Thread:61Storm/@comment-29709319-20181110010804/@comment-29709319-20190322032540

National Themes For March 22: National Goof Off Day, National Bavarian Crepes Day, National Puppy Day, and National West Virginia Day.

🤠National Goof Off Day Our is also known as International Goof Off Day. It is a day to relax, enjoy and goof off. Do something fun and leave the work until tomorrow. Everybody needs to take a break from time to time. It is often so easy to get so involved in the work and pressures in our lives. So stop, take a break, find something different! Let any goofy idea pop into your head. Make paper airplanes from seed packets. Doodle pictures of poodles in puddles. Or do the obvious and spend the day in your pajamas doing nothing. Monica (Moeller) Dufour of Davidson, MI founded National Goof Off Day. According to official records, the first celebration took place in 1976. In an interview with the Detroit Free Press in 1983, Moeller suggests the first event may have been a few years later. Whenever the inaugural day took place, it’s no surprise National Goof Off Day was created by a kid with the direction to do things out of the ordinary.

🥞National Bavarian Crepes Day! Crepes are a delicious, very thin pancake-like dessert, typically made from wheat flour or buckwheat flour, then filled, rolled and then often topped with a glaze, fruit, chocolate or whipped cream.

🐶National Puppy Day! This day was created to celebrate the magic and unconditional love that puppies bring to our lives. National Puppy Day is also a day to bring awareness to the need for care of and homes for orphaned pups as well as to educate people about the horrors of puppy mills across the country. National Puppy Day was founded in 2006 by Pet Lifestyle Expert, Animal Behaviorist and Author, Colleen Paige. Paige is also the founder of National Dog Day and National Cat Day.

🇺🇸West Virginia is the 41st largest state by area, and is ranked 38th in population. The capital and largest city is Charleston. Originally, the state capital was in Wheeling (1863 to 1870). It was then moved to Charleston, a more central city (1870 to 1875). However it was returned to Wheeling in 1875, until the capitol burned down in 1885. It was moved back to Charleston in 1885, and it has been there since. West Virginia's Nickname: Mountain State, Motto: Mountaineers Are Always Free, State song: "4 songs". Highest point is Spruce Knob at 4863 ft (1482 m). Lowest point is Potomac River at Virginia border at 240 ft (73 m). Living insignia; Bird: 🕊Northern cardinal, Butterfly: 🦋Monarch butterfly, Fish: 🐟Brook trout, Flower: 🌸Rhododendron. Insect: 🐝Western honey bee, Mammal: 🐻Black bear, Reptile: 🐍Timber rattlesnake, Tree: 🌳Sugar maple. Inanimate insignia; Colors: Old gold and blue, Food: 🍏Golden Delicious apple, Fossil: Jefferson's ground sloth, Gemstone: Silicified Mississippian fossil coral, Rock: Coal. Slogan: "Wild and Wonderful", Soil: Monongahela Silt Loam, Tartan: West Virginia Shawl. In the 1670s during the Beaver Wars, the powerful Iroquois, five allied nations based in present-day New York and Pennsylvania, drove out other American Indian tribes from the region (what is West Virginia today) in order to reserve the upper Ohio Valley as a hunting ground. In 1671, General Abraham Wood, at the direction of Royal Governor William Berkeley of the Virginia Colony, sent a party from Fort Henry led by Thomas Batts and Robert Fallam to survey this territory. They were the first Europeans recorded as discovering Kanawha Falls(town). John Van Metre, an Indian trader, penetrated into the northern portion of what would become West virgini in 1725. The same year, German settlers from Pennsylvania founded New Mecklenburg, the present Shepherdstown, on the Potomac River, and others followed. King Charles II of England, in 1661, granted to a company of gentlemen the land between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers, known as the Northern Neck. A considerable part of this land was surveyed by the young George Washington between 1748 and 1751. The diary kept by Washington recorded that there were already many squatters, largely of German origin, along the South Branch Potomac River. Christopher Gist, a surveyor in the employ of the first Ohio Company, which was composed chiefly of Virginians, explored the country along the Ohio River north of the mouth of the Kanawha River between 1751 and 1752. The company sought to have a fourteenth colony established with the name "Vandalia". During the French and Indian War (the North American front of the Seven Years' War in Europe), Indian allies of the French nearly destroyed the scattered British settlements. Native American attacks on settlers continued until after the American Revolutionary War. During the war, the settlers in western Virginia were generally active Whigs and many served in the Continental Army. Social conditions in western Virginia were entirely unlike those in the eastern portion of the state. The population was not homogeneous, as a considerable part of the immigration came by way of Pennsylvania and included Germans, Protestant Scotch-Irish, and settlers from the states farther north. During the American Revolution, the movement to create a state beyond the Alleghenies was revived and a petition for the establishment of "Westsylvania" was presented to Congress, on the grounds that the mountains presented an almost impassable barrier to the east. The rugged nature of the country made slavery unprofitable, and time only increased the social, political, economic, and cultural differences between the two sections of Virginia. The Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1850–51, addressed a number of issues important to western Virginians. Given these differences, many in the west had long contemplated a separate state. West Virginia was the only state in the Union to separate from a Confederate state (Virginia) during the American Civil War. On May 13, 1862 the state legislature of the reorganized government approved the formation of the new state. An application for admission to the Union was made to Congress, introduced by Senator Waitman Willey of the Restored Government of Virginia. On December 31, 1862, an enabling act was approved by President