Bigwolf Recon Update

[Bigwolf]

Room rates are $56 plus tax per night.  Microwave and fridge is extra $3.  If you need to cancel and do so at least 3 days before, there is no charge.  Be sure to tell them you are with the Bigwolf Recon.

Mineral Springs Motel
30 McGraw Ave
Webster Springs, WV 26288
(304) 847-5305
Fax (304) 847-2557
Office hours 8am - 10pm Monday thru Sunday
www.mineralspringsmotel.net

Friday March 29, 2019 roll in, kick tires, swap lies, and enjoy the campfire.
Saturday enjoy the roads, scenery, and, in the evening, the campfire and more story tellin.
Sunday March 31 pack up and head home or wherever.

Don’t worry, I doubt you will break a sweat at this one.  But hey!....... bring the Gerbings and thermal long johns.....they just might be what you want.

The Gathering of the Fools has run it’s course........sad to see it go.  But on the last days of March 2019, the fools are welcome to gather in Webster Springs, WV with some other fools including me.

Bigwolf

Here is a link to my original post with a lot more information and stuff others have added: http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,102576.msg1022563.html#msg1022563

[bill-jr]

Putting it in the calender lets hope the weather is right and we can have a large time . . .

[Bigwolf]

Putting it in the calender lets hope the weather is right and we can have a large time . . .

 
I have booked my room.  Looking for great weather and a great time.

[DDT (12)]

Jerry,

WOW! Plenty of notice for this outing!!! Too much for this spur-of-the-moment guy, but... Any ride you put together automatically has my attention, and West Virginia is one of my favorite cruising ranges, so... I've put it on my calendar, and I will keep it in mind...

You've been threatening to put on a ride for sometime; and, I've been threatening to attend. This could be the time and place! Thanks for taking the initiative and starting the ball rolling... I hope it works out, and... I hope I end up making it, too!!!

DDT

[robin]

Is this ride going to take place of the" gathering of the fools" ?

[Bigwolf]

Is this ride going to take place of the" gathering of the fools" ?

Oh no!  For several reasons....no. 
First, I would not even ever try to compete with what the gathering of the fools was.  That was a first rate gathering for a great cause and took a great deal of time, patience, help, and space.  Also, the gathering of the fools was held in a location much more likely to have warm weather that early in the season.  The Gathering of the Fools was a wonderful annual event that sadly has ended.  I believe it deserves a place in the Valkyrie hall of fame.

The recon ride I am putting together is, I think, going to be a 1 time ride.  The location and timing of this ride is such that Cold weather is likely and the roads are unforgiving.......hence maybe even a foolish ride for some that might be a little off their game or uncomfortable in cold weather.  But for those up to the rigors of mountain riding in cool to cold weather, the fun will be plentyful.

Bigwolf

[Quasi (fmr. GHSTDG)]

Booked. 

I might get out that way soon for some colorful fall riding.

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
Thank you for the kind words.  Yes, I wanted to get things started early.  My experience has been that desirable places often get booked way ahead........if you snooze, you loose.  I did not want that to happen.  Choosing a good time was difficult too because of other activities/events in Webster Springs and my unwillingness to hold this ride close to the time of other rides.  So it is what it is.  I am a little nervous and a lot excited since this is my first go at calling riders together for a weekend of comradery.

If this goes well, I have several more “Recons” in mind for other areas of WV and some in Tennessee too.

I do hope you make it there.  Having the VRCC Ambassador Gypsy at my ride would make my day.

Bigwolf

GHSTDG
 
It is great there in the fall.  Just don’t let any wet leaves bite you.

Bigwolf

[bill-jr]

Already looking forward to this ride and the location cant be better . . . .
Lets hope for a great turn out . . .

[Bigwolf]

A little more background on the town chosen for the 2019 Bigwolf Recon:

The name of the town is officially "Addison", but the community is most often referred to by the name of its post office, "Webster Springs".[8] It also labeled on some maps as "Addison", and some as "Webster Springs". The unofficial name has gone so far that the county commission's letterhead reads "Webster Springs," rather than "Addison", which it had previously.

Other names for the town have included Elk Lick and Fork Lick.[8]

History

The town's first permanent settlers were named William and Polly, (maiden name, "Friend"), Arthur, who arrived in 1860.[6] The first post office established in Webster County was Fort Lick, present-day Webster Springs.[6] The postmaster at the time was a man by the name of John Hall.[6]

The Morton House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.[9]

Salt Sulfur wells   
Hall, along with a man whose first name is not known, who is only known as Mr. Skidmore, drilled the first salt sulfur well in the county, it was known as "Old Spring."[6] The well was later owned by Colonel John T. McGraw.[6] The salt sulfur well helped make Webster Springs a popular summer tourist location during the 19th and early 20th Century.[6]

According to Springs in West Virginia, Webster Springs had a total of four springs: the Addison McLaughlin Well, located to the west of Court Square on the present site of the Mineral Springs Motel; Old Fork Lick Spring, located in the bed of the Elk River; Tracy Well, located on the lot of its owner, W.B. Tracy, in Webster Springs; and the William Smith Well, located in Dorrtown.[10] The wells were popular because people believed that the water from the wells had medicinal qualities.[6] The water was used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, acne and arthritis.[6]

