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What’s The Big Deal With Southern West Virginia?

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
Golden Delicious Apples

Golden Delicious Apples

Here’s a secret:  southern West Virginia is one of the best vacation spots in the country.

Maybe that’s our fault.  We don’t want to keep it a secret, obviously.  Please, be our guests; tell everyone.  Shout it from the hilltops.  Share it on your facey-spacies.  It’s a big deal.

A New Blog Series
Well, a lot of us think it’s a big deal.  So, we’re going to spotlight exactly why with a short series of blog posts.

We’ll be talking about some of the major draws for visitors throughout our region.  And the way we’ll do that is by going from area to area, and listing the things that we like about it.

That way, when people say, “Hey, what’s the big deal about Beckley, WV?”, you can say, “Oh, Beckley? That place has a coal mine tour that goes 1500 feet under a mountain.  You’ve never been?! Are you out of your mind?  We need to go right now!  That place is a big deal…”

Or something like that.

Some Examples Of Why SWV Is A Big Deal (We’re Biased)
There really are great reasons to come visit.  Of course, we’re a little one-sided.  But can you blame us?  Check this out…

•    West Virginia is covered by more than 75% forest.
•    We have the lowest crime rate in the country.
•    One reason we’re the Mountain State is because we have the highest          average elevation east of the Mississippi.
•    We were once the site of the largest Oak tree in the country (it died), and still have the largest Sycamore (goin’ strong).
•    We’re the most northern of southern states and the most southern of northern states.
•    We have the world’s first brick street.
•   Golden Delicious apple? That’s right.  West Virginia.

Typical Big Deal Information
What we really want to provide with these posts are facts about cool stuff to see and do, places that we like to stay, some of the best places to eat… that kind of thing.

Vacation time is precious.  Maybe we can help plan a little of yours by finding out what the big deal is around southern West Virginia.

And thanks, too, for reading them. We hope they’re helpful.

What’s Your Big Deal?
Have a place that you’d like spotlighted?  Some info on the big deal about so-and-so town?  Share it.  Reply to any of these posts, and let the world know what you know that you want others to know about southern West Virginia.

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5 Best Lakes In Southern West Virginia

Monday, July 6th, 2009

Lake Stephens Marina

Lake Stephens Marina

Ok, maybe not the best.  We should say 5 of  the best lakes in southern West Virginia.  Here are the ones we chose…

Bluestone Lake
Bluestone is probably one of the most well known lakes in the entire Mountain State.  Easy to get to from I-77 or I-64, Bluestone has boating, fishing, camping, and all the other stuff you’d look for in a lake vacation.  Start at Hinton, one of the most historic of America’s railroad towns (and don’t forget to get a hotdog at the Dairy Queen).

Summersville Lake
Right above the world famous Gauley River is the pristine  Summersville Lake.  Sometimes called the “Little Bahamas of the East” by divers, Summersville is probably the best place on the list to chill out a little.  There’s a nice beach there, too, if you’ve got the desire to hit the water, but don’t have a boat.

Lake Stephens
If you’re close to Beckley and looking to add a little play to your work, do not miss an opportunity to go to Lake Stephens.  It’s only nine miles away, and sits right in the middle of almost 2000 acres of hardwood forest.  Lake Stephens is the site of several fishing tournaments throughout the season- and there’s a good reason for that.

RD Bailey Lake
On the good side of the West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia tri-state, RD Bailey Lake is a beautiful mountain reservoir next to the town of Justice, WV.  Right on the Guyandotte river, RD Bailey is remote and folded within the steep mountains of Wyoming County.  If you’re wanting to really get away, game on.

Plum Orchard Lake
It’s actually Plum Orchard Wildlife Management Area, but what it can really be described as is secret.  Most people bypass Plum Orchard Lake on the West Virginia Turnpike, missing this small gem just outside of Scarbro.  There are three boat launches for easy access, and you’ll find plenty of room out on the water, too.

Well, those are our picks.  What are yours?

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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Caving

Friday, June 26th, 2009

Lost World Caverns

Lost World Caverns

Exploring the natural openings into the earth -caving- isn’t for everybody.  Touring through caves, however, is.  Here’s a list of facts that might surprise you about what it means to go underground.

