Ever since – via the small screen - I watched the Housemans celebrate summer’s end at the Catskills Resort, I’ve thought about how cool it would be to have a season finale hurrah with the whole family.

 

This year, I got my chance.

 

My husband and I gathered up our kids and grandkids and headed to the lovely Stonewall Resort State Park for Labor Day weekend.

 

As any large family can attest, there were some snippets in time that more closely resembled the Griswolds, but it was all just imperfectly perfect.

 

We have quite a treasure here in North Central West Virginia. One of the newest state parks, Stonewall Resort and surrounding amenities were established in 1990. Featuring the 3,600-acre Stonewall Jackson Lake – where boating, kayaking, paddle boarding and fishing are enjoyed summer long – the park also features a pristine golf course, hiking and biking trails, tennis, an indoor-outdoor pool, hot tubs, fire pit and excellent food.

 

Inside the resort, there is a spa, gift shop and lots of cozy nooks for reading and relaxing.

 

On night one, everyone trickled in. Jeff and I, our youngest son and his girlfriend were the first to arrive. The four of us had a late dinner on the patio, opting for salads, sandwiches and pizza. We took in a most beautiful sunset and talked it up as the rest of the crew showed up. Though we had seen them all in recent days, it was so exciting to wrap our arms around the kiddos as they arrived, each very excited about the weekend ahead.

 

Some enjoyed a drink or dessert with us, then we sat around the firepit. Available at TJ Muskies Bar & Grill, the s’more kits were quite a hit! Of course, the kids didn’t really want to eat the finished product. Roasting the marshmallows, eating the Hershey chocolate and feeding s’mores to the already stuffed adults was their game plan.

 

After some room hopping (and just a little bed jumping), the kids all rested their little heads in their respective rooms. It was an early wakeup call when some cute little bedheads knocked on my door. They were ready to party! We had a quick breakfast and signed up for pool times that day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Stonewall is very careful to limit numbers and still ensure that guests have a great time. As did all guests, we wore masks as we navigated from place to place within the lodge. The staff is also very diligent about cleaning and sanitizing and – as always – we found everything to be spotless.

 

We all slipped into our swimsuits, grabbed all the floats and other kid gear and met at the pool.  Upon arrival, we checked in with our names and room numbers, got a quick temperature check and were admitted to the swim area. Adults took turns with the kiddos in the pool. They loved swimming inside and back out. When not on swim duty, we relaxed in the hot tub. When our designated swim shift was over, we cleared the area so the pool staff could thoroughly clean the area and let the next group in for their two-hour swim.

 

With so many options, we all split up and did our thing. I took the older kids on a nature hike, picking up a few unique fallen leaves along the way. They got good and hot on their walk and were ready for the next swim slot. I sat that one out and went kayaking with Jeff and some of our grown “kids.” After that, I hopped on my bicycle and made a couple nice loops through the park, riding by the cabins, the golf course, campgrounds and Roanoke Activity Center, where the marina is located. My ride took me across paved trails and roadways, as well as a couple of wood bridges that connect the lodge to the campground areas and other amenities. I happened upon a flock of geese, some beautiful whitetail deer and other wildlife. 

 

Saturday night, we all cleaned up and met for dinner at Stillwaters. As requested, we were seated outside under a big white tent adorned in festive white lights. From the little ones’ mac n’ cheese and nuggets to the steaks and salmon, it was all quite delicious and enjoyable. We tried to get a family picture, but you know how it is with a family of 14. By the time everyone got there, some were already enjoying appetizers and drinks. By the time we finished, someone had to put a little one down, go to the bathroom or return to their room to grab a jacket for the chilly evening. The picture never happened, but it was a great night which – as you might guess – ended with more marshmallow roasting.

 

Sunday was the big day! We had rented a double decker pontoon boat and we would spend the day on the lake. After the entire crew got out of bed and dressed in swim attire - and we we all toted fishing gear and food to feed 12 for 8 hours - we finally made it to the marina. While the staff was going over rules and guidelines with the drivers, the rest of us fed the giant carp which literally rolled over each other to get one of the dog food nuggets, sold by the bag at the marina store. We then loaded the boat and hit the waters. The double slide was a blast and the water temperature was just right. We leisured in the lake in life jackets and on floats. The guys and kiddos did a little fishing. It was a perfect day.

 

The long day in the sun called for a dine-in pizza night in Mimi and Pap’s room, then some of us spent the rest of the evening on the patio, playing a little cornhole then watching a most spectacular fireworks display! The kids’ reactions were priceless. And I’m not going to lie. I was just as excited. The lake was dotted with boats, their lights reflecting off the water, creating a secondary light show. Music played through the resort sound system, complementing the main attraction.

 

Before checking out Monday, we got in a little kayaking and a final gathering on the patio.

 

My dream family facay inspired by “Dirty Dancing” included no dancing and absolutely no dirt. Clean as a whistle and just the right amount of relaxation and recreation, Stonewall Resort got our rave reviews. We definitely got a late-summer lift and had the time of our lives. 

 

Learn more about Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV HERE.