Mountain Valley Retreat

Fabulous Conditions at Snowshoe Ski Resort!

2009-12-19T13:06:00.003-05:00

News Flash, News Flash.....in case you are blissfully unaware the East Coast is getting hammered with what some are already labeling as one of the worst December snowstorms of all time. As I am typing this blog entry I am watching the snow fall outside and twitter "tweets" fly by my other screen from friends all up and down the Atlantic seaboard rattling off the latest snow statistics in their area. 11 inches in Western Maryland, 15 inches in Virginia....the tally goes on and on.

I've also been poking around the internet to find out what is going on up and around Snowshoe. The buzz appears to be what every die hard skier lives to hear - Snowshoe Ski Resort is getting pounded with the white stuff! And it's not the heavy, sticky kindof snow - it's the powdery stuff - the good stuff that every skier dreams of. Check out this pic I found on the internet that was taken a few days ago on one of the slopes - isn't it gorgeous! So far the official tally is somewhere over two feet in the last 24 hours with the possibility of another 12 inches to come before the storm is over. Coincidentally, today is Snowshoe Ski Resort's Birthday - what a great Birthday gift - I don't think that they could ask for anything more!

Our Latest Addition

2009-12-15T20:26:00.006-05:00

I've been meaning to post pics of our latest addition for quite some time now. I'm really excited to announce that we've recently added a brand new deck onto the back of our larger cabin. Back in October of this year we were fortunate enough to steal some cycles of a local builder who was able to fit this in for us and the results are just fantastic! Our previous deck was in need of a desperate rework and this overhaul was perfect! As part of the overhaul the main beams of the deck were reinforced and all of the decking boards and rails were replaced. What a difference!! The best part about the overhaul is that the decking boards are closer together meaning that the legs of patio furniture won't get stuck in between the boards anymore! Needless to say new patio furniture is on the agenda for the spring! This new deck is sure to be a great addition for guests who want to sit outside and enjoy the great mountain scenery from our backyard. I can't wait to sit out there and enjoy the backyard myself - it's going to be just fabulous!

Thanksgiving Getaway in our West Virginia Cabin

2009-10-25T20:11:00.006-04:00

It's getting to be that time of year again - it's November and before you know it Thanksgiving will be upon us! Thanksgiving is truly a great holiday - a day of reflection, a day filled with great food and family, beautiful parades and lots of football. If all of that isn't enough Thanksgiving is also the one day of the year that allows us to officially usher in the start of the Holiday Season! I don't know about you, but for me the holidays can't start until Santa takes his annual ride down Times Square as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Once the ride is complete the craziness of the season has officially begun!

Last year we actually took advantage of the long Thanksgiving Day weekend and made our way out to Mountain Valley Retreat for some great rest and relaxation before the hustle and bustle of the holidays began. There was no better way to relax and recharge than spending time at our mountain hideaway. We enjoyed great breakfasts together vs. our normal crazy morning routine and lazed around by the fire as a family until late morning. Once we were all up and moving about we spent the days taking in a few movies on TV, going for leisurely walks around the house and we even spent one afternoon up at Snowshoe Ski Resort where we enjoyed a great dinner and watched the early season skiers make their runs down the slopes. It even snowed a bit during our stay which thrilled the kids to no end! All-in-all it was the perfect opportunity to rest and regroup in preparation for the hectic holiday season. And for those of you wondering how I could actually leave Black Friday behind - it wasn't a problem at all - we've got WiFi remember?

Snowshoe Ski Resort is gearing up for another great season!

2009-10-17T13:09:00.005-04:00

The weather is definitely changing in the mountains of West Virginia. The last reminders of summer are all but gone and the fall season is quickly being overshadowed by glimpses of winter. It seems as if everywhere I've turned today there's been a story in the news or a comment in my twitter stream talking about the early snowfall throughout the state. All of this got me thinking about the upcoming ski season and Snowshoe Ski Resort is on my mind today. I visited the resort's website today - opening day is set for November 25th - are you ready?

The Ghosts of Droop Mountain

2009-10-12T14:19:00.002-04:00

I just stumbled onto a great article in the Pocahontas County Times that talks about the various Droop Mountain ghost legends. For those who are unaware, Droop Mountain was the site of the last major conflict of the American Civil War in West Virginia. A private in the U.S. Army at the Battle of Droop Mountain, John Sutton, became the leader in the movement to create the park when he served in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Dedicated on July 4, 1928, Droop Mountain Battlefield became the first state park in West Virginia.

Droop Mountain is a great place to go hiking with the family and it also has a wonderful re-creation of a Civil War era observation tower that provides amazing views of the Greenbrier River Valley. All of that aside, after reading this article I'm wondering how I'm gonna feel the next time we visit - I'm sure to think that someone's watching me!

Enjoy the great read! - http://www.pocahontastimes.com/index.php?id=982

Visit a Boardwalk in the Heart of West Virginia!

2009-04-28T19:59:00.010-04:00

A boardwalk in West Virginia - how can this be? When you think of a boardwalk you most likely think of a long stretch of walkway at your favorite seashore getaway, but did you know that West Virginia has it's very own boardwalk just without the beach? This boardwalk actually winds through the many bogs found within the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. Bogs are acidic wetlands typically found in Canada and the northern United States. Originally brought here by the glaciers, the four bogs of the Cranberry Glades contain life similar to the bogs or “muskegs” of the north. The ground in a bog is spongy and consists largely of partially-decayed plant material known as peat. Because of its unique conditions, some unusual plants grow in bogs, including carnivorous or insect-eating plants. In total, the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area encompasses 750 acres. The boardwalk extends for a half-mile through this area and allows visitors to experience all of the uniqueness of a bog without disturbing the unique and exotic ecosystem.