1.  Caving and Cave Tours – there’s a difference
Cave tours are for everyone.  Curators of certain caves have made lighted, often easily accessible paths that will lead you through walking tours to take in some wonderful underground sightseeing.

Caving, on the other hand, is the muddy, grimy, wet, slithery, awesome business of exploring underground passages.  Guides are required for newbies, but the payoffs are huge.  There’s very little above ground that’s as fun as caving.

2.  Did you call it spelunking?  Well, aren’t you smart…
Don’t ever do that again.  Spelunking is a term that cavers frown on, even if it does make us normal people feel special when we use it.  Cavers have some running jokes about it too:  “Spelunk” is the sound you hear when someone drop their (only) flashlight into an underground pool.

3.  There are 3 kinds of caves
No, not “small, medium, and large”.  The first type is a sea cave, created along rocky coastlines.  Next come lava caves, hollowed out by flowing liquid lava.  Last are the ones we have here in Southern West Virginia, limestone and gypsum caves.  They were formed by water flowing under the earth.  Cool.

4.  Know your speleothems
Ha!  You thought this would be the “which one is a stalagmite?” part.  Well, as long as you know that both stalagmites and stalactites are speleothems – any secondary cave decoration formed by mineral deposits – you’re good to go. (BTW, stalagmite is the one on the floor, not the ceiling, because you “mite” trip over one).

5.  Bring Your Friends
The number one rule of caving safety – NEVER cave alone – is pretty easy to follow, especially if you’re new.  The best way to learn about caving is to go with an experienced guide.  Or, if real live down-and-dirty caving isn’t for you, stick to the cave tours.  Going underground is all about having fun, so don’t try to push the limits right out of the gate.   Enjoy!

FYI: There are two caves located open for both types of tours located in southern West Virginia.  Lost World Caverns and Organ Cave.

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Get Your Motorsports On: Riding Southern West Virginia

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

The throttle rests under your thumb.  The engine purrs, but you can tell it’s waiting to roar.  You’re wearing a helmet for the first time since you went whitewater rafting all those years ago.  Welcome to Southern West Virginia – it’s time to ride.

ATV Riding in West Virginia

ATV Riding in West Virginia

This post is going to deal mostly with ATVs, and is aimed squarely at the beginner.  So if you’re Joe Four-wheeler, this is going to cover some familiar terrain.  But if you’re Jane SUV, there’s probably a lot to learn here.  And there are a lot of you out there – dealers sell more than half of new ATVs to people who are buying them for the first time.

The biggest draw to ATV riding is that they’re easy to use.  Most machines are ones you can pretty much jump on and go with just a little bit of a demo. If you’re going on an ATV trip, you can always rent your machines, and a lot of rental centers offer guides for your trip.

Good thing too – these machines rip!  You’re looking at upper 40s to low 70s for MPH on most utility machines. That’s just another good reason to always (and we don’t mean sometimes) put a helmet on.  Sure, your brother-in-law wearing a helmet is like putting a guard dog on a vacant lot, but still… has to be done.

Last, ATVs are a blast.  You really don’t know how great an ATV trip is until you’ve gone and done some trail riding yourself, but lets just say that getting dirty has never been this much fun.  The trails lead you out into nature -fast!- and you can explore just how much power you’re willing to give that machine you’re sitting on.

It goes without saying that Southern West Virginia is ATV heaven – or does it?  Did you know that there was the largest contiguous trail system in the east here?  Or that there was a brand new ATV park outside of Beckley? The sport is worth checking out, especially of you’re already planning on spending some time in the area.  You might be surprised at what an ATV trip can do for a family vacation – add a little octane to yours and find out.

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6 Places To Get Your Groove On In Southern WV

Friday, June 12th, 2009

These here hills?  They’re alive with the sound of music.  Here are 6 sure-fire, can’t-miss spots for good ol’ live music.

Music In The Mountains
If you’re not doing anything June 24-27, or even if you are, you should go up to Summersville WV and take in one of the largest bluegrass festivals in the country.  Music In The Mountains is a proving ground for new bands, and a staple for old ones.  More than 45 Bluegrass bands are on the bill.