Abraham Lincoln admitting West Virginia, on the condition that a provision for the gradual abolition of slavery be inserted in its constitution. The revised constitution was adopted on March 26, 1863 and on April 20, 1863, President Lincoln issued a proclamation admitting the state 60 days later on June 20, 1863. The area that became West Virginia actually furnished about an equal number of soldiers to the federal and Confederate armies. Beginning in Reconstruction, and for several decades thereafter, the two states disputed the new state's share of the pre-war Virginia government's debts, which had mostly been incurred to finance public infrastructure improvements, such as canals, roads, and railroads under the Virginia Board of Public Works. The issue was finally settled in 1915, when the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that West Virginia owed Virginia $12,393,929.50. The final installment of this sum was paid in 1939. West Virginia is located entirely within the Appalachian Region, and the state is almost entirely mountainous, giving reason to the nickname The Mountain State and the motto Mountaineers are always free. One of the major resources in West Virginia's economy is coal. According to the Energy Information Administration, West Virginia is a top coal-producer in the United States, second only to Wyoming. Nearly all of the electricity generated in West Virginia is from coal-fired power plants. West Virginia produces a surplus of electricity and leads the Nation in net interstate electricity exports. Education: There are forty-four colleges and universities in the U.S. state of West Virginia that are listed under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. These institutions include one research university, five master's universities, and fourteen baccalaureate colleges, as well as twenty-one associate's colleges. In addition, there are three institutions classified as special-focus institutions. West Virginia's oldest surviving post-secondary institution is Bethany College, founded on March 2, 1840 by Alexander Campbell. West Virginia has two land-grant universities: West Virginia State University and West Virginia University. West Virginia University is also the state's sole participant university in the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. West Virginia has three medical schools: Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, and West Virginia University School of Medicine. It has one law school, West Virginia University College of Law. Climate: Average January temperatures range from around 26°F (-4°C) near the Cheat River to 41°F (5°C) along sections of the border with Kentucky. July averages range from 67°F (19°C) along the North Branch Potomac River to 76°F (24°C) in the western part of the state. The highest recorded temperature in the state is 112°F (44°C) at Martinsburg on July 10, 1936 and the lowest recorded temperature in the state is -37°F (-38°C) at Lewisburg on December 30, 1917. Annual precipitation ranges from less than 32 inches (81 cm) in the lower eastern section to more than 56 inches (140 cm) in higher parts of the Allegheny Front. Valleys in the east have lower rainfall because the Allegheny mountain ridges to the west create a partial rain shadow. West Virginia is also one of the cloudiest states in the nation. Snow usually lasts only a few days in the lower sections but may persist for weeks in the higher mountain areas. An average of 34 inches (86 cm) of snow falls annually in Charleston, although during the winter of 1995–1996 more than three times that amount fell as several cities in the state established new records for snowfall. Average snowfall in the Allegheny Highlands can range up to 180 inches (460 cm) per year. Severe weather is somewhat less prevalent in West Virginia than in most other eastern states, and it ranks among the least tornado-prone states east of the Rockies. Tourism: Canaan Valley is popular for winter sports, Seneca Rocks is one of the premier rock climbing destinations in the eastern U.S., the New River Gorge/Fayetteville area draws rock climbers as well as whitewater rafting enthusiasts, and the Monongahela National Forest is popular with hikers, backpackers, hunters, and anglers. 1️⃣Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge was the 500th National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) to be established in the United States. The refuge preserves a moist valley with unique wetlands and uplands at a relatively high elevation in the Allegheny Mountains. Facilitated refuge activities include wildlife observation and photography, hunting, fishing, hiking, environmental education, and nature programs. The refuge maintains 31 miles (50 km) of designated trails, including: 31 miles (50 km) for pedestrian use, 23 miles (37 km) for bicycle use, 22 miles (35 km) for horseback use and it maintains 7 miles (11 km) of roads for licensed vehicles to provide public access. 2️⃣Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. The National Recreation Area protects three prominent West Virginia landmarks: Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia (and the highest of the Allegheny Mountains) with a summit elevation of 4,863 feet (1482 m). Seneca Rocks, a 900 foot (270 m) high quartzite crag popular with rock climbers. Smoke Hole Canyon, a canyon along the South Branch Potomac River. Popular activities in Smoke Hole Canyon include fishing (rainbow and golden trout; largemouth and smallmouth bass), hunting (squirrel, grouse, turkey, deer, rabbit and bear), hiking, rock climbing, caving, canoeing and camping (Big Bend Campground). Kayaking and whitewater canoeing provide the best ways to see the Canyon, particularly the lower section where there are no roads or trails at river level. Big Bend Campground is located on a peninsula in the river and features 46 sites with hot and cold water and flush toilets from April 15 to Oct. 1. The only maintained trail for hiking strictly within the Smoke Hole gorge is the 3.5-mile South Branch Trail, a loop trail starting at river level from the FS picnic area (now abandoned). The blue-blazed trail follows the river upstream, ascends part way up Cave Mountain, passes fields and old farms on its