This full-day trip is truly unique and offers a fantastic range of experiences and is absolutely worth it! I prefer this ride on a motorcycle but a car would be just as good. Start at Old Brownsburg Store, B&B (have breakfast first or just a coffee or tea). Then navigate to Hot Springs, Virgina and stop by the Omni Old Homestead for breakfast, if you’ve not eaten yet. There are also other good options in the area as well however, the Old Homestead must be visited if you’ve not visited before. Then make a quick stop in nearby Warm Springs just to experience this cool little village. Then navigate to Marlington, WV and stop in the Visitors Center where you’ll find great information about the area and it’s a nice stop to stretch-the-legs or grab a drink and/or snack. Next navigate to the Snowshoe, WV ski resort, during Spring to Fall is preferred unless you plan to go skiing, and stop in the ski village where there are nice options for lunch or an early dinner and it’s also great for scenery and picture taking.
Then continue past the ski resort (over the mountain) to Cass, WV and experience an absolute time capsule of an old Railroad town (tip: there are nearby steam and coal train experiences which are an excellent change-of-pace from the day drive). Then navigate to the Greenbank, WV Observatory, which is hard to describe – here’s a try, Greenback Observatory boasts the largest movable Deep-space listening dish (think the size of an American Football stadium, including the parking lot!) on the planet and is so large that it competes with the mountain range. It has the feel of a 1950’s Sci-fi movie scene with old Government vehicles and a Government Stop Point (like Area 51!). Notably, the town itself has no wifi as it could interfere with the deep-space listening technology – it’s a unique life experience for sure. Then navigate to Monterey, Virgina which is a nice and brief stop. (tip: stop at Highs Restaurant if you’re hungry). Then navigate to McDowell, Virginia (tip: a must stop at the Sugar Tree Country Store which is famous for their Maple Syrup and is a wonderful 1800’s time capsule!). Then take Indian Draft Road to Route 39 East and then take 252 North back to Brownsburg and enjoy a restful and relaxing afternoon at the Old Brownsburg Store B&B! Final Thoughts: this is a rare ride given the sheer topography, variety of sites and experiences, and history. While I’ve highlighted a few high-points, there are many more interesting stops along the way (e.g. hikes, historic battlefields, history markers, gorgeous farm scenery, and small town shops and amenities along the route). Ride time is 4.5 hours with brief stops and more like 6-7 hours with 2-3 normal stops (tip: start early, around 8 am) and get back to the B&B early, around 3pm, to enjoy a relaxing afternoon and evening at the B&B) (tip: this trip is not small-children friendly, they simply lack the patience and, I love children!)