NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK, WEST VIRGINIA

Jett’s Wild Flight:

By: Jett Lillie, 7/19/22

Hello Everyone! We rafted down the New River! It was fun on the raft, but not the bus. The driver had to make a 13 point turn! Now, let’s get to the rafting. First, we got on our own raft with our own guide. We went through some rapids, then stopped to eat lunch on the beach. After that, I jumped of a 15 ft. rock called “Jump Rock.” Then, we went on some big rapids and swam a little. Then we went home and took showers to clean up.

Jules’ Journal:

By: Julianne Lillie, 7/19/22

We were actually able to spend 2 full days exploring this National Park which was really nice. The first day we had an adventurous day rafting the white water of New River! We got to check-in early so we could prep ourselves with water shoes & sunscreen. We got fit for life jackets and helmets and then hopped on the bus. Thirty very BUMPY minutes later we made it to the middle New River at our “put in” site. The 4 Js ended up having a raft all to ourselves with our rafting expert guide which was awesome! We spent 4 hours on the river tackling level 2 and 3 rapids. There was one time we even went airborne on the raft, but luckily no one went overboard! We all got DRENCHED though! There was one beach we pulled over to have lunch. The company provided a really great sandwich and fruit spread for us make sandwiches and re-fuel ourselves. Picky Jaycie even found food she liked so that was a relief! We did get a few breaks from paddling to jump in to cool off and swim. At one of the swim spots there was a 15-foot rocky cliff called “Jump Rock.” Jason and Jett both jumped off numerous times and even did flips off! Very brave considering there was a stretcher behind jump rock for those who land head first. Our guide said she’s had to use it more times than she has fingers… pretty scary! After hearing that story, I put an end to their flipping! The rapids were super fun and wish I could’ve taken pictures to document the whole day, however thought it was safer to leave my phone in the truck! They did have a photographer, though, so I purchased the below photo of us in a calm spot on one of the smaller rapids.

Once we got all the rafts out and loaded onto the trailer, we hopped back in the bus. I’m pretty sure the bus was the most dangerous part of our trip! Our bus driver drove the bus like he was driving a corvette and we went airborne WAY more in our bus seats than on our raft! At one point, our driver had to turn around…and he obviously was having a hard time with the trailer as it was jack knifing several times. It took him a 13-point turnabout to get us headed in the right direction. Jason was almost at the point of taking over the wheel to teach him how to back a trailer. We headed straight back to the RV for showers before heading out to a great restaurant we found, Pies & Pints.

Their pizza was really good – even Jaycie approved!

Our second day was dreary and rainy, so unfortunately the hiking we had planned ended up being more driving to look out points and waterfalls. We first headed towards the Sandstone Visitor’s Center where the kids earned their Jr Ranger badge and earned an extra badge – the “Angler” badge.

Kids stamped their NP passports and we watched the Park video which is always educational and fun! One exciting thing to note was that a Copperhead snake had been spotted in their garden outside the visitor’s center 2 days prior. Jett and I (being the snake enthusiasts that we are) were determined to find him. After some time searching in the dead leaves and under rocks (being very careful of course!) we sadly had no luck spotting him. After leaving the Visitor’s Center, our first stop was Sandstone Falls and then the Grandview overlook where New River winds around in a horseshoe bend formation. Spectacular views from there!

Sandstone Falls:

Grandview Overlook:

We got a bit hungry and had learned there was a very unique Dairy Queen that overlooked the New River with beautiful views, so we decided to check that out. It was raining on us when we got there, but the views from inside the DQ’s dining room were still really pretty!

Our last stop was Cathedral Falls which is the tallest waterfall in West Virginia. It was beautiful!!! We all had fun bouldering down the creek to the base of the falls.

Unfortunately, the kids spotted a dead young deer who appeared to have fallen from the ridge above… probably during the storm the previous night. It was a super sad sight. But the excitement of the waterfall and bouldering around it still left us in a good mood. Overall, New River Gorge NP provided amazing views and an exciting memory of whitewater rafting! Wish day two’s weather was a bit nicer so we could’ve gotten in some hikes, but that will have to wait until next time! Now it’s on to Ohio!

Jaycie’s Bunny Hoppin’ News:

By: Jaycie Lillie, 7/19/22

We started out to the place. The place was very hippie-ish. We got on our life vests and the lady was telling us how to do it. The Life jackets wouldn’t let you breathe, so Daddy unbuckled his. But the lady said “Sir, you are unbuckled.” [It was only one buckle] So we got helmets, too. We soon found out we actually needed them for the bus ride only. We were bouncing around in a bust about to fall apart on the windy back roads of West Virginia! It was a 30! MINUTE DRIVE!

Anway, we made it. [alive] Then we had rafting. I was falling apart. I couldn’t paddle hard enough. My thumb was hurting and my back was breaking! [Agh!] [That means I didn’t like it.] Four hours of that! So then we went back on the bus and did a 13! POINT TURN! It was painful. 30 more minutes of that bouncy bus. So, yup. I learned 4 hours of rafting is actually 4 hours of work out and exhaustion. You’re welcome for the warning.