way back downstream, and then drops back down to the river nearly opposite Shreve's Store. There are many opportunities for rock climbing in the canyon, from the walls just inside the Route 220 entrance, to soaring Eagle Rocks, to the shaded walls of Long Branch, the steep stiff routes of Sanctuary and the miles of cliffs lining the west face of North Fork Mountain which can be accessed from trailheads on the canyon rim. Spruce Knob! There are over 75 miles (121 km) of hiking trails around the mountain and a small 25-acre (10 ha) lake well stocked with trout on the west side of the mountain. Two campgrounds are also on the mountain. Seneca Rocks is a large crag and local landmark in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The south peak is one of a small number of peaks inaccessible except by technical rock climbing techniques on the East Coast of the United States. One of the best-known scenic attractions in West Virginia, the sheer rock faces are a popular challenge for rock climbers. There are 375 major mapped climbing routes, varying in degree from 5.0 (the easiest) to 5.13 (the hardest). There are two climbing schools located in Seneca Rocks that train prospective climbers in beginning and advanced rock climbing: Seneca Rocks Climbing School and Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides. Both the East and West faces of the North and South Peak offer single and multi-pitch routes up to 300 ft in length. Technical routes also exist on the Lower Slabs, located on the slopes below the west face of the North Peak, and on the Southern Pillar, directly across Roy Gap from the South Peak. Because of the way the rock was uplifted, there are many vertical cracks that offer excellent jamming and good protection. The South Peak is the tallest peak east of Devils Tower in Wyoming that is only accessible by 5th class climbing. 3️⃣New River Gorge Bridge is a steel arch bridge 3,030 feet (924 m) long over the New River Gorge near Fayetteville, West Virginia. With an arch 1,700 feet (518 m) long, the New River Gorge Bridge is the fourth longest single-span arch bridge. The roadway of the New River Gorge Bridge is 876 feet (267 m) above the New River. The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the highest vehicular bridges in the world, and is currently the third highest in the United States. In 2005, the structure gained nationwide attention when the US Mint issued the West Virginia state quarter with the bridge depicted on one side. In 2013, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Lower Gorge of the New River is a premier whitewater rafting location that attracts thrillseekers from all over the country and the world. The rapids, ranging in difficulty from Class III to Class V, are imposing and forceful, many of them obstructed by large boulders which necessitate maneuvering in very powerful currents, crosscurrents, and hydraulics. Commercial outfitters conduct trips down the river from April through October. The upper part of the river offers somewhat less challenging class I to III rapids for whitewater canoeing. New River Gorge is also one of the most popular climbing areas on the east coast with over 1,400 established rock climbs. The cliffs at "The New" are located just below the rim of the gorge and are made up of a very hard Nuttall sandstone. The rock is very featured, and an abundance of crack and face routes, with occasional large roofs. Almost all climbs are one pitch long and range from 30 to 120 feet (37 m) in height. The majority of the routes in the gorge are for advanced climbers in 5.10-5.12 range of the Yosemite Decimal System with about an equal number of traditional and sport climbs. Fishing is one of the most popular activities on the New River. The diversity of fish in its waters makes the New River an excellent warm water fishery. There are over 50 miles (80 km) of hiking trails in the park ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes. Several trails following old railroad grades are open to bikes. There are four primitive camping areas within the park, all located along the river. 4️⃣Cheat Canyon — also called Cheat River Canyon or Cheat River Gorge — is a 10-mile long, forested canyon of the Cheat River at the western edge of the Allegheny Mountains in northeastern West Virginia. The remote Cheat Canyon was carved by the Cheat River. The steep forested slopes rise as much as 1,200 feet from the river bed to the Canyon rim. The river in the Canyon features Class IV rapids (and Class V rapids at upper levels), making it a popular destination for whitewater kayaking and rafting. The toughest and most celebrated rapids are known as Big Nasty, High Falls, and Upper Coliseum. On the first weekend in May (on Friday) of every year, paddlers gather from many states to attend the Cheat Festival. A very popular whitewater race, The Cheat River Race. Unlike the overwhelming majority of whitewater races which employ a staggered start, this race uses a mass start (in which all participants start at the same time). Another park with rapids is The Gauley River National Recreation Area, located near Summersville, West Virginia, protects a 25-mile (40 km) portion of the Gauley River and a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) segment of the Meadow River in southern West Virginia. Little of the park is accessible via roads; one must travel via the river. At the upstream end of the park is the Summersville Dam, the only area of the park accessible by vehicle. Within the park are a number of Class V rapids. 