Chuck Mathena Center
Nationally touring acts are including this music mecca in Princeton West Virginia as one of their regular stops.  The hall is beautiful and new, but the halls are becoming well worn with famous names and good vibrations.  Steve Earle, Dr. Ralph Stanley, and top bluegrass bands all attend.  http://www.chuckmathenacenter.org/

Carnegie Hall
How do you get to Carnegie Hall?  Head to Lewisburg, WV.  From Symphonies to slide guitar and everything in between, Carnegie Hall is the place in southern West Virginia for an eclectic mix of evening concerts.  Bonus:  the hall has tons of other performance programs, too.

Tamarack
The best of West Virginia can’t get much better.  For an afternoon treat, take off to the Tamarack in Beckley WV for their Sundays @ 2 series.  You’ll see a wide range of entertainers that explore the roots of music in the mountains, from where it’s going to where it’s been.  Free.  Awesome.

Leland Guitars
Looking for something a little less formal? Stop by Fayetteville West Virginia for this regular Tuesday night jam.  Everyone’s welcome, beginner to expert, old-timers to young sprouts.  The music runs the gamut and includes pretty much anything acoustic.  http://www.lelandguitars.com/

Appalachian String Band Festival
This is the be-all, end-all of old time music festivals.  Held every year at Camp Washington Carver in Clifftop, WV, thousands of musicians rosin up the bow, tune the strings, and play deep into the night.  There’s a main stage with some of the best fiddlers and clawhammer banjo players you’ll ever hear, but the main show is in the campground. This years Festival is July 29th through August 2nd.

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5 Places To Get Away On National Trails Day

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

June is the time for getting outside in southern West Virginia, and it kicks off with National Trails Day on the 6th.  All over our area, you can get together at different locations to enjoy some trail time, and learn about the environment that you’re walking through.  Here are some spots to check out…

•   Twin Falls Resort State Park -  Hike n’ Bike National Trails Day at Twin Falls is a chance for people to get out on the trail whichever way they’d like to for some guided hikes and rides.  Meet at 10 am at the Scout Field.
•   Pipestem Resort State Park and New River Gorge National River - The Old Bluestone Turnpike Hike is a 10 mile guided trek along the Bluestone River that starts at Pipestem and ends at Bluestone State Park.  Bring water, lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes, and meet at Pipestem’s Mountain Creek Lodge (bottom tram) at 10 am.  There’s a free shuttle back to Pipestem, too!
•    Cranberry Glades -  This guided hike along the Cow Pasture Trail in Cranberry Glades is hosted by the US forest service.  It’s a 7.8 mile loop, and the group will be doing some light trail maintenance along the way.  Bring food and water, and be ready to hike!  Get info and pre-register with the Forest Service by email  nwelch@fs.fed.us .
•    Paint Creek Scenic Trail Bike Ride -  This tour is hosted by the Paint Creek Watershed Association.  There’s a 60 mile ride for avid cyclists and a 16 mile family ride, and both meet at 10 am.  Some refreshments are provided, and there will be fishing and music at the end of the day.  Register via email info@lowerpaintcreek.com .
•   Hawks Nest State Park – Here’s an easy and accessible Guided Hike called Hawks Nest Encounter Nature.  Groups will meet at the Mill Creek Rail Trail trailhead at 9 am for this easy two mile hike down to the New River.  Do a bit of clean up along the way, and learn about the woody plants, wild herbs, and local history in the area.

Of course, you can enjoy these trails all season long.  Do you know some other good hikes in the area?  Which ones are your favorites?

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6 Places to Find Great Art in Southern West Virginia

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

Everyone likes to do a little shopping on vacation.  Here are some places that you will definitely be able to find great art on your visit to southern West Virginia:

Lewisburg
Your list of cool places to stop needs to include Greenbrier County.  Lewisburg’s historic downtown is a fun place to walk around, and there are shops everywhere.  Harmony Ridge Gallery is just one of the great places to stop, shop and  grab a cup of coffee to invigorate you for,  you guessed it, more shopping.  The artisan community is shockingly vibrant in Lewisburg, especially the performing arts.  Head to Lewisburg for live music, plays, and festivals (as well as the shops).