A stroll along this boardwalk is a great way to spend any afternoon and is actually #2 on my list of "101 Great and Affordable WV Family Vacation Activities" . Located off of the Highland Scenic Highway at the intersection of Rt 39 and Rt 150, admission to the area is entirely free and guided tours are conducted at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer months. Along the tour your family is sure to see several of the over 60 unique plant species in the bogs, many descended from seeds that took root here over 10,000 years ago. Wild animals are also known to frequent the Glades. Keep a watchful eye as you walk through the area and you might spy some of these wild animals: American Black Bear, WV Northern Flying Squirrel, Red-tailed Hawk, American Bald Eagle, Red Fox, coyote, White-tailed Deer, Cooper Hawk, and Eastern Screech-Owl.

Affordable WV Family Vacation Tip #1

2009-04-25T10:57:00.004-04:00

Spend a day traveling the Highland Scenic Highway!

In my previous post I mentioned that I would be highlighting 101 great and affordable family vacation activities throughout West Virginia - my "101 things to do in WV list". Today I'm highlighting the first activity - The Highland Scenic Highway.

The Highland Scenic Highway is a designated National Scenic Byway. This byway winds it's way through over 40 miles of West Virginia beginning in Richwood, WV at Rt 39 and ending just north of Marlinton, WV at Rt 150. Don't think for a moment that traveling down this highway is just taking another trip down an ordinary road. This byway is more than just a road, along the way you'll be sure to encounter breathtaking views of the Allegheny Highlands, wetland bogs, trout-filled waters, a waterfall and hundreds of hiking trails at various points. It's estimated to take around 2 hours to drive the whole length of the highway but it's highly recommended to think instead about turning this 2-hour car or motorcycle ride into an entire day trip. Moreover - this day trip is absolutely family-friendly and totally affordable since all of the stops along the way are free meaning you don't have to spend a dime to enjoy them!

As an example of a fun and affordable activity along the Highland Scenic Highway, why not plan a great family picnic along one of the four developed scenic overlooks? Each overlook was specifically designed to enjoy the amazing views of the Allegheny Mountains and has a paved parking area, restrooms and picnic tables. The scenic overlooks are named Williams River, Big Spruce, Little Laurel and Big Lick and each are clearly noted along Rt 150. With amazing views stretching for miles an ordinary picnic will be transformed into a visionary masterpiece!

Affordable Family Vacations in West Virginia!

2009-04-23T20:45:00.006-04:00

Or better titled --- 101 things to do in WV that won't break the bank!

In today's economy it's no secret that we are all looking for ways to cut back on expenses wherever possible. In following other blogs and social networking sites it's clear to me that there is a trend emerging where families are making their dollar go further and further in each and every thing that they do. This summer, planning the family vacation is proving to be no exception to this trend. In planning their vacations this year families are looking to stay closer to home, driving to their destination when possible, planning shorter stays and trimming down many of the frills associated with a typical vacation of the past.

Fortunately for many of us this "trim down" of the vacation can actually be done quite easily given there are so many great places to travel throughout our country. West Virginia, in all it's beauty, is no exception! Wherever you travel in this great state, there are countless things to do that will make great additions to your summer vacation and will be light on your wallet along the way. For most of the spring and summer I am planning on highlighting many of these great highlights of West Virginia - my "101 things to do in WV list" and I hope that you join me as I travel down the WV blogging road. I'll be focusing mainly on Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties, but I certainly welcome any other suggestions along the way! I'm going to shoot for 101 posts --hmmm....wonder if I can actually come up with more than that along the way?? Only time will tell so follow along with me and let's see!

Great local picture I just had to share!

2009-04-13T20:14:00.005-04:00

I've been out and about in the "blogosphere" this evening seeing what's new throughout the great state of West Virginia. In my internet travels I stumbled across a really neat website located at http://www.twolanelivin.com devoted to publicizing a magazine of the same name - Two Lane Livin'. This magazine is a free publication distributed throughout Central West Virginia with articles focusing on local living and upcoming events. On the main page of this website I found the following picture:

This picture, taken by Lana Symes of Craigsville, was selected by Two Lane Livin' as the featured cover photo for May's edition of the magazine. After admiring the beautiful scenery in the picture for a few minutes it dawned on me that this is the same barn located a mere 10 minutes from our vacation property. I can't tell you how many times we've passed this location to get to and from our cabins and each and every time it looks as lovely as this great picture. The only thing missing from this scene above are the horses that tend to be out and about around the barn on any given day.

Enjoy!

Upcoming Attactions at Pocahontas County Opera House

2009-04-05T11:04:00.003-04:00

If you check out the Pocahontas County Opera House website you will see that there are many great performances scheduled for April and May.

Coming April 17th @ 7:30pm - Muriel Anderson will be performing at the Opera House as part of her touring season. Muriel is known as one of the country's foremost finger-style guitarists.

April 18th - Muriel Anderson will be hosting a Guitar Workshop starting @10:00am in the Pocahontas County Parks and Recs office

April 24th @ 7:30pm - Andes Manta will be playing traditional Andes music at the Opera House using more than 35 different instruments.

May 8th @ 7:30pm - A benefit concert will be held. Local bluegrass musicians will be playing throughout the evening.