5️⃣Blackwater Falls State Park is located in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. The centerpiece of the park is Blackwater Falls, a 62-foot (19 m) cascade where the Blackwater River leaves its leisurely course in Canaan Valley and enters rugged Blackwater Canyon. It is among the most photographed venues in the state and appears on calendars, stationery, and advertisements. The river is named for its tannin-darkened water. The Falls are usually cited as the highest above-ground falls (there are higher cave falls) in the state. In winter, the Falls often ice over completely. A broad trail descends about 320 feet (98 m) from the Falls parking lot to a wooden walkway and overlook, while a much steeper trail extends beyond to the basin below the Falls. On the opposite (east) side of the river, a longer trail ("Gentle Trail") also accesses the Falls from a higher vantage point. A nature trail (wheelchair-accessible) near the park lodge leads to the more distant Lindy Point overlook, affording an excellent view south into the Canyon. There are several other smaller falls within the park. 6️⃣The Friars Hole Cave is the longest cave in West Virginia, with eight entrances and 44 miles of surveyed passage. The cave is located on the west side of Droop Mountain. Saltpeter was mined in the cave near the Snedegar entrance during the Civil War. All of the entrances of this non-commercial cave are privately owned and several are on lands that are part of the Friars Hole Cave Preserve, which was started by Gordon Mothes in 1976. A photograph by Huntley Ingalls of the vertical pit entrance called the Crookshank Hole appeared in the June 1964 issue of National Geographic. Throughout the 1960s, various cavers explored and surveyed from the different entrances, and it was ascertained in 1976 that Friars Hole Cave at the southern end connected with Snedegars Cave at the northern end. With nearly 45 miles mapped, Friars Hole Cave is the sixth-longest cave in the U.S. and the 17th-longest cave in the world. Water flowing through the cave includes part of the subterranean flow of Hills Creek. The cave should be entered only with permission of the various landowners and only by experienced and properly equipped cavers. 7️⃣Cass Scenic Railroad State Park consists of the Cass Scenic Railroad, an 11-mile (18 km) long heritage railroad that is owned by the West Virginia State Rail Authority and operated by the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. The park also includes the former company town of Cass and a portion of the summit of Bald Knob, highest point on Back Allegheny Mountain. In 1977, the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park took possession of the entire company town of Cass and the old hardwood mill there. Today, visitors ride on historic converted log cars (similar to flatcars), pushed along by a powerful geared logging locomotive. Traveling on 11 miles (18 km) of standard gauge track laid in 1901 by immigrant workers. Three trips are available: a two-hour round trip to Whittaker Station, a five-hour round trip to the abandoned site of the ghost town of Spruce (no current trains to Spruce for now) (once the coldest and highest town east of the Rockies), and a five-hour round trip to Bald Knob, the third highest point in the state. Former company houses have been refurbished and are available for rent through Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. A small cabin on Bald Knob is also available for rent, and cabooses can be reserved for private use as well. Town and shop tours are available daily to visitors who would like to learn more about the town and its lumber industry, and see how the rare geared locomotives are maintained by the Cass shop crew. A tour of a recreated logging camp is available at Whittaker. 8️⃣This one is for the kid at heart or the kids. Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum Is housed in a restored Victorian school, The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum boasts an impressive collection of tens of thousands toys and trains. The building itself: The Tin Ceilings, were done by Wheeling Corrugating, and are original. The building was built in 1905 and was in use as Elm Grove Grade School, and later Kruger Street Elementary School. The wood work around the building is Red Pine. The Flooring is also the original that was redone and is Georgia Yellow Pine. ✨The Doll Room has items that are usually associated with the popular children’s toy of the doll. Also this room includes doll houses that showcase many different styles and time periods. ✨The Miniatures Room showcases a wide variety of the types of miniatures produced by Marx and other companies. The intricate details were often hand painted in the factories leading to each figure having a personal touch. Throughout the cases you will find an assortment of miniatures that represents many different companies and their products. ✨The Transportation Room you will find combat toys, actual combat materials such as uniforms. Also, in this room you will find many cars and trucks. ✨The Game Room is a unique set up, it is a mixture of many different types of toys from all time periods of the 1900’s. ✨The Ohio Valley Room is to show the many features of the Ohio Valley. It is their tribute to the city in which they are located and the many different unique attributes that can be found there. ✨Train Room features trains by Marx, Lionel, American Flyer and others. This room is mainly miniatures but there are also real railway artifacts. 9️⃣Heritage Farm Museum and Village is an open-air living history museum in Huntington, West Virginia that focuses on Appalachian history and culture. Originally conceived as a location to house and display the private collection of A. Michael "Mike" and Henriella Perry, Heritage Farm has expanded into an entire Appalachian Frontier Village that was recently named West Virginia's first Smithsonian-affiliated museum. Heritage Farm has seven main museum buildings; 🍀Progress Museum: Charts the technological and social change in Appalachia from its earliest settlers to the mid-20th century. 🍀Transportation Museum houses a collection of vehicles and models including a conestoga wagon, bicycles, steam engines, early American cars, and various early forms of transportation. 🍀Country Store Museum is a recreation of a 19th-century country store, with a pharmacy, post office, butcher shop, and other period-appropriate displays. 🍀The Bowes Doll and Carriage Exhibit was built and created by Don and Connie Bowes, the doll and carriage exhibit is a walk-through doll house with a large collection of handmade furnishings. 🍀Heritage Museum contains the earliest displays that were available for viewing at Heritage Farm, including a barbershop, woodworking office, and various washing machines and butter churns. 🍀Industry Museum chronicles the centrality of industry to the Appalachian region; includes a walk-through coal mine and a glassblowing furnace among other displays. 