After a LONG search, and many dead ends, I have finally selected a location for the 14th annual
West Virginia Wild and Wonderful Weekend.
Albeit, a bit late, but better than never! I think that this year's event has GREAT potential!
West Virginia Wild and Wonderful Weekend.
Albeit, a bit late, but better than never! I think that this year's event has GREAT potential!
When?
March 18th-20th, 2016
Where?
The Good Evening Ranch
539 Exotic Drive, Canvas, WV 26662
While they do not have a working website at the moment, information and photos can be seen here! These are a bit dated, taken shortly before the Ranch was taken over by the new owners! All of the cabins and the lodge rooms have been renovated since they were taken! I HIGHLY suggest you look over these photos to see the beauty that the ranch has to offer! http://www.riverbendauction.com/auction/206958/the-good-evening-ranch-near-summersville/
The Good Evening Ranch, a private gated property, is family owned and operated. Located on 400+ acres of sprawling West Virginia countryside, featuring breathtaking panoramic views, rustic cabins and a variety of attractions, The Good Evening Ranch is the ideal spot for a night away from home, a weekend getaway or an extended vacation.
Located just five miles outside of Summersville, WV off US Route 19. Amenities include many rental cabins and the Watusi Lodge, swimming pool, fishing ponds, hiking/biking trails, playground, scheduled events for concerts, off road 4?4 trails, steel outdoor arena with bleachers, indoor arena, stalls for over 200 horses. A horseman?s paradise.
The Ranch is within reasonable distance of many beautiful locations that Central WV has to offer!
6 Miles: Summersville Lake Retreat and Recreation Area
11 Miles: Carnifex Ferry Battle Field State Park
29 Miles: New River Gorge Recreation Area
29 Miles: Hawks Nest State Park
35 Miles: Babcock State Park
43 Miles: Cranberry Glades Botanical Area/Monongahela National Forest
This year is going to be a tad different as we will not be holding the entire get together within one of West Virginia's state parks. This is due to the many events and the limited availability of accommodations across the state for this particular weekend.
If you attended the Summersville Camping GTG in 2009, then you know there is great beauty in this area and many amenities and things to do! This is also a fairly central location for those that would like to attend from neighboring states.
Located just five miles outside of Summersville, WV off US Route 19. Amenities include many rental cabins and the Watusi Lodge, swimming pool, fishing ponds, hiking/biking trails, playground, scheduled events for concerts, off road 4?4 trails, steel outdoor arena with bleachers, indoor arena, stalls for over 200 horses. A horseman?s paradise.
The Ranch is within reasonable distance of many beautiful locations that Central WV has to offer!
6 Miles: Summersville Lake Retreat and Recreation Area
11 Miles: Carnifex Ferry Battle Field State Park
29 Miles: New River Gorge Recreation Area
29 Miles: Hawks Nest State Park
35 Miles: Babcock State Park
43 Miles: Cranberry Glades Botanical Area/Monongahela National Forest
This year is going to be a tad different as we will not be holding the entire get together within one of West Virginia's state parks. This is due to the many events and the limited availability of accommodations across the state for this particular weekend.
If you attended the Summersville Camping GTG in 2009, then you know there is great beauty in this area and many amenities and things to do! This is also a fairly central location for those that would like to attend from neighboring states.
Accommodations:
We have unique opportunity this year for lodging at the Ranch. They have available, the entire 9 Bedroom Watusi Lodge available for rent. The lodge is newly renovated in 2015 with beautiful finishes, a full kitchen, large gathering room, and dining room. As well as a LARGE back deck! Each bedroom has a queen bed, its own private bathroom, and a door to the outdoor balcony.
Kitchen and Dining/Living Rooms
The price for the lodge is as follows:
$112.50/night/bedroom taxes and fees included;
$225.00 for both nights with only 8 of the rooms spoken for
The Watusi Lodge
Lodge Bedroom: All identical 1 Queen Bed; Each with own bathroom
Kitchen and Dining/Living Rooms
The price for the lodge is as follows:
$112.50/night/bedroom taxes and fees included;
$225.00 for both nights with only 8 of the rooms spoken for
In order for us to obtain the lodge for this year's get together, we will need commitment to fill each bedroom before we can reserve it as a whole. The rooms will be available on a first come, first serve basis! So please let me know if you would be interested in reserving a room in the lodge. Remember, only OUR group will be in the lodge for the weekend! I will get an exact total for the rooms as soon as I can!
The lodge is more than enough space to serve as the host place for the GTG with common space for recreation as well as personal space within the private bedrooms. It is also more than enough space to cook and hold the traditional Potluck Dinner Saturday Evening.
Unfortunately, the lodge is not pet-friendly, please see the section below for Pet-Friendly accommodations!
Cabins
Due to the winter months and long term cabin rentals, the Ranch has available 2 extra cabins.
