Road trip to West Virginia-5) The drive on I-68

 Drive back from West Virgina back to Maryland is a pure pleasure, especially for me as a passenger whose duty is to capture the beauty of the road site with a camera.  Thank you, Steve for driving! Here are some video clips from near Cumberland, Maryland on I-68 highway.  Enjoy!

Road trip to West Virginia-4) Island in the Sky Trail

Right behind Glade Creek Grist Mill is Island in the Sky Trail.  We were curious from the name of the trail and did a hike.  I imagined I would see some islands...

This trail is a lesser-known, rocky and hilly.  The trail is also narrow and often embraced by huge rocks.   It leads us deep in the woods.  But there were no islands to be seen only dense forest.  We did part of it and came out of it so we do not spend a sunny day in the dark woods.

According to internet search, the trail will lead you to the rocky terrain at the top provides stunning vantage points where you can enjoy sweeping views of Babcock State Park) Well, we will have to make sure to do that next time.

Here are some photos we snapped.

Road trip to West Virginia -3) Bobcock State Park, Glade Creek Grist Mill

Babcock State Park, located in Fayette County, West Virginia, covers 4,127 wooded acres along the New River Gorge and is about 20 miles from the New River Gorge Bridge. During our visit, we explored its famous Glade Creek Grist Mill.

The Glade Creek Grist Mill is one of West Virginia's most photographed landmarks, set against the picturesque backdrop of Glade Creek and the Appalachian Mountains. This replica of the original Cooper’s Mill, which once stood nearby, was constructed in 1976 using parts salvaged from other historic mills in the area.

Although the mill is typically fully operational, it was not running when we visited. The staff explained that the water flow that day was too weak to power the mill. As seen in our photos, the stream was indeed low and lacked the strength needed for operation.

Berkeley Springs-The Best of West Virginia

A friend of mine extended an invitation to visit Berkeley Springs this autumn, a place I hadn't come across before. After a quick online search, I discovered that the town was primarily known for its spa utilizing natural spring water and for an old castle built by a wealthy man for his wife. Despite the limited information, my curiosity was piqued, and since the journey wasn't too far, I decided to make the trip. To my delight, I found the visit to be quite enjoyable. As a bonus, I had the opportunity to explore Hagerstown, where I discovered a hidden gem (as discussed in my previous post).

Here are some of the photos from my visit:  at the Country Inn/Spa, strolling through this small and quiet town, a hidden gem Prospect Peak, a scenic viewpoint, and hike Central Trail in Cacapon State Park.

Prospect Peak

Berkeley Castle 

Cacapon State Park

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*Prospect Peak is about 3.5 miles from Berkeley Springs on west route 9.  The view at Prospect Peak was breathtaking, offering a panoramic overlook nearly one thousand feet above the Potomac River, with views of West Virginia, Pennsylvania.

**Berkeley Spring State Park is a small lawn area with a gazebo in the center, which also housed a mineral spa dating back to colonial times. The gazebo currently decorated with hay and pumpkins for the October festival.

**Berkeley Springs Castle, also known as Samuel Taylor Suit Cottage.

The castle is designed in the architectural style of Scottish baronial, reminiscent of European castles. It features stone walls, turrets, and a sense of grandeur that sets it apart from the surrounding architecture.

It was built between 1885 and 1888 by Samuel Taylor Suit, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist. He constructed the castle as a summer retreat and spa resort.

The castle is situated on Warm Springs Ridge, overlooking the town of Berkeley Springs. Its elevated location provides scenic views of the surrounding landscape and the warm mineral springs for which Berkeley Springs is famous.

Samuel Taylor Suit was a prominent figure in the area, and the construction of the castle was seen as an extravagant display of wealth. After Suit's death in 1888, the castle passed through various owners and was used for different purposes over the years. It served as a museum, a restaurant, and even a girls' school at one point. In the mid-20th century, the castle faced a period of decline, but it was eventually purchased and restored by a private owner. Efforts were made to maintain the castle's historical and architectural integrity. Today, Berkeley Springs Castle is privately owned and serves as a residence. It is not open to the public.

How green is my country - West Virginia Country side in spring