I'm vacationing in WV soon. What do I need to know?

[Curmudgeoness]

I have a week booked at a state park in WV and I am sooooo looking forward to getting away from work for a week. But West Virginia? I am not sure what to expect. But I can't wait.

[LiberalAndProud]

1. Almost heaven, or so I've heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN86d0CdgHQ

[Curmudgeoness]

5. Oh, I am hoping so!!! Thanks for that song, I forgot about it.

And I always loved that song. I wanted to get away from it all, and I am hoping that this is the place for it.

[Aristus]

2. Steer clear of the slag heaps where beautiful mountains used to be.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. Oh god, that breaks my heart. I am hoping not to see that

when I get there. I have heard about this happening all over WV, and I cannot imagine the destruction. I used to get sick when I saw strip mining and clear cuts, but this tops it all.

[HopeHoops]

3. Your cousin's address.

[Curmudgeoness]

7. I'm not looking for a husband right now. nt

[Iggo]

4. They won't expedite my sound trap order.

:mad:

[Curmudgeoness]

8. Huh?

[nolabear]

RandomThoughts, is that you?

[Curmudgeoness]

12. Feels that way, doesn't it?

Except that there was no crying about beer and travel money. RIP RT.

[nolabear]

10. RandomThoughts, is that you?

[larwdem]

9. lookup

bob kincaid, the only born and breed liberal in west virgina

[Curmudgeoness]

14. He must have been very very lonely.

But I can't believe that there are no other liberals in WV. Makes me think, with all the poor and union coal miners, this should not even be a conservative state. Well, there will be one liberal there for a week soon.

[larwdem]

18. bob

bob kincaid is a liberal radio talk show Host. his opening line is I'm the only born and breed liberal in west virgina you can liston to him on www.whiterosesociety.org
the bob kincaid show. no joke :patriot:

[ileus]

51. It's not state level, congress and senate democrats rule.

Once in a while they'll vote for a republican governor....for some reason the state has voted republican during presidental elections for several years, but all other levels Democrats rule.

I'm here in Southern WV today as I am almost everyday. I don't live in WV but moved after 36 years in 2006....WV is a nice state.

[Staph]

11. Ignore the idjits here on DU

with the stale jokes, the ones who have never been to West Virginia. If you'd like some information on where to go and what to see, just ask.

Our state park system is one of the state's jewels. Many of the parks were built in the 1920s and 1930s (some by the CCC), with a solidity that you don't see in the ticky-tacky junk built in the 1960s and later.

If you want noise and people and bright lights and the big city for your vacation, you've come to the wrong place. If you want peace and quiet, clean air, a grand view of the Milky Way, adrenaline-junkie sports (including whitewater rafting and kayaking and rock climbing), less intense sports (hunting, fishing, golf, hiking), or just the chance to be still and clear your mind, then West Virginia's state parks are the place to go.

For more info, check us out at http://www.wvstateparks.com/

[Curmudgeoness]

13. Thanks for making me feel that I made a good decision.

I have already been to that site, and actually found a park to try out. You are right that this will be a peace and quiet vacation. I will be going to Holly River State Park and the cabins were built by the CCC. There isn't a great deal to do at this park, but hiking and just plain being in the woods is what I was hoping for. I would have enjoyed kayaking too, but there seems to be nothing close by for that. Next vacation!

I was thinking that if I feel the need for a little entertainment beyond nature, I may head up to Elkins for a Blues Concert or some Bluegrass. But that is only if I think that having people around would be a good idea. (You can see that nothing much is in stone.)

And I don't mind the stale jokes. Actually, I had a few going through my mind when my sister and I decided on WV. I will let you know how it goes, and if it is as wonderful as it looks, I will make sure to give credit to WV.

[Rhythm]

15. Ah... so you're here in the Wild and Wonderful as well?

We (meaning me, Lyric, LeftyClimber and Mr. LeftyClimber) all live up in Morgantown! :-)

[Curmudgeoness]

20. I will be driving right past you on the way down.

Embarrassingly, I live in PA and have not ever been to WV.

I'll wave as I drive by the Morgantown exit!