Each cabin sleeps 8 people with 2 bedrooms and a bathroom downstairs, and an open loft and bathroom upstairs.
Cabin 1:
2 Queen Bedrooms and a Bath downstairs
1 Queen Bed and 2 twin beds on opposite sides of the loft separated by a bathroom
Cabin 2:
2 bedrooms with a double bed in each and a Bath downstairs
Single large open loft with 2 double beds and a bathroom
The price of the cabins are $300.00/night
No smoking, and unfortunately, pets are not permitted to stay in the cabins
Pet-Friendly, and other Accommodations:
The Sleep Inn of Summersville
A friend of mine works for the company which owns the hotel, said that he would be happy to host any of our guests that wanted to travel with pets, and/or didn't plan to stay on site. He has asked me to get a count of those that may be interested in staying with them for the weekend. Once we get a number of those that may be interested, he guaranteed me a "very good rate" for the group.
Schedule of Events
Friday:
Arrive in Canvas and gather at the Ranch.
7PM: Group Dinner in Summersville at La Caretta Mexican Restaurant. (They have great food, Margaritas by the pitcher, and girly drinks)
Saturday
9:00AM Breakfast at the lodge, made by us. MENU TBD
Between 10:00AM-10:30AM Depart Lodge for Group Cruise.
11:00AM-3:00PM Group Cruise and outing. ( FRS Radio's on Channel 8 ) Stops to include: Babcock State Park, New River Gorge Bridge (if time allows), Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, Summersville Dam & Recreation Area. Lunch will be at Fat Eddies at the Dam, while we are on the Cruise! . If anyone has any suggestions or requests, please feel free to let me know!
Optional Trip: 02Z71 has suggested getting a group of folks together to go Ziplining at Adventures on the Gorge. They are located near the New River Gorge Bridge. The trips are typically "half-day" trips. If you are interested, let Brian know and he can plan accordingly based on interest!
https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com/adventures/zip-line-aerial-adventures
3:00PM Return to the Good Evening Ranch for "Talkin Trucks" (Group Modding, etc.) This is also some time to explore the rest of the Ranch or more of the local sites!
For those interested, you may want to visit the local Kirkwood Winery located about 11 miles from the Ranch. https://kirkwood-wine.com/country-store/
5:30PM Group Potluck Dinner at the Watusi Lodge. Watch for a food thread to follow very soon. Start thinking about what you might want to bring!
After dinner, I anticipate a few rousing games of "Heads Up", and other various shenanigans
Sunday
Group Breakfast in Summersville before heading home.-Shoney's of Summersville
Final Goodbyes
Arrive in Canvas and gather at the Ranch.
7PM: Group Dinner in Summersville at La Caretta Mexican Restaurant. (They have great food, Margaritas by the pitcher, and girly drinks)
Saturday
9:00AM Breakfast at the lodge, made by us. MENU TBD
Between 10:00AM-10:30AM Depart Lodge for Group Cruise.
11:00AM-3:00PM Group Cruise and outing. ( FRS Radio's on Channel 8 ) Stops to include: Babcock State Park, New River Gorge Bridge (if time allows), Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, Summersville Dam & Recreation Area. Lunch will be at Fat Eddies at the Dam, while we are on the Cruise! . If anyone has any suggestions or requests, please feel free to let me know!
Optional Trip: 02Z71 has suggested getting a group of folks together to go Ziplining at Adventures on the Gorge. They are located near the New River Gorge Bridge. The trips are typically "half-day" trips. If you are interested, let Brian know and he can plan accordingly based on interest!
https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com/adventures/zip-line-aerial-adventures
3:00PM Return to the Good Evening Ranch for "Talkin Trucks" (Group Modding, etc.) This is also some time to explore the rest of the Ranch or more of the local sites!
For those interested, you may want to visit the local Kirkwood Winery located about 11 miles from the Ranch. https://kirkwood-wine.com/country-store/
5:30PM Group Potluck Dinner at the Watusi Lodge. Watch for a food thread to follow very soon. Start thinking about what you might want to bring!
After dinner, I anticipate a few rousing games of "Heads Up", and other various shenanigans
Sunday
Group Breakfast in Summersville before heading home.-Shoney's of Summersville
Final Goodbyes
This is all I have at this moment. Please stay tuned for further details as well as separate threads for discussion of various events! Again, I apologize for the delay, but I hope that I can make up for it!
Attending:
1. 4x4dreamer, MOM, & Ash (2 Lodge Rooms)
2. GoldBowTie & Toots (Lodge Room)
3. BnGBleeder +1 (Lodge Room)
4. OldVMer +1 (Lodge Room)
5. Mrs. WVAV & WVAvalanche (Lodge Room)
6. 02Z71 +1 (Lodge Room)
7.
8. N1NCZ +1 (Lodge Room)
9. Special Surprise Guest(s)
Tentative:
1.
Maybe
1. ms38w
2.
3.