Posts Tagged ‘southern west virginia’

The myth, the man, the legend – John Henry

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Great Bend Tunnel

There’s plenty of history and folklore to discover here in southern West Virginia. One of those stories involves a man, a machine and a legacy left behind. It’s the story of John Henry.

The Story

It is told that John Henry, a former slave, worked for the C&O railroad driving steel, a job required when blasting rock. Between 1868 and 1870, the C&O railroad was building rail lines in southern WV when it had to tunnel through Big Bend Mountain near Talcott.

As the legend goes, John Henry was the best steel driver the railroad had and could drill through more rock than anyone. When they were part of the way through the mountain, C&O purchased a steam-powered drill for the job. The men were upset that they may be replaced by a machine, so they issued a challenge and pitted John Henry against this drill to see who could handle the job best.

John nearly doubled the amount of rock that the steam drill produced.  Legend is that John died right after it was announced he won.

The Site

Located 10 miles east of Hinton on Rt. 3, the statue commemorating John Henry sits on the hill just over top the Great Bend Tunnel opening. The Great Bend Tunnel is no longer in use, as C&O built the Big Bend Tunnel right beside it in 1932. There are future plans to move the statue to a proposed park closer to Talcott.

The Statue

In 1972, on the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Great Bend Tunnel, a statue of John

The Statue of John Henry

Henry was erected at the top of the tunnel near Talcott.

The statue has proven to be as tough as the man himself, surviving numerous gun shots, baseball bat blows and a trip or two down the road. The town now celebrates John Henry Days, a festival in his name, the second weekend in July. The statue itself is over 750 pounds of bronze and was sculpted in Michigan by Charles O. Cooper.

This is just one of many interesting stories in WV history.

What southern West Virginia legend is your favorite?

Fall in Southern WV

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Fall in Southern WV is one of our favorite times of the year. Lots of good things are happening, from a change of scenery to a change in  whitewater.  Here are some of the highlights:

Fall Weather

Fall has, by far, the best weather for visiting southern West Virginia. Don’t get us wrong; we love our hot summer days and awesome ski weather.  But temperatures in the 60′s and 70′s during the day

Babcock's Glade Creek Grist Mill

are just delightful.  Cooler weather  also means open cabin windows, cool breezes, and crackling campfires.

Fall Colors

Much of WV is covered by deciduous hardwood forest. Hundreds of species of trees that, as temperatures begin to cool, start preparing for a winter hibernation by pulling the chlorophyll out of their leaves and into their roots.

In layman’s terms, this is what happens when leaves change colors. Because of West Virginia’s vast number of tree species, the colors of the forests are remarkable. From bright yellows to deep dark crimsons, a fall West Virginia forest is a beautiful sight.

And southern West Virginia has plenty of areas to take in these colors. State parks like Pipestem, Hawks Nest, Babcock and Bluestone offer hiking trails and scenic views that are only more special thanks to the fall color display.

Fall Festivals

Southern West Virginia towns take advantage of the great weather and great views to stage some wonderful fall festivals. From Bramwell’s Oktoberfest to Railroad Days in Hinton, this area is celebrating the fall season somewhere almost every weekend in October. We’ve got a complete list of all the festival opportunities southern West Virginia has to offer.

Fall whitewater

Raft guides from all over the world get excited for fall in WV because it means that Gauley season is here. If you’ve ever rafted in this area  (or anywhere on the east coast, for that matter) no doubt you’ve heard of the Gauley River.

For 6 weekends in September and October, the Army Corps of Engineers draining of Summersville Lake creates one of the best whitewater runs in the world. It features 27 miles of whitewater.  The first 9 miles drop over 70 feet per mile and contain five class V rapids.  It’s no wonder that over 60,000 people come here over the 22-day Gauley Season to get their whitewater adrenaline rush.

What’s your favorite part of fall in West Virginia?

Planning a trip? Here’s What WV Locals Recommend . . .

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

The old saying goes, “ When in Rome, do as the Romans do”.  That suggestion also definitely applies here in Southern West Virginia.

Curious about how to plan for your WV vacation?  Here’s a way to take some of the guess work out of the process.  Southern West Virginia locals recommend the following:

Sights

Hanging Rock Observatory

These are places that offer up some of the most incredible views in the area as well as other outdoor activities.  If you visit, you’ll definitely understand why these spots are recommended by locals.