Webster Springs Hotel   
In 1897, Senator Johnson Newlon Camden had built a 265-room hotel of Victorian style architecture,[11] which was larger than The Greenbrier Hotel built in 1913, which only has 250 rooms,[11] named the Webster Springs Hotel. The hotel contained a tennis court, horse stables, garden, bowling alley, power plant, and Russian and Turkish baths,[11] where visitors could enjoy the "medicinal" qualities of its salt sulfur waters. The hotel was also the largest wood frame hotel in West Virginia.[12]

When first built, the hotel was a three-story dark colored building. After it was completed, construction began on a new, much larger section of the hotel, adding more rooms, and a new exterior color, white. The new section of the hotel contained up-to-date Turkish bath equipment, where guests could have a sulfur water bath.[11] For many years, filled to capacity by guests and a greatly increased overflow which necessitated the building of smaller hotels in the town.[11] The hotel also raised its own cattle and provided some of its own food and milk.[11] The hotel's ice house, according to Elizah Hedding Gillespie, His Ancestors, Descendants and Their Families, was capable of holding 150 tons of ice.[11] The hotel was heated by steam.[11]

In 1903, Colonel McGraw purchased the hotel and expanded it by 115 rooms, completed in the spring of 1904.[11] Of the 89 "non-guest" rooms in the new section, 40 were for salt sulfur baths, which took up the entire first floor of one wing.[11] The entire southern wing of the hotel was given to bath rooms, including; "the plunge," Turkish, Russian, Needle, Shower, and Steam baths. Of which they were offered in both fresh and salt-sulfur water.[11]

On the interior, it contained stuffed bears, elks, and other wildlife of the local county in realistic poses.[11]

At the height of its popularity, the hotel played host to such guests as Senators Thomas Kearns (Utah), Henry G. Davis (West Virginia), his son-in-law, Senator Stephen Benton Elkins (West Virginia), and Camden (West Virginia).

On the night of July 20, 1925, the hotel caught fire and was burned to the ground, being completely destroyed.[11] Flames could be seen as far as one mile away, as well, the sky was seen as a bright red color, up to 19 miles away, in Camden-on-Gauley.[11]

[Bigwolf]

Just bringing this back to the top as a reminder.

[Rams]

Dang, I'm just seeing this thread!   Thanks for reviving it.

Although I am in no condition to commit to being there, I will put it on my calendar and hope to attend.
But I honestly doubt I'll be back on two wheels by then.   

Took me a minute to figure out how and why I missed the original posting and the follow up postings.
Then I saw the original date.   I'm told I was occupied with other activities on that date.  

Oh well, I know it now!    Hope to make it.    

Rams  

[Earl43P]

 

This looks like a GREAT ride....putting it on my calendar as well.
Off to check on reservations too.

I'd love to suggest a ride up to Helvetia since we'll be so close.

[DDT (12)]

Jerry,

I still have this on my calendar, but... it ain't looking all that promising... My surgery is now scheduled for 2/28/19, so it would depend upon the speed of my recovery and my 'outlook' at the time. Possible, it would seem, but not too likely, I'm afraid... Oh well, there is always hope I'll be up for the next one... (I seriously doubt this will be a one-time gathering!)

I was actually looking forward to this ride! I do like that area, and the folks who'll be showing up are worth a ride to go hang with. I know it will be a great time, weather permitting, and that you will enjoy much satisfaction for having produced an enjoyable event. Good luck!!!

DDT

[Bigwolf]

Since I was in WV for Thanksgiving, I decided to check out a road that had been on my short list of places to ride for this gathering.

I knew the road from Upper Glade up along the Williams River to rt150 had suffered very serious damage in the floods of 2016.  I was pretty sure that some of the damage catastrophic.  So I needed to know before heading in there on the bike.  Wow!  It is almost totally different!  It is definitely not a good road for a Valkyrie tour.  The nice scenic views I was hoping to see are not available from the road as it now runs.   .  Oh well, plenty of other roads.

[bill-jr]

Cant wait . . . . .
 

[Bigwolf]

I just talked to the folks at the motel.  The rains haven’t washed anything away there and the last couple of days have been sunny.  So far, 5 rooms have been booked. 

I am so looking forward to this ride gathering.  It’s just over 4 weeks away! 

[bill-jr]

Six rooms booked but not sure i got any discounts the fellow on the phone didnt have a clue about any ride for that weekend. Maybe he was new ?
 See the ones there that aint skeered . . .

[Reb]

I've got it booked, work and weather dependent for me 

[bill-jr]

Cant wait im ready to put in some miles
Work has been crazy i need a good break .
Hey Reb you bringing the new B ?
What about your better half ?
Hope to see a good turn out for this one . .  .
Hey Hubcap . . You gonna make this one ? ?


Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.
H.S. Thompson

[DDT (12)]

Jerry,

As you know, my recovery continues... I do still have an issue or two, but I think I can spot a glimmer of light way down the long tunnel ahead... if I squint real hard and try diligently not to let wishful thinking override judgement! I'm guessing I just may be able to pull this off after all, so I do have a hopeful idea a wee bit of 'planning' just may be justified here! And, that has begun... Naturally, weather will also factor in on this... but... the glass is half full, ya know!

DDT

[Bigwolf]

66 degrees and sunny today in Webster Springs, WV.

[bill-jr]

BUMP .....

[DDT (12)]

Jerry,

I arrived back in Ocala Tuesday afternoon. After unpacking and settling back in, I visited our girl to see how she was doing... Fine, of course, and she even fired right up - a cough at first due to having had her fuel shut-off all this time but smooth very soon afterward - when I lovingly gave her a shot of rev therapy! She'd been idle for about three weeks or so by then, and it was definitely time to stir her oil up a bit and flush-out her carbs!

I sat astride her while doing all of that, and I must say, that sure felt great! I can throw a leg already, and sitting there is not a bother at all! Positive things for this serious PMS sufferer, so indications are I'll be able to ride in another week or so... almost certainly in another two weeks! Look out, folks, the old bug killer just might be at large and on the loose sooner than thought!!!

As she caught her breath, I just sat there on her saddle, stroking and patting her sensuous gas tank, while 'hearts' streamed from my cranial cavity (   ), and thoughts of her and me doing our thing together floated in and out of my consciousness... I then gave her a preview of coming attractions, or at least what I was hoping to do this year, and she really became excited!

As with all good partners, we've shared the ups and downs of extended life together, and we've each  patiently waited while the other has been forced to remain on the sidelines for a while... Through it all, our bonds have become stronger, and our affection much deeper... Soon, we hope to be back out there... together... sharing the next chapter with all of its challenges and surprises... The Big Wolf Recon is expected to be the kick-off to an unprecedented and most awesome riding season!!!

DDT

[Bigwolf]

Jerry,

I arrived back in Ocala Tuesday afternoon. After unpacking and settling back in, I visited our girl to see how she was doing... Fine, of course, and she even fired right up - a cough at first due to having had her fuel shut-off all this time but smooth very soon afterward - when I lovingly gave her a shot of rev therapy! She'd been idle for about three weeks or so by then, and it was definitely time to stir her oil up a bit and flush-out her carbs!

I sat astride her while doing all of that, and I must say, that sure felt great! I can throw a leg already, and sitting there is not a bother at all! Positive things for this serious PMS sufferer, so indications are I'll be able to ride in another week or so... almost certainly in another two weeks! Look out, folks, the old bug killer just might be at large and on the loose sooner than thought!!!

As she caught her breath, I just sat there on her saddle, stroking and patting her sensuous gas tank, while 'hearts' streamed from my cranial cavity (  ), and thoughts of her and me doing our thing together floated in and out of my consciousness... I then gave her a preview of coming attractions, or at least what I was hoping to do this year, and she really became excited!

As with all good partners, we've shared the ups and downs of extended life together, and we've each  patiently waited while the other has been forced to remain on the sidelines for a while... Through it all, our bonds have become stronger, and our affection much deeper... Soon, we hope to be back out there... together... sharing the next chapter with all of its challenges and surprises... The Big Wolf Recon is expected to be the kick-off to an unprecedented and most awesome riding season!!!

DDT

It certainly is for me!  Just the beginning of what is looking to become a super epic motoring summer for me!  I am so ready to be out there running the roads and in the evenings kicking tires and swapping stories with friends.  I am thinking I might ride on in to Webster Springs Thursday just to be sure there is plenty of wood ready at the fire pit.

Bigwolf

Earl43p,
I have never actually been in Helvetia.  I have often heard that it is a really nice place to see. ...... hmmm, might be a good run.  Have you been there? 

Bigwolf

[Earl43P]

It is a worthwhile destination for a quick visit, but it’s real draw for us were the ROADS.
Leaving there, we went west and well, it got very interesting. When we finally hit civilization again, we saw elk in a preserve. (If that rings any bells for you). I was glad I gassed up before the Helvetia mountain road, which was newly paved (several years ago).

[Bigwolf]

It is a worthwhile destination for a quick visit, but it’s real draw for us were the ROADS.
Leaving there, we went west and well, it got very interesting. When we finally hit civilization again, we saw elk in a preserve. (If that rings any bells for you). I was glad I gassed up before the Helvetia mountain road, which was newly paved (several years ago).

That sounds to me like you came out at French Creek at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center.  That was an impressive place many years ago.  I bet it still is.

You probably took 11 out of Hevitia to rt 20 at French Creek.

[vanavyman]

Trish made our reservations today and we are planning to make the ride. Give her some good riding experience in the mountains on her Trike.
Dan

[bill-jr]

Trish made our reservations today and we are planning to make the ride. Give her some good riding experience in the mountains on her Trike.
Dan

Great dan see ya there was wondering if yall would make this one . . .

[Bigwolf]

Trish made our reservations today and we are planning to make the ride. Give her some good riding experience in the mountains on her Trike.
Dan

   See you there.