The sunny weather last weekend was so beautiful, the temperatures reached into the high 80s and were 89 degrees when we returned from a nice visit with my parents in Lewisburg. Lewisburg is located in Greenbrier County WV. about a 2 1/2 hours from Charleston. It was a nice treat after the cold weather that we have endured this winter, and it seems to want to hang in there and continue to be cold and dreary, as this weekend is high 52 degrees and rainy, dark, and yucky also.
We drove up last Friday and spent the weekend. We had a great time and it was to beautiful to stay inside so on Saturday, Gary, Mom and I went to the Flea Market, we walked around town and visited the antique shops. Many of the shops we use to visit are now closed due to this nasty depression. The sun was shining brightly, hardly a cloud in the sky. I actually got to wear shorts and sandals and got some sun while walking. The total weekend was beautiful.
Hawks Nest was named after a large tree which was a favorite nesting place of hawks situated near the old hotel and used as a navigational marker in early days. The area was occupied by Worimi Aborigines prior to white settlement. The first Europeans to work in the area were timbergetters who took an interest in the forests (mostly red cedar) along the Myall River early in the 19th century. The timber was hauled by bullock trains to mills, then carted by punt down river to Hawks Nest and the Winda Woppa peninsula. Ships bound for Newcastle and Sydney picked up the timber, unloading the stone they carried for ballast on the banks of the river, much of it being used in construction of the rock walls which can still be seen today. A timber mill was built at Winda Woppa in 1920 and shipped out 13 million square feet of wood in 1922.
The Hawks Nest Tunnel is considered a marvel of modern day engineering. Completed in June 1936, the tunnel is 16,240 feet in length and drops in elevation a total of 163 feet. Along with a dam built at the same time, the tunnel funnels water from the New River just below Hawks Nest bypassing the riverbends to a hydroelectric plant downstream.
The tunnel was cut directly through a seam of silica, sometimes over 99% pure. Evidently the potential dangers related to working in a silica rich enviroment were withheld from the tunnel workers and within a matter of weeks, the laborers began succumbing to the fatal effects of the silica dust. By the time the tunnel was completed, it's estimated that thousands of men were exposed to and untold hundreds died from the exposure from 1930 to 1935.
Just below the ledge at Hawks Nest State Park fabled Lovers Leap Rock juts out into the New River Gorge. It was there that, according to legend, Little Swan a Cherokee maiden and Running Deer, a Shawnee brave, plunged to their death because their parents opposed their marriage.
We drove up last Friday and spent the weekend. We had a great time and it was to beautiful to stay inside so on Saturday, Gary, Mom and I went to the Flea Market, we walked around town and visited the antique shops. Many of the shops we use to visit are now closed due to this nasty depression. The sun was shining brightly, hardly a cloud in the sky. I actually got to wear shorts and sandals and got some sun while walking. The total weekend was beautiful.
On Sunday afternoon we started back home and took the scenic route and stopped at Hawks Nest State Park. It was another beautiful day that brought out lots of bikers riding the winding, mountain backroads and a few of them were at the overlook at Hawks Nest just enjoying the weather and the beautiful views.
Hawks Nest Culture And History
Hawks Nest was named after a large tree which was a favorite nesting place of hawks situated near the old hotel and used as a navigational marker in early days. The area was occupied by Worimi Aborigines prior to white settlement. The first Europeans to work in the area were timbergetters who took an interest in the forests (mostly red cedar) along the Myall River early in the 19th century. The timber was hauled by bullock trains to mills, then carted by punt down river to Hawks Nest and the Winda Woppa peninsula. Ships bound for Newcastle and Sydney picked up the timber, unloading the stone they carried for ballast on the banks of the river, much of it being used in construction of the rock walls which can still be seen today. A timber mill was built at Winda Woppa in 1920 and shipped out 13 million square feet of wood in 1922.HAWKS NEST TUNNEL
The Hawks Nest Tunnel is considered a marvel of modern day engineering. Completed in June 1936, the tunnel is 16,240 feet in length and drops in elevation a total of 163 feet. Along with a dam built at the same time, the tunnel funnels water from the New River just below Hawks Nest bypassing the riverbends to a hydroelectric plant downstream. The tunnel was cut directly through a seam of silica, sometimes over 99% pure. Evidently the potential dangers related to working in a silica rich enviroment were withheld from the tunnel workers and within a matter of weeks, the laborers began succumbing to the fatal effects of the silica dust. By the time the tunnel was completed, it's estimated that thousands of men were exposed to and untold hundreds died from the exposure from 1930 to 1935.LOVERS LEAP
Just below the ledge at Hawks Nest State Park fabled Lovers Leap Rock juts out into the New River Gorge. It was there that, according to legend, Little Swan a Cherokee maiden and Running Deer, a Shawnee brave, plunged to their death because their parents opposed their marriage. Lots of activities are available at Hawks Nest, hiking trails, paddle boats, tram rides, cabins and campgrounds, museums, etc. and the breathtaking views are awesome. Spectacular waterfalls must be seen while you are visiting. Gary and I did not get to do these things on this visit because they do not open until May 30th. but we will have to return during the summer months as it has been many years since we have enjoyed these activities.
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1 comment:
Wow, Ray & Shirley's place still looks so beautiful and peaceful. Just the way I remember it. The views from Hawk's Nest are spectacular. It's a shame we never made it up there with Gary last time. I swear it's like your boy actively looks for something to keep himself busy, and never takes a short break for himself.
Big G is looking handsome as ever, and you look fantastic. I like those pictures of you two on the bench.
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