Upcoming MARC National Tour - Elkins,WV

[Del in NE Ohio]

Has anyone seen any info on this tour since it was announced? Nothing on MARC site, no real info in latest magazine other than dates. A number of members in my area (NE Ohio) are stoked to go and have made reservations in Elkins, but would really like to know more about what is planned. Maybe Cass Scenic RR? Potomac Eagle? Any info would be appreciated.

[talwrench]

Afew months ago there were posted numbers to call for info. I tried both numbers and left messages, there has been no response. We to are interested in goiing! Tim

[AL in NY]

Our club ran the 2016 MARC National Tour here in the Hudson Valley. We had to wait until the literature was posted on the MARC membership meet in April, before they would put our information in the Restorer. Don't know why they don't have information posted on the web.

[frank55a]

I believe we have several from our club, the Active A's of SE PA, that are planning to go.

Below is a list of the hotels and very tentative (subject to change and/or additions) list of the activities that I received several months ago from the host region.

2018 MARC National Tour Mountain Memories

Elkins, West Virginia

September 17th - 20th

Below is a very tentative list of tours:

1- the Greenbrier for the bunker tour; -2-a tour of the town of Cass along with a train ride to Whitaker Station; -3-a tour of the WV Wildlife Center, lunch at Stonewall Resort, a tour of the Transallegheny Lunatic Asylum and a glass blowing demonstration by Ron Hinkle; -4- Droop Mountain Battlefield, Cranberry Glades, Falls of Hills Creek and the Highland Scenic Highway; -5- Olsen Fire Tower, Antique and Arts/Crafts Shops of Thomas and Davis, Blackwater Falls, and Canaan Valley Ski Center to ride the lift up the mountain; -6-Bickle Knob Tower, Bowden Fish Hatchery, Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks, and Smoke Hole Caverns; -7-Green Bank Observatory; -8- Tygart Flyer (train) -9-Snowshoe Mountain Resort; -10-NRocks - Canopy tours (Zip Lining).
Hotels for 2018 MARC National Tour
When making reservations, please mention the “Model A Restorers Club”
Expect to have a 6% state tax and a 6% Occupancy tax added to all of these rates.
Everyone must make their reservations by August 1 to receive these rates

Holiday Inn Express (Host hotel)
50 Martin Street
Elkins, WV 26241
304-630-2266
King rooms at $115/per night
Two Queen bed rooms/$115/per night
Check-in is at 3:00 p.m. Check-out is at noon

Isaac Jackson Hotel (0.4 miles from Host)
830 Harrison Avenue
Elkins, WV 26241
304-636-1400
Double Queen beds at $105.35/per night
King rooms at $105.35/per night

Hampton Inn (3.1 miles from Host)
480 Plantation Drive
Elkins, WV 26241
304-630-7500
Single King beds at $119.00/per night
Queen beds at $119.00/per night

Graceland Inn & Conference Center (0.8 miles from Host)
100 Campus Drive
Elkins, WV 26241
304-637-1600
Business Class rooms at $99.00/per night
Rooms in the Inn. These are the more expensive rooms ranging from $116 to $192.50/per night

[brianpharmd]

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I was able to speak with Linda Layman about the tour. Look for upcoming information in MARC about the tour after the Branson information has run.

Here is tenative info on the tours. Got married in Elkins, WV and grew up in WV so very familiar with the location. Be ready for narrow roads, hills and better have good brakes! Hotel rooms are at a premium due to several rooms taken by the pipeline companies preparing to install the natural gas pipeline through that area of WV this spring/summer/fall.

PM me your email address and I can forward along the info packet I received back in Jan if that helps.

A glimpse of our tours. . .

Tour 1 (Guided) - The grandeur of The Greenbrier is apparent at first sight with its beautiful gardens and historic Southern charm.The golf courses are known around the world, and activities abound at this well-known resort.But deep under this stately resort is the “Cold War Bunker,” built in the 1950’s as a safe haven for the President, Congress and senior government officials in the event of a nuclear attack.This historic “bunker” is now open for public tours, allowing us another view of West Virginia’s place in history. 216 Miles

Tour 2 (Guided)- Relax and take a step back in time at the old logging town of Cass.Take a tour of the town and get a glimpse of what life was like in 1901.Enjoy lunch at the Company Store followed by a two-hour train ride up the mountain.An original Shay locomotive will huff and puff all the way to Whittaker Station where you will enjoy a brief rest and an opportunity to view the valley below before boarding the train to return to Cass.107 Miles

