By Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
Greeting us with brilliant red, yellow and orange foliage, a breath of crisp cool air and the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot, the autumn season calls us to linger outside a little longer and enjoy the natural beauty of the Mountain State. Whether you’re hiking the Appalachian Trail, enjoying the history of Babcock State Park or selecting your perfect pumpkin to carve, the opportunities for family fun and beautiful photos are abundant.
With more than 80 percent of the state covered in forest, all you need to do to see and experience Mother Nature’s handiwork is look out the closest window, as fall color is everywhere in the Mountain State. Recommended points of interest include the New River Gorge (a great place to mountain bike) and Harpers Ferry (a great place to capture a bit of history). If you’re looking to take a scenic drive, simply get in your car with family and friends and drive down any West Virginia country road. Don’t forget to check the weekly fall foliage report at www.wvforestry.com/fall_foliage.cfm, and tag your fall foliage photos with #WVFallColor.
One of the most popular ways to enjoy fall foliage is by train. Whether you choose Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, the New Tygart Flyer, Cheat Mountain Salamander, New River Train Excursions or the Durbin Rocket, there are many trips available that will take you into the heart of West Virginia’s mountains-including one that drops passengers off to spend the night in a caboose and another that includes eagle sightings on more than 90 percent of its excursions.
If you happen to live in an area where the leaves have peaked-or they’ve fallen due to recent rain and wind-grab your boots, pack up the kids and visit one of West Virginia’s “pick your own” farms. Be sure to have your camera ready for those special moments-picking the perfect pumpkin to take home and decorate, gathering a basket (or shirt-full) of apples for fresh pies and spending time with family (which is what it’s all about).
As the sun begins to set and the chill of autumn sets in, grab a flashlight and a couple friends to experience the history and heritage of the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville, first opened in 1876, or the Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in North America.
The opportunities to experience Wild, Wonderful West Virginia with our families and friends are plentiful-from winter snowflakes and spring blooms to long summer days and colorful fall foliage. No matter where this fall season takes you, I hope it’s filled with family fun and memories to last a lifetime. I encourage you to find your adventure at www.GoToWV.com and share your wild and wonderful stories and photos on Twitter with#GoToWV.