May 22nd @ 8:00pm - The Pocahontas County Drama Club will present "The Comet of St. Loomis" at the Opera House.

For more information and ticket sales, please refer to the Opera House Website at http://www.pocahontasoperahouse.org

Ramps are up in WV!

2009-04-04T19:29:00.008-04:00

Shortly after we started spending time out in WV we were introduced to the local springtime delicacy simply known as the "ramp". No - not a ramp as typically defined by Webster's Dictionary - these ramps are members of the onion family and sprout from the ground in the Appalachian Mountains each and every spring. Ramps are typically found in groups with broad, smooth, light green leaves, often with deep purple or burgundy tints on the lower stems and a scallion-like bulb strongly rooted just beneath the surface of the soil. Both the white root and the broad green leaves are edible. They are found from the U.S. state of South Carolina to Canada and are especially popular in the cuisine of the US state of West Virginia when they emerge in the springtime. A common description of the flavor is like a combination of onions and strong garlic.
Ramp digging is especially popular this time of year and you can find local residents out and about searching and uprooting this local specialty. Ramp dinners are also quite popular right now and you can always find a local event in many counties throughout the state where ramps are served up many different ways. I've even stumbled across a few ramp entrepreneurs who sell local ramps on the internet. Interested in trying this culinary treat? - buyer beware - the lingering effects of the onion and garlic combination are sure to leave those around you wondering what you've gotten yourself into!!

Pocahontas County - a fisher's dream!

2009-03-29T20:42:00.007-04:00

When driving along the roadways in Pocahontas County it is a usual occurrence any time of the year to catch a glimpse of someone fishing along the banks of one of the many rivers that stretch throughout the region. It certainly could be because Pocahontas County, West Virginia is known as the “Birthplace of the Rivers” since it is home of the headwaters for each of the eight wild and wonderful rivers that flow through it. These eight rivers are the Cranberry, Cherry, Elk, Gauley, Williams, Tygart, Greenbrier and Shaver Fork of the Cheat River. A fisherman’s dream, these rivers originate high in the icy peaks of the West Virginia mountains and the resulting cool water makes for the perfect environment for local trout to thrive. In addition to these eight rivers, our county has many great streams and lakes that are suitable for everyone’s fishing enjoyment. Several of these rivers, streams and lakes are part of West Virginia’s DNR state trout stocking program, which occurs at several points throughout the year.

The area is frequented by both trout and fly fishers and there are several fishing guides available in the area that can help you navigate the local rivers and streams to locate the best fishing experience for your needs. New this year – the West Virginia DNR, in partnership with the West Virginia State GIS Technical Center, has created an interactive map on the web for trout anglers, allowing them to have the most up to date information on trout stockings in the area. Once on the Web site, you can search the state by specific stream or lake, by county, or by city. You can narrow down the search if you just want to find catch-and-release or fly-fishing-only areas. Once you locate the stream you will find information on stocking frequency, description of the stocked section of stream, and driving directions from major highways.

Check out the map here!

I couldn't have said it any better myself.....

2009-03-29T13:36:00.004-04:00

I wanted to share with everyone a great article I found while out surfing the web. I found this article on Associated Content. The article gives a great overview of the many outdoor activities that can be found in this part of West Virginia. What a great summary - while reading I quickly realized that I couldn't have said (or written...) it any better myself so I wanted to share with all.

Enjoy!

Things to do in Pocahontas County, WV by Jeffrey Moats

Astronomy in West Virginia!

2009-03-03T19:56:00.004-05:00

Astronomy in the mountains of West Virginia --- go figure!! As strange as it may seem the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) hosts one of it's many research centers right in the middle of Pocahontas County. Located in Green Bank, West Virginia this particular NRAO center is home to many ginourmous (is this a word yet?) telescopes including the Robert C. Byrd telescope which is the world's largest fully steerable single aperature antenna. This larger than life creature is certainly a sight to see as it stretches it's neck out across the vast West Virginia sky. As a neighbor of the Observatory we are located in what is commonly known in the area as the "quiet zone". This basically means that communications in the area such as cell phones are non-existent in order to reduce harmful interference at the facility. But have no fear - this area of West Virginia is not totally in communications stoneage - both of our cabins are equipped with phones, WiFi and satellite TV.

Along with serving as an important research facility in West Virginia, NRAO Green Bank hosts several events throughout the year for visitors including free guided tours of the facility. From November 1st through the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend the center is open Thursday - Monday from 10am - 5pm. From Memorial Day through Labor Day the center is open daily from 8:30am - 7pm and during the months of September and October the center is open Thursday - Monday from 8:30am - 7pm. Once a month there are also special events such as star parties where guests can check out the night sky, High-tech Thursdays featuring special tours of the facility normally off limits to visitors, and star-lab Fridays also featuring great views of the nighttime sky. These three special events do charge a nominal fee of $3 per person and do require reservations. There is also the Starlight Cafe on site for cafeteria-style meals. When planning your trip to Pocahontas County, West Virginia be sure to plan some time to visit NRAO Green Bank where you'll be sure to find that technology and nature can co-exist!

Mountain Valley Retreat - We're Pet Friendly!

