Canyon Rim Gifts is the kind of roadside stop where you can walk in looking for a simple New River Gorge souvenir and walk out with fudge, a T-shirt, a bag of rocks and something you absolutely did not know you needed. "Established in 1978, Canyon Rim Gifts has been a staple in the community since the New River Gorge Bridge was built in 1977. As a family-owned and operated business, we pride ourselves on offering unique souvenirs and gifts that celebrate our local heritage," reads the website. Located on Fayette Mine Road in Lansing, just across from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, the shop is perfectly positioned for anyone visiting the New River Gorge Bridge and surrounding overlooks. "Discover rare and fun novelties. Canyon Rim Gifts offers a delightful mix of National Park Collectibles, Whitewater Rafting Memorabilia, Hillbillly Gadgets, Gifts and Decor all celebrating the history and beauty of West Virginia and the New River Gorge area," the website continues. Then there’s the food, which is a pretty compelling reason to stop even if you aren’t shopping for souvenirs, with the Sweet shop next door offering homemade fudge, hand-dipped ice cream and other Appalachian treats. The fudge is made in-house, with new flavors coming out regularly, and you can sample it before deciding which variety deserves a spot in the bag for the drive home. Beyond the fudge, the Sweet Shop carries the Appalachian sweet-and-savory things that make a good road-trip stash, including locally sourced jellies and preserves, honey, maple syrup and moonshine pickles. And then there’s the ice cream, which is hand-dipped and can be turned into a milkshake when a scoop in a cone just isn’t enough. That's what I did with a cookies & cream base. It's hard to go wrong with ice cream; this was super thick if that's your vibe. I have some jellies I'll have to try soon. Have you been? Grade: B

I'm often asked where the best pepperoni roll is.



That's a tough question, because I think so many of them are good for so many different reasons.



But when I'm in need of a quick one in Charleston, Swiftwater is usually my go-to.



They have both a restaurant and a convenience store in Charleston.



And now, Fayetteville has their own convenience store.



While the general store isn't necessarily a restaurant, they do offer to-go food, made-to-order food and even fresh produce. 



So, they kinda have a little bit of everything. 



The made-to-order items include breakfast sandwiches, platters, hot dogs and grilled cheese. 



Grab & go items include fresh fruit, yogurt, deli sandwiches. What I went with is two hot dogs on English buns with chili, slaw, mustard and onions and a side of potato salad. 



These dogs were huge, messy, but oh so tasty. Generally, I like mine a bit more compact so it's less likely I'll spill on my shirt, but these hit the spot on this particular day. And potato salad is the perfect picnic side for a sunny day in the Fayetteville or Lansing area. If you haven't already, stop by for some snacks for your perfect picnic in the country's newest national park.



Grade: A

Thai is one of my all-time favorite cuisines. There's something about the lightness with bold flavors.



And, Country Thai in Lansing had been on my wish list for quite some time, but I kept missing their open hours.



Fortunately, I caught them while open one day! I parked, walked inside and headed to the left side of the restaurant.



Their menu is not set. Instead, you walk in and see the various dishes the owner has created that day. You can get a plate of everything or pick and choose.




Of course, I got a little bit of everything that day! It included pad thai, spring rolls, a noodle dish, a chicken dish and more.



I would love to go back. What's your favorite thing from here?

West Virginia doesn't have a shortage of cool burrito joints: Black Bear Burritos, Black Sheep Burritos, and now, add The Burrito Bar at Breeze Hill to that list.


The Burrito Bar was the perfect post-rafting meal. We made the short, winding trip up the road, over cracked pavement until we reached the restaurant. The beautiful, outdoor space is at the top of a hill, giving nice views no matter which direction you look.

It's also a great space for live music, which we missed just by a bit - but the winding wooden deck leads to lots of little nooks to gather and hang out.

The menu features a few different kinds of appetizers, tacos, quesadillas and burritos.

Some of the most popular choices include:

Pillow smoked chicken, seasoned rice, refried pinto beans, cheddar, shredded cabbage & chipoltle crema $9.50

Lost Paddle steak strips, seasoned rice, coffee’d black beans, pepperjack, shredded cabbage & red crema $11

It's cool they're named after some of the big rapids on the Gauley River. We went with the Iron Ring because it had a little bit of heat.

Chetty's Pub was listed on the 101 Most Unique Places to Dine in WV list, so when I found myself traveling through Lansing, I stopped.

Chetty's Pub is located in Adventures on the Gorge. One of these days, I want to go back there and do the actual adventures instead of just the food.

The restaurant has typical pub fare, and the bartender said the burgers are quite popular. I went for the Chetty's Classic Burger, which is an 8 oz. burger chargrilled, topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. It includes a side of fries.

The interior is totally covered in wood ala a lodge, and the building overlooks the gorge. It's a pretty cool view.

The burger is impressive. It's huge, towering and filled with toppings. It's nearly impossible to eat in its current state, so I used my knife and fork to cut it into pieces. I was not anticipating all the pickles on the burger - which were weird. Not a great pickle. A weird overly briney one. But I loved the rest of the burger. The bun was toasted, the lettuce and tomato fresh, and the patty tasty. Overall, pretty good.

Grade: B