RiverLaurel is a home owned by Roger and Janey Wilmoth. RiverLaurel is located near Elkins, WV on the shore of the sometimes wild and always scenic Shaver’s Fork of Cheat River on about 1/2 mile of riverfront that is absolutely private and serene, accessible only by a private lane. The address is 651 Faulkner Rd, (county highway 5/12), Elkins, WV 26241.
AMENITIES
Please remember; RiverLaurel is a NON-SMOKING facility.
RiverLaurel offers three queen-size bedrooms and one twin-size pull- out couch in the office plus two loveseat-size couches and a full-size couch in the great room. There are two full baths, full kitchen facilities with granite countertop, a great room and dining area with gas fireplace, skylights, and extensive windows overlooking the deck and adjacent Shavers Fork of Cheat River. RiverLaurel also offers an office/laundry. For those so inclined, RiverLaurel offers connectivity of cable TV, DVD, and a sophisticated-technology office with high-speed wireless internet access.
Importantly, RiverLaurel offers the serenity of solitude and privacy. The spacious elevated deck is adjacent to and overlooks the Shavers Fork River which is about 20 feet away and offers a comfortable Hot Springs saltwater hot tub and gas grill. The facility is also handicap accessible with a wide deck ramp and wide doorways.
WARM WEATHER RECREATION
In the spring, summer, and fall RiverLaurel offers unexcelled opportunities for mountain-related recreation, including fishing on the Shaver’s Fork or in the remote streams of the nearby Monongahela National Forest (which is simply across the river or ten minutes drive away), usually-mild whitewater tubing, canoeing, and kayaking on the Shaver’s Fork, hiking the many miles of mountain trails in the Monongahela National Forest, sightseeing in the nearby natural attractions of Blackwater Falls, Spruce Knob, Dolly Sods, Canaan Valley State Park (superb golfing), Bickle’s Knob, Douglas Falls, High Falls of Cheat, WV Game Farm, Bowden Fish Hatchery, and Seneca Caverns (all of which are in a 50-mile radius of RiverLaurel). Or simply enjoy nature and watch wildlife either at RiverLaurel or anywhere in the Monongahela National Forest (which begins on the far bank of the river in front of RiverLaurel). Similarly, enjoy the scenery from the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railway, which offers scenic train rides out of Elkins (seven miles away) or the nearby Cass Scenic Railroad. Visits to nearby historic Elkins and to it’s prestigious Davis and Elkins College are always enjoyable. Elkins is the host city to the Augusta Heritage Music and Arts Festival in early August. and to the Mountain State Forest Festival in early October. Nearby Buckhannon hosts the Strawberry Festival in mid-May and is the proud home of West Virginia Wesleyan College. Nearby Philippi is the proud home of Alderson-Broaddus University.
WINTER RECREATION
In winter, in addition to hunting, RiverLaurel offers nearby downhill skiing, snowboarding opportunities at Canaan Valley and recently-renovated Timberline, snow tubing at Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls State Park, cross-country skiing at Canaan Valley State Park and Whitegrass (all 30-minutes away) and all of these plus skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling at world-class Snowshoe (60-min away). Or simply enjoy the peacefulness of mountain snows at RiverLaurel.
WILDLIFE
RiverLaurel receives full-time visits from red squirrels, flying squirrels, chipmunks, and racoons; and part-time visits from a variety of birds, including screech owls, hawks, Merganser ducks, crows, cardinals, nuthatches, wren, juncos, tufted titmouse, bats, blue jays, finches, chickadees, blue herons, and last but far from least, osprey and bald eagles. Don't forget the infrequent sighting of foxes, deer, and a rare sighting of a bear...and sometimes hearing bobcats. You won't see all of these on your first visit, but the more you visit, the better your chances are! If you want to see more animals, it is a one-hour drive to the West Virginia Game Farm at French Creek (which is awesome).
HISTORY
RiverLaurel was built by Carl and Dorothy Wilmoth in the 1950’s and has continuously and progressively been remodeled and enlarged. Roger, a surviving son , and his wife Janey inherited the property in 2000 and have been constantly updating RiverLaurel since then.
JANEY AND ROGER'S RECOMMENDATION
Janey and I recommend leaving the TV off and enjoying the nature and serenity afforded by RiverLaurel. WE DO (except when we are working to improve the facilities haha)!
RiverLaurel is a NON-SMOKING facility.