Getting There

GETTING THERE: Grafton is about 220 miles from the Capital Beltway, about a four-hour drive through spectacular mountain scenery. Take Interstate 270 north to I-70 west toward Hagerstown, then I-68/Route 40 west into West Virginia. Take Exit 1 to Route 119 south, which goes into Grafton.

STAYING THERE: Tygart Lodge (304-265-6144, http://www.tygartlake.com) at Tygart Lake State Park, about seven miles south of town, offers modern accommodations in a forest setting. Rooms start at $57 a night.

Chains such as Hampton Inn and Red Roof Inn have properties in Bridgeport or Fairmont, about 16 and 21 miles away, respectively. Or head, as we did, to the big city of Morgantown, about 26 miles north.

Rooms at the Clarion Hotel Morgan (127 High St., 304-292-8200, http://www.clarionhotelmorgan.com) start at $109 a night.

EATING THERE: Tygart Lodge Restaurant offers panoramic views of the lake and inexpensive down-home food: sandwiches for lunch, meat and fish for dinner. Dinner entrees start at $7.50. At Jerry's Restaurant and Lounge (242 Barrett St.) in Grafton, dinner for two with wine and beer came to -- I kid you not -- about $27 with tax and tip. The Cheat River Inn at Cheat River Lodge, on Route 33 outside Elkins, serves more sophisticated cuisine in a tavern atmosphere with river views. Dinner only; entrees from $14.

MOTHER'S DAY: The International Mother's Day Shrine (11 E. Main St., 304-265-1589, http://www.mothersdayshrine.com; free) is open April through October. A special service featuring West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III and replicating some aspects of the original Mother's Day service will be held Sunday. The Anna Jarvis Birthplace Museum (Route 119 south of Grafton, 304-265-5549, http://www.annajarvishouse.com; $5) has rooms filled with Jarvis family memorabilia and Civil War artifacts. (And ghosts!) It will offer a commemorative program at 2 p.m. on Mother's Day.

INFO: Grafton Convention and Visitors Bureau, 304-265-1589, http://www.wvescapes.com.