By Jay Young
Around Adventures On the Gorge, 2012 is becoming known as the year of new stuff. But the phrase “new stuff” is woefully inadequate to describe it all. In fact, we’ve been on a building spree that would make an Egyptian Pharaoh say, “Huh. That’s a lot of stuff.”
Here’s the rundown on the newness you’ll find waiting for you when you arrive for your vacation.
TimberTrekkin’
TimberTrek, our new aerial adventure park, absolutely dominates this list. Part ropes course, part canopy tour, TimberTrek is 62 obstacles, bridges, zip lines and slides between tree platforms ranging in height from 10 feet to 50. This thing will immediately make you feel like Erroll Flynn and Johnny Weismuller as you fly, glide, pull, climb, zip, yell and giggle your way to forest glory. We’ve got 5 separate courses on TimberTrek ranging from easy to difficult, and in a 3-hour chunk, you can really pack in the adventure.
We’re going to create a whole generation of arbor ninjas with this one, and notably, that generation begins at 7 years old. If you have a young ‘un that’s too little for TreeTops or Gravity, it’s a great option, because even the easiest course has a zip line. If you’re more the swashbuckling type and you want a real challenge, never fear—the hardest course will put gorilla hair on your chest.
TimberTrek is built with spectators in mind, too. You can stroll the forest below, camera in hand, or watch from the new deck at Rendezvous Lodge with a frosty beverage.
The best part: all through May 15, 2012, Timber Trek is half off! Trek the timbers for 3 hours for just $39.50/person (regular $79)!
Canyon Falls Swimming Hole
Consistently, one of the comments we receive from guests is that there isn’t enough around the resort to do that’s free and not limited by time in any way. We’ll we listened. Our new swimming pool, Canyon Falls Swimming Hole, will open by the end of June. Made in part of regional stone and designed to fit seamlessly into the landscape, Canyon Falls is a waterfall pool with a snack bar, a kids’ splash and spray area, a zero-entry end and tons of deck space, including one that overlooks the New River Gorge. Bring your bathing suit and save some quality lounging time!
The New Chetty’s Pub
Over the last few years, Fayetteville has become the hidden jewel of West Virginia dining. Your first thought might be, “Yeah, but that’s not saying much.” Well, I grew up in DC and have spent time in NYC and Chicago, and the restaurants here more than hold their own. Chetty’s has always been a part of that, but now it is even more so.
We hired Virgin Timber Lumber Company to build the new bar from reclaimed wormy chestnut, and it is absolutely gorgeous. Add more space to the equation and 2 quirky garage bay doors that open onto the new Chetty’s deck, plus a new head chef—Rezan Nese and her new menu which goes way beyond the already terrific fare we had before, and you get a restaurant that is primed to become a highlight of a lot peoples’ vacations. We often post specials on the Chetty’s Facebook page, too, so like it to stay up to date.
Stacking the Decks
How do you make a resort that sits on the very rim of the magnificent New River Gorge even more beautiful? You build decks—great big honking decks, where the eye candy flows like river water. We’ve got 2 of them.
The first is at Chetty’s Pub, and while the previous deck gave guests a supreme vantage point to overlook the New River, the new deck gets you just a hair closer than before, and it turns out that makes a big difference! The Chetty’s deck will be THE place to watch the sunset every evening.
The second of 2 new decks is off the side of Rendezvous Lodge on the Mill Creek Campus. Though it doesn’t overlook the New River Gorge, it does sit within 20 feet of one of the TimberTrek courses, which makes it the ideal spot to relax with a beverage while your friends and family whoop it up in the trees like Tarzan. You’ll want a camera here for certain.
Sunset Trading Post
It’s a well-known fact that between the 4 retail stores at Adventures On the Gorge, we have the largest selection of Adventures On the Gorge souvenirs anyplace on Earth. Well, everybody likes to shop on vacation, but let’s face it, sometimes you want a place that sells a little more than a T-shirt, sunglasses or knick-knacks. Peddling artisan crafts, clothing and more, Sunset Trading Post is that place. It’s located right where the sunset shines, too, between Smokey’s On the Gorge and Chetty’s Pub. Perfect!
16 People per Night
Lastly, if you’ve ever been told during Gauley Season, “I’m so sorry, but we don’t have any 4-bedroom Deluxe Cabins available that weekend… rejoice. We’ve got 2 new ones just waiting for you to hot-tub, grill, stock the fridge and sleep the sleep of the truly exhausted.
Tags: Adventure On the Gorge, Gauley River, new, new river gorge, TimberTrek
[...] Vacation Packages Enews Blog Facebook Twitter « When “New Stuff” Doesn’t Even Begin to Describe It All [...]
I have 8 boys (pending eagle scouts) that will need a little play time together before gearing up to complete their eagle projects. The Timber Trecking sounds like fun. Do you have camping grounds available for around June (the swimming adventure sounds great too)? What are the prices? Thank you.