🍀Children's Hands-On Activity Center Museum designed to educate children about different chores and tasks required to run a farm, as well as providing a glimpse into what farm life was like. Heritage Farm has a number of period buildings, as well as machines and implements, used for various tasks in Appalachian everyday life. ☘️Blacksmith Shop	is a complete blacksmith shop, including working forge. ☘️Bread Oven is a wood-fired masonry oven that is in regular use. ☘️Church is a 19th century log church. ☘️Conway Frontier Cabin is a log cabin belonging to the Conway family. ☘️Potter's Kiln and Shed is a working Potter's Kiln and accompanying shed, where area potters work and give classes on the subject. ☘️Sawmill is a sawmill still in occasional operation.☘️Schoolhouse is an early 20th-century One-room schoolhouse that housed Lick Creek School. ☘️Tobacco Barn is an old log barn that is meant to recreate a 19th-century tobacco barn. ☘️Windmill is a recreation of an early American windmill. A petting zoo of farm animals is open to the public on festival days and throughout the summer. Animals include miniature horses, goats, pigs, sheep, rabbits, as well as non-traditional farm animals such as llamas. 🔟Cathedral Falls (60 ft (18 m)) is one of West Virginia's highest and most scenic waterfalls. It is a steep cascade that falls into a natural ampitheatre. The ampitheatre is surely the reason the falls was named 'Cathedral'. This is a very easy waterfall to visit. It is located in a small roadside park along US 60 about 1 mile east of Gauley Bridge. The falls is visible from the road, and the parking area, but much better views can be had if you take a short walk. There are three more waterfalls close by. The low wide Kanawha Falls (15 to 21 ft (4.6 to 6.4 m)) is about 2 miles to the west on US 60. If you head east on US 60 for 6 miles, you will reach Hawks Nest State Park, where you can find Mill Creek Falls (20 ft (6.1 m)). If you head east 3 miles to Chimney Corner, and then south on Route 16, you will find the seasonal falls on Laurel Creek. 1️⃣1️⃣This is my pick of the Museum's. I'm basing this on the pictures I've seen of it. It looks interesting. West Virginia State Museum! Take a journey through time as you trek from a pre-historic coal forest into early western settlement and present-day wonders. Following a chronological and interactive "show path," special exhibits with sound and lighting illustrate pivotal moments in West Virginia's cultural, industrial and natural history. The West Virginia State Museum is dedicated to inspiring, educating and enriching the lives of the public by instilling a deeper understanding and sense of pride through the collection, preservation and exhibition of diverse cultural and historic traditions, focusing on every aspect of West Virginia history, culture, art, paleontology, archaeology and geology from all geographic regions – representing the people, land and industries. 1️⃣2️⃣Fort Randolph was orinally built in 1776 on the original site of Fort Blair, built during Lord Dunmor's War at the juncture of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. In 1777, Shawnee Chief Cornstalk was murdered at the fort, along with his son Elinipsico and two other unnamed Shawnee warriors. In 1778, the Shawnee laid seige to the Fort in retaliation for the murder of their beloved leader. In 1779 the fort was abandoned and later burned by Native Indians. The fort was rebuilt in 1785 and abandoned soon after. In 1973, Fort Randolph was rebuilt in Krodel Park, a mile from its original site. The stockade was named for Peyton Randolph of Williamsburg, president of the Second Continental Congress. 1️⃣3️⃣Falls of Hills Creek! High in the southern Allegheny Mountains north of Hillsboro, West Virginia, a trio of falls on Hills Creek tumble through a rugged gorge forested in rhododendron, towering hardwoods, and more than three dozen varieties of wildflower. The three falls – 25-, 45- and 63-feet high – grow ever taller as they rush over sandstone ledges and careen around mossy boulders in the Monongahela National Forest. A gently sloping 1,700-foot paved walkway leads to a viewing platform for the first and smallest of the falls. The journey afterward becomes more strenuous as a series of stairs, boardwalks, and pathways guide visitors to the lower falls. The viewing platform for the third and largest of the falls (the second highest falls in West Virginia) is reached by an elaborate metal stairway of 382 steps. The three natural wonders were formed as soft layers of red shale eroded much faster than the harder sandstone that overlays them, causing large chunks of the sandstone to fracture and fall into the bed of the stream. This process continues slowly over time as the water of Hills Creek, considered some of the most pristine in the state because of the lack of agricultural and industrial development in the watershed, reshapes the landscape. 1️⃣4️⃣Campbell Falls is an easily visited falls on Camp Creek located in Camp Creek State Park. The larger of two easily visited falls in the park. Campbell Falls is a very easy to visit falls. It is about 15' high, and 40' wide, depending on water levels. The falls is located right alongside Camp Creek Road. There is a gate on this road less than a mile from the falls. The gate is usually only open for people camping at the horse camp. There is a parking area just before the gate. It is an easy walk to the falls. 1️⃣5️⃣Buffalo Mountain Trailhead, Hatfield-McCoy Trails is a nationally known trail system most popular for its off-highway vehicle trails. The name of the trail system is derived from the names of two families, the Hatfields and McCoys, who famously feuded near the West Virginia and Kentucky border after the Civil War. Current trail system names (trailhead facility names in parentheses) include Rockhouse (Man/Gilbert), Bearwallow (Dingess-Rum), Pinnacle Creek (Castlerock), Indian Ridge (Ashland), Pocahontas (Bramwell), and Buffalo Mountain (Delbarton). The trail system caters to ATV, UATV, and motorbikes (dirt bikes), but hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders can also use the trails. The trail system staff not only markets the trail system globally (the trails now receive visitors from all 50 states and nine countries), but also builds, maps, and maintains the trail system. Law enforcement officers patrol the trail to assure compliance with safety regulations. Motorized users of the trail system must wear a DOT-approved helmet and are prohibited from "doubling" (having a passenger), unless their vehicle is designed for two people. These rules, and a host of others, have allowed the trail system to enjoy a quality safety record, despite an increase in ATV-related injuries around the country. 