Fayettville, WV - coolest small town

Wow, it is NICE having TJ done with school!  We have been taking a few little day trips and today we decided to go to Fayettville, WV.  It was about an hour and 45 minute drive from our house.  I finished teaching pump, showered and we headed out.  It was hot!  We got to Fayettville and went over the New River Gorge bridge, heading for the National Park Service Welcome Center.  We saw a little bit of the museum, some amazing views and a little video on the area and the bridge.  The bridge is the longest steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere.  We couldn't really see the bridge as we drove over it and I wondered how we would be able to see it.  We talked to the park ranger at the center and she gave us some directions to a hike that would give us the best views.  We were a little worried with having a 2 year old and no back pack for her that this hike would be a disaster.  It was 1 1/2 miles in and 1 1/2 miles back - so 3 miles round trip....with a 2 year old...











(Pictures taken from the National Park Service welcome center of the New River, but you can't see the bridge from here.)




















We decided why not?!  We set out and luckily the trail was covered by lots of trees, so that really helped keeping it a little cooler.  Tyler and Brenalee did great and had a good time.  Bristol surprisingly did really well!  The only problem was she was slow!  She had to stop and pick up EVERYTHING.  All the rocks, caterpillars, leaves, etc....it took forever.  She wanted to walk the entire way.  Tj would pick her up every once in a while so we could cover some ground.

 The kids kept picking up all the caterpillars.

Bristol was funny with hers, I think it tickled her a little bit and she would shake it off, but she really wanted it on her arm.  Then it pooped on her and she will tell you all about the caterpillar pooping on her arm!

 This is what Bristol spent most the hike doing...squatting and picking things up - or digging in the dirt.

 The views at the end were awesome!  The park ranger warned us that there was no guard rails or anything at the end of the hike and to be careful, that was a little scary - it was a pretty good drop!

This picture and location also got us another geocache find!

 Just taking a quick break.

After the hike we went to the famous Pies & Pints for some famous pizza.  We were famished!  

On the drive home, none of the kids could keep their eyes open!  Awesome day trip - ready for another!