In Mid-October, Norm Kern, Keith McCrea, Jay Levine, Chris Shoop, and Pat Mogavero took a mid-week trip to the Canaan Valley Resort outside of Davis, West Virginia. The 2021 MSTA “STAR”, our annual national rally, will be held there over the dates of June 12-16 this coming summer. The purpose of the trip was to meet with Jennifer Mortland, who is the Director of Conference Services for the resort, and begin preliminary discussions on how to make the event spectacular. We wanted to tour the facility and grounds, stay in the rooms, eat in the restaurants, and start to make tentative plans on how best to use the meeting and banquet spaces. It also gave us a chance to all meet in each other in person over a casual meal and a few beverages and discuss such things as the routes that will be provided, where we might set the Tuesday Lunch Ride up, where we might put vendors, bike parking, motorhome parking, etc. Even though we have been through this process so many times before (this will be our 38th STAR!) it still takes a lot of time to work out all the details. Best not to wait until the last moment! In a series of reports here I will try to take you all through the planning and organizing process. My goal is to keep you informed and excited. As new plans for activities related to this rally are formulated, I will let you know about them, so make sure to check back here often to see what’s new!
Of course the first requirement for any STAR location is that it has great roads! West Virginia, known as the Mountain State, has them in abundance. No matter what your preference…technical hairpins and switchbacks, scenic vistas, long sweepers, or gravel and dirt…you will find them here. One of the best things about the location of the resort is that it is not in a city or town. The great roads start right inside the park and go in every direction.
The Lodge itself is set up in a modified U, with towers on both ends that have all the rooms. From the main entrance, you walk into the central lobby on the 2nd floor. Off the lobby you will find a small cafe, a gift shop, and a large open room near the front. Down the side hallway you will find the main banquet spaces, the lounge, and the main restaurant.
The floor below that has the offices, most of the meeting rooms, the exercise center, the game room, and the indoor pool. The two towers are connected by a long hallway, making it possible to go from either tower to the other without going outside.
the main lobby from the rear looking toward the main entrance
fireplace gathering area off the main lobby
main dinning room restaurant
fully stocked bar, including some of the local brews on draft, in the lounge
small cafe near the front entrance, lighter fare and carryout available here
indoor pool with a hot tub
game room
The Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center offers many activities in addition to what will be happening with STAR. Indoor and Outdoor pools, a game room, fire pits, a playground, miniature and regular golf courses, skeet shooting and archery, hiking, bike rental, and a scenic ski lift are all found on the grounds. Horseback riding, Rafting, and fishing are all available close by. The small ton of Davis, WV which is located about 10 miles north of the resort park has some restaurants and a brewery to offer. The Canaan Valley area truly offers something for almost every member of the family to enjoy.
outdoor pool
golf course
rental bikes
shooting and archery range
hiking trails
There are several choices when it comes to accommodations for the event. To begin with, the lodge us setting aside almost all of the rooms for the event. The special rate of $99.00 per night will be in effect from Saturday-Wednesday evenings, and quite possible from Friday of one week until Saturday of the next week, for those wanting to come early and/or stay late. The park also has 23 2-3-4 bedroom cabins on site, which will also feature discounted rates. These cabins feature fully equipped kitchens, a common area for socializing and dining, decks, grills, and fire pits. The largest cabins can sleep upwards of 12 people. There are also 34 campsites in the park. Motorhome parking will be available in the parking areas around the lodge. In addition, there are 100’s of cabins, chalets, and rooms at smaller hotels for rent within the valley area.
One of the two towers that hold the lodge rooms. Some with balconies.
Campsites within the park
Cabins feature 2-3-4 bedrooms and are fully equipped
Cabins and Chalets for rent outside the park too!
STAR 202ONE is going to be a great time, with great people, featuring a great location, and really great roads! We hope that you will plan to attend. Registration will open up around January 1, 2021. (Look for a link to online registration to be posted up very soon!) When you register for the event you will receive a code to use for contacting the Resort and reserving your room or cabin at the special MSTA discounted rate.