If you’ve never been to West Virginia, I think I’d have to say you are truly missing out on an adventure that is full of inspiration, tranquility, and breathtaking sights that are hard to match anywhere else. Unlike other mountains in the US, these mountains seem so untapped; rich spoils of land that extend for miles and miles of heavenly beauty.  I say unspoiled because there are not throngs of tourists, eating establishments, amusement parks, or jams of automobiles; not even places to stay.  This surprised me but thrilled me at the same time.   To come here you have to actually want to be one in nature and appreciate all it has to offer.  Free of charge, free of stress, free of boundaries; this is why they call it-Wild, Wonderful, West Virginia.

            The Monongahela National Forest comprises one million acres of deep green forest and home for animals of all types to live and thrive alongside the naturalist enthusiast who do not require spa style creature comforts. Inside the forest was Harman West Virginia, our home for the next four days.   There were 16 adorable cabins equipped with all the comfortable amenities along with hot tubs and an outdoor fire pit. My nieces and I stayed in one beside an adorable creek bed lined with large round smooth rocks for serene refreshing walks.  A large porch with rockers for contemplation time looked directly at a large rocky mountain just eager for someone to climb its face.   The staff at Harman were more than accommodating with a long family history of operating this gem of a vacation spot. 

            Our first day was about a six-mile trek to Chimney Top Northfolk Trail with breathtaking views the whole way up. At the top, we walked the ridge line atop rocky cliffs that were around 1200 feet in height. The edges were chilling reminders of the wild dangers that one has to respect upon every step.  That evening we found few restaurants to choose from but some of the friendliest folks you ever want to meet.

            Day two we hiked the plateaus of Dolly Sod.  The Dolly Sod Wilderness has witnessed logging, fires, explosives, and climate changes thus altering the landscape. Nature seems to always prevail and today the scenery looks like a tundra you can find like those in the Rocky Mountains.   We didn’t spend a lot of time here but promised to come back and do this 206-acre wilderness forest inside the Allegheny Mountains another better-prepared time.  Leaving this area, we drove onto Seneca Rocks. This was my favorite.  A short hike up the trail we came upon the famous rock formations that appeared to be jutting straight up into the heavens.  This is a climber’s paradise. I didn’t see any this day but I promised to come back, take classes, and join the ranks of the Seneca Rocks climb team. I did venture out as far as I could before reluctantly turning back.  While sitting in appreciation at the top, the winds and thrill are hard to match and impossible to imagine.

            The last day and hike were in a valley that reminded me of the part of West Virginia where I grew up in the Tri State area.  Green, wild, with a fresh air feeling while a stream bed flowed beside our path as we walked deeper and deeper into the quiet forest.  I could feel suspicious animals’ eyes upon me waiting for the suspension of noise from my footsteps and my actual breathing to subside in order for them to continue on their own adventure. I could feel it as plain as I felt the ironic coolness of the air in the sweltering August month.  When in the mountains the temperature is cool and fresh so degrees don’t mean as much as they do here.

            And there you have it.  A sweet memorable trip with my wonderful nieces in a place that is near and dear to me and a great American secret; Wild Wonderful West Virginia.

            Monongahela is located 174 miles from Charleston, West Virginia and 164 miles west of Washington, DC.  Not easy to get to, but well worth the trip