 This past week, I spent several days in West Virginia hanging out with family and exploring the sights. Having family in WV, I have visited several times, but this time I got out and explored some of the most beautiful places I have seen. Arriving on Saturday gave me the chance to enjoy taco night at my aunt's house—a tradition in their home for decades, and one I love whenever I get the chance to join. They always make tacos with a 50/50 mix of deer and hamburger meat, along with all the toppings. You never know who will be there, but everyone is invited. On Monday, it was time to explore. Although I rented a car, my family decided that a flatlander like me driving in the mountains was a bad idea. Ultimately, I agreed. My cousin took me up to New River National Park and Preserve, which is the newest national park, having received its designation in 2020. There are four visitor centers, overlooks, and countless trails for hiking. If you visit on the third Saturday in October, you can experience Bridge Day by watching professionals base jump from the bridge. We stopped at the Canyon Rim Visitors Center, which has a great overlook for the bridge and the river. There is a small deck where you can view the bridge, but you need to go down the stairs to the next level to get the best view. There, you see the river and the bridge, and it’s spectacular. I will say, if you have any issues with stairs, use caution. There are several steps, but there are resting points. I was there at a great time of year, getting to see the colors of fall light up the landscape. The reds and yellows were out, and as my stay in West Virginia went on, they got even brighter. We headed over the bridge to Fayetteville for a great lunch at The Secret Society Sandwich Shop. The menu is made up of specialty sandwiches named after former presidents and first ladies. I had The Washington—a ham and white cheddar sandwich on a baguette with rosemary mayo and, get this, apple. So good. If you are visiting the area, I highly recommend having lunch here. After lunch, we took the Fayette Station Driving Tour to the bottom of the gorge and back up. The road is one-way and crosses the river on a replica of the bridge used for 100 years. You begin the route on the north side of the river and come out on the south side on US 19. Be cautious driving this road, as it winds up quite a bit and is narrow. It’s a must-do when you visit. On Tuesday, I went to downtown Charleston to walk along what is called The Boulevard, which runs beside the Kanawha River. Along the way, I saw historic homes and ended my walk at the State Capitol Complex. The building, with its gold dome, is absolutely beautiful.  On Wednesday, my other cousins, drove me up to Babcock State Park, which is not far from the New River National Park. You could easily visit both parks, along with Hawks Nest, in the same day. Babcock State Park is home to the Glade Creek Grist Mill, one of the most photographed sites in the world. My understanding is that it’s a replica of the Coppers Mill, which was located nearby. The mill’s location on the rocks, with the waterfall, was amazing. After taking a few pictures and browsing the gift shop, we headed up to a couple of overlooks of the valley. Again, the views were spectacular, showing why West Virginia is such a beautiful state. Rodney noticed that in the parking lot of the mill, cars from 15 different states were represented, highlighting how popular this area is. On the way home, we stopped in Ansted for a late lunch at a local restaurant called Gran Robbie’s—a quaint little café offering breakfast and lunch. The staff was very friendly, and the food was great. The funny part about this trip is that, despite visiting West Virginia several times, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much of it before. There is still so much more to explore, including places like Morgantown and Wheeling. In West Virginia, you’ll find 36 state parks and 9 state forests and countless small towns to explore. 
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