2009-02-24T19:29:00.004-05:00

Let's face it, whether times are good or bad, vacations and vacationing still remain an important part of our lifestyle. We all look forward to some time away from the normal grind to relax and recharge, spend time with loved ones and take in new sights and destinations. Vacations are a much anticipated and natural ritual for many of us and we put lots of time into planning the perfect escape, whether it be just for a weekend or for a longer stretch of time. But even all the planning in the world doesn't always yield the best results, especially when it comes to our pets. Isn't it frustrating when you've planned everything for your getaway down to the last final detail and then you're faced with the reality that Fido will need to go to the kennel while you are away? That's a sure-fire way to put a damper on your vacation before you even hit the road!

As pet-owners ourselves we are all too familiar with this dilema - that's why we are pet-friendly at Mountain Valley Retreat. For an additional fee we're glad to welcome pets as our guests along with their human owners. For those pets who are wondering what there is to do at Mountain Valley Retreat we'd like to mention that we are situated atop a mountain on just under two acres providing you ample grounds for playing a great game of catch or frisbee with your owners or for just lazing around and catching some rays on a warm summer afternoon. Miles of paved, but less frequently traveled roads exist in our area great for long, leisurly morning walks with your family. In addition, many of the great attractions in Pocahontas County such as the Greenbrier River Trail welcome pets too and are great for family time that truely includes the WHOLE family!

Our latest four-legged visitors pictured here - Jacques, Humphrey and Precious Bean - recently accompanied their owners to our cabin rental for a week of relaxation while their owners enjoyed some great skiing conditions at Snowshoe Ski Resort. These lovely bassets enjoyed our cabin as much as their owners and at the conclusion of their stay they gave Mountain Valley Retreat a fantastic "four-paws up"!

Great Greenbrier River Race - April 25th, 2009

2009-02-15T08:41:00.005-05:00

The Great Greenbrier River Race will take place again this year on April 25, 2009. An annual event in the area, this family-friendly triathalon is a fantastic event featuring great prizes, live music and good food. Proceeds from the event will go to improving this great rail-to-trail conversion in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The triatahlon starts in downtown Marlinton, approximately 15 minutes away from Mountain Valley Retreat, and consists of a great 3-mile run, 4-mile flat water paddle and 10-mile rail trail bike ride. Teams of four are highly encouraged, however the race has now attracted many people who will also do it solo. Come and be a participant or simply be a spectator! A registration form can be found at the following link: http://www.greenbrierrivertrail.com/race.html An important note for this year's race - registration will only take place prior to the event - there will be no registration the day of the event so be sure to get those registration forms in early to ensure your spot! To check out a great YouTube video of the last year's event click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj2XAFW59ko

Ski For A Cure, Snowshoe WV

2009-02-07T20:10:00.007-05:00

On February 28, 2009 Snowshoe Ski Resort, in partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, will be sponsoring a "Ski for the Cure" day at the ski resort. Tickets for the event are $100 and proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen fund. Reduced rates on ski rentals will be available for those holding a "Ski for the Cure" lift ticket. Other events will take place at the resort that day including a pre-ski gathering, happy hour and a "Pink Party" in the Big Top. Tickets can be purchased the day of the event at any on-mountain sales location.

Pocahontas County Opera House

2009-02-06T20:04:00.006-05:00

When visiting Pocahontas County you'll want to be sure to check out the performance schedule at the Pocahontas County Opera House and hopefully you'll be lucky enough to find a performance scheduled one night during your stay. This lovely restored building hosts several cultural and community events each year that are sure to please and entertain everyone. Originally built in 1910 by J.G. Tilton, publisher of the Marlinton Messenger, the Opera House served as a venue for a number of cultural and community events. In these early days productions from as far away as New York were staged here, as well as performances by local entertainers and moving picture shows. By the late 1920s the building fell out of use as a performance space and community center. In 1991 the Pocahontas County’s Historic Landmarks Commission purchased the Opera House and, with support from the community, worked to transform it from an abandoned and forgotten old building into a beautiful performance space and center for community activities, reopening its doors and bringing performances to its stage once again in 1999.

As it stands today the Pocahontas County Opera House has once again become the Performing Arts Center for Pocahontas County, West Virigina. Various performances are scheduled throughout the year each highlighting local artists and music as well as cultural venues from around the world. In addition, several community events are hosted which are as fun and interesting as the scheduled performances. The Opera House is located 15 minutes from Mountain Valley Retreat making it a convenient entertainment option while staying at our cabin vacation rental. Most, if not all performances are casual and family friendly. For more information on the Opera House as well as a detailed performance schedule and ticket information, check out their website at http://www.pocahontasoperahouse.org/

Cool YouTube about Pocahontas County, WV

2009-02-04T21:31:00.004-05:00

Hi All - Not much time today to blog but I was out and about on the web tonight and I stumbled across a really cool YouTube video. It's about 7 1/2 minutes long and has alot of great footage of the gorgeous scenery in Pocahontas County, WV. It looks like this video was captured in the fall based on the miles and miles of beautiful foliage. Some great video shots in this clip include travels through Watoga State Park as well as West Virginia Scenic Highway Rt 150. If you've got the time and want to see some awesome scenery (even if it's not live and is only on YouTube...) check out this link - http://youtube.com/watch?v=p6zYbgQJl7o

Happy Groundhog Day!

