Local officials in Mercer County are expecting an influx of tourists when a new section of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System opens later this month. But the visitors might have trouble finding a place to stay. Hatfield-McCoy executive director Jeff Lusk tells the Bluefield Daily Telegraph (http://bit.ly/INiVrq ) that a lack of lodging is the new Pocahontas [...]
Travel + Leisure Magazine Online is declaring Gravity New River Gorge Zip Lines one of the world’s coolest in its April edition. Gravity is part of Adventures on the Gorge in Lansing, a resort offering whitewater rafting and other activities. Partner Dave Arnold tells The State Journal (http://bit.ly/HVUoQo) the owners believed in the concept. Gravity [...]
Make Your Next Getaway Historic If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind getaway then come visit us in Tug Valley. We are the home of wonderful attractions you can only find here. • The world famous Hatfield McCoy Feud – the most famous feud in American history. • The West Virginia Mine Wars – the [...]
Few areas in America, with such beautiful mountain scenery and prime outdoor recreation within an hour drive, also boast the rich culture and heritage you find in Randolph County. Nestled between the Continental Divide and the shadows of Seneca Rocks, the unique mountain landscape found in the Randolph County region, are home to a wealth [...]
The breathtaking mountains of West Virginia, the beautiful Kanawha River and our stunning State Capitol bring tourists to Charleston West Virginia. Charleston offers a unique setting – all the first-class facilities of a cosmopolitan city with the comfort of West Virginia tradition and hospitality. Two of the city’s most popular attractions are the West Virginia [...]
Why Wheeling? “Why not” seems like the more appropriate question. Wheeling quite literally has a little bit of everything, from great bars and a casino to great history. Whether you are looking for a golf getaway with the guys, a night out with the girlfriends, or an affordable family vacation, Wheeling is the perfect destination. [...]
The planet’s top chili makers will be returning to West Virginia this fall. And for the first time, the International Chili Society’s annual world championship cookoff will have a “homestyle” category without restrictions on ingredients. The San Juan Capistrano, CA-based nonprofit group announced Thursday that more than 400 cooks are expected to compete Oct. 5-7 [...]
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The late part of winter presents an often overlooked opportunity for hunting in the Mountain State, according to Jeff McCrady, district wildlife biologist for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources office in Parkersburg. Rabbits, grouse, foxes, bobcats and raccoons are in season through the end of February. For many hunters, [...]
CHARLESTON, WV (AP) _ West Virginia’s ski resorts are welcoming fresh snow for the new year, and more is on the way. The West Virginia Ski Areas Association says all resorts including Canaan Valley and Timberline in Tucker County, Oglebay in Ohio County, Snowshoe in Pocahontas County and Winterplace in Raleigh County all have received [...]
But the visitors might have trouble finding a place to stay.
Hatfield-McCoy executive director Jeff Lusk tells the Bluefield Daily Telegraph (http://bit.ly/INiVrq ) that a lack of lodging is the new Pocahontas Trail System’s biggest threat.
Lusk says 80 percent of the people who ride the existing trails are from out of state. And, most of those will want to try the new trail system.
He says several entrepreneurs are developing lodging but more facilities will be needed.
BRAMWELL, W.Va. (AP)
www.westvirginiatravelrecreation.com
Gravity Zip Line – laserbub, Flickr
Gravity is part of Adventures on the Gorge in Lansing, a resort offering whitewater rafting and other activities. Partner Dave Arnold tells The State Journal (http://bit.ly/HVUoQo) the owners believed in the concept.
Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver says zip lines attract both novices and adrenaline junkies.
This spring, Adventures on the Gorge is also opening TimberTrek Aerial Adventure Park. It has 63 obstacles, bridges, swings and zip lines in the trees.
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Online:
T+L: http://bit.ly/HxvtCM
www.westvirginiatravelrecreation.com
Make Your Next Getaway Historic
• The world famous Hatfield McCoy Feud – the most famous feud in American history.
• The West Virginia Mine Wars – the largest armed conflict in America since the Civil War.
• The Hatfield McCoy ATV Trails – the largest network on motorized trails east of the Mississippi.
• Historic Matewan – a town at the crossroads of history.
• Railroad Central – one of the best places in the world to watch trains.
• The Trillion Dollar Coalfield – source of the black gold that our country was built upon.
• Great recreation – including unique golf, fishing and hiking.
• Amazing mountain scenery, fall foliage and so much more.
We have something for everyone – whether you want to relax in the country, learn about our fascinating history, go to festivals and musical events, do a little train watching, play golf, fish, shop or take a ride on the Hatfield McCoy Trails.
www.westvirginiatravelrecreation.com
Fall Colors Randolph County – Wikimedia
Nestled between the Continental Divide and the shadows of Seneca Rocks, the unique mountain landscape found in the Randolph County region, are home to a wealth of natural wonders like the Monongahela National Forest, Dolly Sods Scenic Area, Spruce Knob and Blackwater Falls State Park.
Skiers looking for thrills race down slopes on three of the finest ski resorts in the country, specially constructed trails let mountain bikers have “epic rides” and hikers not intimidated by great mountain landscapes can get out into the backcountry.
Enjoying arts and culture in Randolph County can range from theater performances and exhibits at the Randolph County Community Arts Center to activities at the Augusta Heritage Center. And, of course, as in any small town, there’s antique shopping and exploring the beautiful work of local artisans who handcraft exceptional creative works of art.
www.westvirginiatravelrecreation.com
Charleston – wikimedia
Two of the city’s most popular attractions are the West Virginia State Museum and the state Capitol. The newly remodeled museum is a collection of West Virginia history and is open free to the public. The historical state Capitol is another free attraction that offers guided tours throughout the year.
