Post-Leaf Peepers

The hurricane rains tried to blot out our weekend but Saturday, after a wet 5K race, was partly sunny enough that I can say even mother nature was a good host.

The RunForIt 5K fund raiser race was a great success for the town's Riverfront Park. The Riverfront Ramblers team succeeded in raising double my corporate sponsoring match, and won the Tucker Community Endowment Foundation's award for 'most money raised.' A second team called Trail Mix contributed additional funds to the Riverfront Park. It looks like the park got at least $22,000 Saturday. More pics below:

2nd team to support Riverfront Park

Trail Mix is a second team aiming to raise money for the town park in the TCEF 5K RunforIt race on September 27th in Davis. Each team in this 700+ person race may designate its own cause. The teams raise money for their cause and can earn matching amounts from TCEF. In the name of Davis Riverwalk I am pledging up to $5K in matching for amounts directed to the riverfront park.

Trail Mix will be a new retail business in Canaan Valley offering such things as organic trail mix and smoothies.

2008 Leaf Peeper Schedule

Friday, September 26th
10am – 4:30pm
Fall Foliage Horseback Ride. Mt. Trail Rides, Canaan Valley.
Enjoy the area’s fall foliage from horseback, Don’t forget your cameras!
Identify yourself as a “Leaf Peeper” and receive a 10% discount.
Reservations a MUST! Call 304-866-4652
5:30 pm
DTEMS PTO Cake Walk. Davis Fire Fall, Davis.
Come enjoy old family fashion fun. Many cakes to be won.
If inclement weather, Cake walk will be moved inside.
8:30 pm
Music, Purple Fiddle, Thomas.
The Purple Fiddle is proud to host Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels.
$12 cover charge. Kids Free. For information 304-463-4040.

Saturday, September 27th
7:00 am
Migrating Birds Walk, CV NWR.
Hike will last a couple of hours. Hike led by Casey Rucker.
Meet @ the CVW Refuge Visitors Center in Canaan Valley.
For more information 304-866-3858.
9am – 5pm
Appalachian Craft & Food Fair, Davis Fire Hall. Davis.
Crafters & Artists from all over the region display their specialties.
Many items for sale including; painted wood slates, ceramics,
fabric crafts, baked goods and hot food from the kitchen by the
Blackwater Rebekah Lodge ladies. For more information 304-259-5315.
9am – 4 pm
Photo Contest, Davis Fire Hall. Davis.
As you stroll through the Appalachian Craft & Food Fair, stop and cast
your vote for your favorite photo. There will be an adult & junior
category, along with a Black & White, professional and digital category.
All photos must be matted and turned in to the Information Center by
5:00 p.m. Friday September 26th .Public Judging. Voting takes place
from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Winners announced at 4pm. For more information
call 304-259-5315.
10am
Elakala Trail Walk, Blackwater Falls State Park.
Meet the naturalist in the Lodge Lobby for a walk along the Elakala trail.
This trail winds along the canyons rim over a section of a creek waterfall
and by some huge sandstone rock formations. Some steps, one mile,
about one hour. For more information call 304-259-5216.
10am
Tour of Davis Run For It 2K/ 5K or Walk, Davis Fire Hall.
Sponsored by the TCEF. Men, women and youth classes. Prizes and
trophies awarded. 5K is certified and sanctioned by U.S. Track & Field.
Pre register before Sept.15th or register day of race at 8:00a.m. @ the
Davis Fire Hall. Race starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Davis Fire Hall. For more
information 304-478-2930.
10am - ?
Outdoor BBQ. Windwood Fly-In Resort, Canaan Valley.
Outdoor BBQ, pumpkin face painting, candy apples,
baked goods, door prizes, free gifts for kids, plane rides. For
information 304-866-7456
10am – 3pm
Silent Auction, Davis Fire Hall, Davis.
Bid on various items from local businesses. Many items to be won!
Items include; Lodging Packages, Ski Passes, Handcrafted items
and more!! Sponsored by Tucker County COC. For more
information call 304-259-5451.
10am – 4pm
Craft Show, Canaan Valley.
Sponsored by the Canaan Valley Women’s Club. Over 30 tables of quality
handmade crafts by area and out-of-state crafters at the Canaan Valley Fire
Department. For more information 304-621-2537.




