Pogwatigue Perambulations: Potomac Highlands

One late October weekend, I turned leafer, that is, I became a tourist who seeks out peak fall foliage. My destination was the mountains of West Virginia and though I missed the peak colors by about one week, there was still plenty to see and do in region.

Leaving from work Thursday night, I drove as far as Winchester, Virginia. For most of the drive, I listened on the car radio as the Phillies extended the World Series. The next morning, I continued west to Silver Lake, West Virginia, home of the smallest church in "the 48 (sic) states," but more important to me it was the starting point for a short hike to Backbone Mountain, the highest point in the state of Maryland. After a brief detour to see the Fairfax stone, which marked the western limit of Lord Calvert's land grant, I stopped at Blackwater Falls State Park. The quiet falls were still worth a visit, but the view down Blackwater Valley from Lindy Point turned out to be the main highlight.

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A half-hour down the road, I tackled the most challenging hike of the trip, a two-mile climb 800-ft up the side of Seneca Rocks. Afterward, I toured the grounds of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, home to the largest radio telescope in the world. Later on the trip, I learned that a distant relative headed the facility for critical period. I ended the day a Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virgina, but sadly arrived after sunset.

I started Saturday with a chilly ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad, the only tourist-line to operating Shay locomotives. Next, I drove to the New River Gorge via the Highlands Scenic Byway. Along the way, I stopped at several scenic overlooks and took a few short hikes, including one through Honeycomb Rocks and another through Cranberry Glades. At the New River Gorge, I hiked to Long Point for one of the best views of the dramatic steel arch bridge that spans the chasm. In Beckley, I took a peek at Crossroads Mall, a property my companies owns. I spent Saturday night in Stuanton, Virgina.

Sunday, I visited Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's estate, outside Charlottesville, and the campus he designed for the University of Virginia, in town. A short visit with my aunt and uncle in Washington D.C. spelled my long drive back to Philadelphia.

Statistics
Total Miles: 1,226 miles
• Car: 1,203
• Hike: 14
• Train: 9
Total Counties: 59
New Counties: 29
Fuel: 38.6 gallons
MPG: 31.2
Cost: $581.64