USA

New River Gorge National Park

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New River Gorge National Park is America’s newest national park, established in 2021. However, the river is not new at all. In fact, it’s one of the oldest rivers on the planet. We spent three days exploring the area and learning about this beautiful area of West Virginia. 

New River Gorge Bridge
The Gorge

We based ourselves right outside the park boundaries at The Outpost, a cool RV, music, adventure hub. In a short hike we were able to reach the famed New River Gorge bridge. 

Home Sweet Home
Bob’s Site at The Outpost
Music Stage
Tent Platforms
Hike from The Outpost

The park’s visitor center offers great views of the bridge and a fun hike down to see the bridge up close. 

Visitors Center
Gorge Overlook
Walking the Visitor Center boardwalk
The bridge is huge
First views

Waterfalls are a major draw to New River Gorge area. Throughout our time here we couldn’t avoid the beautiful cascades. They even have an official waterfall trail. 

So. Many. Waterfalls.

While the area abounds with natural beauty, it wasn’t always this way. For over 80 years, railroads carried coal out of the area to fuel the Industrial Revolution. Over 50 coal communities were linked by rail in the New River Gorge. Today, the town of Thurmond is one of the few towns that still exists and is preserved by the National Park Service.

Bridge to Thurmond
Thurmond Station
Falls on the way to Thurmond

We explored the town’s structures including the old coal tower that fed the rail cars that carried the coal out of the gorge. 

Coal Towe
Thurmond’s industrial history
Downtown Thurmond
Coal Tower

The Endless Wall Trail is one of the park’s most popular. After about a mile we reached the Diamond Point Overlook where we watched whitewater kayakers and rafters way below. And what views!! 

Trailhead. Bob’s ready!
Views forever
Bob made it!
On the edge
Bridge views from the wall
Climbers love this area
Endless Wall

New River Gorge National Park is worth it for the winding country roads and sweeping views. With this we crossed one more national park off our map and it was a good one!

Country roads
New River Bridge

Springtime in Virginia

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Our time in Delaware was nice, but we were all ready to head west, away from the cool coast and the densely populated areas.

Bob meets a crab
Bob made it to the Atlantic

After a quick stop in the DC area to re-provision (hello Costco!), we continued westward with a stop in Buchanan, VA. Our ultimate plan was to check out Roanoke, which is known for its bike trails. However, it is not known for RV parks. The closest we could find was Limestone Park Campground, 20 miles from Roanoke.

Nice site at Limestone Park
View from our bedroom

Limestone Park only has 14 sites and it was a quiet respite, until the cops showed up. Here’s a video of the arrest we took from our bedroom window.

Once the suspected domestic violence offender was hauled away, we had a very uneventful stay.

Besides hitting the local Planet Fitness we got the bikes out on the Roanoke River Greenway. The 30 mile trail runs through the city along the Roanoke River. The nice path through numerous parks and past popular landmarks allowed us to see a little of the city. We even had a picnic lunch along the trail.

At Black Dog Salvage
Irises along the trail
Bridge crossing
Beautiful path
Picnic lunch

The little town of Buchanan is known for its swinging bridge. The bridge dates back to 1851 and the original bridge was burned by the Confederates in 1864. Since the 1930s the bridge has been maintained by the city. And yes, it does swing (and bounce) as you walk across.

Buchanan Love
Buchanan’s Swinging Bridge
Swinging Bridge

A nearby brewery called A Few Old Goats turned out to be a great place for Bob to relax, and our little campground was a great place for a campfire.

Bob loves breweries
Steve loves a campfire

We are Full-Timers!

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Never once when we started RVing five years ago would I have believed we would ever be full-time RVers. Life is so unpredictable! As of February 28, 2025 we no longer have a “sticks & bricks” home, opting for our home on wheels (at least for the time being).

We began considering this change last year, since we were spending so little time at home in Prescott. After many trips to a new 10×20 storage unit and some sad goodbyes with our beloved neighbors, we sold our townhouse to my cousin Mitch and hit the road.

He fit it all in!
Sweet Renee with Bob
We’ll miss the neighborhood herd
Going away gifts
Claxton and his thoughtful goodbye gift

Our final celebration was dinner to celebrate Will’s 7th birthday. Our timing was great, as a big storm hit Prescott right after we left!

Happy Birthday Will!
Prescott the day after we left

During our first month on the road we experienced fabulous Arizona desert sunsets, delicious wines and dinners at various Harvest Hosts across Arizona and New Mexico, and great music at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas.

Sunset from Cave Creek Regional Park
Dinner at Rio Grande Winery, Las Cruces, NM
Hilltop RV Park, Fort Stockton, TX
Lone Star at Gruene Hall

While in the Texas Hill Country we also looked at townhouses and RV properties, but nothing wowed us (except Buc-ee’s)! We’d love to find a winter home that’s comparable to our summer place in Traverse City, MI, so we’ll keep searching.

Buc-ee’s in New Braunfels, TX
Searching Buc-ee’s for the perfect snack

We’ve spent the last ten days at the beach in Port Aransas, TX. The stay was made so much better by a visit from Steve’s brother Brian, his family, and their new puppy Charlie.

Lydia, Heidi, Brian, & Nathan
Steve, Heidi, Nate, Charlie & Brian
Marnie & Lydia on the golf cart
Steve & Nate at the beach

We loved hanging out with the kids, exploring Port A via golf cart, and enjoying dinners out.

More beach time
At the end of the pier
Exploring the mile-long pier
Boys at the beach

Even Bob (sort of) enjoyed spending time with his new “cousin” Charlie.

Who could resist that face?
Tuckered out

So far, our full-time RV adventure has been great. We’ve got lots of travel ahead of us that includes a few marathons, horses, and some bourbon. We’ll do our best to keep you posted.