Wednesday May 2.
GRAFTON — A new boat is opening new opportunities for a relaxing cruise on Tygart Lake.
Dan and Deanna Williams have operated the Tygart Lake Marina for 30 years. Their daughter, Danielle, also helps. Their son, Todd, runs the family’s construction business, Dan’s Marine Service.
About three years ago, they got their first cruise boat.
“The first boat we had only held right about 40 people,” Dan Williams said. But they had to turn away bookings because it didn’t hold enough people.
Last winter he and Deanna looked for a bigger boat. They found “The Princess” at Raystown Lake, in Huntingdon County, Pa.
“The Princess” holds 70 passengers downstairs and 55 on top, under a canopy. It is wheelchair accessible. You can either bring food or have it catered.
The boat has air conditioning and heat, and two restrooms, which are also handicapped accessible. It is equipped with safety equipment, and all children under 12 are required by law to wear a life jacket.
Tygart Lake is not commercialized or crowded, Dan Williams said.
“It’s actually one of the cleanest lakes east of the Mississippi.”
Both Morgantown and Clarksburg are a 30-minute drive from Tygart Lake.
Brenda Tokarz, manager of Tygart Lake Cruises, entertains and educates passengers with a narration from her encyclopedic knowledge of Taylor County history.
She’ll tell you all about the four towns that were flooded to make the lake: Cecil, Sandy, Stonehouse and Yates, and the difficulties the government encountered moving cemeteries.
How much concrete is in the dam, the cost to build the Tygart Lodge, the night 23 businesses in Grafton burnt, the locomotive accident on the hill above the lake — she knows it all and mixes it in with first-hand accounts she has gathered from local folk.
And you might catch a glimpse of one of the two pairs of bald eagles that nest along the lake.
Brenda’s husband, John Tokarz, is captain of “The Princess.”
“I can marry you, but it only lasts until we dock,” he joked.
The couple has always had boats, including a couple deep sea vessels.
The standard 11-mile cruise takes two hours and goes to Cove Run before turning around. Private party cruises of three and four hours are also available.
“The Princess” can be chartered, and weddings, school outings and family reunions are already on this year’s schedule. The boat will sail on Mother’s Day, and reservations are recommended.
The Tygart Lake Foundation is working with Tygart Lake Cruises to do a murder mystery dinner cruise. The boat runs through September, as long as 15 or more passengers sign on.
Jacob Jackson, Tygart Park activities coordinator and naturalist, said the cruises add to the park’s many activities, which can be found at https://wvstateparks.com/park/tygart-lake-state-park/In future the park hopes to offer packages that include staying in park facilities and taking a cruise.
“It’s a great opportunity for our guests,” Assistant Park Superintendent Patrick Miller said.
For more information on Tygart Lake Cruises go to its Facebook page. To make reservations or for info call 304-672-7701. Trips are $20 per person. Children under 5 sail free.