1️⃣6️⃣Oglebay Institute Glass Museum (Oglebay Institute) is located in Wheeling, West Virginia. The six facilities which encompass OI include: the Glass Museum, the Mansion Museum, the Stifel Fine Arts Center, the School of Dance, Towngate Theatre & Cinema and the Schrader Environmental Education Center. 🍂Museums of Oglebay Institute: Purchased by Colonel Earl W. Oglebay in 1900 as his summer retreat, the Mansion Museum features period antiques and depicts Wheeling's history from Pioneer times through the Victorian era. The Glass Museum features 3,000 examples of Wheeling glass and china made from 1820–1939, including the famous Sweeney Punch Bowl, the largest piece of cut lead glass in the world. Other highlights include the Sinclair Pharmacy and Wymer General Store exhibits, and glassmaking demonstrations. The mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. 🍂Oglebay Institute's Stifel Fine Arts Center brings experiences in visual and performing arts to the public. Programs include changing art exhibitions in the Hart Galleries, jazz concerts, wine tasting events and cabarets. A hands-on teaching facility, the Stifel Center hosts dozens of classes for children and adults. Oglebay Institute Administrative Offices also are housed at the Stifel. The Stifel is located at 1330 National Road, Wheeling. 🍂Schrader Environmental Education Center attractions include the A.B. Brooks Discovery Trail System, Children's Awareness Area, EarthTrek Exhibit Hall and the Corson Wildflower and Butterfly Gardens. This hands-on facility offers seasonal events and is one of the region's examples of "Green Architecture." The Schrader also operates the Terra Alta Mountain Camp in Terra Alta, West Virginia. The Center is located at Oglebay Park in Wheeling. 🍂Oglebay Institute's School of Dance: Classes include ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, Irish step, belly dance, ballroom traditions, fitness and more. Performance troupes and dance concerts bring fine entertainment to area residents and give dancers an opportunity to perform in public. 🍂Towngate Theatre & Cinema is a theater located at 2118 Market Street, Wheeling. 1️⃣7️⃣Marsh Fork Falls is located in Twin Falls State Resort Park. This is one of the two seasonal falls that gives the park its name. The other is Black Fork Falls. Black Fork Falls is a little taller, but it is a longer hike. Twin Falls Park is located about 30 miles southwest of Beckley. This is a resort park, with a lodge and golf course. The parking area for the falls is easy to find. Marsh Fork Falls is a few hundred feet from the parking lot. The hike to Black Fork Falls is about 1/2 of a mile. The trail between the falls is fairly level, with a couple of rough spots. The two creeks join to form Cabin Creek. Black Fork Falls (20 ft (6.1 m)) is a true plunge falls, and you can walk behind the falls if you want. You will likely get wet, and the footing is not good. The watershed for both of these falls is very small, and the falls both run dry in summer. 1️⃣8️⃣Valley Falls State Park is a 1,145 acre (4.63 km²) day use facility sited along both banks of the Tygart Valley River. The Park is located about 7 miles (11 km) south of exit 137 of I-79, near Fairmont, West Virginia. The park's main feature is a half-mile long set of cascades — the "Valley Falls" — that separate Marion and Taylor County, West Virginia. In the 19th century a small community thrived along the river at the current state park's location. Once the site of a lumber and grist mill community, Valley Falls State Park is a place of scenic beauty and historical significance. The ruins of the sawmill and gristmill are still visible along the river. A series of four picturesque falls created by the dark, rushing waters of the Tygart Valley River distinguish this park. In addition to its scenic charm, Valley Falls State Park offers outdoor recreation and fun: Mountain Biking, Hiking trails, Playground, Picnic area, Volleyball court, Fishing, and risky kayaking run. Although the falls are an inviting spot, swimming is not allowed. The day-use park gates open at 7 a.m. and close at dark. 1️⃣9️⃣Valley Falls is located in Valley Falls State Park, the Tygart River tumbles over two wide ledges, each around 10 feet high, followed by a long series of rapids. Valley Falls is a pair of wide, 10 foot high drops on the Tygart River. The river is several hundred feet wide above the first drop, and narrows to about 150 feet at the second drop. When the water is high, the falls will also be this wide, but probably drowned all together. In lower water levels the falls are segmented. The Tygart river carries a lot of water, and the falls run year round. The falls are located about 10 miles south east of Fairmont West Virginia. The river and falls are popular with kayakers. Moats Falls, another 10+' drop on the Tygart River is about 15 miles upstream, as the crow flies. There are a number of other smaller drops on the Tygart river. 