10am – 4:30pm
Fall Foliage Horseback Ride. Mt. Trail Rides, Canaan Valley.
Enjoy the area’s fall foliage from horseback, Don’t forget your cameras!
Identify yourself as a “Leaf Peeper” and receive a 10% discount.
Reservations a MUST! Call 304-866-4652
10am – 5pm
Food Tasting, Moutnainmade Country Store, Thomas.
Visit Mountainmade Country store for a taste of Gourmet Foods of WV.
For more information 463-3376.
11am
Revenge of the Rattlesnake Mountainbike Race
The longest running mountainbike race in the world will start at
Timberline Four Seasons Resort and finish in Davis with a lot of roots
and rocks in between! Registration opens at 9:00 AM. More information
contact Blackwater Bikes at 259-5286 or visit www.wvmba.com
11am - ??
Oktoberfest. Across from the Davis Fire Hall, Davis.
Beer, music, dancing & food! A true Oktoberfest atmosphere. Sample
treats from local businesses/organizations. Music to include; The Davisson
Brothers & The Sugar Stompers. Sponsored by the Tucker County COC.
For information 304-259-5451.
11am-4pm
Canoe/Kayak Float Trips, Across from Davis VFD along river.
Come out and experience the Blackwater River up close! Blackwater Outdoor
Adventures will be renting Canoes/Kayaks on the Blackwater River across
from the Davis VFD. For more info call 304-478-3775.
1pm
Blackwater Canyon Bike Ride
Drivers will meet at the USFS Nursery Bottom trail head at Bretz to set up
shuttles at noon. Riders will depart from Purple Fiddle at 1:00 p.m. Helmets
are required. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Sponsored
by Highland Trail Foundation. For more information karen@elkinsbike.com
2pm
Blackwater Falls Memory Log, Blackwater Falls State Park
Meet in the Harold S. Walter Nature Center to create your own memory log.
This craft is completed in two session. Craft fee $4. For more information
call 304-259-5216.
2:30pm
Blackwater Dazzlers Performance, Next to Oktoberfest Tent.
Come out and support this group of girls as they “Strut their stuff”. This
organization is relatively new to the area and features all local girls. If
inclement weather, the performance will be moved to the Davis
Community Center. For more information call 304-614-8125
8:30 pm
Ghost Walk, Davis.
Take a “walk back in time” through the streets of Davis, stopping at different
locations where stories of strange and unusual happenings have occurred.
$5.00 per person. Meet at the Old National Bank of Davis Parking lot.
For information 304-866-4455.
8:30 pm
Music, Purple Fiddle, Thomas.
The Purple Fiddle is proud to host the Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Family Band
$12 cover charge. Kids Free. For information 304-463-4040.

Sunday, September 28th
8am – 1pm
Fireman’s Fall Feed, Davis Fire Hall, Davis
Support our local Fire Department with this glorious breakfast of Pancakes,
Buckwheat Cakes & Sausage Gravy & Biscuits! $7 for adults & $4 for Kids (12 & Under)
8:30pm
Fall Colors Trail Hike, CVNWR.
Join Master Naturalists Bruce and Andy Dalton on this trail hike
on Cabin Mountain trails, looking at fall colors and a nice view of the
valley! Meet @ the CVW Refuge Visitors Center in Canaan Valley.
For more information 304-866-3858.
9:30am-??
11th Annual Fall Colors Golf Tournament, Canaan Valley Resort.
New Format includes open division, Play for cash! Best Ball scramble
w/ two divisions, open & handicap. Lots of great prizes!! For rules
& more information call 304-259-5315.




