How I arrived here
This past week I have been spending my time studying online, going over maps, and reading the reference books I have on hand trying to settle on an area of coverage for this site.
I started out with a Physiographic Map of West Virginia I downloaded. Then I went to the WV Tourism site and tried to figure out their regional distribution. I decided to use the tourism site to name the regions and the map to pick the counties to include in my editorial coverage.
Overview
From the physiographic map the counties I picked to cover on this site are included in three physiographic provinces. In the far eastern edge of the easternmost county in West Virginia is a sliver of the Blue Ridge Province. Moving west we move into the Ridge and Valley Province. And furthest west, for the intents of this site is the Central Appalachian Province.
These physiographic provinces do not align with the Tourism Regions very well at all. But to make it easier to cross reference I will use the different regional designations that West Virginia has decided on. The regions (or partial regions) to be covered on this site are:
- The Eastern Panhandle Region – containing the only piece of the Blue Ridge Province in the state. Most of these three counties are in the Ridge and Valley Province.
- Potomac Highlands Region -Divided between the Ridge and Valley Province and the Central Appalachian Province in the northeastern part of the state.
- Mountaineer Country Region – The partial coverage of this region marks the western boundary of the Central Appalachian Province as it transitions into the Western Allegheny Plateau. Our coverage will stop at the plateau.
- Mountain Lakes Region – Coverage of this region will be relegated to the three counties in the eastern half.
- New River – Greenbriar Valley Region – Except for a sliver of Ridge and Valley Province running down the eastern edge of the state, most of this region is in the Central Appalachian Province.
The Counties
The Eastern Panhandle Region
Feel the tension ebb as you encounter the Eastern Panhandle’s picturesque towns nestled among rolling hills – only a stone’s throw from big city lights and bustle.
It’s a region steeped in Colonial and Civil War history, topped with right-now amenities: terrific shopping for antiques, crafts, fine art, contemporary housewares and clothing; lodging at resorts, spas, bed and breakfast inns and motels; relaxation and adventure on rivers, roads, raceways and golf courses; plus theater, cinema and fine dining, all within a remarkably compact three-county region.
- Morgan County
- Berkley County
- Jefferson County
Potomac Highlands Region
The Allegheny Mountain range raises its lofty spine, with peaks rising to 4,000 feet, right down the center of West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands. Much of this eight-county region is devoted to vast tracts of national and state forest and wilderness areas where wildlife, wetlands and rushing streams abound. Huge rock formations thrust themselves out of the earth, and miles of caves tunnel underneath. All of that makes the Potomac Highlands an unrivaled destination for outdoor adventures.
- Hampshire County
- Mineral County
- Tucker County
- Grant County
- Hardy County
- Randolph County
- Pendleton County
- Pocahontas County
Mountaineer Country Region
Mountaineer Country is a pleasing patchwork of old and new, high-tech and down-home, front-burner energy and back-porch relaxation. Start with the descendants of European immigrants who came in the last century to mine coal, lay railroads, cut timber and build factories. Add the mountain bikers, hikers, rafters, kayakers, rock climbers, sportsmen and nature lovers drawn by the region’s mountains, rivers, forests, lakes and trails.
- Preston County
- Monongalia County
- Marion County
- Taylor County
- Barbour County
Mountain Lakes Region
Water – sparkling, shining and tumbling over rocks – will lure you to the Mountain Lakes region and lull you into a dreamy serenity. It’s a peaceful place of forested mountains, lakes, rivers and streams, clear skies and starry mountain nights.
- Upshur County
- Webster County
- Nicholas County
New River – Greenbriar Valley Region
The rich natural resources of the New River/Greenbrier Valley have beckoned and rewarded explorers as far back as human memory reaches. Today these same rivers, forests, springs and mountains offer new treasures to a new generation of explorers. Each year, the region’s rivers float whitewater rafters, while rock climbers scale the walls of the ancient New River Gorge. Throughout the New River/Greenbrier Valley, miles and miles of trails lead hikers, bikers and horseback riders beside sparkling streams, past history-rich abandoned mining towns, out to spectacular scenic overlooks and into charming villages. Anglers and hunters find plentiful fish and game in wildlife management areas and state forests. And some of West Virginia’s most beautiful state and national parklands are here.
- Fayette County
- Greenbriar County
- Raleigh County
- Wyoming County
- Summers County
- Monroe County
- McDowell County
- Mercer County
More To Come…
In the coming months I will be spending time studying these areas and writing in more detail as I learn about the state and it’s people…