Travel
Caverns And Climbing In West Virginia
West Virginia is home to many interesting natural formations, including mountains, caves, and more, making it a great year-round destination for the adventurous explorer. So, whether you’re planning to go hiking, fishing, rock climbing, or seeking out tours in an underground cavern, you’ll find plenty to check out in the eastern part of the state.
Smoke Hole Caverns and Log Cabin Resort — where this month’s magazine cover photo was captured — is a family-owned and operated facility roughly 8 miles south of Petersburg. The Seneca once used the front section of the caverns to smoke wild game. After the Civil War, many settlers saw the caverns as an ideal place to make corn whiskey and moonshine, and one of the stills remains on display today. The cave is home to many stalactites and stalagmites, which are mineral formations that formed over millions of years. Guided tours through the cave are just under an hour long, but be sure to bring a jacket — it’s always 56 degrees inside.
Smoke Hole Resort is set among covered bridges, water fountains, a natural pond, and a fully stocked mountain trout spring, among other features. RV camping is available at the resort from March through November; sites include 30- and 50-amp service and full-hookups.
A bit southwest of the resort lies Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, located in Monongahela National Forest. In 1965, it became the first national recreation area to be designated by the USDA Forest Service. It offers 100,000 acres to explore, including Spruce Knob, the highest peak in West Virginia, at 4,863 feet above sea level. An observation tower atop the Knob affords a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.
Seneca Rocks, a popular landmark among rock climbers, is a 900-foot Tuscarora quartzite crag that overlooks the North Fork River. Other noteworthy spots to visit include the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center and the Sites Homestead, which gives a glimpse into early pioneer life.
Planning on spending the night? Spruce Knob Lake Campground has 30 RV campsites available, and each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, grill, and a lantern holder. It is open from April through October. Seneca Shadows is another option. It includes 38 RV sites, 11 of which offer 30-amp electricity. All sites have picnic tables, campfire rings, and lantern posts.
Further Info
Smoke Hole Caverns & Log Cabin Resort
8290 N. Fork Highway
Cabins, WV 26855
(304) 257-4442
www.smokehole.com
Seneca Shadows Campground
Seneca Rocks, West Virginia
(304) 567-3082
www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recarea/?recid=7004
Spruce Knob Lake Campground
Whitmer, WV 26296
(304) 567-3082
www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recarea/?recid=7005
App File
Family Game Night
Thanksgiving is about celebrating gratitude with the ones you love. After eating a hearty dinner with family or friends, gather around the table for some games to entertain everyone using their phones or tablets.
Heads Up!: Similar to charades, Heads Up! is a word guessing game great for the whole family. Taking turns, each player will hold their phone on their forehead; a word will appear on the screen, and everyone else shouts clues at the player until they guess the word correctly within 60 seconds. There are over 40 different themed card decks to choose from, and you can even create your own category. $1.99 on iOS and Android. www.warnerbros.com/games-and-apps/heads
Spaceteam: This game is described as a “cooperative shouting game” by the developer. Each person needs a mobile device to play. (Android and Apple users can play together using Wi-Fi.) You and your party are on a spaceship and must follow time-sensitive instructions to keep your ship intact as you outrun an exploding star. Each player is assigned a random control panel with buttons, switches, sliders, and dials and must cooperate with the party for success. Free on iOS and Android. spaceteam.ca
Monopoly: A digital twist on a classic board game, Monopoly is able to be played with a single device that’s passed around between four players, or you can play online multiplayer with friends and family over Wi-Fi. Choose from 11 themes, including the Classic Monopoly board. Roll the dice and risk everything (or nothing) in hopes of becoming a wealthy tycoon. Alter the rules to play exactly how you like, or you can stick to the classic Hasbro rule book. $4.99 on iOS and $3.99 on Android. www.marmaladegamestudio.com/games/monopoly
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Deck The Halls For Fall
Consider these tips for adding seasonal flair to your RV.
Visit dollar stores. You’ll find a broad selection of autumn-themed items, including wall décor and trays, plates, cups, and towels. But visit early; they go fast.
Leafy lights. Hang an illuminated fall garland around a window or door, across a credenza, or elsewhere for a warm glow.
Make a centerpiece. Use pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, fall leaves and flowers, wheat stalks, tree branches, greenery, berries — real or artificial. Arrange them in a vase, tray, basket, or bowl. Incorporate battery-operated candles. Or hollow out a pumpkin, fill it with colorful items, and tie a bow around it for a final flourish.
Easy seasonal. Drop a candle in a clear vase, surround it with popcorn kernels, and tie a burlap ribbon around the outside. Use raffia bows to secure cinnamon sticks around candles and line them up on a tray. Hang fall photos or downloadable printable graphics with decorative washi tape.
Pumpkin patch. Assemble a collection of decorative pumpkins — ceramic, glass, fabric, wooden, woven, etc., in various sizes. Use real ones, too.
Seasonal fabrics. Toss fall-themed pillows and throws on the sofa. Switch out chair cushions. And relax!