Almost Heaven

 

Almost heaven, West Virginia

Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River

Life is old there, older than the trees

Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze...

Songwriters: John Denver, Bill Danoff, Taffy Vivert

 Who doesn't remember this chorus from John Denver's mega-hit that painted such a vivid picture of West Virginia? Can't you just imagine BikerBuck's drive from Vienna VA to Cass WV, with the driver reaching back into his Cowboy Buck character and belting out "Country Roads" over and over. Just like his wife and kids endured, back in the day.

Today's mission is to complete the 47th state ride on the popular Greenbrier River Trail.  It's an 80 mile R2T route that runs from Cass to White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia.  BB did a 16 mi. out-and-back from Cass in beautiful late afternoon conditions.

The crushed gravel trail is tucked in between the hills and mountains of central WV. The town of Cass is also a ski destination, thanks to it's nearby 4,848 ft. mountain that, by all accounts, gets a generous snowfall every winter.

There are well-equipped campsites every few miles for the through-riders that do the entire trail over a two or three day stint.

Each site has a Pray at the Pump fresh water supply. BB successfully watered at this one, while humming his best rendition of the K3 bromide, "Desert Pete."

BB practically had the trail to himself on this Sunday afternoon.

Unique bridge design. Remember, this was a railroad track initially.

Tunnel ahead. This one is curved, meaning that the center section has no ambient light from the outside world, for which read: "Who turned out the cotton pickin' LIGHTS!"

Typical of the best of the Rail to Trail efforts, the ride is a rolling history lesson. (Love this village's name, Clover Lick.)

The beautiful weather has been following BB for two weeks. How lucky is that?

This gentle flow must grow to a torrent in the Spring.

Trailside residence. Exhaust-free zone.

After a good night's rest at the rustic Bear Creek Lodge in Cass, BB is off to Gettysburg for a history lesson about The War of Northern Aggression.