Daddy-Daughter Vacation - Day 4

I had the best sleep in the tent of the whole trip - felt comfortable and didn't need to move for almost seven hours. We were out of bed by 0700 and ate breakfast at the campsite. Mollie and I departed for Hawks Nest State Park at 0830. We visited several overlooks along US-60 and then used a gravel road to reach the river below. I think I remember the same dilemma from 2007: the trams to the jet boat are closed every Wednesday (for maintenance). We weren't deterred, though and took a pleasant (but buggy) nature walk to view some of the old mine sites in the area. After getting our fill of pretty views from above the gorge, we drove west and north. We stumbled across a beautiful near Gauley Bridge and then drove on some other gravel roads, trying to locate river access (we were unsuccessful and gave up to preserve the tender underbelly of "Bessie", our Town & Country). Mollie started expressing interest in a nearby Civil War park (!), so we stopped for a visit to Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, where we got to see views of the Gauley River after all... We then proceeded to the Summersville Reservoir. Before our swim in the cool mountain waters, we picked up lunch (1235) at Fat Eddie's on the Dam (again, a repeat of 2007 activities). We ate near the beach (1300) and then got in the water. We were practically the only people there (it was a bit overcast) but there were plenty of boaters and RVers across the water. When we'd had our fill (1500), we drove south to Babcock State Park to see their pretty grist mill. Mollie remarked that I turned into a nerd with the lady inside the mill (but I retorted that we now know where grits come from!). We did some more nature walking again before it started to rain. We continued south and west again. We stopped at the ending of the McKendree Road (scene of the "OMG, Dad, what were you thinking?" off road adventure in 2007) and took a picture. If you really want to know what kind of person I am - in travels and in life, just ask Brenna or Erin to tell you what memories that road inspires! Mollie and I then completed our circle around the campground, driving back to Beckley and on to Fayetteville. We did stop for supplies (including some new frozen drinks that I've enjoyed throughout the trip) along the way. Since we'd never heard from the caretakers of the campground since we'd arrived, I visited little country store and learned that was the place to pay - they ran the place on the honor system, I guess. It turned out that the old man who owned the place in 2007 had passed away but the campground was still in the family. I told the owner that we'd thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would definitely return! Back at our campsite, we made a big fire and used the Coleman Stove to cook our dinner (Italian Wedding soup, beanie-wienies, mixed veggies). We made s'mores again and sat around in the dark, recapping our trip. Mollie had started out with the idea that the place was nice to visit but wouldn't be a good place to live. But she started to see my point of view :-) by the end of the trip. We partially packed the car and went to bed early (although I managed to finish my book before falling asleep (around 2200)... Only one more day left.