October 8, 2009 – PanCAKE and Rocks

Up early, feed and walk the dog and head off to the lodge for breakfast: a baked apple pancake breakfast. The Blackwater Lodge isn’t fancy, but it is nice. The restaurant is glass on three sides, enabling great views. We were seated by a window. The waitress approach and asked if we wanted the buffet. Carol said no, that we wanted the “baked apple pancake” and coffee. To which the young lady asked if we wanted one each or one to split. OK, that’s a hint. So we asked, “Should we split it?” Her response was yes unless we were really hungry. As it was said, so it was ordered; it would take 20 to 25 minutes.

I had eaten at a restaurant in Minneapolis called the “Pannakukin” which served big baked pancakes with fruit or meat filling. That was what I expected here. Pancake batter would be poured into a heated, oiled pan. The filling would be added, and then more batter on top. Once the bottom was cooked, the remainder would be placed under a broiler to cook the top before serving. What we got was different, but just as good.

The baked apple pancake is actually a cake baked in a pan. The cake is very similar to a cinnamon coffee cake with the addition of cooked sliced apple. Yum! One was certainly enough to stoke our energy for the day.

Seneca Rocks is a large sheer outcrop of limestone ridge rising above the North Fork of the Potomac River. WV has established the area as a state park. It is somewhat historical in that during WWII, the 10th Mountain Division used the rocks to train soldiers in mountain climbing. The site is world renowned as a climbing site with multiple routes to the top and excellent training climbs. The three of us took the four mile round trip hike to the observation platform which is located about 2/3 of the way to the summit. Because of where the platform is located, you cannot really view the rocks. It does provide a wonderful view of the North Fork valley. By now, we knew we were going to have a beautiful day. There was no wind, warm and just a broken layer of clouds.

Next stop is Seneca Caverns. I know, it is somewhat ironic that we get a nice day, so we go underground. With only four of us on the tour, it was very personal. Seneca Caverns are certainly not the immense expanse of Carlsbad, but the displays of flow stone were great. The young man who led us through the caverns was knowledgeable and welcomed our questions.
After a lunch on the patio of the caverns restaurant, we were off to Spruce Knob.

Spruce Knob is the highest point in WV. I had told Carol she would have a 360 degree view from the top and that it should be really good. By the time we reached the summit, it was around 4 PM. With the sun sinking in the west and the broken clouds, the photographic aspects were diminished, but the views were still great. And we got in another quick hike. Spice got to check out even more smells then before, so all was right with the world.

It was time to get back to the RV, we would be rolling out the next day.