Greetings!
Schedule for Trip: North Bend State Park, October 10, 11, 12, 13, 2015 202 North Bend Park Road, Cairo, West Virginia 26337,304-643-2931 (350 miles from Louisville)
Saturday, October 10, 2015 - Pack FLASHLIGHTS and Headlamps if you decide to ride bikes in the tunnels. You will NOT need hiking gear on Saturday.
**Each Lodge Room is equipped with a mini-fridge.
**6:30 AM** Bus will arrive & begin loading. Meet at K-Mart (Breckenridge Lane & Taylorsville Road). Park in spaces closer to Thornton's. Plan ahead, allow for traffic, have backup transportation, start early, check out parking area before trip date. Any last minute problems, call Pat's cell phone at 502-741-6162, and have backup cell numbers of others on trip. Be early & on time! WE WILL NOT WAIT!"
7:00 AM "SHARP" Bus will depart!!!
Route: I-64 East to Exit 137 (restroom & snack); continue 88 miles on I-64 East to Exit 34 in West VA (restroom); continue 25 miles on I-64 East to Exit 58 at junction with I-77 North, Exit 104 at Charleston, West VA; continue 72 miles on I-77 North to Parkersburg, West VA. The following is the detailed route for the BUS to safely travel. From Parkersburg take Rt. 50 East 26 miles to Ellenboro; Route 16 five miles to Harrisville and go STRAIGHT - NO TURN (do not continue on Rt. 16). Continue 4 miles to 4-way stop & entrance to North Bend State Park. From Ellenboro to park entrance is 9 miles.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Restroom break & snack at McDonald's, Morehead Exit 137 (I-64 East), 402 Flemingsburg Rd., Morehead, KY 40351; 606-784-6211; Mgr. - Cathy
10:30 - Noon Drive approximately 88 miles to rest area I-64 East - West VA Exit 34. VERY QUICK STOP!
12:15 PM - 2:00 PM Drive approximately 25 miles to junction I-64 East & I-77 North at Charleston, West VA; continue 72 miles, I-77 North to Parkersburg, West VA.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Visit the Blennerhassett Museum, 137 Juliana Street, 304-420-4800, with the priceless historical relics of the Ohio Valley's past. Take a self-guided tour of three floors of intriguing exhibits guaranteed to please every historical interest. Also watch the 13 minute video on Blennerhassett history in the lower level theater.
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Meal at Golden Corral, 1302 Garfield Ave., 304-485-5388 (included in bus fare)
5:00 PM - 5:15 PM All aboard the bus for short drive to Civitan Park in Belpre, Ohio to prepare to board the Island Belle Sternwheeler, capacity 149, to transport us back in time. The captain will inform us of Ohio River history during the 10 minute cruise to the Island which has 10 miles of shoreline, contains 500 acres, and is 3.8 miles long - the 5th largest island in the Ohio River.
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Cruise to Blennerhassett Island where an enchanted world only known to Harman & Margaret Blennerhassett existed over 200 years ago. The island and mansion are illuminated by hundreds of candles and lantern boxes. You come as a "guest" to an 1802 party. You are viewing/taking part in a reenactment of this era. The soft glow of candlelight will weave a mesmerizing spell 'round about you as you listen to the music, see 18th-century dances, or watch a lively game of cards, before strolling outside to enjoy the many planned activities on the island. While on the island, plan to take a horse-drawn wagon ride, visit the gift shop, and warm yourself by an inviting bonfire at the servants' party where another spirited party is going on. At the servants' party you will hear Appalachian music, see clogging, watch apple butter being made, and hear haunting stories of local folklore.
8:30 PM Return to the 21st Century! Drive 30 miles (approximately 1 hour) to Cairo, West VA to North Bend State Park.
9:30 PM Unload luggage & check into rooms. A long day filled with excitement & adventure. Good night & sweet dreams.....
Sunday, October 11, 2015
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Breakfast - Lodge Dining Room. The North Bend Lodge Restaurant serves meals continuously from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Breakfast items are not served after
10:30 AM.
Hiking - Explore the park's 21 miles of 14 different hiking trails ranging in length from .25 mile to 6 miles. The Access Trail (1.2 miles) is a road bed that begins near Shelter #3 and ends at NBRT. North Bend Rail Trail is 72 miles long with North Bend State Park situated at the half-way point. This trail features 10 tunnels and 35 bridges.
