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Heart of Glass - Blenko Glass

Blenko Glass is a West Virginia treasure that spans generations. Nothing symbolizes the state of West Virginia better or more beautifully than Blenko Glass. We will discuss current and former craftsmen and designers and how important it is that Blenko and West Virginia glass be appreciated and valued by the younger generation.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

White Water Rafting and Fall Foilage Trips

Heart of Glass friend Jeff ask us to remind everyone this is the LAST WEEKEND FOR RAFTING. If you don't like the water - do a fall foilage drive. The WV hills are in full color this week and next.
Jeff sent the info below:

Outdoor Recreation in Charleston and Beyond
Your Doorway to Fun and Excitement!Charleston has a variety of public golf courses, swimming facilities, fishing, and distance runs. Add even more excitement to your trip! We're the Doorway to West Virginia because in Charleston, you're at the threshold for an abundance of outdoor recreation. Snow skiing, whitewater rafting and kayaking and other fun outdoor activities are located just a short drive from Charleston. GolfingAll courses listed, unless otherwise noted, are open to the public.
BIG BEND GOLF CLUBRiverview Dr.Tornado18 holes, par 71, 6,044 yards;304/722-0400.
CATO GOLF COURSE100 Baker Lane, Charleston9 holes, 3 par 4s, others are par 3s304/348-6859.
COONSKIN GOLF COURSE2000 Coonskin DriveCharleston18 holes, par 55, 2,240 yards;304/341-8013.
SANDY BRAE19 Osborne Mills Rd.Clendenin(Amma Exit, I-79)18 holes, par 69, 5,876 yards;304/965-6800.
SCARLET OAKS COUNTRY CLUB (semi-private)#1 Dairy Rd., Poca18 holes, par 72, 6,021 yards;304/755-8079.
SHAWNEE GOLF COURSEShawnee Regional Park Route 25Institute9 holes, par 72, 5,956 yards;304/341-8030 or 304/341-8027
For information on golf courses outside the Charleston area, check out the West Virginia Division of Tourism's Web site at: www.callwva.com. Camping
FOXFIRE RESORT - located approximately 35 minutes from Charleston at exit 28 on I-64W. Rt. 2, Box 655, Milton, WV 25541. (304) 743-5622.
KANAWHA STATE FOREST - campground is open from mid-April to early November (weather permitting). I-64, Exit 58A, then US 119. South to Oakwood Rd., and follow signs. 304/558-3500.
RIPPLING WATERS CHURCH OF GOD CAMP - located about 40 minutes from Charleson on I-77N. Non-smoking, non-drinking campground for RV's, campers, pop-ups and more. No tents. HC 62, Box 77, Romance, WV 25248. 304/988-2607.
Horseback Riding
NEW RIVER RIDING STABLE, INC. - Scenic hourly and overnight guided horseback rides. Wagon rides also available. For a color brochure detailing the types of trips available, write to P.O. Box 67, Oak Hill, WV 25901. Phone 304/465-4819 or 1-888-743-3982.
Racing
TRI-STATE RACETRACK AND GAMING CENTER - Exits 47 and 47A off I-64, Cross Lanes. 304/776-1000 or 1-800-224-9683.
Swimming
CATO PARK - 200 Baker Ln., Charleston. 304/348-6860.
COONSKIN PARK - 2000 Coonskin Dr., Charleston. 304/341-8000.
KANAWHA STATE FOREST - I-64, Exit 58A, then US 119. South to Oakwood Rd., and follow signs. 304/558-3500.
NITRO CITY PARK - Park Ave., Nitro. 304/755-0705.
PIONEER PARK - East Bank. 304/949-3500.
DUNBAR CITY POOL
SHAWNEE PARK - Institute. 304/341-8030.
Snow Skiing
In wintertime, the beautiful West Virginia mountains become the best in the southeast for skiers. Within a four hour commute are CANAAN VALLEY, SILVER CREEK, and SNOWSHOE ski resorts.
Only 58 miles from Charleston is WINTERPLACE - Exit 28 off I-77, Flat Top. 304/787-3221 or 1-900-607-SNOW.
Tennis
Cato Park Tennis Courts, Kanawha City Tennis Courts, Boiarsky Tennis Courts at Coonskin Park, Shawnee Park Tennis Courts, Charleston YMCA and Martin Luther King, Jr. and North Charleston Community Centers.
Walking & Biking Trails in Charleston
KANAWHA STATE FOREST - hiking trails with over 25 miles of trails provide a challenge for even the serious hiker. Included is "The Spotted Salamander" trail, a paved level walkway with Braille interpretive nature stations designed for both visually impaired and physically challenged guests. Mountain bikes are allowed on certain trails, and during the winter months, these trails are suitable for cross-country skiing.
COONSKIN PARK - located 10 miles from downtown Charleston this park offers over 1,000 acres of woodland trails for hiking and biking. It also is a favorite retreat for residents.
CARRIAGE TRAIL - located by the Old Sunrise Museum. This woodland trail is over a mile in length with the final destination ending at an overview of Charleston. This trail can be used for either hiking or biking.
