Archive for July, 2010

The Secret to Having the World’s Greatest Party (Eddie Style)!

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Anyone who has come through Songer’s Outfitters store has met Eddie, our store manager.   Two words to describe him:  friendly and crazy.   He loves to have evening get togethers for staff and friends!  And the best part is you can walk to his place from Songer.

One of Eddie's famous cookouts.

The number one secret to having a party at Eddies is to invite your Songer’s friends :-)   Then, make your plan on who’s bringing what.   You can do a little sign up sheet!

Eddie will take care of the meat.  His famous Pork Loin rotisserie on the grill with special seasonings is worth a trip from just about anywhere. Maybe if you ask him nicely, he’ll share his secret ingredients with you (if you get this info, TELL ME!).

Then, be ready for his famous cabbage, “whole head, that is”, with little cuts in it and  lots of butter. Eddie wraps up the cabbage in foil and puts it on the grill. Mmmmmmmmm. Make sure you bring your appetite!  If you leave hungry, that’s your fault.

The famous Pork Loin

Games are the best part of an Eddie party.  Songer has a 14 year old tradition that we can sum up in three words:  always.  play. kickball.   Perhaps a few games of horseshoes, corn hole, or some volleyball, too. Maybe even some charades.

If it’s raining out, you can always go inside and play the Wii.  You probably already know this, but there are always good laughs when it comes to the bowling game. Make sure the strap to the controller is on your arm!  Sure wouldn’t want that controller going through the TV.  (Eddie thinks he’s the king of it!)

The last suggestion we have for you is to make sure you get your picture face on!   Eddie is really bad about taking photos when your least expecting it.

What are your secrets for having the World’s Best Party?

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5 Ways to Make Labor Day Not Suck

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Here it comes: Labor Day in the New River Gorge, West Virginia’s playground.  We’ve got about a month or so until the official “end of summer”, as it’s known.  But no time like the present to start planning, right?

In this post, we’re offering 5 completely biased ways to improve your Labor Day this year…

#5: Have a picnic next to the river while whitewater rafting.  Every full day whitewater rafting trip with Songer includes a river side lunch, so you’re in luck.

rafts float down the white water section of the New River, between rapids

Spend your labor day like this, or spend it with cousin Eddie- your choice.

#4: Spend your weekend NOT working.  You will be forced to leave it all behind while rafting- no cell phones allowed!

#3: Drive through some curvy roads and into some fresh air.  Be advised; turn off the GPS (’cause it’s never right in WV anyway). You’ve been warned.  You will have to do it the old fashioned way and look at a map!

#2: Pack up some family and friends and get out of town for the last blast of summer! Whooo-hoo!

#1: Vacation your bad self! We know you’ve been busting your butt through the summer.  Take a day (or two) and let us guide you through a beautiful stretch of river with a splash of adrenaline here and there.  You deserve it and it won’t break your wallet.

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10 Reasons Girls Love Whitewater Rafting

Monday, July 19th, 2010

I have a confession to make—I’ve been having a love affair with whitewater since I was 16 years old, and not just in the New River Gorge.  That’s (gulp) 41 years!  I started on the Youghiogheny River in PA and moved to the New and Gauley River in West Virginia when my babies were 1 and 3 years old.

As with all affairs of the heart, there are stages and degrees of love.  I’ve watched many people fall under the spell of a whitewater river over and over, though, and it always starts the same way.

New River Gorge West Virginia

Here are the top 10 sordid details and excuses most girls will find to take them to the river and (maybe) never leave:

10.  If you are a raft guide—you don’t have to get a real job.

9.  You can hang out with your friends and meet the cute raft guides.

8.  If you started rafting during those college years, the New River has big water thrills (even if you go with your family).

7.  No phone, fax, or email.  Just you and the water.

6.   Crashing waves, giant holes, surfing, flipping- everything a girl could want.

5.  Rush hour is very wet.  No stop lights, taxis or honking horns, but there are a few buses.

4. Two words: Wild. Life.  I mean, um, wildlife.  One word.  (Sorry, started thinking about my guiding days).

3. Did I mention the cute guides?

2. There’s nothing as empowering as conquering a challenge and sharing that experience with your friends.

1.  It gets in you.  The river is a lover that captures your heart and soul and never lets go.  The feel of moving water, the unsurpassed beauty, they stay with you all your life.

I’m living proof.  It’s been 41 years, and I’m still in love with the river.

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The 3 Best Waterfalls In The New River Gorge

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Actually, these West Virginia creeks have lots and lots of waterfalls.  So let’s just say the 3 best creeks in the New River Gorge.  Okay?  Great. (And if you can’t find them, we’re happy to give you some directions.)

