Roadside Park Port Of St. Albans

Visited on: Friday, October 18, 2024
Departed: October 20, 2024
Cost: Free

As I drove along the Kanawha River coming out of Charleston, West Virginia, I saw several paddlewheel boats docked. These weren’t the great big paddle wheels you might see in a big city. These were smaller vessels and the interesting thing was they were docked at private residences.

I never did find out more about why people might own these paddlewheel boats, but I counted at least four of them, and there was one directly across from the boat dock next to the park I was staying in.

A white and red boat docked on a calm river at St. Albans beautifully reflects the autumn-colored trees and houses in the background.

If I were to take a wild guess, I would wager that these boats are used in various regattas and other types of events on the river. Whatever the reason, it sure would be fun to ride on one of these little paddlewheel boats.

A scenic river view framed by lush green foliage, with a boat docked along the opposite shoreline under a clear sky, near the charming Port of St. Albans.
A serene lakeside scene by Roadside Park in St. Albans, where houses and trees reflect in the calm water under a clear sky. A small boat is docked by the shore, inviting you to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

The Occasional Sadder Side of Travel

Like many things in life, there are pros and cons to the lifestyle that I live. And also, like life, it’s best not to judge a book by its cover, but it’s often hard not to.

Staying at this site provided one of those points. The RV parked next to my site had a huge Confederate flag in the back window, two dogs tied up out front, and two kids. It’s hard to watch the kids live in what appeared to be a somewhat impoverished situation.

Of course, I don’t know any of the details, and I didn’t talk to the people who came and went related to this vehicle, but it’s hard not to wish that the world was a better place.

Two parked RVs rest under a large tree at the Roadside Park, with clear blue skies and distant hills offering a perfect backdrop.
A bridge spans across a calm river at sunset near the Port of St. Albans, with reflections on the water and trees lining the riverbank, offering a picturesque view akin to a serene roadside park.
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