Visit a Boardwalk in the Heart of West Virginia!

A boardwalk in West Virginia - how can this be? When you think of a boardwalk you most likely think of a long stretch of walkway at your favorite seashore getaway, but did you know that West Virginia has it's very own boardwalk just without the beach? This boardwalk actually winds through the many bogs found within the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. Bogs are acidic wetlands typically found in Canada and the northern United States. Originally brought here by the glaciers, the four bogs of the Cranberry Glades contain life similar to the bogs or “muskegs” of the north. The ground in a bog is spongy and consists largely of partially-decayed plant material known as peat. Because of its unique conditions, some unusual plants grow in bogs, including carnivorous or insect-eating plants. In total, the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area encompasses 750 acres. The boardwalk extends for a half-mile through this area and allows visitors to experience all of the uniqueness of a bog without disturbing the unique and exotic ecosystem.

A stroll along this boardwalk is a great way to spend any afternoon and is actually #2 on my list of "101 Great and Affordable WV Family Vacation Activities" . Located off of the Highland Scenic Highway at the intersection of Rt 39 and Rt 150, admission to the area is entirely free and guided tours are conducted at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer months. Along the tour your family is sure to see several of the over 60 unique plant species in the bogs, many descended from seeds that took root here over 10,000 years ago. Wild animals are also known to frequent the Glades. Keep a watchful eye as you walk through the area and you might spy some of these wild animals: American Black Bear, WV Northern Flying Squirrel, Red-tailed Hawk, American Bald Eagle, Red Fox, coyote, White-tailed Deer, Cooper Hawk, and Eastern Screech-Owl.

Affordable WV Family Vacation Tip #1

Spend a day traveling the Highland Scenic Highway!

In my previous post I mentioned that I would be highlighting 101 great and affordable family vacation activities throughout West Virginia - my "101 things to do in WV list". Today I'm highlighting the first activity - The Highland Scenic Highway.

The Highland Scenic Highway is a designated National Scenic Byway. This byway winds it's way through over 40 miles of West Virginia beginning in Richwood, WV at Rt 39 and ending just north of Marlinton, WV at Rt 150. Don't think for a moment that traveling down this highway is just taking another trip down an ordinary road. This byway is more than just a road, along the way you'll be sure to encounter breathtaking views of the Allegheny Highlands, wetland bogs, trout-filled waters, a waterfall and hundreds of hiking trails at various points. It's estimated to take around 2 hours to drive the whole length of the highway but it's highly recommended to think instead about turning this 2-hour car or motorcycle ride into an entire day trip. Moreover - this day trip is absolutely family-friendly and totally affordable since all of the stops along the way are free meaning you don't have to spend a dime to enjoy them!

As an example of a fun and affordable activity along the Highland Scenic Highway, why not plan a great family picnic along one of the four developed scenic overlooks? Each overlook was specifically designed to enjoy the amazing views of the Allegheny Mountains and has a paved parking area, restrooms and picnic tables. The scenic overlooks are named Williams River, Big Spruce, Little Laurel and Big Lick and each are clearly noted along Rt 150. With amazing views stretching for miles an ordinary picnic will be transformed into a visionary masterpiece!

Affordable Family Vacations in West Virginia!

Or better titled --- 101 things to do in WV that won't break the bank!

In today's economy it's no secret that we are all looking for ways to cut back on expenses wherever possible. In following other blogs and social networking sites it's clear to me that there is a trend emerging where families are making their dollar go further and further in each and every thing that they do. This summer, planning the family vacation is proving to be no exception to this trend. In planning their vacations this year families are looking to stay closer to home, driving to their destination when possible, planning shorter stays and trimming down many of the frills associated with a typical vacation of the past.

Fortunately for many of us this "trim down" of the vacation can actually be done quite easily given there are so many great places to travel throughout our country. West Virginia, in all it's beauty, is no exception! Wherever you travel in this great state, there are countless things to do that will make great additions to your summer vacation and will be light on your wallet along the way. For most of the spring and summer I am planning on highlighting many of these great highlights of West Virginia - my "101 things to do in WV list" and I hope that you join me as I travel down the WV blogging road. I'll be focusing mainly on Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties, but I certainly welcome any other suggestions along the way! I'm going to shoot for 101 posts --hmmm....wonder if I can actually come up with more than that along the way?? Only time will tell so follow along with me and let's see!

Great local picture I just had to share!

I've been out and about in the "blogosphere" this evening seeing what's new throughout the great state of West Virginia. In my internet travels I stumbled across a really neat website located at http://www.twolanelivin.com devoted to publicizing a magazine of the same name - Two Lane Livin'. This magazine is a free publication distributed throughout Central West Virginia with articles focusing on local living and upcoming events. On the main page of this website I found the following picture:

This picture, taken by Lana Symes of Craigsville, was selected by Two Lane Livin' as the featured cover photo for May's edition of the magazine. After admiring the beautiful scenery in the picture for a few minutes it dawned on me that this is the same barn located a mere 10 minutes from our vacation property. I can't tell you how many times we've passed this location to get to and from our cabins and each and every time it looks as lovely as this great picture. The only thing missing from this scene above are the horses that tend to be out and about around the barn on any given day.

Enjoy!

Upcoming Attactions at Pocahontas County Opera House

If you check out the Pocahontas County Opera House website you will see that there are many great performances scheduled for April and May.

Coming April 17th @ 7:30pm - Muriel Anderson will be performing at the Opera House as part of her touring season. Muriel is known as one of the country's foremost finger-style guitarists.

April 18th - Muriel Anderson will be hosting a Guitar Workshop starting @10:00am in the Pocahontas County Parks and Recs office

April 24th @ 7:30pm - Andes Manta will be playing traditional Andes music at the Opera House using more than 35 different instruments.

May 8th @ 7:30pm - A benefit concert will be held. Local bluegrass musicians will be playing throughout the evening.

May 22nd @ 8:00pm - The Pocahontas County Drama Club will present "The Comet of St. Loomis" at the Opera House.

For more information and ticket sales, please refer to the Opera House Website at http://www.pocahontasoperahouse.org

Ramps are up in WV!

Shortly after we started spending time out in WV we were introduced to the local springtime delicacy simply known as the "ramp". No - not a ramp as typically defined by Webster's Dictionary - these ramps are members of the onion family and sprout from the ground in the Appalachian Mountains each and every spring. Ramps are typically found in groups with broad, smooth, light green leaves, often with deep purple or burgundy tints on the lower stems and a scallion-like bulb strongly rooted just beneath the surface of the soil. Both the white root and the broad green leaves are edible. They are found from the U.S. state of South Carolina to Canada and are especially popular in the cuisine of the US state of West Virginia when they emerge in the springtime. A common description of the flavor is like a combination of onions and strong garlic.
Ramp digging is especially popular this time of year and you can find local residents out and about searching and uprooting this local specialty. Ramp dinners are also quite popular right now and you can always find a local event in many counties throughout the state where ramps are served up many different ways. I've even stumbled across a few ramp entrepreneurs who sell local ramps on the internet. Interested in trying this culinary treat? - buyer beware - the lingering effects of the onion and garlic combination are sure to leave those around you wondering what you've gotten yourself into!!