A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day...02-06-04....WVNan's West Virginia

WVNan, Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997. Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

Please join us as we make a cyber-visit to another great state in this Union of ours. Today, WVNan is presenting her beautiful state of West Virginia. She has provided all the research, text and photos for this presentation. Thank you Nan, for showing us around your Fine state.

Over the past year each "Finest" hostess has profiled her home state and I have been presenting the other states in random order. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would love to have your input on what you would like to see highlighted.

These are the states we have presented to date:

05-23-03 Alabama 06-27-03 Maryland 07-11-03 Vermont 07-25-03 Utah 08-05-03 Texas 08-22-03 Nevada 08-26-03 Wash DC 09-05-03 Tennessee 09-17-03 Florida

09-19-03 Minnesota 10-03-03 New Mexico 10-14-03 Georgia 10-17-03 Louisiana 10-22-03 Michigan 11-04-03 South Dakota 11-14-03 California 01-09-04 South Carolina

As we present each of our 50 states we also salute the proud FReepers who call their state 'home'.

The Great Seal of West Virginia was adopted by the Legislature on September 26, 1863. The seal bears the legend, State of West Virginia, together with the motto, "Montani Semper Liberi" (Mountaineers Are Always Free) A farmer stands to the right and a miner to the left of a large rock bearing the date of admission to the Union, June 20, 1863. In front of the rock are two hunters' rifles with a Phygerian Cap, or "Cap of Liberty", resting at the cross of the rifles.

Click HERE to explore the eight
geographical regions of West Virginia.





The golden domed State Capitol in Charleston, WV.

West Virginia’s history is all about people – the ones who made their mark on the Mountain State, and the caretakers who have preserved their memories. The caretakers of West Virginia’s rich history bring the past to life for visitors through the reenactment of Civil War battles, the dramatization of historic events for theater audiences, the repair and reconstruction of important sites, and the careful retelling of events that have affected the state and the nation. Every region of the state has, in unique ways, captured moments in history, making it possible for visitors to step back in time. Many key sites are connected by easy-to-follow heritage trails that link places and events. You can walk the cobblestone streets of a town that looks as it did during the Civil War, tour a coal mine that was active in the 1890s, ride antique trains that once hauled timber from the hills, or visit the restored homes of world-famous West Virginians. History here is close, it’s personal and it’s accessible to anyone with a thirst for knowledge.

The pioneers of Western Virginia were a proud and rugged people, yet they are also a very religious people.

Baptizing in the river.

When the New England coal barons came to the mountains, many of the mountain men sold their soul to the company for empty promises. The exploitation kept most West Virginian families in poverty.

Along with the coal mining came the rape of the forests.

A typical coal town in 1920.

More than 200,000 acres of this great state have been set aside as state parks, forests and wildlife management areas. These sites offer West Virginians and visitors areas of pristine, scenic beauty, natural wonders, and historical significance as well as recreational enjoyment.

West Virginia State Park Tours




West Virginia is one of the premier states in the Eastern United States that offers all types of wilderness and outdoor adventures. World class whitewater rafting is found on the New River and the Gauley River. The lower New River is called the Grand Canyon of the East.

Seneca Rocks and the New River Gorge offer extreme rock climbing challenges. There are seven ski resorts in West Virginia that offer the finest skiing in the East, as well as Cross Country Skiing, Snowboarding, Sledding and Snow Tubing. Mountain Biking and Horseback Riding are popular, and who can resist the thrill of Base Jumping from the New River Gorge Bridge on Bridge Day?

Do you long for tamer pursuits? Check out the hundreds of mountain lodges, resorts, golf courses and fishing spots. Pamper yourself at the famous Greenbrier Resort. And, on your way home be sure and stop at the Tamarack near Beckley, WV and feast your eyes and your palate on West Virginia crafts and food, all under one roof.




West Virginia has been depicted as "hillbilly" country, and that is certainly true. We take those criticisms with humor and play into the stereotype when it benefits us. In that vein here are some pictures of the "other" West Virginia.

We hope you have enjoyed your brief trip through our beloved state. There are more adventures awaiting you in West Virginia. So pack up the car and the kids and plan the vacation of a lifetime in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.

Have a nice FRiday and a great weekend!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 02-02-04...Military Monday 02-03-04...February is Funnest at the Finest 02-04-04...Meet GailA's Freedom's Rocket! 02-05-04...JohnHuang2 - John's Two Cents

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45MAN danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[dixie sass]

That's a pretty blue bird!

[dixie sass]

Yes, I do believe she is Lori. I can understand exactly why, even though it's soooooooooooooooooooo far from the ocean it is beautiful and romantic.

[dixie sass]

Pippy Pippin!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you get a computer at home soon. Sure do miss seeing you all the time!

[dixie sass]

It sounds like you kept it with you.

[dixie sass]

The green tea is good. The fragrance of the tea calming!

[dixie sass]

I couldn't believe it was in the '70's - then it rained! Getting into the wild and wooly pre-spring weather. We were under a tornado something or the other, so I was off line for a long time tonight.

[dixie sass]

Wow, he's a good looking young man and very talented!

[dixie sass]

Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, take notes kids. These two can really getcha laughing and giggling until all dawn, take a fifteen minute nap and start all over again!

