go camping – The Virginia Hype Girl: Uncovering the Best of Virginia + Nearby Adventures!

Sponsored| Visiting West Virginia in the fall is like stepping into a vibrant postcard, complete with stunning landscapes, delectable eats, and a touch of luxury. The quaint town of Romney and the wooded trails of Augusta offer a perfect blend of nature, culture, and comfort, making it an ideal getaway for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.

Fall Foliage on the Potomac Eagle Train Ride

One of the most breathtaking highlights of my visit to West Virginia was taking a ride on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad in Romney. This historic train journey takes you through the heart of the West Virginia countryside, with the fall foliage transforming the landscape into a stunning tapestry of oranges, reds, and yellows.

As you board the train, the ambiance is set with vintage charm and comfortable seating. The ride meanders along rural countryside, mountains and waterways, offering panoramic views that are simply unmatched. The experience is enhanced by the sounds of the train gently chugging along the tracks and the rustling of leaves in the autumn breeze. Each bend reveals new vistas, and the majestic scenery will undoubtedly leave you in awe. Wildlife enthusiasts will love this adventure as eagles soared overhead of the train by the water, adding to the magic of the moment.

A Foodie Experience to Remember

Dining offered on the Potomac Eagle transforms the train journey into a gourmet adventure, where exquisite flavors accompany stunning views. Passengers can choose to be treated to chef-prepared meals, served right at their seats, making it an intimate and enjoyable experience.

Throughout the ride, the combination of natural scenery and historical narration enhances the journey, offering insights into the rich stories of the region. This immersive experience allows diners to not only savor their meals but also appreciate their surroundings.

In the Club, Superior, and Premium Dining classes, guests can enjoy a variety of menu options. Some of the choices when I visited in the Superior Dining Car were appetizers of shrimp cocktails and savory beef Wellington puff pastries, along with fresh salads and delectable entrees, including Chilean sea bass with lemon and garlic butter. Desserts ranged from indulgent chocolate torte to refreshing lemon mascarpone cake.

To complement the dining experience, beer and wine were available for purchase, enhancing the flavors of the carefully crafted menu. If diners wish to stretch their legs or get some fresh air, the observatory cars invited exploration, allowing for a more dynamic experience throughout the journey. This delightful combination of exceptional food, amazing waitstaff (like my server Mary), scenic views, and engaging storytelling makes dining on the Potomac Eagle a memorable foodie experience.

Relaxing at North River’s Edge

After a delightful day of exploration and indulgence, I retreated about 25 minutes from the station to Augusta and North River’s Edge Luxury Camping. This camping experience takes glamping to a whole new level. North Rivers Edge offers a camping experience that seamlessly blends nature with comfort. This oasis is conveniently located less than two hours from Washington, DC, and just 30 minutes from the historic charm of downtown Winchester, VA.

Unique Lodging Experience

Luxurious A-Frames

Guests can stay in stunning 12×18 glass front A-Frames that provide breathtaking views of the crystal-clear river and the dramatic 180-foot rock face. Each A-Frame features:

Queen size bed and soothing interior ambiance
Mini fridge, coffee and tea machine, and comfortable seating
Heating and cooling, with dimmable lighting for ultimate comfort

Nature Meets Comfort

In addition to comfortable sleeping quarters, North Rivers Edge offers:

Well-maintained amenity barn with free high-speed Wi-Fi, a 50″ TV, and games
Two full bathrooms with stand-up showers and changing areas
Outdoor activities, including kayaking, a corn hole court, and a fire pit

Careful landscaping minimizes insects, ensuring a pleasant outdoor experience. The property is truly designed for guests to enjoy the beauty of nature without the inconveniences typically associated with camping.

Ideal for Relaxation and Adventure

If you are looking to unwind by the riverside or partake in more active pursuits, North Rivers Edge Luxury Camping promises a unique getaway that combines relaxation, fun, and adventure.

For more information or to book your stay, you can visit North Rivers Edge Luxury Camping.

A Perfect Getaway in West Virginia

The journey aboard the Potomac Eagle train, exploring the local area and the serene stay at North Rivers Edge Luxury Camping created a perfect getaway that harmoniously blended adventure and relaxation. As you soak in the picturesque landscapes from the train, savoring gourmet meal and learning about the history of the region, you set the stage for an unforgettable experience.

This appreciation of nature continues at your campsite, where evenings spent around the firepit invite connection and contemplation. Surrounded by the sounds of rustling leaves and crackling flames, you reflect on the stunning vistas witnessed throughout your journey. Together, these two experiences forge a deep connection with the natural beauty of the area, ensuring that your escape is as enriching as it is memorable.

West Virginia, encapsulates the beauty of fall with its stunning landscapes, delicious food, and luxurious accommodations. Nature lovers, foodies, or those simply looking for a cozy escape, will find this experience has everything you need for a memorable trip. Pack your bags, grab your camera, and make plans to set off for an enchanting experience in the heart of the West Virginia mountains!