2️⃣0️⃣Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia! Two of the most unique attractions in Beckley, West Virginia are the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia. These two museums officially joined April 1, 2002, in an effort to portray the history, culture and character of this coal-mining region. They are located in New River Park. The unique underground mine, the recreated coal camp, the Youth Museum and their Mountain Homestead are surrounded by inviting lawns, colorful flowers, picnic areas, an coal miner statue and a 20 ft. “Peace Totem”. The Youth Museum’s main gallery is made up of four railroad boxcars. The central exhibit area features an average of three different exhibits yearly. Designed to entertain as well as educate, the exhibits range from “T-Rex”, “Bats”, and “Artist in the Studio” to “Page after Page”, an award winning children’s authors presentation. Group tours include a visit to the Museum’s Planetarium. Seasonal programs highlight constellations, visible planets and special celestial events. Behind the Museum’s main building, stands the Mountain Homestead. Developed to enrich history studies, the Museum has recreated a typical settlement on the Appalachian frontier. Trained interpreters explain the importance of each reconstructed historical building. Visit the furnished weaver’s shed. In the two-story log house, the guide explains the many artifacts and antiques made and used by the rugged individuals that settled this region. A one room school house, a barn, blacksmith shop, and general store all help to complete this rich historical journey of the late 19th century. Both the Exhibition Coal Mine and the Youth Museum have gift shops offering unique coal figurines, homemade fudge, traditional and educational toys, local crafts, and books. 2️⃣1️⃣Babcock State Park is a state park located along the New River Gorge on 4,127 acres (16.7 km2) wooded in Fayette County, West Virginia. It is located approximately 20 miles away from the New River Gorge Bridge. The Park features: 28 cabins, 52 campsites, gift shop, More than 20 miles of hiking trails, outdoor sports facilities (basketball court, tennis court, volleyball court, horseshoe pit), 19-acre (77,000 m2) Boley Lake, rental watercraft (paddleboats, rowboats, canoes), swimming pool, fishing (lake and stream), horseback and pony rides (closed), naturalist-led hikes and presentations, picnic shelters, corn meal and buckwheat flour made at the Glade Creek Grist Mill and scenic overlooks. 2️⃣2️⃣Located near the park headquarters, Glade Creek Grist Mill has been a part of West Virginia's scenery since 1976. The mill was built as a re-creation of Cooper's Mill (it burnt in 1920), which had previously ground grain a short distance away on Glade Creek. Glade Creek Grist Mill was built out of the parts of 3 other old mills. Contributing their parts to the Glade Creek Grist Mill were the Stoney Creek Grist Mill, which was near Campbelltown in Pocahontas County, the Spring Run Grist Mill, which was near Petersburg in Grant County, and the Onego Grist Mill near Seneca Rocks in Pendleton County. Glade Creek Grist Mill stands as monument to the 500+ mills which played a big part in agriculture in West Virginia at the turn of the century. The mill is fully operable and used to grind corn. The cornmeal and buckwheat flour can be purchased in the gift shop. The mill can be seen year-round at Babcock State Park, but you can see the inner workings of the mill and buy souvenirs from the gift shop Memorial Day through Labor Day. 2️⃣3️⃣Dunloup Creek Falls is a roadside falls in the New River Gorge. Easy to reach and see, if a bit out of the way. Dunloup Creek is one of many creeks that tumbles into the New River Gorge. The creek drops over a 20' sandstone ledge about 2 miles from the river. The falls is located right along side Route 25. There is a small turnout by the falls, but otherwise there are no signs, fences or any other development here. The falls are visible from the turnout, but to get a good view you have to walk down the banks. There is a railroad on the other side of the creek. Like many hilly areas, the railroads and highways follow the gorges cut by the creeks through the hills. Most of the time the falls will have much less water. This is one waterfall that may look a bit more scenic at lower flows. 2️⃣4️⃣Wonder Falls (Height: 15 ft (4.6 m)) This scenic, wild and wide waterfall is one of the more impressive waterfalls in West Virginia. It is relatively easy to reach despite its remoteness. Wonder Falls is a wide 15 ft (4.6 m) drop on Big Sandy Creek. This is a high volume falls, as the "creek" could easily have been categorized as a river. The falls is run by rafts and kayakers and is a popular swimming hole. Reaching the falls is relatively straightforward. Depending on the type of vehicle you have. (From the instruction I read on how to reach the falls I would say a four wheel drive vehicle or a ATV would be best, it's a rough path.) A short distance beyond the fork you will reach the bridge over Big Sandy Creek. The bridge is interesting, and the river is pretty, but you will have to back track to find the road to the falls. There is a clearing above the falls that is obviously used a party spot. Some of the trees and shrubs have been cut down to provide a clear view of the falls. You can easily reach the edge of the falls, but there is no easy way down into the gorge below the falls. 2️⃣5️⃣Orb the Gorge is the newest adventure activity to make its way to the New River Gorge area, in West Virginia. Orbing, also known as Globe Riding, Sphering, or Zorbing, is the sport of rolling down a hill in a large inflatable ball made of plastic. You climb into a large, clear plastic ball, and roll almost 500 feet down a hill. There's actually a smaller ball suspended inside the large ball, and you'll be harnessed into that ball. Unless you choose H2Orb, in which case the harness will be substituted for a few gallons of water. Sort of like a cross between a water slide and a washing machine. Either way you're bound to come out grinning. And dizzy. Here's a quick checklist of other fun things that you can do around the New River Gorge: Zip Lining, Rafting, Canoeing, and Kayaking, Rock Climbing and Rappelling, Stand Up Paddleboarding, New River Jetboats and Hawks Nest Tram, Hiking, Biking, ATV Riding and Tours, Mud Obstacle Course, Horseback Riding, Paintball, Fishing, Geocaching, Boating, Camping, and Shopping. 2️⃣6️⃣The West Virginia Botanic Garden (WVBG) established in 1983 is a non-profit organization located in Morgantown, WV. The WVBG encompasses 85 acres and currently includes several miles of trails including a wetland boardwalk, a rich variety of natural habitats, and a number of garden areas. The WVBG also offers a wide variety of educational programs and special events throughout the year. The Garden offers free admission and is open to the public every day of the year, dawn to dusk. The West Virginia Botanic Garden is the former Tibbs Run Reservoir, which supplied water to the Morgantown area from 1912 to 1969. Some remnants of the old structures are still visible on the property. These structures can be seen from the Reservoir Loop Trail. Other trails include the Forest Trail, Tibbs Crossing Trail, and the Farside Trail. 