2009-02-02T19:53:00.005-05:00

It's February 2nd and that can only mean one thing - today is Groundhog Day! I always find this day quite amusing - large gatherings of people out at Gobbler's Hill at the crack of dawn partying and freezing their butts off - all waiting for the reaction of this oversized rodent affectionately known as Punxsutawney Phil. This year February 2nd appeared to be no different as the masses of cold, drunken crazies converged on this little town in Pennsylvania all waiting to see if dear old Phil would - or would not - see his shadow. The verdict for 2009 (drumroll please....) --- well, in case you haven't heard by now, dear old Phil did indeed see his shadow thereby signaling 6 more weeks of winter. Personally, with all of those spotlights and attention focused on the poor guy I don't know how he could have avoided himself, but I guess that is irrelevant at this point in time......

Luckily, for those who love skiing, Phil's Prognostication of 6 more weeks of winter could only have come as pure joy! As I've mentioned in previous posts, skiing conditions in the West Virginia mountains have been absolutely incredible this 2008-2009 ski season. Snowshoe Ski Resort has already surpassed last year's snowfall with over 145 inches of snow to date and looking at the weather forecast for the week ahead it seems as if another great Snowfall is on it's way! All of this great snow is sure to keep the resort operating well through the end of March. Fortunately, Mountain Valley Retreat is located 30 minutes from Snowshoe Ski Resort and is a great lodging alternative for couples or families who want to enjoy Pocahontas County's winter wonderland without dealing with all the hustle and bustle at the center of the hectic ski resort. Just a quick drive to the resort puts you right at lifts and when you're done for the day our warm and inviting cabin rental is waiting for you with all of the amenities of home. With all of this in mind somehow 6 more weeks of winter doesn't seem all that bad now does it?

Greenbrier Grille Premiers in Marlinton!

2009-02-01T09:23:00.004-05:00

One of the great things about our cabin rentals at Mountain Valley Retreat is that each unit features a great kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, stove, microwave, coffeepot and many other features absolutely necessary for making many wonderful and delicious meals during your stay. Having a kitchen truely sets our rentals apart from other B&Bs or hotel rooms in the area and is a great convenience to have as part of your vacation stay. But, like any vacation, there are times when you just don't feel like cooking after a fun day out and about and want to enjoy a meal that someone else prepares for you!

A new local resturant has popped up on the scene and on first scan of it's menu it certainly looks like the place is sure to be a hit! The Greenbrier Grille recently opened under new management and is located at the intersection of Rt 39 and Rt 219 in downtown Marlinton. Lucky for us, this location is only 15 minutes from Mountain Valley Retreat! The Greenbrier Grille sits right next to the Greenbrier River and even has outdoor dining overlooking the river during the spring/summer/fall months. I've included a picture from the outdoor dining area - gotta love that view! They have three separate menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner and all menus have such a great variety at reasonable prices that they are sure to please all in your group. The breakfast menu looks fantastic enough to get you ready for a great day of hiking, biking or exploring Pocahontas County. The dinner menu has enough variety to please everyone after a great day out and about and I'm especially pleased to see pizza featured on the menu for dinner - that's definitely a crowd pleaser for my family! Needless to say enjoying breakfast, lunch or dinner with this view below is not something that you can't get everyday in downtown suburbia!!

We're now on Facebook!

2009-01-30T19:03:00.003-05:00

Social Networking is definitely the next wave of the internet! I've recently created a Facebook account for my personal use and have found it to be a great resource for connecting with both current friends and friends from the past. In going all-out with the new "Web 2.0" trend I've decided to create a Facebook page for Mountain Valley Retreat. Though it's still in development - mainly because I haven't yet learned all the features that are associated with Facebook - we'll be using this page as a great way to update guests on enhancements made to the property, rental specials that we may be offering as well as updates to an events calendar detailing upcoming activities in and about Pocahontas County, West Virginia. You can find us by logging into Facbook and doing a search on "Mountain Valley Retreat" and adding us as a Fan!

I told you skiing conditions were awesome!

2009-01-27T20:24:00.008-05:00

Today Snowshoe's website states that their total snowfall so far for this season has surpassed last year's snowfall - pretty good stats so far! Here are some shots from the slopes - these were taken MLK weekend and made me so jealous that I wasn't there to enjoy! If a picture is worth a thousand words then I think these photos read like a novel!! Enjoy!!!

Cold Temps, Old-timers and Great Skiing Conditions!

2009-01-19T14:56:00.008-05:00

I must admit there is something to be said about old-timers and their connection with nature, especially when it comes to predicting the weather. Back in September and October when fall arrived in Pocahontas County, Mother Nature evidently provided several signals indicating that this would be a colder than normal winter season. Perhaps it was a crisper than usual feeling in the air, or perhaps it was the larger than normal caterpillers or bigger and more abundant acrons - whatever it truely was this "urbanite" will never know. I do know that back in the fall old-timers in the area began to see these signals of nature and started to proclaim that we were in for a cold one this winter season.

Now that we are moving through the season it's clear that their predictions are ringing true. An earlier than normal snowfall in October was all that it took to convince me these proclamations may have some substance to them. Almost a foot of snow blanketed Mountain Valley Retreat at the end of October as a result of this snowfall. Guests who were staying with us at the time told us it was an absolutely beautiful sight to see snow in October. Though this first snowfall quickly melted, it was soon replaced with a series of two or three significant snowfalls in November that resulted in Snowshoe Ski Resort opening a week before Thanksgiving. Temps have been rather cool this year allowing the ski resort to maintain an absolutely awesome base. In addition, natural snow is falling almost everyday making for some beautiful sights throughout the county. There is even a nice amount of snow blanketing our property this year. Though I haven't had the time to get out there yet this winter, I'm hoping that I can carve out a few days to visit sometime in February. There will be nothing more awesome than sitting by the fire and enjoying the snow!