Bluefield
Right along our southern border (Mercer County) is a house, full of art, conceived by Gary Bowling.  That’s why it’s called Gary Bowling’s House Of Art.  It’s a space that has to be seen to be believed, with what seems like room after room after curious room of art, fine and folk, local and yokel.  If you’re planning a trip on the Coal Heritage Trail, start at the House Of Art.

Princeton
Just up the road from Bluefield is the town of Princeton.  The art culture there is all over, including a unique space created by the Riff Raff Arts Collective.  In a beautifully restored downtown building, Riff Raff has a gallery, a school, and a performance space, all stacked up on top of one another.  And, hopefully, you’ll get to check out something at the brand new Chuck Mathena Center for the Performing Arts while you’re there.  If you’re in Princeton, spend some time, explore, and celebrate the arts.

Beckley
Right in the center of our little map is Beckley (Raleigh County), which is where you’ll find Tamarack.  This amazing circular building holds great works from West Virginia artists.  Since the building is round, you can make a trip around it and just go ahead and make another one; it’s worth it.  Tamarack’s tagline is “The Best of West Virginia”- they live up to it.  Pottery, instruments, stained glass, woodworking, blacksmithing… and that’s just what they make on site.  Don’t miss it.

Fayetteville
Throughout Fayetteville (Fayette County), you’re going to find little stuff here and there to pick up in the historic downtown area.  Be sure to go in Studio B Gallery and check out what folks from around the area have done with their inspiration.  Other spots to hit would be Trillium Crafts, Wisteria’s, and Upstairs At The Cathedral.  If you’re lucky enough to be in town for a production at the Historic Fayette Theatre, make a point to go- you won’t be disappointed.

Everywhere Else
You’ll find great art all over southern WV- we promise.  Just drive around and stick your head into places like Gauley River Pottery or  Quilts and More.  There’s not much more satisfying than finding that one, hidden, perfect thing that you knew you wanted but never knew existed.  That stuff?  It’s all over the place down here.

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Rafting, Rhododendrons, and Recreation… Spring Hits Southern West Virginia

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Ah, spring!  Little green buds, wildflowers, the great outdoors… is there anything better?

Well, the answer to that question depends on… where you spend your spring.  We’re biased, of course, but how can we not be?  Spring is pretty dramatic here in the mountains.  If you choose to spend time here, you’ll find out that the changing seasons reveal some great secrets.

Secrets Of Springtime

Here’s one:  Did you know that when trees turn green in the spring, they do it according to elevation?  Lowest goes first, then up and up.  It makes sense, when you think about it.  Spend time here in the spring, and you’ll see blooms and buds advance up the sides of the valleys right in front of you.  Green below, brown on top.  Seriously- it happens overnight; you can tell a difference if your plan you stay at the right time.  It’s dramatic.  It’s alive.

Time To Hit The River

Another secret: rafting in West Virginia starts each spring.  Spring is high water time here on the New and Gauley Rivers.  The rapids are big and the water is chilly. It’s like a wake-you-up-better-than-coffee kind of brisk.  It might be too big or to cold for a traditional family trip, but high adventure rafting is just about perfect here in the spring.  If you want to take one of the greatest white water rafting trips you can get take, look at coming in the springtime months.

Blooms Everywhere

Southern West Virginia, for anyone looking for it on a map, is just about smack dab in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains.  It’s one of the most diverse ecosystems you’ll find anywhere on earth.  Spring flowers start with forsythia and daffodils, redbud and paulownia.  When you see the yellow, red, and purple, get ready – things are beginning to pop.  By the time the rhododendron’s bright pink and the dogwood’s delicate white flowers arrive, spring has sprung.  In all nine counties that make up southern West Virginia, you’ll find some of the brightest blooms anywhere, and it happens every spring.

Recreation? Check…

Do you enjoy taking a fishing trip?  It’s a pretty popular sport in our part of the state.  Spring is an exciting time as the fish get active, especially trout.  The water temperatures start to rise in the creeks, rivers, and lakes, and the fish get moving.  Warm days start to get more and more productive as trout stir.  If you like to use bait, try stretching out worms on gang hooks.  You’ll present more naturally to the trout, and your bite rate will start to climb.  Some of the best places to fish (and for recreation in general), are the southern West Virginia State Parks and Forests.  There are twelve (twelve!) of them in our area.