10am – 3pm
Tree Planting, Friends of Blackwater-Davis Park & BWFSP.
As part of National Public Lands Day (NPLD) we will be planting red spruce
trees at Davis City Park and Blackwater Falls State Park on the
new “River Trail” across the bridge from Davis. Volunteer any time from
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Tools provided. Meet at the canoe landing behind the
old Shop-n-Save (across from Sirianni's). Call Brandae Mullins at (304)
345-7663 to register. Get a free T-Shirt, good exercise and celebrate the
75th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps by continuing their
legacy.
12pm
Inaugural Downhill Mountainbike Race. Timberline Resort
We've worked on the course all summer and it's time to GO! Registration is
At 9am and racing starts at noon! For more information contact Timberline
at 1-800-SNOWING or jrnolan@comcast.net
12pm- 4pm
Canoe/Kayak Float Trips, Across from Davis VFD along river.
Come out and experience the Blackwater River up close! Blackwater Outdoor
Adventures will be renting Canoes/Kayaks on the Blackwater River across
from the Davis VFD. For more info call 304-478-3775.
1pm
Duck Race, Beaver Creek Bridge, Davis.
Over 700 ducks are released into Beaver Creek. First, Second, Third & Last duck
to cross finish line wins $$. Duck Tickets are $2.00 each & can be purchased at the
Information Center. Tickets must be purchased before 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.
2pm
13th Annual Dog Show, Parking lot across from DVFD, Davis.
Your dog could win a prize for Best Trick, Best Dressed or Best of Show and
many more categories. Show will take place rain or shine (if inclement weather,
will be held under the tent) Sponsored by the Mountaineer Humane society.
8pm
Music, Purple Fiddle, Thomas.
The Purple Fiddle is proud to host Johnny Possum's Good Time Hootin' Band
$8.00 cover charge. Kids Free For more information 304-463-4040.

Thanks for attending & we hope to see you next year
September 25th – 27th, 2009

Breaking the silence

Leaf Peepers Festival is amazingly unpublized in area web sites and publications. We're trying to change that a bit with this web site and this billboard, installed yesterday at the Riverwalk site.

Canoeing at Riverwalk for Leaf Peepers

I and a few others here in Davis have imagined canoes ending flatwater trips at the take-out just behind the old shopnsave (future Riverwalk Shops). And having boats racked there would make it convenient to rent for just a 30 minute paddle up to the new road bridge and around the little islands...perhaps do some trout fishing, or just see the town from a new perspective.

For Leaf Peepers we're going to make it reality. Blackwater Outdoor Adventures will have a few boats of various types at the water for festival goers to take out for a spin. You probably can't go downstream due to shallow rapids but there is plenty of slightly deeper still water backing up to the vicinity of the bridge.

If this dream has legs, then one day there'll be tubing, canoeing, and kayaking from Camp 70 and Beaver Creek start points, taking out at Davis Riverwalk. The goal is to offer families an easy adventure on flat water that ends right downtown.

Nearby on Davis Riverwalk is a USGS Gauging Station that has tracked volume since 1921 and depth since 1991. It is considered one of the most important gauging stations in WV for predicting floods downstream. Check out this data!

Still logs running the Blackwater

This week we are clearing and grading what will be one day be the main promenade to a viewing deck and canoe takeout. During the job our own Mayor Drenning stopped in and noticed a clean cut and notched spruce log. The shot above shows the log with a view from Riverwalk's riverfront. Clearly very old red spruce, protected for a century underwater before being washed up here, this log is well on its way to becoming mulch. In the old BW photo you can see the roof line of the "old bank building" at left, with the structures, rails and stacks of the Babcock Boom & Lumber Co along the north banks of the Blackwater. The photographer was across the water from today's Riverwalk's site and the view is angled upstream toward what is today's Davis Riverfront Park. Seeing this old log and various chunks of century-old foundation in the mix, we felt like the boom days were just a little closer in history. Other huge spruce logs with similar notching rest nearby in the water. I am guessing that these logs are from the log bridge that spanned the Blackwater near this location. They are from the lumber days, no doubt. Phil, our excavator, told me that in the 'old days' (I'll guess the 50's) they would just burn the shores of the Blackwater along here, to keep back the brush that they feared would bring a fire from across the river (today the Blackwater Falls State Park) I daresay that most fires in these moist woods probably came and continue to come from man's hand, but ok, I can imagine these banks burned off and grassed, before the decades of decline had made themselves felt. Imagine the 1920's and 30's here...a time when the mills were silent, gone or being disassembled. A thousand or more citizens watched the economic engine wind down. One property after another would be neglected, abandoned, and town pride would find a smaller bastion, walk a narrower path, and subsist on a sparser income from nearby mining and the slowing momentum of a lumber boom's legacy.

