The air is crisp and the sky is clear. Fall is making its colorful way into the Mountain State in early October as you travel to Morgantown for a technology conference at West Virginia University. The two-day conference will keep you busy, but your spouse will also find plenty to do.
Today, dawns bright and clear. As you head to your conference, your spouse heads to Ruby and Ketchie’s, where the coffee’s hot, the buckwheat pancakes are famous, and everyone’s welcome at this popular local establishment. From there, it’s off to the links at Lakeview Resort. Both Lakeview and Mountainview golf courses have challenged such celebrities as Patty Berg, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player. Lakeview has been ranked in the top 100 public courses in America and has a USGA rating of 72.8.
Back in Morgantown, you’ll enjoy lunch and shopping on Main Street where you can find anything from fine jewelry to organic foods.
The conference concludes at noon, so head over to the new Caperton Trail – the easy cycling trail you’re looking for. Or head for the Monongahela River and an experience that includes ghosts, fights and mystery. Adventures on Magic River offer a kayak trip often described as “not to be missed in Morgantown.” After dinner at the West Virginia Brewing Company, end your day watching Night Glow, the start of the annual hot air balloon festival.
Experience tailgating and football madness at a new level in Morgantown. Everyone comes out in full force for the weekend gridiron show. You can’t miss the steel drum band and local, catered parties that make each Mountaineer game an event to remember.
Next, visit Arthurdale and relive a part of history. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt founded the small town in response to the depression. It was the first of 100 homestead resettlement communities around the country. Homer Laughlin contributed some of his world-renowned Fiestaware to the Arthurdale Community for use at dinners and special events.
Follow the back roads in late afternoon for your short trip to Fairmont. Enjoy dinner at The Aquarium Lounge (reservations recommended) where the blackened tuna with chutney sauce competes for favorite with the filet mignon stuffed with crabmeat. From there, you’re a short drive to The Acacia House Bed & Breakfast. Owners George and Kathleen Sprowls display their collection of antiques that speak to their admiration of diverse culture.
In the morning, head to Pricketts Fort State Park. This living history park is a reconstructed frontier fort from the late 1700s. This week is the park’s annual fall festival. Professionally costumed interpreters share the stories of hardship, family life and hope that filled the fort during its early years.
Go for 1950s nostalgia tonight as you dine at the Poky Dot, a Fairmont mainstay that continues to maintain its fun ambiance. Choose from the traditional pork barbeque to the contemporary vegetable croissant but either way, leave room for home-baked pie and a milkshake!
Get up early and visit Clarksburgh and The Waldemore, a Greek Revival mansion on Pike Street that houses the West Virginia History and Genealogical Collection. Pay close attention to the wonderful Italianate and Renaissance architecture in the downtown area as you make your way to Phillips for an al fresco lunch. Stop by Olivero’s and talk with members of this enterprising family about their culinary techniques for wonderful Italian peppers, mushrooms and sauces. And be sure to get dates for the late-summer Italian Heritage Festival.
It’s a short drive to your next tour: West Virginia Fruit and Berry Farm in Brushy Fork. Never tasted Pumpkin Butter? Try it here and then pick up extra jars at The Berry Shop.
Dinner is Italian, but don’t think red sauce when you head to Julio’s in Glen Elk. With a woodburning fireplace and continental focus, you’ll find plenty of choices. The pasta di verdura with its creamy white sauce and greens is a local favorite.
For the last leg of your visit, head to Weston the next morning. On the way, stop in Jane Lew and visit Masterpiece Crystal. On the tour, you’ll see glassmakers at work. Don’t forget to stop by the shop for specialty hand-blown glass candleholders, votives, decanters and bells. Hit Aunt Pattie’s Colonial Restaurant for blue-plate specials and great home-style cooking. Follow that with a walk through historic Weston and a visit to the West Virginia Genealogical and Historical Library and Museum in the historic Homer School.
Relive the fun of this getaway over dinner at The Patio Plaza where everything is fresh and delicious. The chicken salad has a great reputation, but be sure someone orders the cornbread salad so you know what a great treat it is. For your last night, check into Ingeberg Acres, a working farm where you’ll have your choice of rooms in the house or a guest cabin. The owners, John and Inge Mann, will let you put up hay or run the horses if you want to join the farm fun.