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Wonderful WEST VIRGINIA

Natural History, April, 2001 by Stephanie Fekety

NATURALLY WlLD ... SOMETIMES UNUSUAL

WEST VIRGINIA HAS A REPUTATION FOR awe-inspiring natural beauty, and for good reason, This scenic state offers visitors majestic mountains that show ever-changing scenery throughout all four seasons. The West Virginia that lies beneath the winter snow becomes a vision of pastel flora in the spring. And bright colors in the summer, turn into rich shades of red, orange and gold in the fall. shades of red, orange and gold in the fall.

Throughout state enclaves of natural wonder provide vacationers with examples of some of the most beautiful wilderness in the country. West Virginia has making great strides in preserving its cherished wilderness, so visitors can discover this naturally wild and wonderful state.

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For Vacationers who are naturalists at heart, stop by the Cranberry Glades nestled in a remote valley within the mountains of Pocahontas County. It is unusual to find cranberry bogs in the southern United States, but West Virginia, with the highest mean altitude of any state east of the Mississippi River, has four bogs that cover more than 600 acres.

Cranberry Botanical Area, within Cranberry Glades, has a number of plants that many people wouldn't expect to find in this region of the country, including the serviceberry, bog rosemary, and two varieties of cranberries that give the wilderness its name. In addition, Cranberry Glades is home to white-tailed deer, beaver, and black bear, as well as ruffed grouse and great blue herons.

Two of the bogs are open to the public and a large boardwalk allows visitors to view these pristine areas without disturbing them. The rest of Cranberry Botanical Area is reserved for scientific and educational programs.

Farther south, vacationers can take advantage of the New River Gorge area, a smaller version of the Grand Canyon that cuts a path through the mountains, nourishing the woodlands and offering both a recreational and vast conservation area. With more than 63,000 acres, the New River Gorge area is an outdoor lover's paradise. Visitors can take a whitewater rafting trip, hike one of the many trails, horse-back ride, fish, and even take a llama trek.

West Virginia pays as much attention to preserving a way of life as to preserving its natural resources. Tamarack with its crown-like roofline, is the only collection of arts and crafts in the country. For a hand-made nineteenth-century pattern quilt, or a piece of heirloom glass, Tamarack is the place to go. Visit this state treasure to sample some native West Virginian cuisine, music and entertainment.

One of the most associated with West Virginia is glassmaking. There are fewer than ten glass factories and stained glass creators in the state. Among them is Fenton Art Glass, located along the Ohio River in Williamstown, just north of Parkersburg. Started in 1905, the family-owned and operated Fenton Art Glass produces its wares the old fashioned way, and visitors are invited to watch the process during daily tours.

One of the most obvious cultural distinctions that is quintessentially West Virginia is its hospitality. West Virginians are proud of their natural and artistic wonders and enjoy playing host to visitor's. Call 1-888-call-wva or visit www.callwva.com to discover why West Virginia is indeed both wild and wonderful.

Wonderful WEST VIRGINIA

Natural History, April, 2001 by Stephanie Fekety

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