Today your group is bound for Elkins, WV.  Welcome to the Holiday Inn Express in Elkins, West Virginia near the heart of the historic downtown, nestled in the western foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, Elkins is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Appalachian Plateau.  Enjoy a two-night stay.

Dinner is included tonight at either Graceland or Halliehurst, the Mansions of the Timber Barons.  Both elegant homes were built in 1890′s at the height of the timber era. (B,D)

This morning, ride West Virginia’s newest train, the Greenbrier Express.  This train departs from the restored, historically important town of Cass and closely follows the clear, free-flowing Greenbrier River to the small mountain village of Durbin.  On arrival in Durbin, enjoy lunch served at a pre-determined location either on your train car, in the depot, or at one of the restaurants on Main Street adjacent to the depot.  The ride upriver to Durbin passes through a secluded wilderness portion of the 950,000-acre Monongahela National Forest featuring beautiful scenes of forested mountains at each turn of the river.  Sightings of deer, river otters, and black bear along with a wide variety of eagles, hawks, ospreys, and other species of aquatic birds are common.

The original 95-mile section of this railroad was first constructed in 1902 by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway with an eye toward timber resource development.  It continued serving that purpose until rail traffic declined and most of the line was abandoned in 1978.  Today’s trip takes you on the northernmost 15-mile portion that was purchased by the West Virginia State Rail Authority.  Unfortunately, a catastrophic flood in 1985 washed out major portions of this line.  Thanks to a private/public initiative between the WV State Rail Authority and Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR, the track has been reconstructed and now offers a new and different option to visitors at the iconic Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

Leaving Cass, cross into the next valley and find it filled with giant satellite dishes.  This is the Green Bank Radio Astronomy Observatory intentionally located in one of America’s most quiet spots.  Here our scientists are listening for sounds from space, and you will tour the facility.

Returning to Elkins, your evening entertainment begins in a beautiful dining room at The Gandy Dancer Dinner Theater with a delicious meal, followed by the Mountain Memories Show Band and a musical variety show that is filled with high energy family-friendly comedy and music.  It’s an unforgettable evening at West Virginia’s largest dinner theater. (B,L,D)

After breakfast this morning you depart for home. (B)

Option to Add a Day – Cass Railroad’s Bald Mountain

The option exists to add another night in Elkins, and a ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad’s Bald Knob Trip.