The Greenbrier River Trail is 78 miles and traverses one of the most remote areas in WV, it lies adjacent to Watoga State Park, Seneca State Forest and Monongahela National Forest.  While we biked, the trail is used for backpacking, horseback riding and winter time cross-country skiing.  The trail for much of the ride follows the Greenbrier River allowing for swimming and fishing.   Our ride was from Renick to Caldwell, which took us three hours at a leisurely pace.    The leaves were just beginning to fall, and the trail was covered in many areas, but for the most part it was well-groomed with a packed crusher-run surface.   Reminder, no cell service on the trail.   We reserved our shuttle service to Renick with WV Outdoor Adventures.

Later in the day, we  had a fabulous dinner at the General Lewis Inn, which is also a convenient B&B to the Trail. 

First come first serve camping is available  along the trail at Mile Post 20.5, 12.9, and 4.7 along the route we biked.

Once again we took advantage of the great outdoors here in VA.  Just a stones throw from Roanoke is one of VA’s Award winning state parks.    Spacious wooded campsites, cabins tucked in the woods overlooking the lake,  beach with snack bar, playground, amphitheater with entertainment, fishing, miles of great hiking and mountain biking.   

After all the outdoor fun, nothing like preparing a little camp cuisine, foil packets of tilapia and fresh veggies over whole wheat pasta!

There are plenty places to cool down during a VA summer heatwave, but one of our personal favorites is Smith Mountain Lake.    Just an hour from Roanoke, SML offers 500 miles of shoreline, endless water activities, vacation rentals for every budget, fine dining, shopping and much more.    For a really unique vacation experience, Houseboating offers a sense of freedom, no other accommodation can.   Check-out Parrot Cove Marina for all your rental needs!

Running an errand with a girlfriend, we found ourselves at Horizon’s Bar & Grill just in time for the debut of their early fall menu.  Restaurant owner, Debbie Spangler shared the new additions plus customer favorites.   I opted for a customer favorite and enjoyed the Crab Cakes with chipotle rice and asparagus with green tomato sauce.  However, I could not help but steal a bite from my friend’s plate of Beef Medallions with garlic and thyme butter over sour cream mashed potatoes and asparagus.    For starters we could not resist the fresh tomato and mozzarella salad.  Hint:  Not on menu, so be sure to ask if available!

 

My husband and I recently took a Sunday afternoon to bike Carvin’s Cove, my first trip to the Reserve.   While there are miles of trails, we stuck to the “Happy Trail” which was plenty challenging on a very hot VA day.  Most of the trail was clear, however we covered parts which were overgrown with long grass and weeds.   About five miles into our trip a snake crossed the path just under my bike pedal, making me somewhat scream, after which I heard rustling in the bushes only to see a bear cub scampering up a tree.  Needless to say, at this point I was pedaling pretty fast.   While I have a real quest to stay healthy and fit, I quickly realized one could easily suffer a coronary while venturing out into the woods!

We have the great fortune of a fractional ownership at Ocean Creek Resort, located just across the street from Barefoot Landing.  This Myrtle Beach landmark never disappoints.   Built in the eighties, on a prime piece of real estate boarding the private community of Briarcliffe Acres, it is truly an oasis in the heart of it all.    A “gated” community, it provides 24 hour security for its owners and guests, lots of different accommodation options, plenty of pools throughout the complex plus a Beach Club pool, beach snack bar and onsite restaurant.    Location is key, after exiting the complex you are within minutes of the areas best restaurants, entertainment and shopping.   Ocean Creek remains a consistent family vacation.

Our family of five spent two weeks in Hawaii over spring break, visiting the islands of Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.    Our adventures included a helicopter ride over the volcano (lava not flowing), Volcano National Park, day at Hapuna Beach, snorkeling at Molokini and a little whale watching, Luau, zipling, black sand beaches, the road to Hana, Diamond Head, surf lessons on Waikiki, outrigger canoe ride, the Lost Tour, lots of sunshine and beautiful sunsets.  

 We stayed at the Aston Waikoloa Shores on the Big Island, Aston Kanaapali Shores on Maui and the Waikiki Beach Tower on Oahu.  My resort reviews can be found on Trip Advisor under Travelmom29.

For those of you who have not visited Virginia Beach in several years you are missing a great destination.   The revitalization of the Boardwalk is magnificent.  Southern Living Magazine featured the beach in a June 2008 article touching on all the improvements.   It’s only gotten better.    The latest addition of Grommet Island, a beach park and playground for everyone.

On a recent visit with a girlfriend, we never moved our car,  biking or walking everywhere.   Wonderful restaurants and super entertainment.  Check out Beach Street USA for upcoming events.   And if the week between Christmas and New Year’s has you feeling a little blue, a trip to the beach to view the Boardwalk lights display will bring a smile. 

A great way to spend an afternoon is canoeing the James River.   We had great service from Twin River Outfitters where we put in at their location and canoed to Arcadia, water levels were a little low and we brushed bottom several times.   A few Class II rapids made it exciting enough.   Another good family outing on a HOT Virginia day!

We had the privilege of camping at Grayson Highlands, which is part of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area here in Virginia. Being the highest elevation in VA, it was a welcomed ten degrees cooler and a great escape from the East Coast heat wave. We walked, biked and camped in complete comfort. The park provides access to the Appalachian Trail, as well as other short hikes and bike trails of many different levels to view vistas, waterfalls and the wild ponies.

Over the course of the week-end, we helped chaperone Boy Scout Troop 51 on the VA Creeper Trail, which stretches 35 miles from Abingdon Virginia thru Damascus Virginia to the NC State Line near Whitetop Virginia. The Virginia Creeper Trail is open to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The former railroad bed passes through a gorgeous part of Southwest VA, Jefferson National Forest and follows along the Holston River.

While Sunday’s bike ride from Abingdon to Damascus was not “downhill” like Saturday’s ride from Green Cove (top of the trail was closed for repair), I found this portion of the trail totally underrated. Yes, you must peddle and it is a slight incline for a few miles, however the trail is better groomed, less crowded and still very scenic. Certainly doable for tweens and moderately fit adults. We biked both rides in about two hours. Next trip, we are considering the entire ride from White Top to Abingdon in one day.

We had our own bikes and shuttle service, however rentals and shuttles are widely available in Damascus for $22-$28 per person, which to me, is a great bargain for a family adventure and one that will make great memories.