* The New River Gorge Bridge viewed from Long Point - A 1.6 mile hike ending on a small rock outcropping that renders a unique panoramic side view of the bridge for those who make the trek.
* Sandstone Falls – Varying water levels on the New River make this trip different almost every visit.
* Grandview – This National Park Service property offers a variety of day-use activities.
* Greenbrier River Trail – A 78-mile trail that  follows the Greenbrier River and offers year round adventure.
Hanging Rock Observatory – A great destination for birdwatchers and scenery-lovers alike.

Activities

If these activities aren’t on your list of to-dos, then they probably should be.

BridgeWalk - Catwalk below the New River Gorge Bridge

* The Mystery Hole- Don’t ask.  Just go and see it for yourself.

* The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine- Go underground in an old coal mine and tour a restored coal company house, school, and church.
* Theatre WV- Theater under the stars (and on a cliff).
* Lost World Caverns – Like a coal mine, only different.  Go underground and explore one of West Virginia’s coolest caves.
* Bridge Walk- A very unique way to experience the New River Gorge and the Bridge.

Southern West Virginia has an enormous amount of activities and sights.   Those listed here are just a few of the local favorites.  What’s your favorite area adventure?

Going Rafting? Tips for your Trip . . .

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

So you’ve planned a rafting adventure, but you’re uncertain about what to wear to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable trip.  We can help.  

Rafters stopped for lunch and watching the action

Here’s a list of necessities and comfort items that you should think about bringing, depending upon the season.

Appropriate Clothing

In the summer, this means wearing swimming trunks or a bathing suit.  It’s fine to wear cotton fabrics at this time of year, but some synthetic fabrics are actually much cooler and comfortable when wet.

When rafting in the spring or fall, think about renting a wetsuit if you don’t have one. Synthetic materials, such as those found in polar fleece or even a wool sweater, will serve to help keep you comfortable. Cotton is to be avoided due to its inability to dry quickly or help retain body heat. Also, a water proof rain jacket can mean the difference between being comfortable or cold. Most outfitters also rent these if you don’t have one.

Footwear

Anything from your old lawn mowing tennis shoes to a slip-on water shoe will work, but try to avoid flip flops or sandals that don’t have a heel strap.  Trust us, you’ll lose these on the river.

You can combat colder water with a neoprene bootie or a thick pair of wool or synthetic socks with your shoes or sandals.

Other tips:

Wear sunscreen, even if the weather is going to be cool.
Sunglasses should be secured with a strap; otherwise there’s a good chance you’ll lose them in the river.
A hat  is always a good idea.  In colder months, a synthetic beanie is your best bet.
In cold weather, gloves are a must.  Look for a thin synthetic or neoprene pair.
If you have longer hair, you’ll most likely want to pull it back while rafting.

Most guides have a dry bag or box where you can store items, such as the rain jacket or an extra synthetic shirt.. Also, don’t forget to bring any necessary medications and mention any pertinent medical conditions (no matter how minor they may seem to you) to your Trip Leader and your specific guide.

What else should you bring?  An enthusiastic attitude and the idea that you will enjoy yourself. Our whitewater is some of the best in the country and no matter what stretch of which river you are on, it all flows through some beautiful scenery.

So don’t forget to look up from the water every now and then and enjoy this part of West Virginia.

5 Activities That Will Make Your West Virginia Vacation Even Better

Friday, July 29th, 2011

You’re vacationing in West Virginia.  You’ve planned a few big adventures; whitewater rafting, zip lining, rock climbing.  You’ve booked the cabin, or hotel, or grabbed a campsite.  You’ve never been to West Virginia but know you’ll have some free time to do other activities once you’re here.  Here’s a handy list of options you may want to include in your vacation:

Theatre West Virginia

Here in southern West Virginia we’re lucky to have our very own acting company.  Every season, Theatre West Virginia performs four to five different outdoor dramas.  Of these, Honey in the Rock and Hatfields and McCoys have become tradition.

And yes, we said outdoor dramas.  Theatre West Virginia performances take place at the Cliffside Ampitheater at Grandview, which is part of the New River Gorge National River.  When you get to town, call the Theatre West Virginia box office to see what shows are playing and to check availability.

Youth Museum and Exhibition Coal Mine

If you’re traveling with young children, you should make time to visit the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia.  Besides an impressive living history experience that interprets how settlers lived on the Appalachian frontier, the museum has a planetarium and rotating exhibits that change about 3 times a year.

Right next door is the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, where visitors have the chance to go underground into a non-working coal mine.  You’ll learn about the history of coal mining and it’s impact on the area.  Above ground, you can tour a restored coal company house, school, and church, amongst other buildings.