#1- Mill Creek. Great for the eyes and cool to the touch.  There’s great drive-n-stop viewing as the whole thing is followed by the beautiful Jon Dragan Road.  Easy access, lots of shops close by… pretty much everything you could want out of a waterfall hunting trip.

The most photographed spot in West Virginia lives up to its status.

Mill Creek also has an awesome foot trail that can take you from Ansted to Hawks Nest Lake. You can see some old coal mines as you walk along the creek, too. You may even see some wildlife.

Bonus:  Where Mill Creek meets the New River is right where the New River Jetboat is docked.  Cool fun for the family.

#2- Glade Creek at Babcock State Park. If you’re after a trout, this is the place for you. The creek and lake are both stocked to the gills (pun intended). Great hikes are pretty much everywhere you turn, too because Babcock State Park offers 4,127 acres of scenery.

What you’ll find here is rugged beauty, a fast flowing trout stream, and lots of mountains to be viewed from several scenic overlooks. All of this is adjacent to the New River Gorge National River the heart of whitewater rafting industry.  About half way down to the New River, Glade Creek joins Mann’s Creek and gets a little bigger and waterfall-y-er.

Bonus: If you’re there after a heavy rain, you’ll probably see some kayakers; this is one of the nation’s hardest whitewater runs.  Double Bonus: The grist mill on Glade Creek is supposedly the most photographed spot in West Virginia.

#3- Laurel Creek. Wow, did this creek change a few years back. In 2001, lots of water came through this area. Tons of water.  It was biblical.  There are two giant waterfalls on this creek, and both changed significantly. Not that it really matters to the non-insane-kayaking public; they’re still beautiful.

Again, if you like trout this creek is known for them. And if you’re looking for a nice drive, you can take Rt 16 from Fayetteville to Chimney Corner. This will take you to the end of Laurel Creek and back to the New River.

Bonus: when you get to the New River, you’ll see a section locals call “The Drys”, a de-watered section of the River.  When it’s super-low water levels, there are some fun natural water slides out in the rocks.

Make sure you bring a camera, swimsuits, and a sense of adventure.

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The Secret to Surfing West Virginia

Monday, July 5th, 2010

This is a post about surfing white water rivers in West Virginia. But I know you’re thinking of a long board and standing up.  That’s surfing, right?

Well surfing a raft is a little different.

First, we paddle through a rapid and then pull over to the river bank.  Looking back upstream, the guide locates the perfect little waterfall-type river feature that can hold a raft in place.  It’s called a hydraulic or a hole, and we paddle right into it.

Half the boat is covered in the splash from the surf hole.

So as you can imagine at this point, there’s no standing up.  The entire raft going in to surf.  The best way to surf is all together!

It’s kind of like riding a bucking bronco, or hot tubing under a fire hose, or getting tossed into a washing machine.  It doesn’t last long and those that stay in the boat are greeted with cheers from the crowd upon exiting.

The physics of all this: Water is rushing downstream over rocks (hence the “white” water).  This creates the baby waterfalls, pour-overs, with deep pools behind them.  When the raft is paddled with force back into these falls, the water sprays all over, pours into the raft, and if you’re lucky, the boat becomes “locked in”  At this time everyone stops paddling and enjoys the ride. Congrats- you’re surfing!

It takes teamwork to get the boat in the surf hole.

Now, there is the chance of getting thrown out, sucked out, or flushed out.  If it happens, just go with the flow.  Embrace Mother Nature or in the case, let Her embrace you.  These are called “Play Spots” for a reason.  Remember, there are two kinds of rafters: those that have fallen out of the raft, and those that are going to.  (My preference is to cannon ball upon falling out so that I flush to the top instantly).

Keep your hands on your paddle’s T-grip and enjoy the ride, Songer style.  And when you get home, tell everyone you went surfing on your rafting vacation.

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What’s a Mile Long & Goes 40mph?

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Answer? West Virginia’s newest & most exciting Zip Line!! Construction is finished, testing has commenced and we are excited about this new adventure being available soon.

Are you ready for an extreme adventure?  This is truly one of the most exciting adventures you will enjoy while visiting the New River Gorge.  New River Zip Lines is a true zip line adventure. You will travel over one mile, soaring over 100 feet above the ground over the tree tops while zooming at speeds of 40 miles per hour. Situated high on a West Virginia mountain, the views are simply spectacular! From this vantage point you will see the Gauley and New River Gorges, only at New River Zip Lines.

Got your couriosity up yet? Call today and get on the list for opening dates and times.

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