Cross country skiing in our backyard!

2009-01-15T19:40:00.005-05:00

One famous landmark in Pocahontas County is the Highland Scenic Highway. Also known throughout the area simply as Rt 150 - the Highland Scenic Highway, a National Forest Scenic Byway, is the highest major roadway in West Virginia and extends 43 miles from Richwood to U.S. Route 219, seven miles north of Marlinton. The Highway follows State Route 39/55 for 21 miles from Richwood to the Cranberry Mountain Visitor Center. It then turns onto State Route 150 for the 22 mile Parkway section and rises from an elevation of 2,300 feet to over 4,500 feet. The Route 150 section of the Highland Scenic highway is less than a mile North of our cabin as the crow flies. In fact, there is a section of Route 150 where you can actually stop and look down into the valley below and see the roof of our cabin in the distance. Needless to say - traveling this section of Highway is one of the most breathtaking journeys in the spring or especially in the fall when the area foliage reaches it's peak.

One thing that many may not know is that the Highland Scenic Highway is never plowed during the winter months. This lack of "pavement grooming" by Pocahontas County makes this area an awesome winter paradise for cross country skiers. Even though cross country skiing and snowshoeing are even more dependent on natural snowfall than downhill skiing at the resort, great snowfall amounts this year are making for a most enjoyable cross country skiing experience. Please let us know if you are interested in pursuing cross country skiing during your stay at Mountain Valley Retreat and we'll be glad to provide directions to the entrance of Route 150 as well as guidance on equipment rentals,etc.

Great Skiing at Snowshoe Ski Resort

2009-01-14T19:57:00.005-05:00

Pocahontas County, West Virginia is well known for the wide range of outdoor activities available to outdoor enthusiasts of all types. While most of those activities focus on the warmer months, skiing becomes the primary activity during the winter months. Snowshoe Ski Resort is in the center of Pocahontas County and provides ample terrain for skiers of all expertise levels. This year Mother Nature has blessed Snowshoe Ski Resort with incredible conditions making this a fabulous year for skiing! Snow came early to the area with two major snowstorms dropping over three feet of snow just days before Thanksgiving. Though there have been a few warm snaps along the way, generally colder than usual temperatures in the area have allowed the ski resort to maintain the incredible base they received early in the season. To date Snowshoe Ski Resort has gotten over 110 inches of natural snow and has been able to maintain snowmaking conditions virtually everyday so far of the 2008 - 2009 ski season.

Mountain Valley Retreat is located just 30 minutes south of Snowshoe Ski Resort. While most guests choose our vacation cabin as a relaxing winter getaway, our proximity to Snowshoe makes us a great option for a day of skiing as part of your stay. If you choose to ski Snowshoe during your stay we suggest parking at the "Top of the Mountain" parking lot since the parking there is free. Lift tickets can also be purchased in this area. Beginning skiiers may want to consider Sliver Creek instead of Snowshoe since the trails are wider and tend to be less crowded. There is a free shuttle service that will take you back and forth between the two mountains and lift tickets are applicable for both areas. If you are in need of rental equipment we recommend stopping at the Ski Barn located at the base of the mountain. They have reasonable rental rates and offer discounts for rentals that are reserved online. Don't forget that we offer WiFi at our cabin so book your rentals while at our cabin and they'll be ready and waiting for you!

Back in the Blog Again!

2009-01-12T13:58:00.003-05:00

After many months of working with various blogging tools I've decided to revert back to using blogger.com for our vacation rental property blog. As the New Year brings with it many resolutions, one of my resolutions for 2009 is to update all the various web pages, rental portals, etc. associated with our rental property - Mountain Valley Retreat. In sticking with that resolution I've just completed a complete sprucing up of our main website. Check it out here at: http://www.mtnvalleyretreat.com/ and let me know what you think! We'll use this website as our main information page providing details on our rental property, local area information, rental rates and availability. In addition, we'll use this associated blog (which is actually linked off of the main website) to provide a rotating list of area attractions for 2009 as well as any updates we make to the property itself. I've also cleaned up our various portal websites such as VRBO.com - we're located here at http://www.vrbo.com/204158.

All in all, I'm not quite finished yet with the complete makeover, but close enough to be happy and ready to go! Please check back frequently thoughout the year as I am looking forward to sharing with everyone all of the great things to be found at our West Virginia Cabin Rental!

Marlinton Road Kill Festival September 27th!

2008-09-18T19:43:00.005-04:00

The end of September is here already and that means it's time for the infamous Marlinton Road Kill Festival. Every year on a Saturday at the end of September the town of Marlinton closes down main street and in addition to hosting an annual harvest festival the town also hosts it's famous Road Kill Festival. I've got to tell you that the first time we heard about this festival we weren't really sure we were hearing things correctly - the details sounded too crazy to be true. The Road Kill Festival is actually a cooking contest where contestants enter recipies cooked with meats that would commonly be found as roadkill. There've been all kinds of creative entries such as "The Buck Stopped Here Pepper Steak" and "Turtle A1-A Road Soup". For a few hours during the day you can actually walk around and sample the Road Kill fare. My husband loves this festival and samples everything - I'm not as bold. I actually found a video on the internet that captures highlights from one festival a few years ago - check it out here:

http://www.lonelyplanet.tv/Clip.aspx?key=8704109A22D9FE25

This year's festival will be held on September 27th and is sure to be a hit!

Main House listed in time for ski season!

