Carl Franz and his patrons (including myself for the past 20-some years) must have tried every way possible to reach Cass with the mininum of "mountain driving"! My choice (coming from the north) for the past decade and half has been Route I-81 South to Strasburg, VA; then east on Route 55 to Moorefield, WV; then south on Route 28 the rest of the way to the Route 66 turn off to Cass. This route does have a few grades, but nothing like going east on Route 250 from Staunton, VA. It's a reasonable drive on decent two-lane roads which mostly follow valleys instead of going over mountains. While there are a few 10 MPH curves (the kind were the speed limit isn't just a "suggestion"!!), much of the drive can be safely (and legally!!) made at 45 to 55 MPH. Also there is major construction of what appears to be a new Route 55 between the VA/WV border and Moorefield, WV. This new road--which is looking more like an Interstate Highway--when complete(??), should cut out a major chunk of the "mountain driving" on this route.
I've never stayed in Cass' restored company houses or the Inn at Snowshoe, so I can't comment on them. I've stayed at the Hermitage Motel at the Jct of Routes 28-250 at Bartow. It's a nice well-kept motel with a good restaurant, reasonable rates, and a 20-mile 30-minute drive to Cass. I've given plenty of business over the years to the Boyer Motel on Route 28 at Boyer (several miles north of Greenbank). This motel's older units in the front are getting a little worn, but the newer units on the hill at the rear are perfectly fine (ask for one of these units if available). ALL of the rooms are clean and rates are VERY reasonable. Boyer's have a VERY nice restaurant with great food and a neat railroad-themed decor. Even people who stay elsewhere (including Snowshoe) go to Boyer's for the restaurant--check it out! Boyer's is a 12-mile 20-minute drive to Cass--I think the closest motel to Cass.
WARNING SHAMELESS AD for my ol' buddy Carl... Springtime (May 10-11) is a great time to visit Cass and one of Carl's two-day "photo specials" is a great way to experience Cass--his trips offer a lot of "bang for the buck". He still should have some seats available, email me for his phone number.
Regards,
Jim Robinson
jrobinson@dataram.com
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