INSIDE SCOOP

3753 Cumberland Road

Romney, WV 26757

304-822-8242 • www.facebook.com/HangingRocksIceCream

I’d been here before. We were headed to the Alleghany Highlands and passed what looked like a cute little ice cream stand, butting up against the South Branch Potomac River. We pulled in to the parking area only to find they were not open this day. We continued on our journey, sad that we would not have ice cream this day.

Forward to our Spring Break Rally which took place the middle of May this year. After a delightful lunch at one of our favorite stops – the School House Kitchen in Oldtown, MD – we found ourselves in familiar territory on Route 28 in Romney, WV. And at just the right time we passed the same cute little ice cream stand from our previous trip and, oh joy, this time it was opened.

Hanging Rocks Ice Cream is nestled in the middle of a multigenerational farm with a backdrop of the Hanging Rocks for which the stand is named. These perpendicular sandstone cliffs rise nearly 300 feet above the South Branch Potomac River creating a stunning natural gap in Mill Creek Mountain. Native Americans populated this land, with many a battle taking place and, after archeological diggings, skeletons, numerous fireplace, iron hatchets and other evidence of Native American presence was produced. During the American Civil War, Hanging Rocks was a strategic location, seeing the Skirmish at Hanging Rock Pass.

Today, this setting is much more idyllic and offers a restful stop to enjoy some great ice cream creations while relaxing in a rocking chair, playing a round of checkers or corn hole or just admiring the beauty surrounding you.

Jenna Roeder opened Hanging Rocks Ice Cream in 2019 and has created a friendly seasonal spot to gather for an ice cream treat from late March to early November. We were greeted with smiles from all the young ladies scooping and got to meet Jenna as well. They offer hand scooped Hershey’s ice cream as well as some very creative and ever-changing soft serve flavors. From these you can make a plethora of creations, from sundaes to splits, milkshakes, Snowballs and Cliffhangers. Snowballs are crunchy, ground ice with your choice of flavored syrups. A Cliffhanger is a Snowball with your choice of soft serve swirled on top.

Some of the creativity coming through the window at Hanging Rocks include a summertime Lemon Blondie Sundae with Blueberry: sweet lemon twist soft serve layered and topped with chopped lemon & golden Oreos, fresh blueberry topping, whipped cream and a cherry; PB&J Sundae: black raspberry and vanilla soft serve layered and topped with chopped peanuts, black raspberry sauce, peanut butter sauce, whipped cream and a cherry; Candied Bacon Maple Sundae: maple and vanilla twist, topped and layered with crushed waffle pieces, candied bacon pieces, real maple syrup, a warm waffle slice and a bacon strip.

Their soft serve flavors vary seasonally with offerings like pumpkin, maple and butter pecan in the fall months, lemon, key lime, peach and strawberry in the summer and so many others sprinkled in between.

Brian settled on a milkshake while I got a double scoop cup of Hershey’s Lemon Bar and Butter Pecan. Our riding partners this day, Ken and Craig, got a large chocolate soft serve and the soft serve flavor of the day, which I have forgotten as I was in ice cream happiness. We sat in the rocking chairs in the shade and chatted with the other folks enjoying the lovely day.

Should you find yourself riding in this part of West Virginia anytime from late April to mid-October, take a break and have some ice cream at Hanging Rocks. Tell Jenna and the girls we said hello.