Cranberry Glades, West Virginia

 

Yesterday, Glenn and I procrastinated about leaving on our planned day trip, via motorcycle, to West Virginia.

The weather forecast had changed overnight from cool and clear to scattered showers.  Should we or shouldn’t we go? The day had been scheduled. The farm chores were done. The Dramamine downed by me, of course.

I opted to take the chance.  What the heck…we could always turn back if the weather turned really ugly. So, go we went.

We just about made the ‘going’ part of the 2+ hour ride dry under heavy overcast skies. The pavement of the narrow road was off and on wet, but there was no active precipitation.  As we approached Marlinton, WV showers began.  We pulled over and donned our heavy and waterproofed fluorescent yellow jackets.  We still had another 16 miles to go to get to our destination, Cranberry Glades, and it was a steep uphill and very curve road with many switchbacks.  I held tight, mainly onto Glenn’s belt loops, while Glenn maneuvered with caution. We were getting damper the higher the road climbed, the showers quickly turning to a steady rain.

 

We turned into the parking area at the Glades at about the same time the rain had stopped.  Perfect.  The boardwalk trail through Cranberry Glade was wet and slippery.  The bog plants were heavy and dripped with moisture. The sky was grey.  This was the ultimate bog walking weather.  I was having a great time slowly making my way around the slick planks while keeping an eye out for the flowering plants of the season and sliding out my camera from its protection, under my sweatshirt, for a photo or two.

 

 

 



the sun came out over the Glades for a second or two

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

After the bog circuit, we wanted to make one more stop at the nearby waterfalls of Hills Creek. The rain started to fall again.  Glenn and I were only able to make the short walk down to the upper falls due to the more-than-a-shower amount of precipitation.  We were getting quite wet now. We opted to save the ¾ mile hike to the middle and lower falls for our next trip. 

 

 

 

Besides, I just have to return in another month or so to view the next round of blooming plants. 

 

 

On our way back through Marlinton, Glenn and I stopped at a restaurant on the edge of the Greenbrier River.  The decision to eat on the outside deck was just idyllic. We enjoyed the company and the antics of a slew of ducks eating, swimming, preening and sleeping.  The water was so clear that it was quite an unusual experience to watch the webbed feet move in the water beneath the ducks’ bodies…so interesting. And, the iridescent colors on the Mallard drakes always please my simple color sensibilities.

 

The sun finally came out just about the time we carefully, and very slowly, settled our backsides on the hard seats of the Voyager and started the return journey home. 

saw quite a crop of these colorful fungi
at a roadside pull-off

 

Our day trip was exceptional.  I would not have changed one little thing, not even the weather.  The rain did not dampen our spirits, but truly added to the joyful ambiance of the day.

 

Every moment was a moment appreciated. 

 

Next trip...I do not know yet, but keep visiting my blog to find out.