2008-09-17T19:37:00.005-04:00

Renovations for the main house are 90% complete with just a few more things to do before we deem it officially done (though I am never quite sure if working on a house is ever done...). Since we'll be finishing up those odds and ends in a couple weeks I've decided to jumpstart with advertising and list the main house as a rental on VRBO. The current plan is to rent the guest house through November and then rent out only the main house during ski season. Check out our listing at http://www.vrbo.com/204158

We're getting close!

2008-09-02T20:31:00.009-04:00

Back to blogging - I've been missing in action for a few weeks dealing with family issues but that is past now and and it's time to get back into the swing of things again. Part of getting back to normal means completing the projects on our house in WV. We were fortunate enough to spend Labor Day weekend at the house getting things together and taking inventory of tasks that are still left to complete. Happily the "to-do" list is getting shorter with only a few things left. Main things left to complete include finishing the spiral staircase and putting down the hardwood floors on the upper level. Pretty much except for a bit of trimwork the lower level is complete. I took some pictures of the first floor of the main house that I wanted to share - we actually put a contract down on our house Labor Day Weekend three years ago and it's quite amazing the transformation that has taken place over that time.

The first two pictures are of our family room. Main things that we have done with that room have been to replace the carpet with hardwood floors and to fix the hearth that holds the stove.

The next picture is of our kitchen - we've done alot in that room including painting the walls a warm yellow and the kitchen cabinets white. We also replaced the kitchen floor, countertops, kitchen stove and sink. In addition we added new kitchen cabinets below the countertops for additional storage space.

Probably the biggest transformation of all has been the bathroom. My husband totally gutted the previous bathroom all the way down to the floor and rebuilt it into what it is today. Our new bathroom now has beautiful tiled floors that are heated and are most enjoyable on cold winter mornings. The old bathtub has been replaced with a wonderful tiled shower and for the first time we now have a linen closet in the bathroom. I didn't know how to act this weekend when it came time to fill the closet with towels and bed linens that were stacking up in various closets throughout the house. The picture below doesn't do the room justice so I will have to take more pictures of the bathroom the next time we go out to the house for a visit.

The last two pictures are of the bedrooms. There are two bedrooms on the first floor - one bedroom has a queen bed and the other a double bed. The main things we've done in those rooms have included replacing the carpet with updated berber and replacing the light fixtures.

Having fun here in WV

2008-07-12T16:07:00.002-04:00

Today starts day two of our week here in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. It's great to finally be relaxing and away from home. Yesterday we ventured up to Snowshoe Mountain for the day to spend time at the Fire on the Mountain Chilli Cookoff - what an awesome time! First off the weather yesterday was simply incredible - high 70s, low humidity and it was so clear up at the top of the mountain you could see everywhere for miles and miles. There were lots of contestants participating in the cookoff this year and we got to sample most of their creations. some of the chilli samples weren't for the faint of heart. Our friends from First Tracts Realty had a chilli entry that was so hot you needed to sign a liability waiver before tasting - hilarious!!! We also spent time listening to the great live music at Snowshoe villiage center and shopping for West Virginia crafts at some of the vendor booths. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law took the older kids on a ski-lift ride down to the bottom of the mountain where they all went paddleboating for the afternoon.

Later last night after dinner we got a fire going in the firepit and sat around the fire telling ghost stories. The kids thought that they would try to scare us but we managed to turn that around! One of our neighbors from down the street came down to join us and proceeded to tell the kids all about the local legends of ghosts that frequent our area. Needless to say the kids were shaking in their boots - all good fun though and this morning it's all a distant memory. Today we are hoping to make it down to Droop Mountain State Park and Beartown State Park but we are waiting out a passing shower. Actually, just looking out the window now it seems to have passed so it looks like we've got the afternoon planned out afterall.

Vacation in 10 days!!!

2008-06-30T19:12:00.007-04:00

The countdown has officially begun - I can count down the days till vacation on both hands so therefore it is officially becoming real! In 10 days there will be no more work to deal with and we'll leave all the craziness of the real world behind us and head out to our vacation home in WV. My sister-in-law and her family will be joining us for the first half of the vacation so they'll be staying in the guest house and we will occupy the main home. It will be nice to go out there for some much needed down time. I've already instructed my husband that this is not a trip to do work on the main house - this is a trip designed to relax.

As I mentioned in an earlier post I've been planning out things for us to do and this time around it's been quite easy to accomplish. Maybe it's due to the time of year that we are going out or perhaps it's because we are getting familiar with the Marlinton area - nevertheless - we've got tons of stuff to do. We'll all be rolling in on Friday, July 11th so on Saturday, July 12th we'll spend the day at Snowshoe Mountain at the Fire on the Mountain Chili Cookoff. My nephew is also crazy about anything having to do with the Civil War so I'm hoping to get him down to Droop Mountain National Park. I am sure that he will get a kick out of climbing up inside this lookout tower! While down that way I'd also like to visit Beartown National Park - this is one of the coolest parks I have ever been to. Of course, as I mentioned in an earlier post we'll be hitting the Blueberry bushes at White Oak Farm and I'd also like to spend another day up at Snowshoe Mountain playing at the Split Rocks Pool and riding the ski lift down to the bottom of the mountain to check out all of the activities at the lake. Somehow in all of that we'll probably spend some lazy time at the house just hanging out - it's nice for the kids to have a big yard to play in and not have to worry about them getting hurt!

Renick, WV Blueberries are in season!

