For Brandon’s birthday we went to Harpers Ferry in West Virginia. It was only about an hour and 30 minutes away for us and was an enjoyable time!
The Bavarian Inn
We decided to maximize our day by getting there early and starting the birthday festivities. First we grabbed something to eat at this spot on the side of the road called Rolling Smoke BBQ. I order the Beef Brisket with a side of baked beans and they threw in some mac-n-cheese. He order the Purple Piggy with a side of purple slaw. It was scrumptious! After lunch, Brandon decided to start with River Riders where they offer a variety of water sports and land obstacles. We decided on the flat water tubing first. We didn’t want to take our camera’s and phones so we took the go pro. It was a very soothing and relaxing experience. This was about a two hour event. Next BRANDON did zip lining. Not really my thing…basically I’m a punk!
The Restaurant on the grounds of the hotel is called the Greystone Mansion. Here, you will experience German – American cuisine. Our food was delicious and filling. For appetizers we tried the Large German Pretzel stuffed with Crab Imperial, Aged Cheddar Cheese, German Mustard and Remoulade Dip. Brandon ordered a Moscow Mule that he almost didn’t get back. For an entrée, I ordered the Schweinebraten Juniper Scented Roasted Pork Loin with Rosemary Natural Jus, Sauerkraut and Potato Dumpling and Brandon ordered the Jaegerschnitzel Veal Steak with a Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce, Red Cabbage & Spaetzle. After dinner, we shared the Ganache for dessert by the pool.
Breakfast at the Greystone Mansion then off to Harpers Ferry! We started at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center. I highly recommend the tour they give from Bolivar Heights Battlefield. It was informational and the scenery is beautiful! It takes you from Bolivar Heights, Jefferson’s Rock, and down to the town where the shops and trails are. The tour offers lots of history on Harpers Ferry. Once we reached the town, we stopped to eat at this old restaurant called Coach House Grill-n-Bar. If you eat there, make sure you eat downstairs, it’s much cooler. The food was tasty. Now that our tummy’s were full, we were off to find the Maryland Heights trail. We were told it was a 2 hour trail…I took that as 2 hours roundtrip. WRONG! It was two hours up and about 1 hour and 30 minutes back down. It’s completely up hill for the most part and you will encounter some rocks and log steps I will call them. While we felt very accomplished and yes it was well worth the hike, the thought of the journey back was a little intimidating…at least it was for me but we made it. Once back to town, we grabbed some sherbert ice cream to cool down from the 90 degree weather. Then back to the shuttle that takes us back to the Harpers Ferry Visitor Center.
People have said in the past to do the Maryland Heights trail in the fall to take in all the foliage. With the way my body is feeling, the only way I will return to this trail is with a drone to catch the view! I won’t say never but no time soon! Lol