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.

[Mama_Bear]

Please Lord, I can't decide whether I prefer being crushed to death by the falling rocks or drown in the river below, so get me through this and don't give me these kinds of choices. LOL

Good grief! Sounds positively harrowing. LOL!

[dixie sass]

Haved pulled out the Green Tea and am brewing a potful right now.

[FreeTheHostages]

That's a very kind offer, and I thank you, but if I went to visit, I'd very much like to try out these lodges! But me and my honey might well take ya to lunch if we go your way. I'm in the process of thinking about what to do for Valentine's weekend, ya see, and I was thinking maybe we could see a state park there, weather permitting.

I kinda worry about all us city types coming up there too often and turning it into a suburb of DC -- but as long as we just visit and leave, I can't see the harm of spending tourist dollars there!

[WVNan]

I think one of the winter lodges would be a great "lovers" getaway for a weekend. Just enjoy the scenery while lounging in front of the fireplace with a warm drink. There are other fun things to do also. Sleigh rides, tubing, etc. Just remember that my offer stands, and be aware that I'm on the Ohio side of the state. We have some flat land over here by the river.

[WVNan]

Oh BTW, the tourist $$$$$$ are wonderful for WV. For over a hundred years the up East barron like the Rockefellers owned all the industry in WV, which was pretty much limited to coal mining and logging. They took all the resources, as well as the money out of WV and left it destitute. The state is now beginning to reclaim some of that money via tourism. Tourism brings money into the state instead of taking it out.

[The Thin Man]

Hi Mama_Bear..... hi WVNan.

To my great surprise I found this presentation to be quite good.

Even if it wasn't I'd still say it was good, because I'm afraid Nan might whack across the head. :-)

[WVNan]

Whack across the head?!!!!! Goodness TM, what ever gave you such an idea. I'm truly a gentle soul.....a bit fiesty, but gentle.

[Aquamarine]

Thanks Kudsman. You have a good one too. :)

[WVNan]

Here are the West Virginians who would whack you over the head just for looking at them.

They lived on either side of the Tug Fork: "Devil Anse" Hatfield of West Virginia and Randolph "Ranel" McCoy of Kentucky. Two families of spirited stock locked together in a deadly private feud. Some say it began over a hog. Others say it was the romance between Johnse Hatfield and Roseanna McCoy that sparked the feud. See here for more details. http://www.blueridgecountry.com/hatmac/hatmac.html

[Billie]

Lori and Nan, have just finished reading your opening post and all the comments - what a great job you two did! Beautiful pictures throughout, too! I can see you're having fun today. :)

I got such a kick out of that sauna, 5 star restaurant, etc! Such wonderful attractions! LOL!

Bigghurtt, looking forward to your Arkansas 'report' - it's wonderful when someone volunteers to help Lori with a state - sometimes it's the little things about a state that's not even mentioned in the searches!

Good morning, FRiends! Finest wishes for a great day and weekend!

[Aquamarine]

Think TMan remembers when you used to smack SAM around in fun over at the Canteen. " Smack! Snap out of it SAM!" LOL!

[Aquamarine]

Hi Billie. Love what you did with that bluebird gif!

[Billie]

Hi, Aqua - thanks! It's a little 'springy', but we can pretend. :)

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, Meekie. Thanks for linking to the thread celebrating Ronald Reagan's birthday. God bless him.

[Diver Dave]

Great presentation to our weekly travelogue at FR's Finest...

Nan, It's totally understandable why you love to call West Virginny home.

[The Thin Man]

Whack across the head?!!!!! Goodness TM, what ever gave you such an idea. I'm truly a gentle soul.....a bit fiesty, but gentle.

Oh, I'm so relieved to hear that. I guess I can now walk past you without wearing a helmet. :)

[Aquamarine]

I was going to link the historic Minutemen thread that Nan and I did together but can't remember the name of it! It's sitting in my old computer.

[Mama_Bear]

Those are yummy looking cinnamon rolls....but, I see where you've said that they are actually candles. Still look good enough to eat.

[The Thin Man]

Think TMan remembers when you used to smack SAM around in fun over at the Canteen.

I surprised at you Aqua. Starting rumors about Nan being the violent type.

An apology is in order.

:-)

[Mama_Bear]

"But experience teaches us that a pilot who keeps his eye on the hazard will sooner or later hit it dead center."

Very interesting observation.

Good morning afternoon, Rus. Thanks for the daily inspiration.