Lesha Howell
Hi Lesha,
We’ll almost definitely have camping available in June, but it is the beginning of our really busy season, so book as early as possible to be safe. Camping is $15 per person per night with a minimum 2-night stay. TimberTrek is $79 for 3 hours, which is plenty of time to get tired out. We also have an evening program on TimberTrek, which is $59 for 2 hours. And the pool, of course, will be free for guests. If you’d like to book a little tree time for the ninos, go ahead and call 866-576-1935. Cheers!
Jay
What if we have 2 kids. Maybe 2 teenagers. Also 3-4 Adults. What if we want some where that everybody will love and so not camping. Only in Houses please one Adult does not like sleeping on the ground. Even she only likes to sleep inside not outside a house.
Hi Eric,
We’ve got a ton of lodging options from sleeping under the stars to five stars. Check this page out. It goes into detail about all our great cabins, most with air conditioning, all with beds, lots with hot tubs, stocked kitchens and more… http://www.adventurewestvirginia.com/site/cabin-rentals.html
Well what if my whole family goes. Like My 2 cousins, my aunt, grandparents, me, my mom,2 brothers, and my dad. Also I am living in Teaxs and the rest of my family like grandparents,cousins,and aunt are living in WV. Should we come in the summer because I don’t think I can do it onther time. Even should we be in the Paddle house because it sounds so big and cool.
Summer’s a great time to be here, Mia, and I dare say a bit milder than Texas in terms of weather. Paddle House is, in a word, rad. It’s huge and luxurious and it sits right smack dab on the rim of the New River Gorge. It’s one of our top-o-the-line lodging partners, so you can’t really go wrong there. You guys would definitely all fit in. Another option would be to reserve a 4-bedroom deluxe cabin and pack ‘em in. Those sleep up to 10 people, which would just get you all in. They have hot tubs, full kitchens… really pretty.
Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOLz! Very welcome!
When we go to to the paddle house. Will we supply snacks or will you? How much will it be for the whole family. I am 1 of Mia’s Cousins
Hi Jami, snacks at the house are not provided. What nights are you guys staying?
We will have to try to figure it out. Also is anybody alergic to choclate because i will bring choclate and vinnla mini cupcakes. Even tell me how many to make.
Sincerly,
Jami Douglas
Aw, Jami, you don’t have to make cupcakes for our whole staff!
Really thanks but I want to
Is the pool open to the locals?
Not yet, Shell. We really want to get a few weeks of traffic under our belts before we figure out what we can do to open it up widely.
Money is very tight so we barley can do most anything but my cousins are coming in next month around the 21 of July but my grandma is going to Texas where they live so she will not be here for the 4th of July with us like always she always has something to do. So it depends on how much we stay and the logging type right so I can not wait to see if we can you guys are the best thank you. So Much !!!!!!
Jami, check this out—all-inclusve vacations. The price for 2-3 day all-inclusive is only $179/person if you’re camping. That includes, well, all of it—adventure activies, like rafting, zip lining and more, the camping, and meals at our ridiculously good restaurants. http://www.adventurewestvirginia.com/site/vacation-packages/all-inclusive-packages.html
We love coming every year for rafting the New and previously stayed with Songer until they joined AOTG. The only thing I see missing on the website is the disc golf which is a major draw for us considering 6 of us guys are DG junkies. Is the flying squirrel course still open?
Hiya Jason,
Plus, the disc golf course at our old site in Hico is still alive and well and only 6 minutes away!
We actually knocked down Flying Squirrel to build TimberTrek… BUT we now have Raven’s Ridge Disc Golf. THERE IS STILL A 9-HOLE COURSE ON SITE.
jay
We have a family of 6 with 2 adults a 12,11,5 and 4 year old I see a bunch of things for the older kids to enjoy hut what all is there for the youngest? thanks
Hi Brandi,
There’s a ton here! We just built a new pool, Canyon Falls Swimming Hole, which has a splash and play area that kids love. We’ve got a terrific playground here, too. And for the 5 year old, there’s also Kids Camp. Have a look: http://www.adventurewestvirginia.com/site/adventures/kids-camp.html. On of our goals for the upcoming year is also to be to offer more for really young kids and more things to do in the winter as well. I’m sure we’ll have another “New Stuff” post next spring. LOL!
Jay
Can anyone swim at the pool, or do you have to have a membership?
Hi Mookie,
Anybody can swim at the pool, but it’s only free for resort guests. If you’re not rafting, etc. with us or staying in a cabin, we’ve got a season pass (probably a little late to make it worth your while) and a day pass, which is $20/person, but includes bike rental. I know, I know… that’s a bit steep for a pool. No problem. Every Monday evening, we have pool/trampoline passes available for $5 per person. Every Tuesday evening we host a pool party—also $5/person and it includes a beer ticket (if you’re old enough to drink).
Cheers!
Jay