Day Trippin' in WV: Ace Adventure Center

The name says it all -- this is the top of the line Adventure Center in West Virginia!  Whatever sport or activity you're interested in, Ace Adventure Center likely has it covered.  This is a wonderland for the active outdoor family.

Among their array of activities:

• White water rafting (over 140 different trips!)
• Mountain biking
• Kayaking
• Rock climbing
• Cave exploration
• Fishing
• Paintball games

You'll find a selection of packages for weekend stays, day trips or full vacations.  This is a HUGE 1,400 acre resort with a wonderful staff of knowledgeable and friendly people.  Safety is above all, you will have a lesson with thorough explanations before you set off on any adventure. 

My family and I went horseback riding at Ace last summer.  (No, that is not us in the rafting picture, that's a stock photo offered to the press by Ace, and I figure blogging counts as "press", right?)  Before our ride, we were given a detailed lesson in steering, stopping and what to do "if".  We've ridden before and NEVER have we had such good instructions.   

"What do you do if your saddle starts to slide to the side?"  Gasp!  I didn't know!  I hadn't even thought about it!  But we were shown by one of guides, just stand in the stirrup on the opposite side and jerk on the saddle horn to realign it.  (I was so happy we'd had this instruction as later my teenager had this very problem, several times.)  We were shown easier ways to steer, by reaching down closer to the horse's mouth you have greater control.  It seemed like simple common sense, but I appreciated the lesson both for myself and my kids.  We were offered helmets but all declined.  I probably should have taken them but had never been offered at other riding stables. 

Our guides instructed us to learn our horse's name.  It was too difficult for them to remember each rider's name, but they work with and know these horses well.  My horse was Rocky, named for his "gentle ride".  :o)  For the length of the ride, my family members were renamed Buzz, Dan, Flipper and Casper.  The kids thought that was really cool.

We took a two hour ride through the beautiful, cool green forests of West Virginia.  The trail was gentle enough without being boring, as was my horse.  (He got one little jump in just before we left, maybe testing out the new shoes he'd just received.)  Our guide (I think his name was John) was wonderful.  He kept an eye on the kids, which I appreciated, and was friendly and talkative.  I told him how impressed I was with the health of the horses and he told me much more about their care.  These are well cared for horses.  John also reminded my daughter "Flipper" many times to stand in her saddle and jerk on that saddle horn to straighten it out.  "Flipper's" Mother appreciated the care shown for all the kids that day. 

They warned us before the trip -- the legs you get on the horse with are NOT the legs you get off the horse with.  Prepare to have jelly legs for a bit, and be careful when getting off your horse. 

We had a great time and plan to return.  Months later, I was surprised to receive a calendar in the mail from Ace Adventure Center.  I flipped through and found a picture of our exchange student and myself in May!!  I was so pleased, as I hadn't gotten a picture of her on her horse.  I called Ace and asked them for a few more copies to send to her family, and they sent them to me immediately.  The calendar is filled with colorful pictures of people having a great time -- if you have a look you'll want to go there yourself! 

You can contact Ace Adventure Center at ace@aceraft.com or 1-888-223-7238.  Ace is located at Oak Hill, about an hour and a half from Hurricane, WV.