Su Clauson-Wicker - Scenic Driving West Virginia: Including Harpers Ferry, Historic Railroads, and Waterfalls

Su Clauson-Wickers diverse career includes a decade as editor of Virginia Tech Magazine, as well as positions in television, radio, medical public relations, and child welfare. She grew up in an upstate New York county often compared unfavorably to the Mountain State, attended Cornell University, and after getting her masters degree, she wasted no time in moving near the West Virginia border, to Blacksburg, Virginia. She spends nearly a month in West Virginia each year. She is author of the Inn to Inn Walking Guide for the Virginias, as well as the Globe Pequot Press book West Virginia Off the Beaten Path.

Id like to express my indebtedness to the first author of Scenic Driving West Virginia, Bruce Sloane, whose knowledge and organization blazed a solid path to follow in our mutual mining of the treasures along the byways of the Mountain State. Thank you, Bruce.

I owe mountains of gratitude to my friend Estill Putney, without whose enthusiastic companionship, expert driving, adventuresome spirit, and artistic perceptions this book might never have happened in a timely fashion, and it certainly wouldnt have been half so much fun.

Without the help of scores of wonderful West Virginia people, our travels would not have been so eye-opening, rich, and enjoyable. My thanks go out to you, and may you continue to enrich the lives of future visitors. Its impossible to list everyone, but here are a few folks who have been especially helpful: Sissie Summers of West Virginia State Parks, Kari Thompson of Stonewall Group, Olivia Litman of Wheeling Convention & Visitors Bureau, Caryn Gresham and David Rotenizer of West Virginia Culture and History, Stephen Shaluta and Jacqueline Proctor of West Virginia Commerce, Rachael Stebbins of Greenbrier Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mark Lewis of Parkersburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mike Smith of Droop Mountain State Park, Mike Foster of Lost River State Park, Steve Jones of North Bend State Park, Ken McClintic of Holly River State Park, and my friend and fellow Milkweed writer, Cheryl Ruggiero.

I am also indebted to editor Kevin Sirois at Globe Pequot Press, who knows how to smooth the process and get things done, despite having acute appendicitis in mid-project. Last but not least, I give heartfelt gratitude to my husband, Bruce Wicker, for understanding, self-reliance, and keeping things running and everyone fed during the months Ive been focused on West Virginia.

For more information on lands and events, please contact the following agencies and organizations.

West Virginia Division of Tourism

Building 3, Suite 100

State Capital Complex

1900 Kanawha Blvd. E.

Charleston, WV 25305

(800) 225-5982, (304) 558-2200

wvtourism.com

The West Virginia Division of Tourism provides exemplary services for visitors and prospective visitors. Call them for information or to be directly connected toll-free with any state agency, including parks, forests, and wildlife management areas plus many privately owned facilities.

They will also help you plan your trip, answer questions, and provide maps and phone numbers. Do you want a list of rafting companies, the best time to see the autumn leaves at the New River Gorge, or the date the Feast of Ramson will be held in Richwood? Contact them by phone, US mail, or through their website, and they will help you out.

Historic Bethany

Bethany College

Bethany, WV 26032

(304) 829-7285

bethanywv.edu

Homer Laughlin China Co.

800 Fiesta Dr.

Newell, WV 26050

(800) 452-4462; (304) 387-1300

fiestafactorydirect.com

Oglebay Resort & Conference Center

WV 88 North

Wheeling, WV 26003

(877) 436-1797

(304) 243-4000

oglebay.com

Weirton Chamber of Commerce

3200 Main St.

Weirton, WV 26062

(304) 748-7212

weirtonchamber.com

Wheeling Convention & Visitors Bureau

1401 Main St.

Wheeling, WV 26003

(304) 233-7709

wheelingcvb.com

Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex

801 Jefferson Ave.

Moundsville, WV 26041

(304) 843-4128

wvculture.org/museum/gravecreekmod.html

Marion County Convention & Visitors Bureau

110 Adams St.

Fairmont, WV 26554

(304) 368-1123

marioncvb.com

Palace of Gold

3759 McCrearys Ridge Rd.

Moundsville, WV 26041

(304) 843-1600

palaceofgold.com

West Augusta Historical Society

915 E. Main St.

Mannington, WV 26582

(304) 986-7053

West Virginia State Penitentiary Tours

818 Jefferson Ave.

Moundsville, VA 26041

(304) 845-6200

wvpentours.com

Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park

137 Juliana St.

Parkersburg, WV 26101-5331

(304) 420-4800

wvstateparks.com/park/blennerhassett-island-historical-state-park

Greater Parkersburg Convention & Visitors Bureau

350 7th St.

Parkersburg, WV 26101

(304) 428-1130

(800) 752-4982

greaterparkersburg.com

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

3983 Waverly Rd.

Williamstown, WV 26187

(304) 375-2926

fws.gov/refuge/ohio_river_islands

Oil and Gas Museum

119 3rd St.

Parkersburg, WV 26102

(304) 485-5446

oilandgasmuseum.com

Sistersville City Hall

200 Diamond St.

Sistersville, WV 26175

(304) 652-6361

Wetzel County Chamber of Commerce

201 Main St.

PO Box 271

New Martinsville, WV 26155

(304) 455-3825

wetzelcountychamber.com

Cathedral State Park

12 Cathedral Park Dr.

Aurora, WV 26705

(304) 735-3771

cathedralstatepark.com

Preston County Convention & Visitors Bureau

200 Main St.

Kingwood, WV 26537

(304) 329-4660

visitmountaineercountry.com/prestoncounty

Fort Ashby

227 Dans Run Rd.

Fort Ashby, WV 26719

(304) 298-3319

wvculture.org/history/settlement/fortashby02.html

Potomac Eagle Railroad

149 Eagle Dr.

Romney, WV 26757

(304) 424-0736

potomaceagle.com

Berkeley Springs State Park

2 S. Washington St.

Berkeley Springs, WV 25411

(304) 258-2711

(800) CALL WVA

wvstateparks.com/park/berkeley-springs-state-park

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park

Hancock Visitor Center

439 E. Main St.

Hancock, MD 21750

(301) 739-4200

nps.gov/choh

Travel Berkeley Springs CVB

127 Fairfax St.

Berkeley Springs, WV 25411

(800) 447-8797

berkeleysprings.com

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park

PO Box 65, 171 Shoreline Dr.

Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

(304) 535-6029

nps.gov/hafe

Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau

37 Washington Crt.

Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

(304) 535-2627

(866) HELLO WV

discoveritallwv.com

Martinsburg/Berkeley County Convention & Visitors Bureau

126 E. Race St.

Martinsburg, WV 25401

(304) 264-8801

(800) 498-2386

travelwv.com

Rumsey Steamboat Museum

c/o OHurleys General Store

205 E. Washington St.

Shepherdstown, WV 25443

(304) 876-6907

ohurley.com

Buckhannon/Upshur Convention & Visitors Bureau

14 Main St.