BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va

One of the things that I like best about touring is not only the ride, but stopping when you find an interesting place and adventuring through the town. My husband, Chuck, doesn't mind going into the local shops and looking at all of the wonderful things that so many quaint country towns have to offer – mainly because he knows that you can only fit so much into the bike to take home. He discourages going to these places when we are driving my truck.

We were biking north on route 15 in Northern Virginia heading towards Harper's Ferry, when we felt that we really wanted to go a bit further on such a beautiful day. After consulting the map we found an interesting looking town that I had gone to many years before by car, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. Route 15 is a bit boring for us as we have traveled it so many times and it is very straight. It is charming in several places as it goes through Lucketts, with it's antique shops, and over the Potomac River at Point of Rocks where you can find the C & O Canal Trail. We turned west on route 9. This road has a few mild twisty windy's that makes the ride a bit more fun and interesting.

The town of Berkeley Springs is delightful. It has plenty of history behind it, as the resort area for Lord Fairfax and his friend George Washington. Mineral waters run through the center of town in the country's smallest state park . The mineral waters are normally 74 °. You can wade in the waters and take a Roman Bath. Bath waters are heated to 100-102 degrees. Massages are offered. There is mineral water from the springs for drinking.

The town is full of wonderful specialty shops, antique malls, resort boutiques, bed and breakfasts inns, and galleries. I often see a sleepy black cat lying in the shade of a shopkeeper's sign. It pays no attention to passers by. The town even boasts a castle, although it is no longer open to the public. You will find the streets full of bikes at any given time, with bikers walking up and down the sidewalks.

My favorite place to stop and eat is Tari's Cafe . Tari's is a store, which sells West Virginia Wild Woman art, a Tavern with charm and a restaurant. The food is terrific and if you are not getting on your bike again, the beer is very tasty.

Cacapon Resort State Park is 10 miles away with its beautiful views.

You won't regret going to this wonderful little town.