New River Gorge National Park, where it all began

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It’s no secret that national parks are my thing. I wanna see ‘em all. The fascination began three years ago in West Virginia when I first laid eyes on a National Parks Passport. It was love at first sight. A whirlwind romance stretching across twenty-some states, endless miles of tire wear, and hours of memory-making fun.

And it all began in at the New River Gorge, about twenty minutes from family.

My love affair has been contagious, drawing the family into its clutches. My kids now have their own passports, but I didn’t buy them until about a year after I got mine. So when we went back to West Virginia during Fall Break last week, naturally, we had to re-visit New River Gorge National Park.

If you skip the “billions of years” evolution part of the museum, the history in the gorge becomes fascinating. And personal. Jim’s great-grandpa was a miner. You can see him in the picture below. From the left, not counting those sitting, he’s the fifth one. The picture was taken in 1916 and hangs on our Mamaw and Papaw’s living room wall.

It was Mamaw’s dad that was the miner. Mamaw married into the military. She and Papaw (whose dad also worked in the mines) started the line of our military heritage by joining and retiring from the USAF. After that, he worked at the National Mine Academy. The academy’s mission is to reduce accidents and improve health for miners across America. Didn’t know there was one of those, did you? Yep. And my Papaw worked there for lotsa years.

We stumbled across the CD guided tour while in the park’s visitor’s center. If you’re ever there, ask for the CD. It’s free. Pop it into your car’s player while in the parking lot and listen as you drive the 100 year-old Fayette Station Road the miners took before the New River Gorge Bridge was completed in 1977. The road was the only way across the gorge until that time.

It’s windy and treacherous and absolutely breathtaking. I’ve included lots of fun pics, so you can enjoy a bit of the experience too.

We missed Bridge Day by a week. Super bummer! But if you’re in the Fayette, WV area THIS Saturday, October 20th, don’t miss it! Of course, if you do, it’s usually on national television. That’ll be the program where a bunch of half-crazed people are leaping off America’s second highest bridge and hoping to land someplace other than the water or trees.

This park excursion was the perfect addition to our lovely visit with family. Every time I visit, I learn a bit more about Hubby’s fascinating family history—excellent plot fodder. I smell a book in the making!

The fam at the top of the gorge.

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