[Rhythm]

30. You should stop in some time... we don't bite --->

much.

[Curmudgeoness]

33. I can picture this now. I walk into Gibbie's on a Sunday afternoon

and ask if Rhythm and Lyric and Mr and Mrs Lefty Climber are around. And I get this bizarre look from a hot chick in a little outfit. Are you one of the hot babes in the picture on their website? Actually, I will probably be too excited to get there on the way there, and too tired on the way home. But if this is a nice place, I would plan to be back. It is about a 5 hour drive from home.

[Rhythm]

37. Check your PMs...

:hi:

[Staph]

38. Born and raised in Morgantown

WVU grad, now in the Charleston area.

I'm guessing two music lovers (Rhythm and Lyric) and a couple of outdoor rec fans (the LeftyClimbers). Am I close?

[Rhythm]

44. Lyric is also a native Morgantowner!

She and i are non-trad undergrads at WVU (English majors)...
LeftyClimber just completed her PhD here.

Lyric's a writer, specializing in poetry and the occasional song lyrics.
My username here occurred during the last "name-change window," and was designed to complement hers. What musical background i have is in assorted brass instruments.

And yep, the Lefty's are both active in assorted outdoor rec activities!

[whistler162]

16. It is very flat!

[Curmudgeoness]

21. That's good. Because hiking up mountains just drains me!

[Swede]

17. Beware the mothman.

:shrug:

[Curmudgeoness]

22. Uh, ok. I will.

[Lyric]

19. Which park will you be in?

There are a bunch of us who live in north central WV.

:hi:

[Curmudgeoness]

23. Have a cabin rented at Holly River.

Rhythm just said that you all are in Morgantown. I'll give a wave as I pass the exit for Morgantown on the way down I-79 from PA. I guess I will be looking for the Buckhannon exit a ways down from you.

[KamaAina]

24. On your way in and/or out, stop at Gibbie's in Morgantown

delicious food served up by Rhythm herself, and if you're lucky, it'll be trivia night, so you can get your brains beat in by her, Lyric, and Lefty Climber. :-)

[Curmudgeoness]

27. Hey, cool, I love having my brains beat in.

Actually will be driving back and forth on Sundays. Doubtful it will be at night, so I will have to pass on trivia night this time around. Although that would be fun. I suck at trivia. This old brain has had to delete a lot of memory to make room for the new stuff.

[Rhythm]

43. Ah... my reputation almost precedes me!

:bows:

[blueamy66]

25. DON'T WATCH WRONG TURN!!!!!!

:-)

[Curmudgeoness]

26. Huh? That must be on cable? A TV show?

:shrug:

I don't have cable, so I am immune from it. But that makes me think, I had better not lose my directions!

[blueamy66]

28. I could send you my dvd....yes, I paid $5 for it

it's about a group of college kids who go "camping/hiking" in W VA and get mixed up with some cannibalistic, inbred W VA crazies......stupid movie, but I am hooked......check IMDB

[Curmudgeoness]

29. Uhm, since I am camping/hiking in WV, I think I will pass.

Although I very much appreciate the offer. I think. I am old enough to remember Deliverance. I think that was set in WV, but could be any state with a reputation for inbred crazies.

:yoiks:

I intend on proving those reputations wrong and having a wonderful time.

[blueamy66]

36. worse than deliverance

my fiance thinks I'm sick for even buying it

what can I say? :-)

[Petrushka]

41. Bunch of scaredy-cats frightened by a twangin' banjo . . . went too far by making that "Wrong Turn"

. . . movie . . . in Canada!!!1!










:wtf:



Edited to add:

"Deliverance" had nothing to do with West Virginia or West Virginians. Georgia and Georgians, however, are (**uh**) obviously not about to set the record straight. So . . . lookee here, folks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deliverance



:spank:

[Curmudgeoness]

45. I had a feeling that if I was wrong about that, someone would

spank me. Just don't stop!

Really though, I am not afraid or I would not be heading there. And I love banjo pickin. I still don't want to know about Wrong Turn though.

