July and August is a time when winds are low and folks suffer with heat and boredom in the Mid Atlantic, Mid-west and Appalachian regions. (We call it the "Dog Days of Summer"). So, our thoughts run to the most wind favored places we know: the 1200 acre lake at Mount Storm, West Virginia. Just three hours from Baltimore, this edge of the Appalachian Escarpment, is locally known as the Allegheny Front. This is the high edge of the plateau. Mount Storm Lake is closer than you might think -- just over three hours from BWI, two and a half from Dulles and under two hours from Morgantown, WV. The weather at Mount Storm is interesting. There is no reporting weather station at the lake. I use weatherunderground.com for Mount Storm, WV or for Davis, WV. The wind is always more than forecast. 2) Abundant Wind to blow the smoke away. Nowadays the smoke is scrubbed clean so that what comes out of the stacks is mostly steam and carbon dioxide, but the location's dependable winds enticed private investment in a huge wind turbine project. Scores of graceful, giant windmills are visible from the lake. While the weather may be cool and breezy, the water of the lake is warm. In summer the cooler weather (due to the elevation) is welcome, and the water is warm but still pleasant. I'm pro life- vest, and I boat. Notes: Wind is always more than what is forecast for Mount Storm, so forget the forecasts...just come and be prepared to reef. Look for last minute details here as time approaches. (Refresh your browser). We will bring snacks for those who don't want to leave the lake for lunch, but there is no drinking water nor beverage machine at the lake or camp, so bring your own. | No Launching Fees ! No Parking Fees ! Free Camping ! Primitive Campsites are along Camp 70 Road which is found by following Rt 93 from the lake into Davis, going through town on Rt 32 and keeping straight when the main road bears right to cross the river. The road to the campsites passes just left of the Shop 'n Save and the Dollar General. Just past these stores you will leave Rt 32 by keeping straight, and cross an old bridge. Keep straight for a mile and a quarter to group campsite number one on your right. There is nothing organized. We will just get together and wing it. It is a big lake and there is room for everybody. Friday and Saturday nights we will have campfires. Saturday we will be all day at the lake. A good lunchroom, the little "Stained Glass Restaurant " is about a mile from the lake. There are good eats in Davis, near camp, as well There are often jetskis and motorboats on the lake. There may be scuba divers under the area between the parking lot and the dam. Sometimes there are swimmers, although signs specifically forbid it. There is room for everyone. The lake is over a mile wide near the dam by about two and a half miles long. Huckleberries (wild blueberries) are ripe and abundant in the highlands at this season. We picked (and ate) them near the campsite, last year. Life is not risk free. This is to be a voluntary activity of consenting adults (or children under the supervision of their parents). Every person is responsible for his own personal conduct and there is no committee or person who accepts any responsibility for anyone or anything otherwise. Don't accept this premise? Maybe you should stay home and watch TV. |