WEAR SENSIBLE SHOES! Sorry for yelling but this alone can save the day. I see a lot of unhappy people each year because they did not heed this grandmotherly advice. Friday Food is a big part of Bridge Day and it starts Friday night with the Taste of Bridge Day. It’s sponsored by the rotary […]
Meetings and Events
I am BANANAS for this guy (and his farm-to-table food!)
I am BANANAS for this guy: Farm-to-table Chef Dale Hawkins of Fish Hawk Acres. Fish Hawk Acres has catered a few events at Opossum Creek Retreat, but I had never met the chef, until now. This was a fancy wedding for a dear friend’s daughter, and was it Ossum! I loved the arch leading everyone […]
Bird Watcher’s Digest brought the Rendezvous to the Gorge
Bird Watcher’s Digest hosts Reader Rendezvous around the country, a fun-filled weekend of birding, music and friends. Last week, they were in West Virginia at North Bend State Park, and took a side trip to visit us. Not to stay, but to look for birds. (Something we are always doing, even while writing blogs. They […]
Bird Fest, Best Fest
“The Festival.” Thats what we call it. The official name is “The New River Birding and Nature Festival.” I have to say, it is as fun for me to help organize the event as it is to go birding all week. We love doing it. Even the week-long frenzy of chores, like putting the tent […]
Want to Know More about the Birding and Nature Festival?
Hello, Birding and nature festivals have boomed over the past decade here in the USA. I co-founded the New River Birding and Nature Festival 13 years ago to help boost tourism in our off-season, and raise money for nature-based, hands-on school-age education. While some events boast up to 5,000 participants, like the biggest day in […]
What Niche are You?
We hosted a beginner bird banding class last week, limited to 8 people, and sold out early. These folks spent an intensive week learning how to net, identify, band and release birds safely. Some birds are well-named. This is one. Many have names that have nothing to do with the bird, but that is its own rant […]
Learn Beginner Bird Banding in the Gorge!
Birds and Opossum Creek Retreat have a long history. For twelve years now, Opossum Creek has hosted the New River Birding and Nature Festival,which has evolved into an event that has a wonderful “back porch” kind of feel— like a family reunion with a family you would hand pick for yourself. From the very beginning, bird banding has […]
Out of my comfort zone?
What is better than a costume party? No, really, it is hard to make a party any better than starting with costumes and dressing up. It’s like Halloween in June. But there are a few things that really made this day in one of America’s “Coolest Small Towns” even better. Start with a town full […]
We’ve Got That Old-Fashioned 4th Pride
Back in the day, 4th of July was a stay-at-home holiday. Most families did not travel. That’s why we think of the hometown, American-feel Main Street parade when we think of July 4th. All those cliches are true, and give us a warm and fuzzy feeling about our nation’s birthday celebration. As well they should! […]