KANAWHA BOULEVARD - you can enjoy biking or walking along the Kanawha River. There are two levels for your enjoyment. The lower level is just above the River Banks, and the upper level runs along side Kanawha Boulevard. Both trails will let you take in the beautiful scenery that Charleston has to offer. Some of which include our State Capitol, which is formatted after our nation's Capitol in Washington, D.C. You can also view some of our historical homes located along the Kanawha River.
Many other walking and biking trails are available throughout West Virginia in the many state parks. To find out more, check out www.wvstateparks.com.
Whitewater Rafting
The Gauley and New rivers, both within easy driving distance of Charleston, attract whitewater enthusiasts from throughout the world. Some of the best whitewater in the U.S. attracts over 100,000 adventurous rafters and kayakers each year.
A-1 EXTREME EXPEDITIONS - Whitewater rafting, camping and other outdoor adventures available. For more information, write to P.O. Box 9, Lansing, WV 25862. Phone 1-888-GO-EXTREME (888-463-9873).
ACE ADVENTURE CENTER - Take an exciting rafting trip or enjoy one of the many other activities that are offered, such as mountain biking, kayak instruction, caving, rappelling, or climbing. Chalets are available. For information, write to P.O. Box 1168, Oak Hill, WV 25901. Phone 304/469-2651 or 1-888-223-7238.
APPALACHIAN WILDWATERS - Whitewater rafting, mountain biking, climbing, horseback riding. Day trips and overnight trips. P.O. Box 100, Rowlesburg, WV 26425. 1-800-624-8060.
CLASS VI RIVER RUNNERS, INC. - America's best rafting on the New and Gauley rivers in West Virginia. High quality outfitting at a reasonable price for ages six to 86, 1/2 day to seven day trips available. Scenic float trips to Class V + whitewater. Experience one of North America's most scenic and culturally fascinating regions. Free brochure and information. Class VI River Runners, Inc., Box 78, Lansing, WV 25862. Phone 304/574-0704 or 1-800-CLASS VI (252-7784) or fax 304/574-4906. Groups of two to 600 can be accommodated. Call today!
DRIFT-A-BIT WHITEWATER RAFTING - Affordable whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley rivers - from family adventure to adrenaline-packed excitement. For information, write to P.O. Box 885, Fayetteville, WV 25840. Phone 304/574-3282 or 1-800-633-7238.
MOUNTAIN RIVER TOURS - More than 30 years experience. Catering to convention groups with one to three hour rafting trips. "Young-at-Heart" half-day and full-day scenic float trips for seniors. Exciting variety of whitewater trips available on New and Gauley rivers. For information write to P.O. Box 88, Sunday Road, Hico, WV 25854. Phone 304/658-5266, 1-800-822-1386 or fax 304/658-5817.
NEW & GAULEY RIVER ADVENTURES - Expertly outfits river vacations and river-related adventures for travelers of all ages and levels of experience. A variety of vacation experiences are available. For information write to P.O. Box 44, Lansing Road, Lansing, WV 25862. Phone 304/574-3008 or 1-800-SKY-RAFT.
NORTH AMERICAN RIVER RUNNERS, INC. - No one does it better! Uncommonly good service. Whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley rivers. Catered meals; campground. The most complete whitewater paddling shop in WV. More than twenty-five years of experience on the river. Call for our brochure and video. US Rt. 60, Hico, WV 25854-0081. 800-950-2585.
RIVERS - P.O. Box 39, Lansing, WV 25862. 304/574-3834. Whitewater rafting on the New, Gauley and Cheat rivers. One and two day trips plus family float, fishing trips, llama trekking and kayaking. Camping and RV hook-ups available. Ask about our group discounts.
SONGER WHITEWATER - Family whitewater to high adventure. Enjoy whitewater rafting, horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking or bass fishing. Packages available. For more information, write P.O. Box 300, Fayetteville, WV 25840. Phone 1-800-356-RAFT.
USA RAFT, INC. - Express whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley rivers. Our express trips have all the excitement of a full day trip in about half the time and at a reasonable cost. New River express at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm, March through November. Gauley express Friday through Monday in September and October. Call for dates and times. Rt. 3, Box 430, Fayetteville, WV 25840. 304/574-3655.
WILDWATER EXPEDITIONS - Whitewater rafting, climbing, kayaking and family trips are available. For information, write P.O. Box 155, Lansing, WV 25862. Phone 304/658-4007 or 1-800-WVA-RAFT.

