New River Gorge, WV
 

Going there next week.

Anybody been there? Got any advice, experiences to share?

Should we stay in Oak Hill or Beckley?

Is that outdoor theatre thing worthwhile?

Cheezy tourist traps to have fun with, or avoid?

I don't know, but I do know that the only good coffee is at Krispy Kreme.

Take your camera. ;)

The Blenko factory is around there, isn't it? That's always fun to stop at. Watching the guys blowing glass is interesting.

Actually, after looking at a map, it's on the other side of Charleston in Milton, but 64 is the main highway through those parts, and it's just off the highway. Maybe you will be in the area. It's worth a stop.

Not there exactly, but I love West Virginia. Almost heaven is right!

I was there a few years back, on my way to visit relatives in Tennessee. There's the bridge out there that everyone talks about, it's on the back of the WV quarter, I believe.
Well, to get to that point so you can see it, there's a big parking lot on top, and you have to walk -way- down windy & twisty steps kind of -into- the gorge to the viewing platform.
Sure, it's not so bad going down, but a real pain in the ass going back. So take care climbing up!

We went down and climbed back up. :)

We had a great time rafting, too! Folks, I highly recommend this whitewater rafting thing. Wheeeee!

That's me in the oh, so stylish yellow helmet and PFD, and my son on the left:

http://www.wayswriter.com/pam/wvraft1.jpg

Here's the view of the bridge, from the location FStop mentioned, decorated by yours truly:

http://www.wayswriter.com/pam/bridgesm2.jpg


And if you go, you simply cannot miss the educational, high-quality entertainment of the Mystery Hole!

http://www.wayswriter.com/pam/mhole.jpg

Great pics Juniper and it looks like a great place.
Another redhead in the Cellar?! I may have to bow to peer pressure and join you!

I'm too late, I guess, but I knew the New River Gorge Bridge when it was just a rumor, then a plan, then a construction project that seemed to take forever. We used to have to drive down the hairiest hairpin turns to the bottom, cross the river on a one-lane bridge, then up the other side's scary hairpin turns. Quite exciting. I understand there is an annual BASE jumping event from the bridge.
Oh and re: rafting - my sisters, a cousin, and I were skinny dipping in the river when a couple of rafts popped around the bend. We hit the deeper water between the rocks and shrieked with laughter after they had gone. Good times!