9 quiet mountain pastimes that will remind you of your WV home
As summer winds down, it’s time to relax and recharge before the holiday frenzy hits. Enjoy simple pleasures by revisiting mountain pastimes.
No matter how busy or old you are, these activities will take your heart home and relax your spirit.
1. Porch-Sitting
Whether you sit there by yourself or share the peacefulness with a someone, wearing the porch boards thin with a rocking chair while the hours slip away is old-time meditation. You can rock the afternoon away on the porches of the Cacapon Resort State Park lodge as you people watch, take in the view of the rolling hills and laugh at the scampering antics of the birds and squirrels that roam the grounds.
2. Catching a Lightning Bug
The lightning bugs shine the brightest after dark, so you’ll want to make sure you tuck away from the city lights. Sitting on 120 acres of farmland just miles from the town of Berkeley Springs is the Sleepy Creek Inn. Chase after lightning bugs (and catch a few), or enjoy rolling hills, natural streams, horses, wild turkey, deer and other wildlife.
3. S’Mores by the Fire
Gooey marshmallows, melty chocolate and crispy graham crackers are a sweet and tasty time machine, taking you back to simpler times. Enjoy yours by a toasty, roaring fire. The Opossum Creek Retreat cabins by the New River Gorge offer forest views and cozy lounging for s’more making by the fireside.
4. Lake Float Fishing
Floating the day away in pursuit of the ‘one that isn’t going to get away’ is sure to take you back to life before work and responsibility. Spend a day floating along the banks of the almost 2,000-acre Tygart Lake at Tygart Lake State Park, and you’ll be feeling full of energy and enthusiasm when you get a tug on your line.
5. Soak in a Hot Tub
You’ll be transported back in time with warmth and relaxation at the the Battlefields Inn located in Historic Harpers Ferry. You can explore the beauty, history, and attractions of the town and National Historic Park, then soak your cares away in their luxurious hot tub.
6. Coffee and Pie
Enjoying homemade pies from Lost River General Store & Cafe in Lost River is sure to take you back. Savor each delicious bite of their selection of more than 20 pies: key lime, coconut cream, chocolate cream, Reese’s peanut butter pie, apple, cherry and more. You’ll just have to decide whether you want to add ice cream or whipped cream.
7. Watch a Parade
Lining up with friends and family to see floats and hear bands is a classic All-American tradition. At the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival in Milton, you’ll be able to watch a parade, walk a corn maze and pick your own pumpkin, too.
8. U-Pick Fruits and Vegetables
Take a tractor ride out to the fields of the family-owned Orr’s Farm in Martinsburg. Enjoy the peace and scenery of the farm as you pick berries, peaches and vegetables.
9. Drive-In Movie
Pack snacks and a blanket, and indulge in a simple movie night under the stars at the Pipestem Drive In Theater.
What West Virginia pastime really takes you back?
This post was last updated on March 15, 2022