The GBT (Green Bank Telescope)

We just drove a short distance from Cass to Green Bank. In the town of Green Bank, there is the Green Bank Radio Observatory. We took a guided tour that helped us learn a little about Radio Astronomy. We got to see some different radio telescopes. We rode a bus to go out to the GBT. It was so huge! We could not get a digital picture up close because digital devices are not allowed beyond a certain point because they cause interference. Here is a picture I took from an overlook. Look closely to see telescope....it was a misty evening!

Riding the Train at Cass

We just got back from a great adventure! We explored the town of Cass which was an old lumber boom town. Much of the town has been restored so that vistors, like us, can see what it was really like to live in a town like this about 100 years ago. The coolest part of the trip was that we got to ride a train up the mountain. The two hour adventure was very neat. We learned what it was like to be in the logging industry so long ago. Amazing!

Mass at St. Bernard Chapel

We just went to mass at Saint Bernard Chapel. It is a beautiful church located at the top of Snowshoe Mountain. St Bernard's offers Catholic and non-Denominational worship services each week. We celebrated Pentecost today. I am glad I got to go to church here today.

Spruce Knob

After Cathy and Jenn's hike to the top of Seneca Rocks, we stopped to eat a great lunch at a restaurant that looked like a log cabin. That was the perfect stop before we made the trek to Spruce Knob, the tallest place in West Virginia! We drove up and up...and up!!!

The road turned into a narrow dirt road about 1/2 up the mountain. We all realized that this part of our state is very rural.

We stopped along the way and got some pictures of the scenery as we climbed the mountain.

We made it to the top and took a 1/2 mile trail that wrapped around the top of Spruce Knob. It felt much colder than it was at the bottom of the mountain. The view was great. I am glad Cathy and Jenn took me on this hike. I got to see many beautiful views. We ended the hike at the observation tower. I noticed so many of the trees had branches on only one side of their trunk. Cathy and Jenn told me that was from the wind and weather.

Seneca Rocks

Today we started our day by taking a nice long drive to get to Seneca Rocks. The road was very windy and we drove up and down mountains. I am so glad that I do not get car sickness! We spent a lot of time at Seneca. We went to the Vistor's Center and learned a little history. We spent some times looking at the huge rock formation. Check out the picture I took of the amazing geographic feature.

Cathy and Jenn decided to take the 1 1/2 mile hike up to the top of Seneca Rocks. They knew that they would probably have to carry me most of the way and decided to leave at the Discovery Center. That was fine with me because they have a bunch of chairs that you can relax on and look up at the Rocks.

Cathy and Jenn were gone for about 3 hours. They told me that the hike was so much fun. It was a great workout. They took this picture(right) of part of the trail.

Cathy and Jenn said the view from the top was well worth the hike! They said that they spent time looking at the beautiful view and eating a healthy snack before the headed back down the mountain! I am so glad they took pictures (left) to share with me.

Beartown and Droop Mountain

We just stopped at Beartown. A little bear like me felt right at home! There was a great path through huge rocks that have been shaped over time. We enjoyed our hike. It was so peaceful and quiet. We stopped and listened to all the sounds of nature.

Our last stop of the day was Droop Mountain. This was the spot of the last significant civil war battle in West Virginia. The view from the Overlook tower was amazing. (below)

The Greenbrier

The Greenbrier was our next stop. This is an amazing resort located White Sulphur Springs. The current hotel was built in 1913. We really enjoyed walking around the grounds. We found the springhouse(right). In the 1700's people came to the resort to take the waters to restore their health.

Lost World Caverns

After a great lunch in historic Lewisburg, we decided to go explore the Lost World Caverns. This was one of the places our friends in Beckley wanted us to see. It was great! We took a self- guided 45 minute tour. Cathy and Jenn pointed out all the cool stalagmites and stalactites to me. Check out these pictures!

Lots to see on I-64

Our first stop after the school was the Exhibition Coal Mine. We spent some time exploring the coal town behind the vistor's center. There was an exhibit called "History on the Road" from Jackson's Mill. It was neat. We were not able to take the trip down into the coal mine. It is closed until 2008. We will definetly have to make another trip here! This would make a great field trip.

Our next stop was Sandstone Falls. Wow- what a view. Check out the picture I took from the overlook.

We are headed to Lewisburg for lunch!

A Classroom Visit

My friends, Jenn, Cathy, and I visited St. Francis de Sales School in Beckley this morning. The 4th graders taught me a lot about the state of West Virginia. There are so many things to do. I don't think we will have time to do it all. I trust Jenn and Cathy will take me to some great places today. Thank you 4th grade for all of the great information!

New River Gorge Bridge

We have stopped at two scenic overlooks along Route 19 South. The first was at the top of a mountain looking into the valley below, the other was at the New River Gorge Bridge(left). The day is hot, humid and "misty". You can see that in the pictures. Everything is s0 beautiful and wild and wonderful.

Side Trip Along the Way

We are on the road and headed south on I-79. We take a quick side trip to Stone Wall Jackson Lake Resort Park for a photo at the lake and now we are back on I-79 headed towards Flatwoods. Beckley here we come!

Let's get on the road!

Hello! My name is Coal. I am getting ready to go an adventure around the state of West Viginia. I live in Wheeling and today I will be traveling to Beckley.It is a beautiful day for a drive. I am so thankful that my friends, Cathy and Jenn, will be the drivers so that I can sit back and relax. There is so much beautiful scenery as we travel from Wheeling to Beckley!