Tour 3 (Guided) - Droop Mountain Battlefield was the site of the last major battle of the Civil War in West Virginia.Although the Confederates controlled the high point, the Federal troops managed to win the battle and secure West Virginia for the remainder of the war.It is said that occasional ghosts from the battle still visit the area. The Cranberry Glades is among West Virginia’s most unique ecosystems.It is a 750-acre bog left over from the Ice Age.A half-mile boardwalk has been constructed so that visitors will not disturb the fragile area while viewing the unusual plant life, some of which is from seeds from 10,000 years ago.Not far from the Cranberry Glades is the beautiful Falls of Hills Creek.The leisurely 1.8 mile round-trip hiking trail highlights the three falls of the canyon; the first is 25 feet high, the second 45 feet, and the third 63 feet.The Highland Scenic Highway is a National Forest Scenic Byway through the Monongahela National Forest.It is the highest major roadway in West Virginia and rises from an elevation of 2,300 feet to over 4,500 feet.Scenic overlooks abound to capture the gorgeous autumn glory.196 Miles

Tour 4 (Guided) - The West Virginia State Wildlife Center offers an up-close look at both the native and introduced wildlife that calls West Virginia home.The large habitats are along a 1.25 mile walkway through a mature hardwood forest suitable for leisurely walking and wheelchairs. The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum operated from 1864 to 1994 as a psychiatric hospital.It is thought to be the largest hand cut stone building in the United States and the second largest in the world.(The largest is in the Kremlin.)Guided historic and paranormal tours are offered.West Virginia has long been known for its artisan crafters. Ron Hinkle is an accomplished master glass artist whose glass treasures are found in homes across the United States as well as internationally. Ron will demonstrate his skill for us, and we will have an opportunity to see (and buy) the beautiful items.121 Miles

Tour 5 - The Canaan Valley Region of West Virginia is the highest valley region east of the Mississippi River.Canaan Valley is usually the first area of the state to display fall colors, and it is one of the areas of the state known as a year round playground with a variety of activities.The tour of the area starts with the 90’ Olsen Fire Tower which offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Backbone Mountain Region.The tower offers steel steps and a handrail, but it is not for the faint of heart.However, an amazing view awaits at the top.The towns of Thomasand Davis offer a variety of small shops.Both have an abundance of artisan, craft and antique shops for your browsing pleasure. Blackwater Falls is one of the most photographed areas of West Virginia.The Blackwater River flowsthrough Canaan Valley and then drops 62 feet into the rugged but beautiful Blackwater Canyon.The water gets its black color from the tannins of fallen red spruce and hemlocks.Our tour goes from down in the canyon at Blackwater Falls to the top of the mountain at Canaan Valley Resort/Ski Center.The ski lift will take you up the mountain where you can explore and capture beautiful views of the valleys below.92 Miles

Tour 6 - On the way to the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation area is one of the few remaining fire towers in the Monongahela National Forest (now observation tower) on Bickle Knob at an elevation of 4,003 feet.Not far from Bickle Knob is the Bowden Fish Hatchery which raises and stocks around 170,000 pounds or 240,000 fish in the rivers, streams and lakes of north central West Virginia. Spruce Knob* is the highest point in West Virginia at an elevation of 4,863 feet.There is an observation tower and several trails around the top with spectacular views.At the bottom of the mountain is the Seneca Rocks Visitor Center which describes the early life around the Seneca Rocks and also the reasoning behind National Forests.A few miles from Seneca Rocks is Smoke Hole Caverns.The Seneca Indians built fires and smoked meat in the front area of the caverns, thus giving the caverns their name.The many secluded rooms, cool temperatures and clean, cool stream provided the later settlers with a perfect place to make their corn whiskey after the Civil War.Several moonshine stills were found in later years.151 Miles

Tour 7 - If you are interested in the extra-terrestrial, a tour to Green Bank Observatory should be on your agenda.The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope is the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope.The telescope will scan for radio signals, possible emitted by extra-terrestrials, in the range of 1-10 GHz, a so-called “quiet zone” uninterrupted by man-made or natural sources.99 Miles

Tour 8 - The New Tygart Flyer features vintage diesel-powered locomotives climbing along the cascading Shavers Fork of the Cheat River to the High Falls of Cheat pulling comfortable climate-controlled passenger coaches. This wilderness excursion features mountain grades, an “S” curve tunnel, a high bridge and miles of unspoiled mountain views.An “all-you-can-eat” cold sandwich buffet is included.This is a four hour, 46 mile trip.0 Miles

Tour 9 - Snowshoe Mountain Resort* is one of West Virginia’s year round mountain playgrounds with amazing views.Spend the day paddle boating on the lake, biking on one of the many trails, visiting the many shops and exploring all that the “Mountain” has to offer.101 Miles

(*Denotes long, steep grades. You must determine if the condition of your car is capable of safely navigating.)