4x4 Icon - Swallow Falls State Park 5/30/2010

Memorial Day Weekend

We were out straight the last several weeks. Caught off guard for a long weekend excursion, I took out my West Virginia books and scouted out a trip that would keep us within an hour from home.

I came up with a loop that offered the following:

The Americana Museum (Terra Alta)

Cathedral State Park

The Smallest Church in 48 States

Herrington State Park

Swallow Falls State Park

It was unlikely we'd be able to make all these, but the route was target rich so we headed out around Noon. Here's the whole loop:

Our first stop was Terra Alta. We found that the Americana Museum wasn't...

We went to Fox Pizza Den, had some sandwiches and then headed out of town. We saw the CSX pass.

We passed up Cathedral State Park opting instead to make our next stop the Smallest Church, Our Lady of the Pines in Silver Lake.

We have visited this place at least twice. It's a wonderful little oasis and the church is very compelling.

Our next stop was pure chance. We came to the Red House Elementary School (Antique Mall). We decided to stop and see what we could see. Right outside is an old carnival ride set up to look like a space ship.

Another outdoor item was the fire truck.

In the main lobby of the school is a bulletin board with pictures of students who attended the school. The whole building had that 1930's school atmosphere. Here are class pictures from 1931-32 and 1938.

Inside was the usual collection of Antique Mall stuff. The boys bought a couple military rifleman vests, Maria some cooking items, and I got a Diet Coke.

On our way to Swallow Falls State Park we made a small detour in Oakland to go to Candyland.

We all got little bags of candy, and Maria got some decorating items for the Cupcake "bar" that she's planning for Tom's birthday.

Finally we reached Swallow Falls State Park. It was for me the main purpose of the trip. I knew there were some good water falls there and I hoped to be able to get a couple good images.

We hiked the loop trail from top to bottom, visiting the Muddy Creek Falls, Swallow Falls and Tolliver Falls.

After we finished the hike we drove back through Deep Creek lake area and got on the highway after a quick little drive through Friendsville. It was a full day with lots of little things to do. Not bad for an impromptu outing!

Swallow Falls State Park

4X4 ICON 2000 - 2008 The DVD!

Memorial Day Weekend

We were out straight the last several weeks. Caught off guard for a long weekend excursion, I took out my West Virginia books and scouted out a trip that would keep us within an hour from home.

I came up with a loop that offered the following:

The Americana Museum (Terra Alta)

Cathedral State Park

The Smallest Church in 48 States

Herrington State Park

Swallow Falls State Park

It was unlikely we'd be able to make all these, but the route was target rich so we headed out around Noon. Here's the whole loop:

Our first stop was Terra Alta. We found that the Americana Museum wasn't...

We went to Fox Pizza Den, had some sandwiches and then headed out of town. We saw the CSX pass.

We passed up Cathedral State Park opting instead to make our next stop the Smallest Church, Our Lady of the Pines in Silver Lake.

We have visited this place at least twice. It's a wonderful little oasis and the church is very compelling.

Our next stop was pure chance. We came to the Red House Elementary School (Antique Mall). We decided to stop and see what we could see. Right outside is an old carnival ride set up to look like a space ship.

Another outdoor item was the fire truck.

In the main lobby of the school is a bulletin board with pictures of students who attended the school. The whole building had that 1930's school atmosphere. Here are class pictures from 1931-32 and 1938.

Inside was the usual collection of Antique Mall stuff. The boys bought a couple military rifleman vests, Maria some cooking items, and I got a Diet Coke.

On our way to Swallow Falls State Park we made a small detour in Oakland to go to Candyland.

We all got little bags of candy, and Maria got some decorating items for the Cupcake "bar" that she's planning for Tom's birthday.

Finally we reached Swallow Falls State Park. It was for me the main purpose of the trip. I knew there were some good water falls there and I hoped to be able to get a couple good images.

We hiked the loop trail from top to bottom, visiting the Muddy Creek Falls, Swallow Falls and Tolliver Falls.

After we finished the hike we drove back through Deep Creek lake area and got on the highway after a quick little drive through Friendsville. It was a full day with lots of little things to do. Not bad for an impromptu outing!