Visiting Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia

We took a slight detour on our way home from Cass Scenic Railroad to visit Blackwater Falls State Park in our home state of West Virginia. The falls at the park are created by the Blackwater River which plunges more than five stories at this point to the gorge below. The "black" water is a result of the tannic acid from hemlock and spruce needles leaching into the water. Depending on when you decide to visit, the falls look like a roaring beast or a just pleasant flow. Since we had a wet Spring we were treated to massive amounts of water pouring over the top of the falls. The park is very scenic and definitely worth a detour.

Cass Railfan Weekend Photos

Have you ever attended the Cass Railfan Weekend at the Cass Scenic Railroad? The Mountain State Railroad and Logging Historical Association (MSR&LHA) puts on a great long weekend of special excursions using the steam engines of the Cass Scenic Railroad. The number of tickets are limited and the event often sells out for this railroading event.

Bubba's Garage Gets a Cool New Vintage Looking Sign

Are you looking for something a little different to hang on your shop or garage wall? Then do yourself a favor and check out Dennis Steadman of Old Timey Signs. We met up with Dennis at a car event in Charlotte, NC in the Spring and commissioned him to make us a sign to hang over the door in Bubba's Garage. Soon a hand painted work of art from Dennis' shop in Greer, SC arrived at our door. We couldn't be more pleased at the way it turned out!  Thanks, Dennis!

Cass Railfan Weekend - Photos of the Durbin Rocket

The Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association set up a few photo runbys of the Durbin Rocket on Thursday afternoon during the Cass Railfan Weekend. This was our first time during the long weekend to photograph a steam train. The Durbin Rocket is a Climax engine built for the Moore-Keppel Lumber Company in 1910 and now runs passengers along the Greenbrier River out of Durbin, WV.

Cass Railfan Weekend - Limited Special Diesel Excursion from Cheat Bridge to High Falls

During the Cass Railfan Weekend, in West Virginia, The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad ran a Limited Special Diesel Excursion from Cheat Bridge to High Falls. The Cheat Bridge stop is just that; a stop. There is no real parking and just a shed where we boarded. A few photo runbys and we were off in route to the High Falls.

Visiting the Yellow Barn at Shenandoah Caverns

What color would you paint your barn? Well if you are Earl Hargrove you paint it yellow then you stuff it full of farm themed items from your personal collection. Located across the street from American Celebration on Parade, the Yellow Barn also continues Mr. Hargrove's passion for parades by housing more items from past parades.

What else is there to do at Shenandoah Caverns?

While you are waiting to explore Shenandoah Caverns in Virginia don't forget to check out Main Street of Yesteryear. Located in the same building where the caverns tour starts is a collection of antique department store window displays. Your nostalgic stroll will take you past several animated displays that have been restored to there original condition.

Floating through American Celebration on Parade

I don't know about you but I have always loved a good parade. American Celebration on Parade at Shenandoah Caverns is just a couple of minutes off I-81 at exit 269. Here you will find more than 30 floats from Thanksgiving parades, Presidential Inaugurals, the Rose Parade, and many others. All the floats are from the collection of Earl Hargrove, owner of Shenandoah Caverns and Hargrove, Inc., and are on display in the 40,000 square foot exhibition hall.

The Inn at Mountain Quest

There is a quiet little bed and breakfast in Frost, WV where we setup base camp when exploring the mountains of Pocahontas County. The rooms at The Inn at Mountain Quest are always clean and the hosts are very friendly making your stay here very relaxing. Our trip this year was for a mini vacation while doing the Cass Railfan Weekend in Cass, WV which is about a 25 minute drive from the Inn.

Cruising through the Meem’s Bottom Covered Bridge

It’s always fun to be able to drive through a covered bridge. If you are looking to do that in Virginia there is only one covered bridge that still allows car traffic and it is located just outside Mount Jackson. The Meem’s Bottom Covered Bridge was originally built using a 204’ single span burr arch-truss between 1892-93 and it spans the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.

Spring Flowers at Hershey Gardens

After hearing about all my running around lately, my buddy +Craig Pike of MyRideisMe says to me, "Damn Bubba! Hope you have time to smell the roses sometimes!" Well there might not have been any roses blooming but there sure were a bunch of tulips popping up out of the ground when we slowed down just enough to enjoy all the wonderful springtime colors at Hershey Gardens.

AACA Museum Hosts Exotic and Sports Car Show

The 3rd Annual Exotic and Sports Car Show to benefit Castaway Critters was held on the grounds of the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA. For just a $5 donation you could stroll the lawn beside the museum to gawk at all the exotic cars and sports cars that were there. More than 100 vehicles showed up under the cloudless Pennsylvania skies and we took many of their photos to share with you.