Charleston is home to an arts and sciences center, baseball stadium, unique boutiques and shops, bookstores, coffee houses, restaurants and so much more.
Charleston is also the gateway to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia activities such as skiing, world-class zip-line canopy tours, whitewater rafting, ATV trails, golfing, hiking, fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking and so much more within a short distance.
Visit Charleston West Virginia and you really can understand what John Denver meant by “Almost Heaven.”
Main Street Bridge, Wheeling – Ryan Stanton
Why Wheeling? “Why not” seems like the more appropriate question.
Anyone interested in American history can appreciate Wheeling, since the city served as a pivotal point in both the Revolutionary and the Civil Wars. Visitors can see where West Virginia became a state in 1863 at Independence Hall, and the Suspension Bridge also has a lot of history behind it.
The city is perfect for families, because Oglebay Resort has West Virginia’s only zoo and dozens of cabins for a weekend getaway. The resort features three different golf courses – including one designed by Arnold Palmer. The riverfront downtown houses many festivals and live music events throughout the summer, including Waterfront Wednesdays.
Wheeling is ideal for a night out. Wheeling Island is home to one of the largest greyhound racing tracks in the country as well as a Casino with thousands of slots and many table games. And there are great bars with excellent live music throughout the city and the historic Capitol Theatre offers broadway shows, musical concerts and a variety of programs in both the theatre as well as the ballroom upstairs.
The best part is Wheeling is affordable and close to several major cities. So you’ll get a little bit of everything without having to go everywhere. We also have a mobile application that is available in your Apple store for Iphone, Ipad and Ipod under the name Wheeling Mobile App and will be available for Droid phones in the very near future. So you are now able to stay up to date at the palm of your hand.
Chili - Michael B., Flickr
The San Juan Capistrano, CA-based nonprofit group announced Thursday that more than 400 cooks are expected to compete Oct. 5-7 on Magic Island, a park on Charleston’s west side along the Kanawha River.
Charleston hosted the competition in 2009, the first time the ICS held its championship east of the Mississippi River – traditionally it’s been held in California or Nevada. It was contested in Manchester, N.H., the past two years.
The world championships involve red and green chili categories, along with salsa. Competitors must first win a regional title from among dozens held around the United States and Canada. A “last chance” cookoff also will give competitors who have yet to qualify one final try to enter the event.
The goal of the category is to welcome a new breed of chili connoisseurs.
“Competition chili does not have beans, and we’ve been turning people away for 46 years,” said Carol Hancock, owner and CEO of the ICS. “Our homestyle category will be the cook’s discretion.”
Doug Wilkey, a Shoreline, Wash., dentist whose version of traditional red chili won the 2005 world title, welcomed the homestyle category’s addition and the potential for new competitors.
“I think it’s fine, especially for West Virginia,” said Wilkey, who attended the 2009 event in Charleston. “There’s a lot of people that like to cook chili back there, and they like to have a ball doing it.”
Cars and chili may not seem a great mix at first. But city leaders are banking on that concept, scheduling the chili cookoff at the same time an annual custom car show is being held just down the block. Last year’s Rod Run & Doo Wop brought in 960 cars – and thousands of tourists – from the eastern United States.
It took four decades for the world championships to head east due to concerns over fickle weather, and Mother Nature played a big part in the 2009 cookoff. Severe storms dampened spirits on the first day in Charleston. And the weather was sour in New Hampshire, too, Hancock said.
But she liked the way Charleston organizers handled the 2009 event. The city beat out other potential suitors from California, Florida, Kansas and Nevada. She wouldn’t identify the cities.
In 2009, the typical competitor “hadn’t been to West Virginia and this part of the country. They had a great time,” Hancock said.
By JOHN RABY
Associated Press
according to Jeff McCrady, district wildlife biologist for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources office in Parkersburg. Rabbits, grouse, foxes, bobcats and raccoons are in season through the end of February.
For many hunters, this is the most enjoyable time to be afield. “The holidays are long past, and people just seem to have more time to get out,” McCrady said.
February can be a preferred time for serious rabbit hunters. There is less vegetation to obscure their vision, the ground is always damp enough to hold scent well and the weather is generally cool enough to keep the beagles from getting over heated.
Grouse hunters like late season outings for the same reasons. The final weeks of February will be the last chance to hunt with the dogs until next fall.
Raccoons are generally not very active during cold winter nights; however, a warm spell can change everything. As the winter begins to weaken and the days become longer, raccoons will become more active. Hunters should be vigilant through the end of the season.
With prey being scarce in late winter, predators are generally more susceptible to varmint calls. The imitated distress cries of a rabbit or a mouse work well for foxes, bobcats and coyotes this time of year. Predators might be a little easier to call in during February, but hunters still need to be mindful of the wind and be well hidden in order to be successful.
“With all of West Virginia’s late season hunting opportunities, there is no reason for a case of cabin fever,” McCrady said. “Success can’t be guaranteed, but fresh air and exercise can.”
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
www.wvdnr.gov
Earl Ray Tomblin, Governor
Frank Jezioro, Director
Snow in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, WV (AP) _
The West Virginia Ski Areas Association says all resorts including Canaan Valley and Timberline in Tucker County, Oglebay in Ohio County, Snowshoe in Pocahontas County and Winterplace in Raleigh County all have received a couple of inches of new snow.
Officials also say recent natural snow has continued to improve the conditions at the state’s cross-country areas, White Grass Touring in Tucker County and Elk River Touring Center in Pocahontas County.
The West Virginia ski and snowboard season traditionally continues through early April.
The resort’s snowmakers will use the cold temperatures to create manmade blizzards, producing 20,000 tons of snow per hour when the temperature drops into the teens.
