October 13, 2021 New River Gorge Bridge Walk

 V stand for Victory! But in this case, V stands for Victor, an area close to Fayetteville, West Virginia. Bucket list was accomplished on Wednesday October 13, 2021 ✔✔✔. We walked the plank! Actually, we walked the cat walk that is directly under the New River Gorge Bridge.

The NRGB is 876 feet above the New River, and spans over 3030 feet in length. It is the 2nd highest arch bridge in the United States. The bridge is located on US Route 19 just north of Fayetteville. On the north side of the bridge is CANYON RIM VISITOR CENTER, which provides outstanding overlooks of the bridge. We drove the FAYETTE STATION ROAD (8 mile loop) twice😅 for some fantastic views from underneath the bridge.

We arrived in Fayetteville early enough to drive the 8 mile loop, (AKA State Rt.82) known as Fayette Station Road. The 8 mile loop is ONE WAY, beginning at the NPS CANYON RIM VISITOR'S CENTER, and ending at the intersection of 82 and Route 19. It was an added plus to have this map marked for stops along the way........ to snap photos!(or course😁)

Lots of rock climbing, stepping opportunities were available.😂

We parked off road, and walked across the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge.

Oh what a view of the New River Gorge Bridge from standing midway! Ron took the first photo shown below with his Canon❣:

The loop included a stop at a small beach area. 

Ron was especially excited to see the Osage orange tree....a very strong tree that he uses to make bows!

We scurried into town to grab a bite to eat at the highly recommended Cathedral Café. (134 Court St. Fayetteville)

Our Bridge walk started promptly at 1:00PM..... reservations are required. There were 11 of us!(and 11 returned safe and sound😂😂😂). We were each given harnesses and heavy duty locks/harbingers to be attached to the cables, once we entered the catwalk.

Our starting point looked like this!↓↓↓ The catwalk is 25' beneath the bridge.

There was no turning back, once we entered the gates.

It was either smile or cry! hahaha We were locked and loaded. I had few more butterflies than Ron, as he was used to being harnessed into a tree stand. The 24" wide steel plank was SAFE, but I was used to being on 'terra firma' and having something a wee bit wider than 24". The side railings are extremely substantial. Everyone was fastened onto a safety cable, making it impossible to fall. 

The height didn't bother me as much as the death-grip around my iPhone, because, you know, I WANNA TAKE PICTURES! 😆😃😄, and I sure didn't want to drop that thing!  The bridge DID shake, due to the traffic on the bridge. The views were stunning, and our guide was gracious to makes 4-5 stops along the way(to catch our breath and take photos)

What a massive iron structure! 

Admittedly, the first 1/4 of the walk took adapting to my mindset, and to calm the butterflies! As soon as I handed over my iPhone to Ron, to safely deposit in his deep pockets, I eased up, and waltzed the rest of the way (sorta😁😁😁) This was a one-of-a kind bridge walk, and I'd do it again! The tour last about 2 hours! Our tour guide was knowledgeable about the bridge, it's history, and the area! We anticipated fall leaves, but honestly, I'm not sure I would have noticed them, while I was on that bridge! The leaves are beginning to turn, though, especially at the intersection of Rt 460 and I77 #wildandwonderfulwestvirginia #fall2021 #almostheaven