2️⃣7️⃣Bissonnette Gardens! This beautiful, public garden display includes more than 30 flower beds, dozens of colorful hanging baskets, & multiple fountains. The Bissonnette Gardens (formerly known as Waddington Gardens) are a re-creation of the many gardens which existed at the summer home of Earl Oglebay in the early 1900s. For public enjoyment, these gardens have been recreated through a variety of floral displays that are known today as the Bissonnette Gardens. Visitors are encouraged to take a stroll down the meandering red brick path to enjoy the beauty of these flowerbeds, hanging baskets, and majestic trees. These lovely sites are accented by soft landscape lighting and water features. From mid-April through early May, guests are invited to admire the breathtaking beauty and vibrant colors of Tulips, Hyacinths, Pansies, and Daffodils. Through the month of June, guests will find the gardens filled with a wide array of annuals including park favorites such as Canna, Salvia, Celosia, Angelonia, Verbena, Petunia, and Geranium. As fall draws near and the leaves begin to change, so do the flower displays at The Hilltop. From mid-September to late October, guests may enjoy the warm, jewel-toned beauty of fall mums throughout the park. On The Hilltop, hard work and dedication are the foundation of their beautiful garden displays. From water features to the whimsical floral clock, their staff of 10 works countless hours from early spring through late fall to keep these gardens lush and beautiful. Their skilled staff spends the early summer planting more than 30 flowerbeds featuring a wide variety of colorful vegetation. Maintaining the beauty of The Hilltop is a labor of love, as staff members carefully prune, water, dead-head, re-plant, weed, and fertilize the grounds daily. This beautiful 16-acre garden was re-dedicated in September 1999 to Joseph F. Bissonnette who served as director of development for the Wheeling Park Commission from 1975 until 1992. In 2017, Bissonnette Gardens was enhanced with a new attraction – a captivating sculpture titled Miss West Virginia composed by local Wheeling artist Jeff Forster. Don’t miss this powerful work of art, located just outside the herb garden near Oglebay’s greenhouse on The Hilltop. 2️⃣8️⃣Fort Ashby is a historic stockade fort located in Fort Ashby, West Virginia, US. A military installation constructed during the French and Indian War, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On October 26, 1755, Colonel George Washington gave orders to build a stockade and fort on the East Side of Pattersons Creek. The fort was completed about six weeks later, commanded by Captain John Ashby and his 2nd Company of Rangers. He had orders from Colonel Washington to remain quiet as long as he could and to hold the fort as long as possible, but if necessary rather than surrender, he should burn it and try to escape to Fort Sellers on the east side of mouth of Patterson's Creek. The only major battle at Fort Ashby occurred in 1756 when Lieutenant Robert Rutherford and his Rangers were defeated by a band of French and Indians. It's the only standing unit in a chain of Indian forts that Col. George Washington built along Virginia frontier in 1755. The Friends of Ashby's Fort own Fort Ashby. The museum is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, March - November, and for special events. 2️⃣9️⃣Museum of Radio and Technology, located near the western end of Ritter Park in Huntington, West Virginia, gives you a personal hands-on education in the birth and growth of electronic communication and entertainment. Admission is free: donations are gratefully accepted. It is the only museum of its type within the state, and one of very few in the nation. One major section of the Museum of Radio and Technology is dedicated to the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame. West Virginia boasts a large number of persons who were instrumental in the initial days of broadcasting history. Pictures, a story book, and a wall of names provide an interesting area of the West Virginia Radio and Technology Museum for visitors. 🍃1920s-1930s radio shop: The tour begins with mechanical music reproduction in the pre-electrical era. 🍃1940s-1950s show room: Visit a typical radio and television store showroom of the era. There are tube and transistor radios, television sets, wire and tape recorders, and vintage turntables and tuners. 🍃Computer display: A "time line" of desktop computers from the IMSAI to the Mac and Lisa. 🍃Gift shop: Clothing, toys, books and magazines, antique and reproduction radios, even some floor-model wind-up Victrola phonographs, with records! 🍃Ham and short wave radios: Short-wave receivers and transmitters as used by "hams" and hobbyists. 🍃Military communication display: Contains various military radio and communication gear. 🍃Modern ham radios: Amateur radio station WV8MRT may be operated by any licensed visitor. 🍃Radio classroom: Facilities for teaching about electronics, including test equipment and illustrative circuit demonstrators. 🍃Harveytown School: Meet the children who sat in classes when our building was an elementary school, from the 1920s to the 1970s. 🍃Radio DJ studio: A working broadcast studio as used by platter-spinning disc jockeys from the early 1950s to the late 1990s. 🍃Broadcasting room: Radio and TV broadcast equipment including a massive 5000-watt AM transmitter from the 1930s. 🍃West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Honoring West Virginians who have figured in the history of broadcasting. 🍃The Library: Books, magazines and other publications about radio and electronics. Operating hours are limited but special tours may be arranged in advance.

There's lots to see and do in West Virginia. Definitely want to see West Virginia State Museum, it looks really interesting. Some of those our outstanding, another must see.

Sending squishy hugs!🐶💕🌷💕