Finding a house to fit the Drake family clan without breaking the bank isn’t easy. When we found the Verlies property in Champion, Pennsylvania, it fit all of our requirements: plenty of bedrooms, a nice outdoor space, a firepit, and a reasonable driving distance for everyone. That’s how we ended up in Champion, Pennsylvania for a family reunion week, and I was pleasantly surprised how many fun things there are to do in the area. We had a great time enjoying the perfect summer weather while exploring this area of southwestern Pennsylvania.
Exploring Ohiopyle State Park
A portion of the natural waterslide in Ohiopyle State Park
When we heard there were natural rock waterslides, the whole family was on board for a trip to Ohiopyle State Park. I really wasn’t expecting the fast-moving water and sharp rocks, and as we watched others go down it looked like a painful ride. That didn’t stop most of our group from giving it a try. Even Jack (with the help of Jacob) and I tried the upper portion. Everyone who went down left with plenty of scrapes and bruises, but it was definitely a memorable experience!
Once the adrenaline rush of the rock slides wore off, we headed out on a three-mile loop hike to the Cascades. This was a beautiful section of the river, with little waterfalls, small pools for wading and rocks to lay out on. We had the entire spot to ourselves, and the cool water was refreshing after hiking the muddy hills to get there. The kids loved splashing in the water, and even sitting behind one of the waterfalls.
Enjoying the House
The best part thing about reunion weeks with the family is having downtime together. The house was perfectly set up with plenty of areas and nooks to relax and enjoy each others’ company. The front porch was a regular gathering spot for people to enjoy the never-ending happy hour of the week. There was a table that was used for everything from jigsaw puzzles to card games to dinners. And then there were the corn hole tournaments (draw from a hat to get a partner). The kids spent a lot of time in the library, coloring and playing countless board games. There was a firepit and hot tub out back, and a game room with pingpong and fooseball. We can have fun pretty much anywhere, but this house definitely helped!
Rafting Down the Youghiogheny
While in town to visit Ohiopyle State Park, we several rafting companies advertising various trips on different parts of the Youghiogheny River. Our family decided to book a self-guided rafting trip with the Ohiopyle Trading Company for later in the week. On the morning of the trip the fourteen of us piled into a van to drive nine miles up the river to the drop off point, and then we split up between three rafts.
I was definitely imagining it as more of a float trip, but it actually required quite a bit of manpower to steer and maneuver the rafts, especially in the shallow areas of the river where we had to work to avoid hitting rocks. I would recommend a guided trip to anyone who doesn’t have canoeing, kayaking, or rafting experience. All three of our rafts got stuck a few times, but we got the hang of it. There was a sandy beach for swimming and a picnic spot to stop to eat the lunch that we packed. The river was so peaceful and the scenery was beautiful. We didn’t see another group for our entire four hours on the river. I would highly recommend a rafting trip for anyone visiting the area.
Stand up Paddle Boarding (SUP) in Laurel Hills State Park
Jack working hard to stay on the board 🙂
Just a few miles away from the house, Laurel State Park was an ideal to spot to spend an afternoon. I’ve always wanted to try stand-up paddle boarding, and my sisters were game to try it. We weren’t sure how tough it would be, but for only $10 for an hour the stakes were pretty low. Luckily it was MUCH easier than we expected. Jack took a few spills before he got the hang of it, but he didn’t get discouraged and I was proud of him. There were also boat rentals, a swimming area, and plenty of hiking trails.
Touring Laurel Caverns
Our last outing of the week was to Laurel Caverns. The drive there was full of steep, winding hills, but the view from the top was amazing. They said that on a clear day you can see all the way to Pittsburgh! The caverns are privately owned, and tours go out regularly throughout the day. We’ve been on quite a few cave tours over the years. The thing that stood out about Laurel Caverns was their used of colored light to emphasize the various cave features. We went into several “rooms” and passages, and the guide gave a good overview of the history of the caves and the science behind their creation. And there was cave mini-golf, so of course we had to play!
When we booked the house, I was worried that there wasn’t much to do in the area. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Southwestern Pennsylvania was the perfect mix of relaxing surroundings and activities that the whole family could enjoy.
On The Road Together 