Feature Stories
Youth Group gets lost in West Virginia
By: Ashley Starcher
We needed something different for our youth group. That has been the major problem of every summer trip we have ever taken. We could never find common ground and then settle for someplace. The only problem "settle" seemed to mean some crowded beach, sand in the tanning oil, same-ol same-ol.
This year I decided to speak up. I have always wanted to go whitewater rafting on the New River in Oak Hill, West Virginia. We had driven through the place a number of times, and it always seemed like it would be a great vacation site. The New River Gorge Bridge alone almost demands a stop. After a look down into that beautiful canyon, I knew we had to go.
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At the annual vacation meeting, my sister Emily and I laid out the best proposal we could. We’ve both been working in sales for our high school yearbook for two years, so I like to think we had an idea of what we were doing. Our best friends, Kerri and Morgan, were easy to convince. They have been to West Virginia many times and to Oak Hill in October for New River Gorge Bridge Day. They were more than ready for a return trip.
My sister Bethany and her friend Erin were tougher and Erin’s sister, Trish, was not crazy about the idea of missing the beach. However, after she saw the bike trails that criss-cross the Gorge, she was with us. My cousin Jessica loves the beach as well, but when I told her about the impending white water adventure, she was ready to leave right then.
Many of our chaperones do not consider it a vacation unless they get to shop, eat out, and play golf. Once I convinced them that there would be plenty of that, they agreed.
Upon the advice of some friends we decided to do the adventure portion of our vacation with ACE Adventure Center. As we were driving over the longest arch bridge near Oak Hill, I got one more look at the New River Gorge. We then drove to ACE Adventure Center and located our bunkhouse. |
We had plenty of room with great shower facilities, video game facilities, and live music. It was perfect. and the adults booked the "Truman House" it is a remodled hunting lodge that President Harry Truman enjoyed visiting.
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| We got up the first morning, ready for our trip down the mighty New River. ACE Adventure Center is on the New River and that's less time on a bus... more time on the river. We met our whitewater guide, Tug, and took off. The river trip was everything I expected it to be. great it was. |
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We navigated some of the most extreme whitewater on the East Coast. Rapids like Surprise, Double Z, and Miller’s Folly were as challenging as they were exciting. The Rapid that stands out most was one called Lower Keeny. We hit huge walls of bubbling whitewater and towering waves deluged us from every direction. Thank goodness ACE's boats are all self-bailing, because it was constantly flooded with water. It was amazing! One of our chaperones, who is approaching 60, but still thinks she is 20, had a blast. She could not stop raving about how much fun it was. |
| It was a truly wonderful feeling to be with good friends and family on such an adventure, not to mention the grilled riverside lunch at ACE's private lunch spot. Ace is the only outfitter that provides grilled lunches and facilities... the other outfitters have cold sandwiches, some even peanut butter, and serve them on park service land... some rock, and NO BATHROOMS! |
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That evening we had a delicious dinner at ACE's Lakeside Dinner barbecue that fell off the bone. My sister Bethany is a vegetarian and she enjoyed the Veggie Pizza. That evening we were all tired, and a little sore but anxious for the next day.
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We popped out of bed in the morning ready for more adventure. Some of the adults headed off to the golf course. Others in our group went to Tamarack and shopped collections created by the local artists. That left the rest of us to spend a day learning to kayak at Ace-lake. Although none of us had ever done it before, our guide Jennifer was very patient. We had such a great time, Jennifers a hoot.
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The next morning most of our group headed out to do some early morning Mountain Biking. Trish, my mountain biking bud, was eager to go. We enjoyed a wonderful day on the Minden-Thurmond trail. It was beautiful trail that follows the river. Lucky for us, it was easygoing and had breathtaking views of the New River. Our biking guide Jeff said there were more white-knuckle trails ahead (he's not bad looking, but such a total mountain bike geek).
Jeff, Trish and I left the less experienced group behind with their guide, for some of the most exciting bike trails around. We encountered hairpin turns and sheer drop-offs that were extremely challenging. It was amazing to see how rugged and untouched those Appalachian Mountains can be. After almost two hours on some wild trails, we decided to meet up with the rest of the group.
After another great meal at ACE's Lake-side dinner, the adults went to The Lost paddle lounge to have a drink and listen to some live music, we went to bed like good little girls.
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The next morning we wanted to do something different. We decided to set up a caving tour with ACE in near by Greenbrier County. After being shuttled to the cave site, we were taken on a guided tour deep into the earth. It was very powerful to be in a cave. Our caving guide Butch told us to turn off our lights, and we experienced total darkness. The formations were amazing. Knowing that I was standing next to something that was over 1000 years old was cool! This is a real cave, not the well lit, hand rail, soda machine in the corner type cave.
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That night we decided it would be a good time to watch the sun set. It was long walk to the edge of the gorge, so we decided we should take a horse ride.
ACE Adventure Center is the only outfitter that has it's own stable, no need to drive all over West Virginia! ACE's is so easy! park your car and ACE takes care of all the details. We booked a trip and and took off for the overlook. As we watched a glowing sun sink behind the lush hills of West Virginia, one of the biggest skeptics... My sister Bethany turned to me and said, “ I don’t think I could have asked for a better vacation. Thank you.”
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We watched the sun set on the horizon. Looking at our group, I realized how special it was to have everyone together like that, school is almost out and theres not many years till college.
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I know that another trip to stay with ACE Adventure Center was on the agenda for next summer. Sorry about the title... they said I needed a good attention getter.
Ashley
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