After my son Milo's baseball teammate learned that he had visited his 50th state shortly after reaching his 16th birthday, my third child was asked about his favorite destination. After Milo waxed about his unforgettable experiences on Hawaii's Big Island, catching 22 pounds of King salmon off the coast of Ketchikan and skiing down the slopes of Schweitzer Mountain in Northern Idaho, the expectation was it would be one of the more exotic locales.
However, Milo's friend was slack jawed after the answer was the New River Gorge.
"It's the most magical place," Milo said. "It's beautiful and there's so much you can do."
Milo wasn't exaggerating. There is no place like the New River Gorge. The idyllic but under the radar destination became a national park in 2020 but many folks have no idea that such an oasis exists.
It's easy to miss this sleepy section of Southwestern West Virginia, just off of Fayetteville, which is one of the coolest small towns in America, according to Budget Travel. Each of my four children can't get enough of that area due to the New River Gorge and the various activities they've enjoyed on numerous trips.
When my son Eddie was just 5-years old, he and his sister Jillian, who was 8-years old, and I embarked on a three-day, four-night run down the New River. Their lives changed during that unforgettable journey. They each pledged that the breathtaking tributary, which like the Nile flows South to North, is where they left their hearts.
While most of the folks who head toward the Upper Gauley and the Lower New River are adrenaline junkies aiming for the rugged Class V rapids, the more mellow excursions that wind through select parts of the West Virginia waterways are perfect for young paddlers and beginners. For families, the adventures often seem like a soothing balm for their overly stimulated souls. It's a welcome opportunity to bond amid Mother Nature's picture-perfect work, outside the reach of screens and cell phones.
Back in the day we experienced wild and wonderful West Virginia with Adventures on the Gorge. But this time out the encounters were different thanks to another outfitter.
Thanks to our guides at Ace Adventure Resort, (www.aceraft.com) my sons Milo and Eddie and I had no issues navigating the rivers and experiencing the zip lines and rock climbing and rappelling on the Gorge.
We slipped on our life jackets and helmets and headed out for a 15-minute introduction to our kayaks, also called duckies, and instruction on how to properly paddle. It's never a good idea to venture down rapids without a professional, since the Upper New River can get dicey. Plus, guides offer critical tips in case of trouble. For instance, if you become a "swimmer," what you're dubbed when the water's force knocks you out of your kayak, the guides teach you to keep your feet up to avoid entrapment or bumps and bruises caused by rocks.
We enjoyed an exhilarating run down the New River.
Eagles, falcons and hawks soared above the pristine landscape, while deer frolicked unfettered on the riverbanks. It's always a new experience on the New River.
The class III and IV rapids on the Lower New River are adrenaline inducing and refreshing. Participants for the 12-mile journey must be 12 years old. A hot lunch breaks up the trip and is served on the riverbanks.
The experience is a blast particularly when a ducky war commences. The battle starts when the group takes a break from paddling while in deep water. The kayak is turned upside down and two daredevils climb up and stand on it. They proceed to dance on the boat until someone falls back into the drink.
Milo and Eddie split their share of wars. It seemed as if the "Loser" enjoyed landing in the water more so than the "Winner," who stood victorious in the sun.
No trip down the New River is complete without a stop at "Jump Rock," 15-foot boulder, which was utilized for a Mountain Dew commercial a generation ago. Eddie and Milo did a flip while in mid-air, while others went the conventional feet first route, such as their little sister Jane.
When hitting our final rapid, dubbed "Surprise," Milo failed to paddle. "Surprise" batters adventurers with unrelenting waves. Before you know it, you're knocked from the kayak and you're in the water.
It's a much different scenario when you're knocked in the water while on a run in the Gauley River. Every September the water levels are raised on the Gauley. My experience on the unforgiving river is indelible. While navigating Pillow Rock a decade ago, our leader took a different path, hero's trail. When disaster strikes the captain is supposed to go down with the ship. However, our captain went up with his ship as he went high-side. All the participants fell out of the vessel. I was sucked down in an eight-foot whirlpool. As I tried to surface, I found myself under a boat while running out of air. I finally reached the surface and gasped. That was a heck of a wake up call. Our group didn't come close to capsizing again as we paddled through ten challenging Class V rapids. It's a bucket list adventure and there's nothing like the Gauley River East of Colorado. It takes some guts but the experience is a lifelong memory and it's especially fun having that run with members of your family since they understand what it takes to travel down the Gauley.
And then there are the ziplines. The Tree Canopy tour is sublime. There is nothing like flying through the trees on ten ziplines. It's so serene looking down at the forest. It's a two-hour experience you'll never forget. Give yourself about three hours to play at the Timber Trek zip, which features five different courses with varying degrees of difficulty, just like a ski resort. Participants walk along logs and wooden blocks, which are strung together with rope while up about 20 feet in the trees. You're tethered by a cable. It's not a big deal if you have a fear of heights, as long as you focus on what you need to accomplish. Eddie and Milo had no issues with the double black diamond course, which requires agility, strength and courage. Kids are adept at the Timber Trek. My daughter Jane at the age of 8 had no issues as she smiled throughout the experience.
Tackling the terrifying tarzan swings in the middle of the forest, No problem for Eddie and Milo. Climbing an incredibly shaky ladder, which requires some upper body strength. No big deal for either.
That upper body strength came in handy while rock climbing. One of the New River Gorge's best kept secrets is how great the rock climbing is throughout the region. Folks love the experience due to the incredibly solid Nuttall Sandstone. Since Eddie trains in an enclosed rock climbing gym, watching him scale the 80 foot wall was akin to witnessing an indoor cat experiencing the freedom of the outdoors.
Rappel Ram's Head, a 160-foot rappel with a stunning view of the river and the Keeney Brother Rapids below is thrilling and liberating. It brought me back nearly a decade ago to when Milo, then 11-years old, who is typically fearless, was reluctant to step back and down the bluff. When I asked Milo if he was scared, he simply said, "Yes." However, once he learned to trust, it was all downhill for him. His sister Jane, who was then just 7-years old, overcame her fears and quickly rappelled down Ram's Head.
The comfortable cabins along the New River Gorge at Ace Adventure Resort are spacious and include kitchens, hot tubs and radiant floor heat.
There is something for everyone at the New River Gorge, which is shrouded by lush greenery. The unique locale offers activities, which range from unique to exhilarating.
For more information,
Ace Adventure Resorts, 800-787-3982, www.https://aceraft.com
Adventure on the Gorge, 877-312-0423,https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com
Each of my four children can't get enough of the New River Gorge.
The adventures often seem like a soothing balm for overly stimulated souls.
There is something for everyone at the New River, which is shrouded by lush greenery.