[Petrushka]

49. That movie was so awful, it became a cult flick---and, now, there's a Wrong Turn 2, 3, and 4!!!1!

:crazy:





P.S.
As a West Virginia native who, after 73 years, recently relocated to the
flatlands of central Ahia, I'm missin' the hills and hollers back home---so,
naturally, I believe you're likely to be fallin' in love with my olde home-State.

:hi:

[Shagbark Hickory]

31. Flies, humidity, high heat, possible bear encounters, thunderstorms, terrorism, crime, poison ivy

I think I laid out some of the risks for you.

Seriously, have a great time anyway though. Which park?

[Curmudgeoness]

32. Got a cabin at Holly River, south of Buckhannon for a week.

Sounds like lots of fun from your perspective. Terrorism???? OMG OMG OMG.

[Shagbark Hickory]

34. Never been there.

I was trying to mimic the travel advisories from the state dept. They include every conceivable risk it seems.

[Curmudgeoness]

35. It looked to be one of the smaller parks. Pictures looked really nice.

Sounded peaceful (ah, I need that). The cabins were built by the CCC in the 1930's and look really nice. We shall see.

[Dappleganger]

39. We used to go almost yearly to WV and stay in a group of cabins w/friends.

Our kids (all small then) would go from cabin to cabin eating one meal after the other, hehe.

Leave your watch at home. Bring a camera. Don't expect your cell phone to work in the valley or 'hollers'. Eat where the locals eat (especial cops, they tend to find the best food and value). Do take a train ride if you can, it's definitely worth it. If you can hike on an old coal trail, do that too. Find one of those mushrooms that gets hard after a day or so, you can write on it to commemorate your stay. We called them writing mushrooms, don't know the scientific name.

The place we stayed at was Kumbrabow State Park, always with at least a year's reservation in advance. There were about 5 families who would go and we watched our kids grow up together...I really miss those sweet vacations. :(

[Curmudgeoness]

46. As a mushroom lover, I will suggest

that you are talking about Artist's Conk (Ganoderma applanatum) for commemorating my passing by.

We will be at Holly River State Park, which is not one of the most popular, maybe because there is not a great deal to do there. Just what I am looking for!

Too bad you don't go anymore. You should decide to go back for the memories and to make new ones.

[Kaleva]

40. The bi-weekly Deliverance Reenactment Festival isn't for everyone

[Petrushka]

42. Isn't that particular festival held in Georgia?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deliverance




:shrug:

[Pool Hall Ace]

47. Absolutely gorgeous state.

Just thinking about the beauty of West Virgina relaxes me . . . take lots of pics and share with us! :hi:

[Curmudgeoness]

48. I will take lots of pictures. Now as to the sharing,

that will be a challenge since I only figured it out once after hours of trying. But....I do have to learn. I will promise pictures, somehow.

I hope that it relaxes me. Life is too hectic, and that is all that I want right now.

[provis99]

50. don't tell any Hatfields that your name is McCoy.

[Curmudgeoness]

55. Or vice versa. Gotcha. nt

[RedCloud]

52. Watch the informative documentary flick, "The Hills Have Thighs"

Pretty much explains what will happen next.

[Curmudgeoness]

56. I think I'll pass. Just like I passed on Wrong Turn.

But thanks for the suggestion. :hi:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

53. be afraid.

I live here.

[Curmudgeoness]

57. And I should be afraid

of you??? :hi:

[krispos42]

54. You need a VW for WV

:-)

[jmowreader]

58. Do NOT get behind a truck in WV

The entire state of West Virginia was built on the side of a hill, and they go straight up.

[StevesRedLens]

59. This Article Mentions Some Nice Places to Visit

http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/outdoors-travel/trip-guides/the-next-great-mountain-towns/2/

[spinbaby]

60. Summersville, WV is a speed trap

When the speed limit suddenly drops just outside of Summersville, pay attention--they will ticket you for doing less than 10 MPH over the speed limit.

[Zorra]

61. "when you hear the banjo play, turn and run the other way" nt

[LibertyLover]

62. I don't know if this winery is near where you'll be camping, but

it has a very nice wine selection. http://www.wvwines.com/home_ie6 It's called The Forks of Cheat Winery. Have a good vacation, and remember, if you hear banjo music, run.:)