[dixie sass]

You know when she's quiet and tappping those toes, she's got something up her sleeve...

[dixie sass]

That was a good JAG tonight. Had tears in my eyes when the Sec made that statement from the witness chair and well, had tears in my eyes when they found the little boy and (sniff, sniff)...

[dixie sass]

Sighhhhhhh, by the time I got back on, everyone had gone to bed.

So, just in cast anyone looks in, night all, and sweet dreams.

[ZOTnot]

Nan, Mama,

Thanks for this tour!! I have been to the site three times today amongst all the busy things all of us seem to be doing. Responding to earlier posts, let me mention a few from my own travels: Someone wanted to know the best parks for winter views. One must check with the state police for travel conditions, but winter vistas can be stunning at Hawk's Nest, Babcock, and Pipestem state parks. Hawk's Nest and (if I am not mistaken) Pipestem, each have aerial trams to lower lodges next to valley streams but these may be closed during winter months.

For history, and much less known, try the Marlinton area, with the Pearl Buck Birthplace, and Droop Mountain Battlefield. Near there is Watoga state park which is truly RUSTIC, with fewer vistas, but absolutely teeming with wildlife (bear, deer, panthers/mountain lions), and certainly with winter sights to behold under towering, snow-covered pines among barren winter hardwoods, draped over frozen mountain streams.

For nature buffs, Cranberry Glades and Dolly Sods, also in that region. Also, The Falls at Hills Creek, which cascade down steep mountains in a series of three falls, the largest being at the bottom. (It may not be accessible in the winter months however).

Not far away, for bed and breakfast buffs (and history buffs)is a place just outside of Marlinton known as Jerico. The owner has a main (victorian) farmhouse, circa 1910-1920 with several guest rooms. In addition, he and his son have found and purchased civil-war era cabins which they have numbered piece by piece, dismantled, and then reconstructed on their own properties. Probably 6-8 cabins in all which are each unique, and none too rustic after all, with most having heated (outdoor)jaccuzzi's for use in winter and in the cooler months of fall and spring (and wood-burning fireplaces behind glass doors inside).

If I am not mistaken, there is a West Virginia Bed and Breakfast website which profiles many places in this region. There may be upwards of 30 or so.

There is the old Pence Springs hotel and resort further south which also served as a women's prison. It is being restored floor by floor and on some weekends, offers special theme parties. Be sure if you stay to ask for the HUGE (not 'hugh', fellow Freepers...) bedroom in the center of the second floor. Nothing like it in any place I have ever known. Cost is surprisingly not prohibitive...

In Monroe County is a place called Salt Sulphur Springs. There is an impressive Manor house, with much history, an orchestra pit overlooking the main living room/ball room, and with outbuildings which now serve as bed and breakfast types of accommodations. (Call ahead first). It is pre-Civil War if I am not mistaken.

Lewisburg in the same region has the old Greenbrier Military Institute, the Carnegie Center for Fine Arts, the General Lewis Inn, a Civil War cemetery and a number of quite FINE restaurants and shops. The town seems nearly out of place in WV, moreso like far southern genteel towns in Virginia and North Carolina. As they say here, 'money folk' live there...

The Greenbrier Resort is there also, but there may be new travel restrictions due to recent terrorism alerts, so once again, people may wish to call ahead. It is the site also of the bunker to which Congress would have been sent during the Cold War in the event of a Russian nuclear attack.

I live in the far western part of WV, but these places are in the more mountainous (vistas, mists, Blue Ridge, God's country, Almost Heaven) regions in the southeastern part of the state, nearer the border with Virginia.

I could go on....but the post is becoming rather rambling...

Please, anyone, feel free to FReepMail me for additional ideas, or in order to elaborate on anything herein.

[ZOTnot]

and Dixie,

You are actually the one to get me motivated to respond to this thread with my rambling post! For the life of me, I am wracking my brain trying to figure out if one was traveling from South Carolina to Pennsylvania, which town they would have stopped in, with a restaurant on the hilltop, which served hot cereal with real cream!...

Thanks for torturing me! LOL

[MEG33]

Wonderful,beautiful.Thank you!

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, Meg. Have a great weekend.

Good Morning, Folks!
Come on over,
the weekend starts HERE!

[dixie sass]

Lol, didn't mean to torture you. We came up Columbia to Wilmington, NC through Virginia to WV on our way to Entriken, PA. We came back through Gettysburgh and DC and Arlington. Spending the whole summer with my Grandmomma and doing all that traveling was the most wonderful and most memorable summer of my life.

[ST.LOUIE1]

(((((((WOLFIE))))))!!!!! We miss you on a daily basis.
The place is never the same without ye.

: ) : ) Nice to be missed. : )

I've missed you, pretty Nan. : )

[WVNan]

Came back to your comments. I may send them over to the week-end thread because most everyone missed them. You added a lot of the places that I would have mentioned except for limited space. Couldn't get all of it in. Thanks for helping.

[ZOTnot]

Y'r welcome, Nan. You inspired me!

[ZOTnot]

....Entriken....if you can help me figure out which section of PA that happens to be, I might help you finally pinpoint the hilltop restaurant or at least some towns you may have passed through.