“Ride the Rails”

West Virginia & Allegheny Mountains

September 23 – 28 ,2024

6 days and 5 nights

 

     You won’t want to miss the ”Ride the Rails” tour, September 23-28 with the Cass Scenic Railroad, Smoke Hole Caverns, Blackwater Falls State Park and more.  Laura and Gary Block invite you to join them for six days and five nights of fun and adventure.  There are three nights lodging at Canaan Valley Resort in Davis, West Virginia. This is going to be a fabulous experience.

     Our comfortable Andy’s Charter Service motor coach departs Little Falls early in the morning on September 23rd, from the northeast corner of the Wal-Mart parking lot.  We’ll also pick up in Royalton, Rice, St. Cloud or anywhere else along our route.  We travel through the nation’s heartland as we head southeast to Indiana.  Lunch is on our own today. Our first night will be spent in LaPorte Indiana at the Holiday Inn Express, located across the street from gorgeous Pine Lake. Dinner is also on our own this evening.                                            

     Day two begins with a breakfast at the hotel.  We’ll travel through Indiana and continue our journey to wild and beautiful West Viginia with a leisurely drive through the Allegheny Mountains. Arrive at the Canaan Valley Resort, where we’ll check into our rooms.  Situated in one of the most scenic and tranquil settings in the Mid-Atlantic, Canaan Valley Resort is a four-season mountain destination nestled on a plateau overlooking the valley, offering sweeping views of the surrounding peaks.  Canaan Valley is the highest mountain valley east of the Rocky Mountains, with an elevation of 3,100 feet.  Dinner is included tonight at the hotel, followed by time for you to relax and enjoy the beauty of the area.                                                                                                                      

        Day three starts with breakfast, then depart for a fun-filed day of “riding the rails” through the beautiful countryside. Climb aboard the Cass Scenic Railroad and begin the long haul to Bald Knob. The Cass Scenic Railroad is the same line built in 1901 to haul lumber to the mill in Cass.  The locomotives are the same Shay locomotives used in Cass during that time and in the rain forests of British Columbia for more than a half century.  Many of the passenger cars are old logging cars that have been refurbished.  These are open-air cars that have roofs, but are open on the sides and seating is at traditional wooden benches. The long haul of 11 miles to Bald Knob takes about four and a half hours for the 22-mile round trip.  Panoramic views of the lofty Appalachians become more beautiful as the train climbs higher and higher.  Passengers suddenly realize they are entering a completely different world, mainly because of the change in trees, flowers and atmosphere.  By climbing the 2,390 feet from Cass (2452 feet) to Bald Knob (4,842 feet) on Black Allegheny Mountain and second highest point in West Viginia, passengers have made the equivalent of an 800-mile trip to Canada in climate, because of the higher altitude.  Here are found spruce trees, snowshoe hares and other plants and animals typical of the far north.  The rustic overlook affords one of the most awesome, overwhelming spectacles in the east.  Dwarfed by distance and almost lost in the vastness of the panorama is the giant Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope at the Green Bank Observatory in the valley near the foot of the mountain.  A remarkable contrast between the wilderness and Bald Knob and today’s space-age facilities.  A “King of the Road” hobo lunch will be provided to enjoy with your ride as well.  A ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad is an unforgettable experience.  At the conclusion of the train tour, we’ll enjoy a chance to stop at the Rail & Trail Store before departing for dinner and an evening of entertainment.  Dinner is included at the Steer Steakhouse and then it’s our entertainment tonight, with Crandall Creek, a high-energy bluegrass group comprised of members with impressive lead and harmony vocalists, award-winning instrumentalists and acclaimed songwriters.   

    Day four starts with the hotel’s breakfast. After breakfast, we’ll depart for a visit to Blackwater Falls State Park. The park features a spectacular waterfall plunging 63 feet into the Canyon below.  This offers an opportunity for some awesome pictures.  Afterwards, depart for a visit to the Smoke Hole Caverns.  The caverns contain an abundance of flowing stone, gleaming creamy white stone that looks like a rock waterfall!  The build-up of minerals from this steady flow of water builds beautiful monuments of stone that is as breathtaking as the mountain scenery above ground.  Some of the various formations you will see include stalagmites, stalactites, travertine and rim stone. The history of Smoke Hole Caverns is tied to the Seneca Indians who used the front section of the caverns to smoke wild game.  The slow-burning wood fires sent clouds of smoke swirling out into the valley. The scene was so common that the early settlers called the place Smoke Hole. The many rooms and secluded nature of the Caverns were also the ideal place for early settlers and immigrants to make corn whiskey after the Civil War.  The clean cold stream that flows through the Caverns was perfect for “moonshine” and it is estimated that perhaps as many as 20 stills operated at one time!  An original still remains on display today complete with its story.  This evening, we’ll enjoy dinner at the hotel.   Whew!!  What a great day!   

    Day five begins again with breakfast at the hotel as we prepare to depart.  Tonight, we’ll be staying at the Hampton Inn in LaPorte, Indiana.

    Our final day starts with breakfast at the Hampton and after we’ll be on our way back to Minnesota with lasting memories of our rail trip to West Viginia.  What a fabulous six days and you can be part of the fun and sightseeing.  Call today and add your name to the list!!           

 

$1,059 per person double occupancy    $1,029 per person triple occupancy

$1,004 per person quad occupancy      $1,169 per person single occupancy

$250 deposit is due when signing up and final payment is due by July 10, 2024                

 Cancellation & Refund Policy

Transportation and lodging hosted by Gary Block Tours is arranged with independent firms.  Bookings for entertainment are arranged through independent hotels, theatres and other entertainment venues.  We take great pride in our selection of reliable firms.  However, we do not control these independent firms.  Sometimes shows or celebrity appearances are changed or cancelled without notice.  We cannot be responsible for claims or losses arising out of injury, accident, death, loss of enjoyment, frustration or inconvenience that arises from the act or omission of any independent firm supplying services to Gary Block Tours, or for mechanical breakdowns, governmental actions, acts of God, strikes or acts of war beyond our control.  We cannot be responsible for the consequences of your failure to follow instructions, including but not limited to check in, check out and baggage handling.  If events or reservations are cancelled or changed, we will make every effort to provide a comparable substitute tour experience. Deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the tour is cancelled or we are able to replace with another paying person.

I have read and understand the Cancellation and Refund Policy notice. All participants of this trip must sign below.

 

Clip & return with payment to:  Gary Block Tours, 112 SE 4th Street, Little Falls, MN  56345

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Trip cancellation insurance is available thru NTA Protection Plan. Contact us for more info.