Southern West Virginia is a great place.  If you’ve never been, spring is a perfect time to come take a look.  Give us a call – we’d love to help you plan your stay and remember southern West Virginia is Closer Than You Think!

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3 Ways To Experience The Legend Of The Hatfields and McCoys

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

A lot of people have gotten all of their information about the Hatfields and McCoys from old Warner Brothers cartoons.  The truth is that there’s some great history and heritage that exists among the folktales.

The best way to find out about it,  of course,  is to come visit the country that the feud took place.   And that would be southern West Virginia.

There are little towns and hollows all through the region that make up the setting for the stories.  Here are 3 ways to find out about it during your visit:

The Hatfield And McCoy Trail System
If you really want to get out and spend some time in the feud’s mountain roots, you need to go on an ATV tour.  A lot of the back roads and trails criss-cross through the southern West Virginia mountains.   In the last ten years or so, those trails have turned into the largest contiguous ATV trail system in America.

Hatfields And McCoys  The Outdoor Drama
Many people would think that a feud between two families wouldn’t make for good theatre. Those people would be wrong (Romeo and Juliet, anyone?).  Especially when it comes to the Hatfields and the McCoys.  The group over at Theatre West Virginia have been performing the show for nearly 40 years.  Almost as impressive as the show itself is the venue:  The outdoor amphitheatre at Grandview  sits atop one of the best overlooks in the New River Gorge National River Area.

Drive Around On The Coal Heritage Highway
There’s a road that curls its way deep within the mountainous folds of southern West Virginia.  Actually, there are several – we’ve got no shortage of windy roads in our part of the world.  But one in particular ties itself with the coal history of the region, and also with the Hatfield and McCoy story.  The Coal Heritage Highway is more than just getting from point a to b.  The road follows the history of the miners themselves, and the families that were tied to the region.  Several of the towns on the coalfield highway have lots of stories to tell of the feud.

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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Southern West Virginia

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

West Virginia is well known for mountains, streams, and country living.  It’s a place to vacation and spend some time.  We’re also a place to get away from the cityburbs and relax.
But there’s a lot to this area that some folks miss.  If you really want to see this part of West Virginia, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of.

You Can Ski Here
A lot of people think you have to travel up the winding roads of the Allegheny Ridge for hours to get to skiing in West Virginia.  Not true.  Right off of interstate 77 sits Winterplace Ski Resort.  It’s kind of like the convenience store of skiing:  it’s so easy to access and it’s affordably priced.

You Can Go In A Coal Mine
Okay, make sure you don’t just wander into any old coal mine.  That would be insanely dangerous.  What you have to do is head to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine or the Pocahontas Exhibition Mine and Museum.  It’s a ridiculously fun thing to do- all the tour guides are old miners, and they know all the best jokes.

You Never Have to Touch Pavement
That’s a weird one.  But it’s true.  When we say that we’re a good place to get away, we mean it.  If you visit the Hatfield and McCoy or Burning Rock trail system, you get to ride ATVs off-road, and stay in cabins connected to the trails. You can even get your groceries on your four wheeler.  Hey, if you’re going to get away, you might as well be serious about it.

There Are A Ton Of Artists Here
Realizing that “a ton” isn’t a specific number, what we mean to say is that there’s great art in Southern West Virginia. Almost everywhere you go, there’s art for sale.  With a lot of themes that reflect our history, and our geography, WV artists thankfully give us great ways to take our memories home.

We Have Three State Songs
You don’t have to come here to listen to them, but a state with three state songs is trying to tell you something:  Our music is awesome.  And not just the Bluegrass stuff (though that’s what we’re known for).  Pretty much all kinds of music can be heard all throughout southern West Virginia; we’re a destination for music and festivals.

If you already knew about any of those things, we apologize for going over it again.  If not, come up and check it out.  We’d be happy to introduce you to the area.  Because that’s what we do.

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