Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, October 24, 2011

Grandview is GRAND (West Virginia)

One place we visited on our West VA trip in April of 2010 was to the southern end of the New River Gorge National River area.  That is when we saw Sandstone Falls (click HERE).   SO, because of that beauty, we knew we wanted to go back and see more of the New River Gorge area.

On our trip last month,  we did go back and visit two other areas of that scenic river...  Today I will feature my very favorite viewing area along that river...  This area is called Grandview ---and we were thrilled at the views we had there...  IF this particular area had a lodge or cabins,  I'd come back here in a heartbeat and stay for a week!!!!!  There are amazing trails to hike and they even built a huge platform at the very end where we could almost see 360 degrees!!!!  Yes---there were lots of steps to climb --but being up there made us feel like we were just a little closer to heaven. It was awesome.

I cannot tell you in words how beautiful this area is... There are miles and miles of pure forestland  and mountains---with very few towns in that entire area..  IF you enjoy being out in nature without all of the other life distractions,  you will love this place... Put it on your bucket list!!!!! I'm not sure I've ever been anywhere any prettier than Grandview.

The pictures are good---but this is just one place you have to experience in person to get the real effect...   The picture above shows how well-maintained the paths were to all of the different overlooks..  The morning started out cool--but it didn't take long for us to shed our jackets.




This is from one of the overlooks ---looking north at the river and surrounding areas.  See the rapids on the river below.  In some areas,  people enjoy kayaking and rafting on that river.

Railroading is still very important in West VA ---and we saw at least two, maybe three, trains traveling down there, paralleling the river.




This is George standing at one of the overlooks.   We were there on a very clear and beautiful day.




This photo shows our view while looking straight ahead.  I love how the river winds around the mountains with the railroad beside it.   That is just SO West Virginia.  (Can you imagine how gorgeous that area would be at the peak of the Fall colors????  WOW!)




And this is George standing at the end of one of the overlooks...  Now can you understand why we thought we were on the top of the world?  I don't know for sure --but think our elevation here was about 4500 feet.   I loved seeing these mountains --without cabins and homes and other distractions (even though I'd love to stay here)...  This is 'virgin' land ---and it is awesome.   I'm so glad that West Virginia has claimed this land for preservation.

We met a couple on one of the overlooks who had come back after a few years...  They had been to that exact overlook several years ago to drop his father's ashes over the edge.  The father had lived in West VA all of this life and worked for the railroad... His wish was that he be scattered somewhere over the New River Gorge area...  How awesome would that be!




This is looking south from one of our overlooks.  The views everywhere were great ---but looking into the sun didn't make for good pictures.  Here you can see more rapids below. You may wonder how they keep this area so pure... WELL---it's a national park and it's also so mountainous that there are almost NO roads going into the area, and very few people living around here for miles and miles...




Finally,   a blog post wouldn't be special unless I showed a picture of the two of us together at one of the overlooks... ha ha ha ......

I have more pictures to share from Grandview ----but in a word,  all I can add today is that it is marvelous!!!!!!

Hope you have a wonderful  day.
Hugs,
Betsy

45 comments:

Beth said...

I've lived next door to WVA all my life and I've learned more about some of its best assets from you in just a few months of blogging. Shame on me!
You've given me lots of ideas for this summer!
Beautiful, Betsy. Words can't begin to do the views justice.
This is a pleasant way to begin my Monday. :>)

Ms. A said...

Everything looks so lush and green, I can't imagine the fall colors!

Jo said...

Oh WOW, Betsy. In a word, WOW. THat is a heavenly view and place. I love the railroad winding around the mountain in line with the river. Amazing views and amazing photos. Thanks for sharing these with us, dearest, dear Betsy. Love and hugs Jo

eileeninmd said...

Hi Betsy! I can see why you love it there. The views are fantastic! My hubby has rafted there a long time ago of course. Your photos are beautiful. Have a great day!

Unknown said...

absolutely breath taking.

