Wayne and I love to take long weekend trips and we try to do it once a season. This year we couldn't getaway in the peak of Autumn but we made it for the end and that wonderful glistening bronze color, like sunset accompanied by fall rain. We are both West Virginia transplants (from Ohio) so we have spent our recent road-trips discovering local places.
This time, we chose Canaan Valley in the northeast region of the Allegheny Mountains and visited the cute little mountain towns of Thomas & Davis (rated the best towns to view fall in West Virginia).
DAY 1 | Thomas, WV
We left Friday afternoon, bags packed, thermoses filled with apple cider and ready for an adventure! We arrived at Canaan Valley Resort in time for a 7pm dinner at the Hickory Dining Room (which was delicious) and a cozy night in by the fireplace.
Saturday morning we set out to explore the little mountain town of Thomas, nestled just a few miles from its sister town, Davis on a one lane road by the river.
Coffee was the first stop. Tip Top coffee, I assume named after this old coffee company (see picture of canister), served up one of the most delicious latte's I've had in West Virginia as well as cortadas, pour over coffee and delicious pastries. We enoyed frittatta, a pumpkin scone, a latte for me and flat white for him by the window for a long sip on that cold morning and then ordered two more drinks to go!
There is a wonderful assortment of galleries, antique shops and markets in town that we enjoyed perusing with drinks in hand. My favorite was ELLA & Company - a sweet young creative who curates her favorite antiques and tableware that she sells and rents out for weddings as a designer and wedding planner. (If you're getting married here, this is your girl!). Wayne may or may not have rolled an old Maytag ringer/washer from her store down the street into his truck before we left Sunday (auctioneer life).
It turned into a rainy afternoon that we decided to use nestled up on the couch by the fireplace and then return to town for the evening.
EVENING | Siriani's & The Purple Fiddle
Siriani's Pizza Cafe in Davis came highly recommended and did not disappoint! We had delicious pizza (our own personal pies) & parmesan wedges in a super fun atmosphere (a hundred year old steam ship office that was used to make travel arrangements for the many immigrants who came to the area for work during the coal and timber booms of the late 1890's and early 1900's).
After dinner we headed over to the Purple Fiddle for live music (one of the places Davis is most well known for). This venue hosts live music every night of the week during busy seasons and every weekend-night year round - It is apart of the Mountain Music Trail. Revelation Hill delivered wonderful bluesy/ rock and roll tunes, both acoustic and electric, as locals filled up the venue into the night. It was so good for the soul!
A fawn in the backyard of Canaan Valley Resort.
DAY 2 | Black Water Falls
Sunday morning arose with an extra hour that we gladly accepted with Daylight Savings and another slow morning. This time we opted for a full breakfast at the Bright Morning Inn in Davis, serving up delicious homemade specials to guests and public alike. It seemed like a locals favorite and we could see why! On the board as we entered the cozy B&B was Pumpkin Walnut Pancakes drizzled with maple butter sauce (I took that!) and a savory breakfast skillet (he took that). Can I say..... IT WAS AMAZING!
We headed out to Black Water Falls to do some hiking and view the falls. What a beautiful experience. Hiking is one of our favorite things anytime of the year, but especially in the fall. We were told to go to the main falls as well as Pendleton and Lindy point. Pendleton is just a little ways up the road from the falls and what a view of the valley! We could see the river for miles. Lindy point felt like a secret trail behind the lodge that few knew about.. We took a short hike into the woods from the trailhead to an amazing view (and a sit on a rock that scared Wayne a bit - see last picture).
Other local attractions include Seneca Rocks (see our summer trip here this summer) & Dolly Sods (we hope to trek on our next trip).
EVENING | Scenic Route & Dinner in Parsons, WV
Davis, WV had lost most of it's leaves at it's elevation by this point (we saw remnants of the 8 inches of snow they were said to have got the Sunday prior!) but foliage was still very colorful closer to home. So, we took a long, scenic route to enjoy the rest of the season's color and stopped at the little town of Parsons, WV for dinner at CJ's Pizzeria (I got the calzone!! and he got the loaded baked potato!).
I hope this filled your hearts with beauty and put a little bug to get outdoors in you!
Happy Adventuring Friends!
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