Cacapon Resort State Park captures outdoor interests - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

Cacapon Resort State Park captures outdoor interests

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  • COUNTRY ROADS JOURNALCountry Roads Journal

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:33 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:33:30 GMT
    CHARLESTON, WV — West Virginia's Division of Culture and History will celebrate the traditional music of West Virginia on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-25, at the Culture Center during the 37th annual Vandalia
    CHARLESTON, WV — West Virginia's Division of Culture and History will celebrate the traditional music of West Virginia on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-25, at the Culture Center during the 37th annual Vandalia Gathering. The family-friendly event is free.

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:29 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:29:37 GMT
    LEWISBURG, WV – Bluegrass band Harmony Creek Junction will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. May 23 at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg. The performance is part of the Hall's "Pay What You Can" series.

The five-piece
    LEWISBURG, WV – Bluegrass band Harmony Creek Junction will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. May 23 at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg. The performance is part of the Hall's "Pay What You Can" series.

  • Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:14 AM EDT2013-05-15 14:14:12 GMT
    Singer-songwriters Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin perform together as the Clay Center hosts Mountain Stage with Larry Groce at May 19 in Charleston. Artists Aoife O'Donovan, Marti Jones & Don Dixon
    Singer-songwriters Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin perform together as the Clay Center hosts Mountain Stage with Larry Groce at May 19 in Charleston.
    •   

When the discounts and coupons have expired and cyber thrill is gone, there's still one shopping experience to consider – discovering a new activity or hobby.

"Bird watching, hiking, disc golf, surveying for eagles or owls and other outdoor (and indoor) activities are organized and offered at many of West Virginia's state parks in wintry months," said Sissie Summers with the state's park system. The state park system is known for summer recreation and interpretative programs, but many people aren't familiar with activities and programs featured year-round.

"Most activities are free of charge to attend, geared toward family and friend participation, and more likely than not topics that create new interests or outdoor interests," she said in a news release.

Cacapon Resort State Park in Morgan County near Berkeley Springs offers an example of activities that are available at the parks.

The December schedule includes:

The Winter Wonderland Hike begins at 10 a.m. Dec. 22 from the nature center. This trail is approximately one-and-a-half miles with a few hills.

A winter tracking activity is scheduled at 10 a.m. Dec. 28. Where do animals go in the winter and how do they survive? Meet the naturalist at the Nature Center to explore how and where to look for critters in the cold.

Explore the Laurel Trail at 10 a.m. Dec. 29 to enjoy the natural landscape of the Laurel Trail. This trail is approximately two miles with a few hills. Learn the necessities of a bear's life at 1:30 p.m. at the Nature Center. View an eyewitness video on all different species of bears and their necessities.

The park will have its New Year's Eve Celebration with music, dancing and a formal toast to start off a New Year. The festivities begin at 9 p.m. Dec. 31. There is an overnight package and the restaurant is open. For pricing and for information, call 304-258-1022.

The First Day Hike is planned 10 a.m. Jan. 1, 2013. Start the year by exploring the natural beauty of winter in West Virginia.

Activities and programs are open to the public and without charge unless noted. To learn more about Cacapon Resort State Park, lodge, cabins, restaurant and additional activities, visit www.cacaponresort.com.