**THE FOLLOWING IS A PREPLANNED 6.0 MILE FLAT HIKE ON A SURFACE OF CRUSHED LIMESTONE TO EXPERIENCE THE TUNNELS WITH YOUR FLASHLIGHTS AND/OR HEADLAMPS. WE WILL HAVE KEN ZEBO, PROGRAM COORDINATOR AND NATURALIST, AS OUR GUIDE. 9:30 AM- Gather as a group at the main entrance to the Lodge; walk 1 mile to the Hughes River bridge; walk .5 mile to Tunnel #13 Bonds Creek - 353 ft. long; continue walking .5 mile to Tunnel #12 - 577 ft. long; continue walking 1.7 miles to Tunnel #10 Dick Bias - 377 ft. long; and finally walk 2.3 miles to town of Ellenboro. Arrival time around 12:30 PM. Stop, rest, refresh with some lunch and wait for Jimmy & the bus to pick us up and deliver us back to the Lodge at North Bend State park by approximately 2:30 PM.
**THE FOLLOWING IS A PREPLANNED 2.5 MILE HIKE FOR THE LESS ACTIVE HIKERS.
9:30 AM - Gather as a group at the main entrance to the Lodge; walk down Hibbs Cemetery Trail 1.0 mile to the campground; walk to the left to Euell Gibbons Trail .5 mile loop between the swimming pool & the pond; walk back toward the campground where the Hibbs Cemetery Trail & the Southern Railroad Trail intersect (restroom in this area); walk the Southern Railroad Trail 1.0 mile along the river to Jughandle Parking Area where the bus will pick you up at approximately noon to go back to the Lodge.
During our stay at North Bend all guests are invited to play mini-golf at no cost.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Social Hour in Private Conference Room
Important: Park Rules for food/beverages, etc. are as follows: All personal alcoholic beverages are permitted in the Private Conference Room. NO FOOD IN MEETING ROOM THAT IS NOT PURCHASED FROM THE PARK. IT IS OKAY TO HAVE THESE FOOD ITEMS IN YOUR ROOMS. Park will provide: An assortment of party trays with mozzarella sticks, vegetables, dip, cheese, crackers, chips, salsa. Also, pitchers of water, ice, & water glasses are provided. **Note: Serenity Hiking Club Rule: Have a great time; enjoy & get to know everybody!!! 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Dinner - Lodge Dining Room. Meals can be charged to room to speed check-out and avoid long lines.
8:00 PM - ?? Campfire - Bring a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, or just yourself and sit back & relax around the campfire outside at the Lodge. A great way to end the day -- reliving the fun with old friends & new friends.
Monday, October 12, 2015
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Breakfast in the Lodge Dining Room
**THE FOLLOWING IS A PREPLANNED 2.0 MILE HIKE FOR THE LESS ACTIVE HIKERS WITH KEN ZEBO AS YOUR GUIDE.
9:30 AM - Gather as a group at the main entrance to the Lodge where hikers will be transported to the Base Camp Area and walk the Giant Tree Trail .5 mile one way; hikers are then transported to the Access Trail 1.2 miles surface of crushed limestone. It is part of an old railroad bed, flat, important to oil & natural gas; see old oil well engine & pump, also some views of old Southern Railroad Bridge abutments. This trail leads to Tunnel #13 Bonds Creek - 353 ft. long (about the length of a football field). Hikers can proceed into the tunnel with FLASHLIGHTS as far as you want to go & return. The Nature Center is in this area; and since Ken is your guide, he will be glad to show you the critters he collects & answer your "nature" questions.
Other hikers who want more distance & difficulty be sure to include the Nature Trail, a 4 mile loop, that can be accessed from the Lodge. The Lake Trail, 6 miles, which can be shortened with a bus drop off at Jughandle Day Use Area or a longer version with bus drop off at Boat Rental Bldg. Both routes will take you across the dam intersecting with Castle Rock Spur and back to Overlook Trail (use right side only). Follow the Cabin Road to the bridge & Hibbs Cemetery Trail for the uphill return to the Lodge.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Social Hour in Private Conference Room
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Dinner - Lodge Dining Room
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Movie - location to be announced Tuesday, October 13, 2015
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Breakfast in the Lodge Dining Room
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Stagger check-out & load luggage to bus. 10:00 AM - Noon
Irish Road Bowling
Noon Board bus & depart for Louisville.
Noon - 2:00 PM
Drive approximately 122 miles to Junction I-77 South with I-64 West, Charleston, W VA area. 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Restroom break & quick meal I-64 West, exit 39, -- Teays Valley Truck Stop, 304-757-7600 ext.#6, Home cooking at Country Pride Diner. Also McDonald's, Wendy's, 5 Guy's, KFC, and Taco Bell in the same area.
3:00 PM - 5:15 PM Drive approximately 90 miles to rest area, MM140: I-64 West, (Morehead is exit 137).
5:15 PM - 5:30 PM Restroom break
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Drive 140 miles to Louisville. 8:00 PM Approximate time of arrival in Louisville
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