photo by Okey L. King

.....There are a number of areas to visit in this great area, and I will try to include something from each. On October 17th, my deacon Woody Cox and I visited Thurmond where we made a number of photos and walked some trails. The easiest way into Thrumond is to go by way of Glen Jean. But, if you enjoy adventure, you can venture upon the narrow mountain road that meanders from Prince to Thurmond through wild gorge country. The photo above is of a vesta found along this route. You will also pass places that used to be but are not like Alaska. At times the road plunges into deep side canyons to cross streams that join the New River along the way to Thurmond

photo by Okey L. King

.....To enter Thurmond, you drive or walk across this old railroad bridge. The downstream side of the bridge is still used by an active railway which climbs to the high ground south of the river to such destinations as Oak Hill and Beckley. The old railway servs many little mining towns along the way. During the boom years, the rails of this bridge were kept warm by the many trains that made possible the beehive of activity that, except for perhaps on Sunday, was a everyday happening in that day.
.....You may have noted the homes that cling to the canyon wall in the background of the photo. While I was riding with Woody down the canyon road, I saw one home that seemed to be perched on such a steep slope that a resident of that house might be in danger of falling out of the yard. These are hardy folks indeed.

photo by Okey L. King

.....This is the old depot at Thurmond as it has be restored by the National Park Service. This has been one of the most sensible uses of Tax Payers money as Thurmond has become one of the most popular places to visit in the Eastern United States.
photo by Okey L. King
......This is just one of the realistic displays found on the second floor of the old depot. It is a reminder that Thurmond was the home and workplace of many everyday working Americans. These folks, some may have been membes of your family, lived, worked, died, or just moved on here in this old boomtown. They were folks just like you and I.

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Hiking and Biking in the New River Gorge National River Area

Hiking Pipestem in February:click on the deer

Old Towns in the New River Gorge

Sandstone Falls

photo by Okey L. King

-----A quiet section of Sandstone Falls on New River seen from the boardwalk that allows a visitor to see a close up view of the falls. This is a must place to visit when you come to West Virginia.

-----To reach Sandstone Falls from I-64, exit at Sandstone, and follow Route 20 south to Hinton. After you leave Sandstone, the highway will cross a mountain. From the top of this mountain, you will be able to see Sandstone Falls. However you will have a scenic drive of a number of miles before you reach the recreation area which is on the other side of the river.

-----From Hinton, you will cross the river and make a right at the end of the bridge. You will follow this road downriver to Sandstone Falls. Along the way, you will pass many beautiful views of the river as well as a smaller falls called Brooks Falls. Along the river, you will find prime fishing.

-----When you reach Sandstone Falls, you will find a parking lot and a nice picnic area. But, most of all you will find a great boardwalk that will take you all the way out to the main channel of the river. Along the way, you will find rest stops and a number of beautiful vistas. This a great place to slip into a more mellow mood and enjoy the beauty that God has created. It is a wonderful place for children to see and learn about the river ecology, and a nice place for us older folks to enjoy a few hours of simple bliss. It is a good place for the working adult to forget for just a little while the ratrace that has to be faced back home in the city. It is a good place to regain one's sanity.

Babcock State Park

photo by Okey L. King

----A visitor can purchase some great buckweat flour and cornmeal ground fresh here at the old mill at Babcock State Park which is West Virginia's oldest park.

-----Although it is not officially part of the "National River," I would like to include Babcock when I present the National River area. To reach Babcock State Park, you can follow U.S. Route 60 East to the intersection of Route 41 south. After you pass the "Clifftop Road," you will find the entrance to the park.

-----At the park, you will find the old mill, a lake, a restaurant, and a number of trails.