Bridgehaven Golf Course

Golf

You might not think of golf when you think of West Virginia, but it’s here.  And lots of it.  In southern West Virginia, there are well over twenty courses.  Many of them will even allow you to rent clubs if you haven’t brought your own.

Hike

What could be easier to add to your trip than a hike?  We have so many amazing trails here in southern West Virginia.  Chances are good that wherever you are staying, there’s a trail pretty close by.

Many of the WV State Parks in our area have a number of trails.  There will be a ranger on hand to give you tips and pointers before you start your trek.  If you’re new to hiking, there are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind – wear the right shoes, pack food and water, and some first aid essentials.

The Mystery Hole

Trust us, you’ve never experienced anything like the Mystery Hole.  This kitschy roadside attraction has been entertaining visitors for years.  You could say that it’s a cross between a funhouse and a magic act, with some corny but funny jokes thrown in.

This adventure will only take an hour or so, so it’s perfect to tack onto any day of your vacation.

What other last-minute adventures would you recommend to southern West Virginia visitors?

Three Scenic New River Mining Towns to Visit

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Southern West Virginia was built on coal mining and one doesn’t have to look very hard to find an old coal mining town.

But the coal towns of the New River Gorge are a bit different. They were small and remote, etched into the side of the mountain and mostly cutoff from each other except by rail. The towns of the Gorge were abandoned after the coal became too difficult to mine because living in this area was a tough existence.

There were well over 15 mining towns located in just the lower 14 mile stretch of the New River Gorge National Park.

Here’s a look at three of these towns that you can visit to get a peek into the mining of yesteryear.

Thurmond

The Restored Thurmond Depot

Thurmond is by far the most famous of all the New River coal towns. From being the site of a world record poker game, to shipping more freight than cities like Cincinnati, to serving as the set of major motion picture, this town has one heck of a history.

Thurmond was one of two major shipping points in the New River Gorge and still has many standing buildings and a few residents. The Bank of Thurmond and the hotel above it is just o

ne of the buildings that are still a part of this old coal town.

The National Park Service restored the old Thurmond Depot a few years ago and now it serves as a wonderful visitor center and museum.  The Depot is the centerpiece of this old mining town and hopefully in the future will be only one of many restored buildings.

Thurmond is accessed from Glen Jean via County Rt. 25 and is only about 15 minutes from

Oak Hill.

Nuttallburg

Built in the 1880’s by John Nuttall, Nuttallburg was made famous when Henry Ford purchased it as a means of obtaining quality coal to power his growing automobile industry.

The Fordson Mine was only open a few years before it was sold again due to difficulties in transporting coal from WV to Michigan.

This town is located in the heart of the whitewater section of the New River, between the rapids Dudley’s Dip and Double Z.  Hundreds of thousands of people have floated right by it and never known it was there due to the lush forest hiding its secrets. When the leaves are off you

can still see the tipple and the immense coal conveyor, which at 1385 feet was one of the longest button and rope conveyors ever built at a coal mine.

Kaymoor

The Kaymoor mines were some of the largest and most productive mines in the Gorge. The town

was actually split, with some of it located on the top of the Gorge and some of it down on the river.

Kaymoor had no churches, banks, saloons or a town hall but did havetwo schools (at the top and bottom of the town), a company store and a pool hall.

Upon exploration you can still see the old Kaymoor powder house, the coke ovens and remnants of many of the old structures. There are also two barricaded old mine portals that give you just a glimpse of what going back into a mine was like in those days.

The Kaymoor coal mines will be the most difficult of the three to access. You can either hike down from the top, accessed at Garten via County Rt. 9/2, or hike in 2 miles from Fayette Station Rd (Co. Rt. 82) at the trailhead.

What other coal towns do you recommend visiting?

Will I Get Wet On My Rafting Trip? And Other Common Questions

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Going on an outdoor adventure can cause some anxiousness.  That’s especially the case if you’re trying something new or are elected to be the one in charge of planning. For many of us whitewater rafting is old-hand, but if you’re new to the sport, you probably have questions . . .  a lot of them.  So here’s a little Q & A that can help you navigate the waters:

Will I get wet on my rafting trip?

Yes! You will get wet while rafting . . .

We start out with this one since we get it so often, believe it or not. The answer is yes.  Most trips offer chances to swim in calmer areas, so getting wet is part of the fun. You’ll also get splashed in larger rapids and possibly by other patrons.

What are the age limits?

The rivers in Southern West Virginia have some easier sections and some that are perfect for thrill-seekers. Because of the way the rivers are broken up there are trips with minimum ages 6, 12, and 16 and up.

