Short and Sweet...

We decided to keep our spring break short this year.  The kids didn't have as many days off, we had busy schedules, and we were watching our budget.  Still, we all needed a couple days break from our routine.  We've had good luck and some great experiences with the West Virginia State Parks so we decided to try another.  Maria chose Cacapon and booked a primitive cabin for two nights.

A couple nights before we were to leave, I sat down and did a few searches on the internet to see what kind of attractions were nearby.  Being somewhat familiar with the area I knew there were a few interesting things we could check out, like the town of Berkeley Springs, with it's mineral springs, restaurants and shops.  There are a number of attractions centered around the C&O Canal and a few historic places.  Then of course there's the State Park as well.

Within an hour or two I had accumulated more things than we'd be able to fit into the time available.  With plenty of options, we always manage to pull something together that fits our mood and the time we have after getting organized in the morning.  I plotted all the options onto the GPS, packed the walkie-talkies, camera, power chargers, and the rest of our usual stuff.  In the morning we packed the Commander and after a lazy morning, set off for the park.

We arrived around 4:30pm, just after the designated 4:00 PM check-in time.  We were assigned Cabin 3 "up on the mountain".  This sounded promising.  Pretty soon we were parked in from of the cabin at the end of a loop road servicing a series of similar cabins.  Outside was a well-stocked wood pile.  It was shaping up to be another good time.

We unloaded the Commander and lugged our stuff inside.  There we found a fully outfitted and spotlessly clean cabin. 

The kids quickly claimed the bunk-bed room and we the small room with the small full-sized bed. 

We brought in enough wood for the night and the morning.  Then we punched up the nearest Wal-Mart on the GPS (Martinsburg) and headed out to get food and stuff for the time we would be there.  It was a nice time of day and a beautiful ride cross-country to the store.  There we picked up breakfast and cook-out food, along with charcoal and lighter fluid (the preferred fire-starting tool). We also got some things that could double for snacks or light lunches.  This stretched the budget and kept us out of restaurants for two meals per day.  We got five meals, all the snacks and drinks, not to mention the supplies and a few cooking tools like a lighter and aluminum foil, for the cost of two modest restaurant meals and tip.  The added convenience of having our breakfast without going out, and to be able to pack our drinks and snacks before heading out really adds to the value of this approach.

By the time we got done shopping and returning from the store, we were ready to call it a day.  After lighting a fire in the hearth, we cooked up some hamburgers and hot dogs on the outdoor grill.  Maria made some terrific foil-baked potatoes with butter and sweet onions.  That capped the evening.  The kids wanted to play "Dark Tower" (an electronic board game) but Maria and I were so tired we gave them a rain check for the next night and more or less crawled off to bed.

Monday

We got up and got the fire going again, while Maria made a nice breakfast for everybody.  Here's a look at the modest but my no means "primitive" kitchen.

Everything needed to prepare any kind of meal and serve six or eight people is here.  There's also a toaster and coffee machine, along with a very complete set of basic kitchen utensils. 

After breakfast we sat and enjoyed the fire for a few minutes.

Here are some snapshots (no Home Beautiful) of the cabin.

Once we got fed and charged, we packed snacks, drinks, gear and stuff into our knapsacks and hit the road.  On the way out of the park I stopped to make a few images of the beach, deserted but for a pair of fishermen.

 

 

Behind me on the other side of the road was a rocky outcropping.  Because of the overcast, and the way the rocks had accumulated lichens and moss, they almost glowed.

The plan was to drive out to Paw Paw and take a walk through the C&O Canal tunnel that passes 3100 feet through a hill bypassing a snaky part of the river.  Along Route 9 was this overlook that provides a three-state view (and a Geocache if you are into that sort of thing!)

Pretty soon we reached the parking area near Paw Paw, where the C&O Canal passes through. 

We grabbed the packs and stuff and hit the trail.  Pretty soon we made it to the old tow path and a closer look at this structure, perhaps some sort of customs house.

I made a few images while the rest of the crew kept moving along the path.

Tom could not resist trying out the water pump.  On this day it was dry.

We reached the tunnel in a few minutes time.

Later I would learn that Maria was not thrilled at the prospect of going through the tunnel.  But as we soon saw, it was well maintained, clean, and the boardwalk gave the feeling it was safe and secure.

Before we went into the tunnel we climbed up on the tunnel entrance to count the steps for the geocache there.

We climbed all over the entrance.

When we had the info we needed for the Geocache, we went into the tunnel.

It's a good walk (1300 feet) so we took our time.  After a while it's nice to have the flashlights we brought along because it gets really dark inside.

We emerged from the other end into a small gorge that was cut for the tunnel entrance.

After a break, we hiked back through the tunnel, to the Jeep, and headed back towards Cacapon.  We stopped in Paw Paw for gas and to give a lady directions.

Headed back into town we came to the Berkeley Springs Castle.

Our next stop was the Berkeley Springs Resort State Park mineral springs.  There we saw "George Washington's" bath tub..

The corrupted remains of the original mineral baths...

We stopped and got a bath - it was an interesting experience!

Next I drove up to the top of Cacapon Mountain to try and find a Geocache hidden there.  We didn't find the cache but did take in a great though very cold view.

We returned to the State Park and spent a few minutes walking near the pond and through the playground and beach.  It's a beautiful place that is probably quite popular in season!

When the bpys were small we used to go to Black Hill Park in Maryland.  There, they loved to ride the little horses mounted on springs at the playground.  It seems they have not outgrown their love for these...  I could not resist taking a picture...  At the time of the picture, Ted was under the age limit...just...

 

And what kid (or grown-up) can resist the spin-til-you-puke?

Finally it was time to leave.

Like our trips to Holly River and Babcock, we really liked this place.  It's another example of the great recreational opportunities available at reasonable cost in the state of West Virginia.

The Gear

It bears mention that we used a fair amount of gear to support these trips.  I'd say we stood out from most of the people we saw at the various attractions by virtue of the fact that we were outfitted more for a day hike that a typical tourist walking through an attraction.  I saw perhaps one or two people in the hundreds we encountered that appeared to be prepared for the day.  The vast majority of people were wearing summer clothes and had perhaps a camera and a water bottle.

At times I was a little self-conscious; at other times very self-assured; all the while comfortable that we would not get lost, had the ability to communicate over long distances with all members of the family; had food and water for the day; first aid, and had a place to put everything we might buy while keeping both hands free.  And I had a camera to record our adventures.

Each of us carries a GMRS radio and mapping GPS.  The boys and I wore day packs that contain water, food, GPS, radio and "stuff" we buy along the way.  I carry the gear associated with the camera, as well as the camera.  For parts of this trip we used hiking poles.  Sunglasses, hats, snacks, etc.  Footwear is very important and can make the difference between a great trip and a long walk in pain.  Take care of your feet!