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Thank you for reading! Don’t forget to pin this idea on your vacation board for your next trip inspiration and to check out my other travel posts. If you are a hotel, campground or business and would like me to visit and write a blog for you please contact me at krystle@takeawalkinmyflipflops.com

Sponsored| In May 2021 I started a remodel on an almost 30-year-old Sunline Saturn. With lots of paint and patience the “Lilly Pad”, was finished and took its first journey to the OBX for Memorial Day weekend. In the first year, we went on a few trips and went on our first multi-state trip leaving Virginia and going to Gettysburg, Pa. There is so much to learn about camping and to figure out along the way. I am not an expert by any means, but have found things that help make camping easier I will share.

Camping Fort Story, Virginia Beach — Grilling and enjoying a cold beverage in Virginia Beach’s Fort Story Campground

Types of Campgrounds: National Parks, HipCamp and Resorts

I think the most important thing to remember when looking at sites is finding a camping location that works for you and your family. Make sure to figure out first what you’re looking for in a site and then match your needs/wants to the amenities offered. In our first year of camping, we camped at a National Park in the OBX, a military MWR campground in Virginia Beach, a camping resort in Williamsburg, and a Hipcamp site outside Gettysburg, Pa. All of these sites were very different and each offered some unique pros and cons to them.

Oregon Inlet Campground, Nc National Park

Camping at a National Park offers the perks of direct access to nature, clean basic bath houses, park rangers if needed, typically a dumping station, and potable water. The cons to some might be limited amenities as National Parks are basic and don’t always offer resort-type amenities.

From beach locations to mountains you can always find somewhere to park your RV, travel trailer or pitch a tent. Shown above (left) camping outside Gettysburg, Pa and (right) Fort Story Beach in Virginia Beach, Va

Camping at a resort offers all the bells and whistles with beautifully manicured grounds, fire pits, BBQ areas, gravel sites, access to pools, recreational areas, games, cable TV, wifi, laundry, full hookups (water, sewage, and electricity) and much more. The con to this type of camping for some might be the higher prices or crowded areas during peak season.

Camping on a military base is similar to a resort in my opinion. Base camping is terrific if you have access to it and is VERY discounted/cost-effective compared to other resorts. The amenities at many bases are very nice. As a con, these campgrounds aren’t available to everyone.

Hipcamp Review — Camping off the beaten path using Hipcamp

Camping using HipCamp is not your typical site and allows access to private land and individuals who choose to host outside their homes, or on their farmland or woods. Some HipCamp sites might solely give you access to a place to park or pitch a tent. The cons are there might not be any electricity, sewage, cable, or potable water on these sites.

Some HipCamp sites also, don’t allow fires or the use of generators so you’ll need propane or battery power. All details should be read thoroughly for HipCamp sites as each site and the host is different. If you’re confused about a listing contact the host. The perks of HipCamp include being cost-effective, camping in secluded areas, meeting new hosts, and going off the beaten path.

Some of the Hipcamp sites require dry camping. I think the key to camping in an RV or travel trailer without typical hookups is to first make sure you have enough potable water or water in your freshwater holding tank for showers etc. to last the amount of time you’re camping. When I was looking for a site on HipCamp it was important to me to locate a site this time with electric hook-up and potable water. This might not be a necessity for others, but we were looking at multiple days and I knew we wouldn’t have enough battery power for the whole trip.

Tips for a Great Camping Trip

1992 Sunline Saturn — Camping is an amazing way to relax, unwind and connect to nature!

We always make sure to have our fresh water holding tank full when we leave home. Our refrigerator and oven both run off propane so we also, make sure to have enough of it as well. If you use propane I suggest making sure to know where you can refill it if necessary when camping.

Laundromats like this can help you pack less and to quickly get everything washed so you can get back to your vacation or business.

Mapping out things like grocery stores and even hardware stores is also, something I find that helps our camping trips go smoothly. Depending on how many days we are going to be away I also, like to locate laundry services like using Madison Heights laundromat when camping. Planning to use a laundromat can ease the load of packing. The Clothes Spin is a great option for a way to clean your clothes while camping.

Get Outside and Go RVing

1992 Sunline Saturn Remodel — Inside my little beach house on wheels the Lilly Pad an almost 30 year old renovated Sunline Saturn.

Camping is an amazing way to relax, unwind, and connect to nature! Getting outside and away from the hustle and bustle of the world can be very liberating and relaxing. Each type of camping site mentioned offers its own set of pros and cons, so be sure to do your research before you decide on booking. Whatever you choose just get outside and go RVing!

Know someone planning a camping trip please share my article with them ☺️ Check out my other fun Take A Walk in My Flip Flops travel articles too.

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Exploring the Charm of Fall in West Virginia