What should we wear?

Your wardrobe for the day should always be geared toward the water and air temperatures. For spring and late fall trips, rent a wet suit from your rafting company and stay away from cotton.  In summer, a swimming suit,  shorts and a t-shirt are fine.   Also remember to wear shoes that will stay on your feet, sandals with straps, water shoes or light weight tennis shoes will work just fine. No flip flops or you may be coming back barefoot. Don’t forget the sunscreen and if you wear glasses be sure and bring a strap to tighten them on.  PDF’s (personal flotation devices) and helmets will be provided by your whitewater rafting outfitter.

What are the chances I’ll fall out?

This is a tough one. While the object is to stay in the raft, some people love getting to “swim”. Much of your training will cover what to do if this happens.  As long as you pay attention to your guide, your swimming episode (IF you have one) will probably turn into something you’ll love telling your friends about.

What do the rapid classes mean?

Classes are a way to rank the rapids from easy to harder to navigate. Class I is  a small, easy rapid  and Class V rapids are big, adrenaline inducing and require a good navigator – it can get a little  crazy but it’s always  fun.  Class III and up will definitely get your heart pumping!

Have any other rafting questions for us?

We’ll see you on the river.

Our Favorite Places to Spend Dad’s Day

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Fishing in Southern WV

Father’s Day (June 19th!) is coming up and we’re considering getting Dad more than just another tie. (He never wore it anyway.)

This year – we’ve asked Dads to select their top picks of where they would like to spend their day in Southern WV. While almost all of them said they’d like to have a great meal, it was after they mentioned they’d like to do something fun with the family.

Top Dads’ picks include:

Summersville Lake. Most Dads we talked to would like to get outside more and the a great place to get outside is  Summersville Lake.  Rent a boat, sit in the sand, or just take a hike around the exterior …these are all things that make active Dads happy.

The golf course. OK so a lot of us don’t golf – but to a lot of Dads this would be a great place to spend their Sunday.  Offer to take him out on the course for the day or if you don’t golf you can ride along on the cart at one of our great golf courses where Dad can do something he really loves.

Ziplining. Whether they’ve tried it before or they’d like to – Dads love this idea.  Consider a canopy tour or a zipping speed ride and bring the kids along. It can be a really fun family outing.

Fishing. Dads that we talked to love to fish but never really find the time to do it.  Consider parking yourself along a lake or river for some great bank fishing or hook up with one of our great outfitters and hit the water with your #1 guy.

This year, we hope you’ll consider treating Dad (or Granddad) to something he’ll love; a place that can create memories that last a lot longer than a tie or shirt.

It’s Time! Spring = Whitewater Season

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

Early rainfalls have created a great opening for whitewater rafting season.  Some outfitters started running trips as early as March!  But April was, officially,  the beginning of 7 months full of

Whitewater Rafting in West Virginia

whitewater fun and adventure.

This year’s Spring rainfall has been incredible so rafters can expect to go farther faster with great runs and holes full of excitement.

The whitewater outfitters in southern WV  have added even more adventure options this year – enabling you to not only plan a trip to raft but also add ziplining, horseback riding, or even skydiving to your itinerary.

Looking for adventure this Spring?  Well look no further.  Southern WV has professional outdoor adventure outfitters who can plan your raft trip, book your lodging, schedule your add on adventures and even help you plan your meals.

So what are you waiting for . . .

Raising the Curtain on Theatre Season

Friday, May 6th, 2011

If we had to give you a top 10 list of things to do while visiting Southern WV – taking in a show at one of our theatres would be up there. Here we’re fortunate to

Honey In The Rock - Performed Annually by Theatre WV

have three theatre companies that put on some 20-30 different plays throughout the year.

And in summer, they take their seasons to a whole new level with a complete repertory calendar full of great work. Award winning plays like “Ring of Fire”, “Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming” and “All Shook Up” are all in rehearsal now for this summer while new original works are also hitting the stage, including a musical version of West Virginia’s own “Rocket Boys.”

Here in Southern WV, our stages have been set for live theatre for nearly 75 years.   In 1938, a “modern playhouse” opened in Fayetteville – now the Historic Fayette Theatre.  Seventeen years later Theatre West Virginia was founded and a short 10 years later, Greenbrier Valley Theatre was born on the banks of the Greenbrier River. Today the venues offer tremendous talent and set the stage with professional facilities.

If you’re visiting the Mountain State this summer – be sure and take in one of their many shows.  Some feature professional-equity actors while others use great community thespians.  Either way, these are shows you won’t want to miss.