2008-06-24T19:32:00.006-04:00

Our family will be making it's annual summer trek out to WV for a week of relaxation at our vacation place. For one week in July we'll be selfish to any potential renters and use the entire "compound" solely for our family and any other friends who care to join us. Being the Type-A exteremist that I am I feel it's my utmost duty to ensure proper planning is done beforehand to maximize every second we are on vacation. This intensive planning goes against the very nature of this type of vacation but nonetheless I have been proceeding full steam ahead and will continue to do so until there is a complete itinerary full of things to do. My husband particularly finds this planning rather amusing since by day two or three all plans tend to fly out the window and we proceed to his prefered "let's just wing it" method of vacationing. Planning for this year's trip has been especially complex since this will be the first family vacation since the arrival of our littlest one. The true leader of the family has just turned 14 months old so balancing the needs of a 10 year old with "the boss" in general is proving to be quite challenging lately. Throw in the potential of the 21 year-old tagging along and this whole adverture could be quite interesting.....

Two years ago we happened upon a great place in Renick, WV for picking Blueberries. The place is called White Oak Farm and is located about 45 minutes south of our cabin. I'll never forget the last time we were there - we were having so much fun going up and down the rows of berries that we totally lost track of how many we had actually gathered and ended up with pounds and pounds of them at checkout. After recovering from the embarassment of looking like total tourists on the way home we wondered what we were going to do with all these berries. When we got back home and started eating them we quickly realized how delicious they were and shortly thereafter figured we'd have no problems getting rid of them :)..... These things were amazing!!! Ever since that experience I've never found a Blueberry that compares to the ones from White Oak Farm and believe me I've tried. Checking on the web this week I found that their Blueberry crop is shaping up to be excellent this year and will be available during the time that we are in WV. Information on the crop can be found at the following website: http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M13870 This day trip to Renick is definitely on our list of things to do this year - I can't wait to go back next month to get some more WV candy! Not to mention the fact that this is something that both the 14 month and 10-year old can do together - phew..... Now on to planning day #2................

Fixing up the Main House

2008-06-21T15:14:00.010-04:00

This week my husband will begin renovations on the upstairs portion of our main house. Once the upstairs is complete I think that it will be quite fair to say that we (well mainly he....) have updated practically every square inch of our main house. Renovations on the main house have been an ongoing effort for nearly three years and I think (or I should say I hope) that we are getting close to completion. Technically the house is categorized as a 1 1/2 story with the upstairs portion set up like a loft with enough space to sleep four. The stairs leading up to the loft are a nightmare - they are categorized as half-steps meaning that they look more like a ladder leading up to the loft rather than a set of true stairs. I have always hated this setup with the house - if you aren't careful you mistake the stairs for normal size and this quickly gets you in trouble. It's pretty safe to say that each one of us, including the dog, have taken a tumble on that contraption. The current stairs are probably the only bad thing about the house and I am glad to say that ripping the steps out and replacing them with a modern style spiral staircase is part of the upstairs renovation. In addition to replacing the stairs he'll also be ripping out the vintage 1985 carpet and replacing it with hardwood flooring. We'll also be replacing the shabby king-sized bed in the one room with a brand new model and we'll also be adding a set of two twin beds in the other room. In another post I'll include both before and after shots - stay tuned!!!!!

Our Guest House

2008-06-17T18:13:00.022-04:00

One of the things that attracted us the most when we purchased our getaway home in Pocahontas County was the cute and cozy guest house that came along with the deal. What an awesome thing to have as part of our property - friends and family could come and stay with us and have their own place to hang out or relax for the night. Over the three years we've had the property we've used it numerous times to host both friends and family. All those who have stayed in it have loved the privacy and modern flare that it offers. Our guest house was finished a few years before we bought the property so it's interior is up to date but yet rustic enough that it fits in with our wilderness surrounding.

Our guest house is a home away from home with every amenity needed to make your stay pleasurable. The guest house has one private bedroom that houses a queen sized bed and looks out over our front yard. The house also has a full sized bathroom and kitchen with stove, sink, fridge and microwave. The kitchen is stocked with pots, pans, cooking utensils, dishes, etc. Our sitting room has a futon that can sleep an additional two guests and overlooks the backyard with an awesome view of the Monongahela National Forest. By opening the sitting room door and stepping out onto the deck you can listen real close and hear the water running through the small stream in our backyard. For folks like us who live in one of the many wall to wall housing developments that make up the Washington DC/Baltimore suburbs this experience is truly tranquilizing!

Welcome Home!

2008-06-15T09:03:00.006-04:00

Hello and welcome to my blog! I hope to use this blog as a way to share with everyone all of the great things our West Virginia vacation home has to offer. Nestled in the heart of Pocahontas County, West Virginia our private getaway is a great retreat for escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We purchased our home almost three years ago in 2005 after falling in love with the area on a visit to Snowshoe ski resort. Our place is a truly incredible find nestled on two acres atop Woodrow Mountain. We're located about 15 minutes outside of Marlinton, West Virginia and about 25 miles south of Snowshoe Ski Resort. On our property there is a main home as well as a smaller guest house off to the left located above the garage. Currently we rent the smaller guest house out to vacationers and are renovating the main home with plans to start renting that home also to vacationers starting in September 2008. Current rental information for the guest house can be found at www.vrbo.com/204158

Please check back often as we will be posting updates of our renovations as well as details on all of the great adventures we have as a family as we explore more and more of all the great and wonderful things West Virginia has to offer!