Today SG and I started on our first adventure alone together; we have landed in
Tucker County, WV - more specifically at
Bright Morning Inn in Davis. Our ride took us first to Emily's to drop off Sylvie for her first overnight (two!) with Paige. We then headed west on 50 through Hampshire, Grant, Mineral, and then Tucker Counties. We noticed that yard sales are very popular along the route; I'm pretty sure we passed at least fifty of them, but we stopped at none. The GPS took me up over
Saddle Mountain (elevation over 2800 feet) instead of down 93, which resulted in an anxious drive up a very long mountain with impressive views. The most jaw-dropping part of our ride was the string of
huge windmills across the ridges near here. We were both awed by the size and motion of the strange things. These new forms of energy were contrasted against the two towering stacks of the
Mt. Storm power company and the vast swaths of clear-cut
mountaintops for mining. Apparently, the lake at Mt. Storm is very warm and many swim and scuba dive in it. We finally popped into little Davis - a tiny hamlet with virtually no trees. Our pretty inn sits right in the middle of town across the street from
Hellbender's, a burrito place, and a new yet-to-be-named ice cream shop. Our innkeeper was out getting a burger when we first got here, so we went over to the
Blackwater Falls State Park to check it out. We visited the Lodge, which boasts an impressive view of the gorge out front. Then, we took the "gentle trail" for a high overlook of the Falls and realized we had to go to the other side of the gorge for the better view.
So, we did and 214 steps later found an up close and beautiful view of the waterfall. We quickly checked out the campground for future reference and then headed back to check in. Later, we drove over the Thomas (only 2 miles away) to get dinner at the
Purple Fiddle, a place that I've been wanting to visit for years. It lived up to my expectations - perfect for the hippie traveler in me - and SG liked it too.
We didn't stick around for the
live music (whom we saw warming up and setting up - the lady, Sue, thought SG was adorable), which they have virtually every night, but we did indulge in a salad, a quesadilla, a
local brew (me), and the best mocha ice cream we've ever eaten. I loved the eclectic decor, the outdoor seating, and the fresh healthy menu. It's known for being kid-friendly, and SG indeed fell in love with our server, whom she called Cowgirl - a pasty but pretty dark-haired twenty-something in a long skirt and riding boots; she spoke with a drawl thicker than these parts, and SG LOVED her. Back in our room, I have found the wi-fi to be unbearably unreliable, but the bed is nice, and I kind of like hearing the street noise through the open window. Tomorrow I think we'll stay in
Canaan so SG can use the pool. We'll be taking it as it comes . . .
Then, we headed to Canaan Valley proper where we got a Beat the Heat special room at Canaan Valley Resort for $70 or so. 
The room is not spectacular; as a matter of fact it reeks of old cigarette smoke, but the staff has been apologetic and came to spray something, and I figure I can't really complain too much with such a great price and a last minute grab like that. Of course, SG wanted to swim, so we have spent quite a bit of time at the indoor pool. 
We tried the outdoor pool but the heater is broken; it was way too cold, especially with only about 80 degree weather. 
We had lunch at Big John's Family Fixins restaurant (pretty decent) 
and then headed down south to beautiful Seneca Rocks. 
My dear four year old was only impressed for a short while; we quickly headed back to the pool. 
We ate dinner in the resort's Hickory Dining Room, which was a nice buffet - they served wine too. The view from the dining room was spectacular. 
Now, too early for partying girls like ourselves, we are crashing in front of the tv (which the Inn didn't have for us in our room) watching too many episodes of iCarly. I hear that the deer will walk right up to guests at dusk around here, but I don't think this kid can handle that much drama tonight. We have a long ride back to 'civilization' tomorrow.