12 comments:

sweetdoc said...

My staff and I do this rafting twice yearly.
Great bonding trip.
Fall foilage no way, I rake too much every weekend.

Dr.BOB said...

My wife sons and I will be Fayetteville rafting this weekend.

Dr.BOB said...

Have you been rafting Hilary?

Dr.BOB said...

Have you been rafting Hilary?

Anonymous said...

Hillary, Why no link for Songer Whitewater? That's who we raft with. There's no company more committed to making sure the guests have the time of their lives. www.songerwhitewater.com

Heart of Glass said...

You just added the link!
I must admit I know little about this wonderful part of our state heritage. My neighbor Chuck Spann took me rafting 2 years ago on the Gauley. It was a 'hair raisin' adventure! I was so frightened but had a great time! Chuck goes often and does the high or is it low rated (dangerous) runs.
hjh

Anonymous said...

Has anyone done the White water rafting at Harpersferry? When we would go Bass fishing on the Shenadoah river would see the rafters foating by. I know that the canoer's for the Olympics sometimes practice there. Meet one at a bed and breakfast I worked at for awhile. Good fishing and my dad said that the Potomac there at Harpersferry is very dangerous. Full of deep holes. My Uncle took me across ths poling the boat once when I was young. Roxie

Anonymous said...

What about ski weather in WV is it time and where is best?
I have heard Snow Shoe
and then I heard 7 Springs?

Anonymous said...

We stop in WV every other year on the way to
visit family. We are frequent guest at Fenton and Home
Laughlin China.
Our first visit to your glass factory was on
Tues and Wed spent the night at a little
Motel in Hurricane did all the small shops and
bought way too much glass. The Blenko shop
had a half dozen shoppers and many non Blenko
made items, also candles?
The shop was much smaller than I had anticipated.
Only on day #2 did we come to realize the museum you
spoke of was on 2nd floor.

It was very clean
and the bathrooms inspector #1
{wife} guidelines.
We posted the visit to the RV site and rated 4*s so
perhaps you'll get other seniors on vacation.
Keep writing.
Jeff & Mary (clara's sister in law)

Heart of Glass said...

Seven Springs is in PA.
Snoshoe is a wonderful wild West Virginia Resort.
I'll see if I can find someone to answer in depth your question about SNOW SHOE its a place you will want to visit.

bridgett said...

Snow Shoe Closed due to finacial problems a few years ago I think.
It use to be very nice, and not expensive in terms of good winter sport.

Heart of Glass said...

Bridgett
I am certain Snowshoe isn't closed.
Sent note to my good friend who does publicity for snow shoe, they are alive and doing great.