Ever since listening to the song “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” in the early 70s, I’ve dreamed of seeing the mountains of West Virginia. That dream materialized in October when Dan and I headed to the Mountain Creek Cabins on Cooper’s Rock Mountain near Bruceton Mills. However, we didn’t know that we’d listen to the heartbeat of a real “coming home” through the lives of our hosts, Mark and Sheila Jenkins.
More than a decade ago, the couple moved to Mark’s ancestral land where they began eking out a life among the towering timbers and remnants of an 1870s homestead. Since then, they’ve turned their love of the land and sweat equity into a legacy for their children – the rich heritage of a good life. And they enjoy sharing that life with guests who stay in one of their seven cozy cabins which blends rustic charm with the luxury of modern conveniences. Some guests come simply to escape the daily rat race; others come to explore nature or seek outdoor adventures at nearby parks and forests. All are blessed with unparalleled hospitality.
The c
abins are off the beaten path but easy to find, thanks to great signage. Shortly after taking exit 15 from Interstate 68, we were greeted by a lush blazing of autumn radiance along the rolling hills, valleys and twisty bends that took us to our home for the next few days, Shawnee Cabin. We had spent the morning hiking trails at nearby Coopers Rock State Forest and were ready to relax at the woodland retreat which features a comfy front porch, gas-log fireplace, and hot tub overlooking the woods and a mountain stream. That evening as the sun set, we were embraced by the warm earth tones and harvest hues that beckoned us to open a nice bottle of wine and cuddle by the fire. Surrounded by an undefined peace, we listened to trees whispering secrets and the stream’s drowsy murmur trickling over rocks. Yes, it was almost heaven.