that beauty and driving one down the road too.

ed ramos #3028

[Hog]

Thanks Jim for taking us on your trip with you. Living the dream!

[BigJohn]

Cool trip!!!

Giving Old Yellow a rest, this time?

[HIZNHRZ]

Great pictures Jim and what a beautiful road trip! You've got a number of nice ZR-1s but I really like the Black Lingenfelter.

You have a rare opportunity to literly jump out of the seat of a stock ZR-1 and into one modified for a high level of performance. You write very well and you have more road time in a stock versus a modified ZR-1 than anyone I know. If you had a minute, I would really enjoy reading about your thoughts as the pilot of your stock ZR-1 compared to what it's like on open and back roads in your Lingenfelter.

Thanks for sharing your experience on another great road trip.

[Paul Workman]

Once again, you've captured a piece of some of the most beautiful places in our great land! I know you would have loved the Mountain Run last year - a bit further south on US-129 is "Tail of the Dragon". Anyway, the pix with the fall colors are beautiful! My favorite is the one with the Z parked across the road with the multicolored array on the hillside in the background. Frameable art, for sure. And, it's a strong candidate for a ZR-1 calendar, methinks.

(George...are you seeing these??)

[JThomas]

Thanks Jim for the trip, you always seem to capture some of the most beautiful scenery! I had a similar trip this past weekend, but it was in a Suburban, with the family, visiting colleges. We did Tennessess and North Carolina. 1,700 miles, but still fun. :cheers:

[QB93Z]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments.

Cliff - thanks for posting links to the road trips here is another trip you can add: Key West http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20835

Phil - nice pictures that your daughter took.

Paul - I have thought about making a calendar from our trips, but by the time I get around to the project it is June. I am considering a self-published coffee table book, but I enjoy planning the next trip so I have trouble getting time to compile the past trip reports.

Scott - the Lingenfelter 368 has an aggressive cam profile and does not do well at engine braking at low rpm so the long down hill legs require more shifting and braking than the stock ZR-1. Also, the loud exhaust make me more aware of not disturbing the peace and quiet of the Parks we visit. Lyndi is a great co-pilot, but she is not a fan of >5000 rpm or high speed runs so I save the aggressive driving for solo trips.

Jim

[A26B]

Jim,
I envy your ZR-1 road trips. In my quest for the ultimate ZR-1, I passed up quiet & comfortable for a more radical performance typically reserved for race cars. Consequently, the LPE Aerobody Zee doesn't get to make those trips. However, not giving up the Corvette experience for road trips, we have a C6 Grand Sport.

I like your idea of a coffee table book. Karen makes scrapbooks of our major trips which is our style of coffee table book.

Thanks for sharing with us. Lyndi is an excellent photographer and you take the time to find and stop for shots of the ZR-1.

Best always,

[RICHARD TILL]

Thanks for the ride. Really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next.

[rkreigh]

beautiful shots, I nominate you all for the WAZOO ZR-1 first annual

IR@N @$$

award for most miles and smiles in a ZR-1

the Lingenfelter looks great with the shelby wheels

thanks for posting the route, that is very cool