My wife and I decided that during my week off we would embrace some of what West Virginia has to offer. I have lived in the state all my life, but too often I have gone through places and not stopped to enjoy our state’s many attractions.
Our first adventure was a hike on the North Fork Mountain Trail to Chimney Top. This is a challenging 5.5 mile out-and-back hike. The final stretch is especially rugged, but it is worth it.
The top of the ridge offers an expansive view of Germany Valley below and majestic rock outcrops at the top. The last scramble up Chimney Top rock is only for the brave (or the foolish) so we passed on that.
We arrived back at our car four-and-a-half hours later, tired but feeling accomplished, as well as exhilarated by the incredible views.
Our next stop was a state history lesson — West Virginia Independence Hall in Wheeling. I have covered news and events for over four decades, but I had never visited the state’s birthplace.
The old courtroom where West Virginia’s founders first created the “Restored Government of Virginia” has been fully renovated and a staff member gave us a tour and brief history lesson. The four-story building includes many artifacts and exhibits detailing West Virginia’s history.
Our state’s origin should be a source of pride for all West Virginians. As the website notes, “West Virginia is the only state formed from the Civil War … a state born of conviction, a state born advocating for and defending the United States of America, rather than the seceded states of America.”
Our final trip was to Harpers Ferry National Park, and it combined both history and hiking. I grew up in Jefferson County and have been to Harpers Ferry many times, but I never get tired of going back.
The town bills itself as a “confluence of history and nature.” The history is John Brown’s raid of the Federal Armory in 1859 where he hoped to begin a slave uprising. The nature is the many majestic views of the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers.
We hiked on the pedestrian bridge across the Potomac and then down and back a portion of the C&O Canal. Then we got a good workout climbing the steps and the trail from town to Jefferson Rock, and farther up to Harpers Cemetery.
The famous rock is named for Thomas Jefferson who stood there on Oct. 25, 1783. His description appeared in his “Notes on the State of Virginia” published two years later. “The passage of the Patowmac through the Blue Ridge is perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature.” His observation remains true today.
We wrapped up our day with a hike along the Appalachian Trail. We veered off onto the Loudoun Heights trail just far enough to get some great views back toward Harpers Ferry and farther up the Potomac.
Most of my life experiences with my home state have been about politics and the news. They are integral parts of being a West Virginian, but certainly not all. It’s important to recognize the rest of what our state has to offer.
We only scratched the surface last week, but these trips were impactful reminders of the adventure to be found in our own backyard.
