New River Gorge National Park, WV!

We decided that on our way to South Carolina, we would stop somewhere to break up the drive and stay the night.  After a little research, we discovered that West Virginia was a great halfway point and then realized that there was an awesome National Park in the state that we could visit.  We booked a half day white water rafting trip through Adventures on the Gorge and learned that we could also stay there in a "rustic cabin" for two nights.  We left Friday around 8am and had a very smooth drive, stopping to get gas and Chick-Fil-A.  We went straight to the visitor's center for the National Park to take in the views, go to the overlook of the gorge and bridge, and to get a stamp.  The kids decided not to do the Junior Ranger program, which made me sad.  I guess they're growing up!

We then made a stop at Freefolk Brewery where we had some cold beers, thin crust pizza, and played games.  Then we checked into our cabin and made it our home for the next two nights.  We explored the complex for a bit and went swimming (not knowing they make everyone get out of the pool for the last 15 minutes of every hour).  Then it was a bonfire for s'mores and listening to the Tiger's game on the radio...until Randall the raccoon came to visit the site...

Saturday morning we got breakfast from one of the restaurants (cafe to go style) on the property close to our cabin.  They had delicious breakfast sandwiches on homemade biscuits.  We tried out the disc golf course on the property too.  Then it was time to eat a quick lunch with things from our cooler/food bin and time to head over for our white water rafting trip. 

White water rafting was amazing!  We got matched up with an older couple and it took us a bit to figure out who was going to sit where on the raft.  It ended up being Scott and the older gentleman, Randy, who took the front with Sean and I in the second row and Evan and the woman, Margie, in the back with the guide.  The rapids were more intense than what I remembered from Washington, but thankfully no one fell in!

We got back after dinner time so we made a fire and cooked hot dogs over it, had s'mores, and the kids did some sparklers.  We packed up the truck as much as we could for an early departure Sunday morning to move on to South Carolina.  We had a great visit!  For it being a "rustic cabin", it had electricity and an air conditioning unit in the window so we were very comfortable.  The bathrooms were a short walk and so were many of the things on the complex like restaurants and the pool.  I'd come back for sure!