Journeys Through Hills & Heartache In Memory of Jason Seltzer

Judy and I have engaged in an ongoing discussion regarding the number of visits, as well as the number of nights, required to gain a broad understanding of a particular state. Limiting a visit to a single stop in even a small state may not result in a full appreciation of a state’s charm and character. We found West Virginia to be one such state. Don’t get me wrong, we saw a lot in Harpers Ferry and learned a lot about the city’s historical importance, but the city is a tourist destination, and we did a lot of touristy things while there. Our second stop in Princeton, WV, provided a notably more authentic experience. With these two stops, we can say we've genuinely explored & experienced West Virginia and gained a deeper appreciation of its rugged landscapes and local charm, as well as its important place in 18^th & 19^th century Americana.

When you hear the popular refrain, “The hills of West Virginia”,.. “they ain’t a-lie’n” [sic]. I was surprised by the terrain we had to drive through; it was either uphill or downhill the whole way. When compared to places like Wyoming or Colorado, West Virginia's mountains aren't as tall, so the changes in elevation are less extreme. On the other hand, WV roadways traverse closely spaced hills and valleys, giving the impression of an endless series of ascents and descents, where you’re almost never driving on flat ground for long. I have learned that the entire state is part of the Lower Appalachian mountain chain, thus explaining the rugged mountain landscape. Whilst we’re on the subject of roads, I’d like to add another observation: West Virginia rarely uses guardrails on its steep, winding secondary roads, even when missing a turn could send you plunging hundreds of feet into a ravine. I found that many locals I met during our visit shared this same perspective. Still, the endless hills and pristine landscape gave us a true sense of the state’s rugged natural beauty. The scenery, while initially overwhelming, truly impresses with its stunning views and abundance of natural areas perfect for outdoor recreation. Opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fishing are all conveniently nearby. Here were some of our favorites:

Camp Creek State Park

Camp Creek State Park is a 6,000-acre park situated in a scenic, mountainous area in the southern part of the state known for its waterfalls and forests. With such a big park, there were a couple of parking areas which allowed access to various recreational activities and attractions. We chose to walk a 2-mile portion of the much longer Turkey Loop Trail. This path led us up and by Campbell Falls, and then through Double C Horse and Rider Campground, a campground specifically set up for equestrian activities. The campsites include stables, pens, and water, and allow riding on 35 miles of trails. I got saddle sores just thinking about it. We walked about 4 miles in total, crunching through the fallen fall leaves on a nice sunny day.

Campbell Falls

Pipestem Resort State Park

Atop the Aerial "Trammy", Pipestem State Park

Located just 21 miles east of Camp Creek State Park, there's another state park with so many amenities it's considered a "resort." Perched on the eastern rim of the Bluestone River Gorge, this park offers hiking, fishing, disc golf, zip lining, mountain biking, picnic spots, and even a 9-hole golf course. Overnight guests have plenty of choices, including rental cabins, 31 full-service RV campsites, 82 rustic campsites, and two lodges outfitted with hotel-style comforts. One of these lodges, The Mountain Creek Lodge, sits at the bottom of the Bluestone River Gorge. The easiest scenic way to reach it is by riding an aerial tram that descends 1,200 feet from the parking area at the top down to the lodge. We took the tram to the bottom of the gorge, appreciating the stunning views as we descended. After walking along the Bluestone River and thoroughly enjoying the tranquil atmosphere, we returned via tram to the scenic overlook and enjoyed a pleasant picnic lunch. This state park exceeded expectations, what a gem of a park.

Relaxing at the bottom of Bluestone River Gorge, Pipestem Resort State Park

Lotito City Park

On one particularly cold afternoon, we made our way south to Bluefield, WV, with plans to explore Lotito City Park. Adjacent to the Bluefield State University Campus, the park was being transformed into the Holiday of Lights festival, with hundreds of illuminated displays featuring whimsical characters and festive decorations. A miniature train also circles the park’s perimeter. In just a few weeks, thousands of families will visit to enjoy the light show and take walks or train rides around the park. Although the walking paths were easy, the chilly, biting wind made our brief two-mile walk challenging, so we returned to the camper. As temperatures continued to drop, it turned into one of the coldest nights we've ever spent in the camper.

Holiday Lighting Display, Lotito City Park

During our time in Princeton, we experienced several pleasant autumn days that allowed us

to explore the outdoor activities available in the local area. However, the weather eventually shifted, first becoming rainy, then giving way to a period of significant arctic cold, and finally resulting in snowfall. But I’m getting ahead of myself here, let’s begin with our visit to the Princeton Railroad Museum on our first day of inclement weather. The Princeton Railroad Museum is a modest, yet well-curated institution focused on the historical significance of regional railroads, with particular emphasis on the Virginian Railway. The best part was the personalized attention we got from the museum’s curator, Pat Smith. This charming woman noticed that we were from out of town (maybe it was the accent), and then proceeded to provide us with a 20-minute guided tour of the museum's artifacts, pointing out newly acquired pieces, as well as an overview of the historical and industrial context of the region at the time when the railroads were an important means of transportation. Pat then offered, and we accepted, an opportunity to be photographed in front of the restored Virginian caboose (#308). A great way to spend a rainy and raw day outside of the camper.

We ended up staying in Princeton, WV longer than expected for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, unexpected events force us to adapt, and we've gotten used to adjusting our travel plans on short notice. While towing the trailer through the hilly landscape we mentioned earlier, the truck's check engine light suddenly came on. The check engine light suddenly appearing on the dashboard, with no other alert indicators, has been a nagging issue for the last 4 months or so; we have had the vehicle checked by ASE-certified auto mechanics multiple times. But this time, the GMC dealership in Princeton needed some additional time with the truck to diagnose and repair the problem. So, we added two more days to our stay and deducted them from our next stop in Tennessee. This actually worked in our favor, because the weather turned downright cold and snowy the night before we would have been scheduled to leave. The prospect of packing up, hitching up, and driving through snow squalls was not very enticing. Temperatures during the anticipated travel day never got above freezing. With the truck in the shop, all we could do for a solid day was huddle up in the camper and think warm thoughts. In the afternoon, we got some positive news that the truck would be ready the next day and that, after one more night in sub-freezing temperatures, the weather would warm up, and warm up rapidly.

That should have been the end of the story. Unfortunately, it was not. You see my dear readers, later in the evening, with the winds howling around the camper,

Jason (Jay) Seltzer

Judy’s father, Jason Seltzer, passed away in his assisted living apartment in Boca Raton, FL. The patriarch and most distinguished man with numerous achievements died only six weeks shy of his 95th birthday. You may have seen Judy’s beautifully written obituary on her Facebook page (and if you haven’t, here is the link: Obituary, Jason "Jay" Seltzer). Sorry, not the conclusion you may have been expecting, and surely not the one we like to tell. But sometimes that’s what life brings, sorrow amidst moments of joy and adventure. Jay loved reading this blog when he was able. Judy would frequently call her dad whenever a new blog was published, he loved reading about and “being in on” the journey. So, I dedicate this blog post to Mr. Jason Seltzer, without whose love and support this entire retirement RV lifestyle would not have been possible, as we tell… the Rest of the Story.