Davisson Bros for Leaf Peeper's in Downtown Davis

September 27th, 11am. After you run in the fund raising RunForIt 5K foot race, kick back for a concert performance by the Davisson Brothers! The Davisson Brothers Band has a unique style infusing a remarkable blend of country, southern rock, and bluegrass to create a distinctive sound captured in their first single, "Big City Hillbilly." This sound, combined with the band's talent and energy, has gained a loyal fan base all over the Eastern United States. Brothers Chris and Donnie Davisson and cousin Sammy Davisson, along with childhood friend Aaron Regester, are continuing musical pursuits started by the Davisson family long ago. Aaron's reliable drums and Sammy's solid bass groove provide the perfect foundation for Donnie's impassioned, soulful vocals with Sammy's flawless harmonies all driven by Chris's mind-bending blend of bluegrass, country, and blues guitar creating a sound unlike anything you've ever heard. "Music has always been a part of our lives," says Chris, "and now we're living our dad's and uncle's dream—playing music around the country and hearing ourselves on the radio."

Leaf Peeping

Could it be? We are working on getting a fun band playing for Oktoberfest on September 27th. Would Davisson Brothers Band be a good bet to accompany 600 runners crossing the finish line of Davis' RunForIt race?

Riverfront Ramblers Run for IT! Saturday 9/27

The "Tour of Davis -- Run For It!" event is a 5K run or walk organized by the Tucker Community Endowment Foundation (TCEF) to raise money for various community causes that are represented by teams. TCEF itself is offering various add-on contributions for teams that win various competitive categories. I have been intrigued with the progress and financial growth of the TCEF endowment, and it's management is efficient -- meaning they don't have high expenses and get alot of money to their charitable causes. Last year I was stunned to see no team running to raise money for the Riverfront Park. Cemeteries and Libraries are nice, but they won't drive the economic development of Davis the way a beautiful park would. The small parks in downtown Crested Butte, Durango, Telluride, Jackson, Santa Fe -- you name the mountain jewel -- are important to attracting and retaining visitors.

This year is the year that the Riverfront Park gets on the track to win some support.

The team I would like to introduce is "The Riverfront Ramblers." The team captain is Sandy Schmiedeknecht of Davis and the team's cause is the Town of Davis' Riverfront Park. For those not familiar with this nascent but exciting town park, it is a 5-acre parcel along the Blackwater River behind the old bank building, and the historical site of the Babcock Boom and Lumber Company mills. In the illustrative plan shown in this post, the park comprises the undeveloped green space, trails, gardens and plantations. These past two summers, volunteers and contractors have been clearing trails, grading land, removing hazards, installing benches and defining future amenities for the park. Ultimately, it will have a pavillion, an amphitheater for concerts in the park, a trail head information kiosk, a pedestrian bridge across the river to Blackwater Falls State Park, and other attractions for young and old. The Davis Riverfront Park will be a wonderful green space to enhance your visit to downtown Davis. The Davis Parks & Recreation Commission owns and manages the park, and qualifies for tax deductible contributions.

How can you participate or help?

Enter the event as a Riverfront Rambler for $10 and get a race T-shirt!

Sponsor the team for $100 or any amount you see fit! I have pledged a match of $5,000 as a dollar for dollar match to all contributions made on behalf of the Riverfront Rambler's cause.

For more information:

Tucker Community Endowment Foundation is at www.tuckerfoundation.net
Riverfront Ramblers Team Captain, Sandy Schmiedeknecht, 304-642-9047 or qsandy@mountain.net

Bluegrass Brewing Company for Oktoberfest 08?

Dave is a best friend from high school in Indiana who went on to become something of a micro-brew rock star in the mid-west. He is now the brewmaster for Bluegrass Brewing Company in Louisville, KY. I told him about the fantastic beer we have in Davis, WV -- Blackwater Brewing, Mountain State Brewing -- and how it might be cool to get him and a couple of kegs out here to next year's Oktoberfest in Davis. In '07 the Oktoberfest was such a success that the beer and BBQ was gone in a couple of hours! Wouldn't it add some spice to invite Bluegrass Brewing Co out for the fun?