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This weekend I took a whirlwind trip to Washington D.C. (32 hours driving for a 5 hour stay. Whew!) and crossed through some of the nicest real estate around. I've never been to West Virginia and through the Shenandoah Valley before, but I am now planning on a trip next year. The Mountains look great and the rivers look so inviting. What can be suggested as to activities while there? We enjoy hiking, rivers, fishing, Americana locals etc..

I also wanted to spend a lil time in Charleston WV. What attractions might you suggest for her?

mo reb

You could check out Harper's Ferry...a little Civil War history, nice shops, great views. It is also very close to the Antietam battlefield.

if you're into gamblin, there is

http://www.ctownraces.com/site/

in Charles Town, WV

Do some searches for Harpers Ferry apple festival [which is fantastic], kayaking, plenty of Civil War sites within an easy drive and the appalacian trail for starters.

http://www.rivertrail.com/index.php

When in West Virginia, you have to:

1) Visit Harper's Ferry - tremendous history and even a wife/girl friend will love the quaint beauty of this old town.
2) Canoeing/kayaking - try the South Fork of the Potomac in any of a number of places.
3) Seneca Rocks - spectacular mountain beauty and a really cool hike to an overlook.
4) Dolly Sods Wilderness - spectacular mountain beauty in a wilderness setting.

All of these places are in fairly close proximity to each other.

The fall is a great time of year to visit West Virginia with the foliage changing colors. A few other suggestions would be Blackwater Falls State Park and Canaan Valley, they are very close to Seneca Rocks and Dolly Sods. Also if you plan on going to Virginia I would recommend taking the Skyline Drive. I think Luray Caverns is not that far away either though it's been a number of years since i've been there.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to look into each and every one during my trip planning.

What other rivers are navigable by canoe?  Other than marrying me, the missus isn't much of a risk taker so whitewater would be out of the question.

mo reb

Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland is about a 1 hour drive north of Blackwater Falls State Park. I believe they have boats and maybe cayaks and canoes for rent. It's a very large freshwater lake. Also a little farther west near the MD, West Virginian, and Pennsylvania borders is Ohiopyle State Park. It's a very pretty park near the Yough River. They have bike rentals and I think part of the river is Class I rapids, very gentle. Plenty of vendors renting rafts and guided trips too.