Hidden Haven Homestead said...

That is a beautiful spot Betsy! I don't enjoy going to WV because of Williams ex but your pictures sure make me want to go for a nice hike and picnic.

happyone said...

Wow fantastic photos of a beautiful place.

Big Dude said...

It's a beautiful area and you captured it well - as always.

pam said...

That is unbelievably beautiful!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

It is beautiful! We've always wanted to go there but so far haven't made the trek.

Dorothy said...

Grandview is aptly named!! Your pictures are gorgeous!!!

MadSnapper said...

now THAT is a GRAND view! i thought when I saw it, on a clear day you can see forever. wow.

diane b said...

WOW! and WOW! It is s beautiful and untouched. I can see why you love it there. You have a beautiful country. I would love to be in a train following the river. Tanks for showing me how beautiful WV is.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Looking at these wonderful pictures,I need to say that you will HAVE to go back there in fall.The beauty would be mind boggling.

Larry said...

Another spectacular spot in this amazing country of ours! Thanks for sharing! Larry

Out on the prairie said...

I need to put this on my must visit areas.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi, Betsy! Yes, this is definitely a place to add to my bucket list. Beautiful place and such an appropriate name. Love seeing photos of the happy couple, too! Have a great day!

Busy Bee Suz said...

It certainly is GRAND!!! Lovely views....and I really miss seeing railroads; we have hardly any this far south.

Unknown said...

Looks very familiar, Betsy. We live on one of the western ridges of the New River Valley in Virginia. Foster Falls State Park and New River Trail State Parks are a couple of our favorite destinations. Now I have another to add to my list!

I Am Woody said...

Such a beautiful place! I really need to go back and do some more exploring in that area:)

TexWisGirl said...

it really is marvelous! nice to see such an area with almost no development or encroachment by man!

Chatty Crone said...

You know what hit me - your west pictures were dry with mountains all around and they were beautiful. And now to the east - they look lush and green on the mountains - and they are beautiful too.

Beauty is in the places we look.

Sandie

Neal said...

Betsy, you did a great job capturing the river. That is absolutely gorgeous. I would like to be there when the leaves are in their prime.

Anonymous said...

That last picture is priceless. I love it when you pose for a photo together. And I see you two are wearing the same shirt. Wonderful shots of the river!

Anonymous said...

Super!

imac said...

Thats one mighty fine place to be at Betsy.
I would love to stand there too.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I love traveling with yall and seeing the beauty of the land...Gorgeous as always

Small City Scenes said...

Hi Betsy!!! We are home--stayed a few extra days---my daughter is so hospitable and welcoming. We really enjoyed ourselves on the ranch and a wonderful time. TRULY!!!

West Virginia is beautiful as is Tennessee. I would love to visit over that way.

MB

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

What a beautiful area. Just the kind of place we would enjoy. And I'll bet it's breathtaking in the fall.

Ann said...

Wow that is some view and I bet it would be spectacular in the fall.

Karin said...

Totally AMAZING! So glad that with your camera I get to see more than I will in real life!! Thanks for sharing that gorgeous outlook! Not only do you hike up there but you lug all your camera equipment! Wow!

LV said...

You may not have the right words for this lovely area, but your pictures tell it all.

Angela said...

I love Grandview! You should see it in the Spring with the flowers are in bloom! I'd have to pull out old pictures and scan them in to show but it was just gorgeous.

Here's a few pictures I took when the leaves were off. http://wvtreasures.blogspot.com/2010/03/grandview-park-beckley-west-virginia.html

http://wvtreasures.blogspot.com/2010/03/more-grandview-park-pictures.html

and a few pictures are on my daughter's blog. http://travelingwithmaria.blogspot.com/2010/04/grandview-park-beckley-west-virginia.html

I'll ask my husband if there is a place to stay nearby. His grandpa lived near there when he was a kid and he knows more about the area than I do.

Hugs,
Angela

nanny said...

You two see more beautiful places!! You really should make a coffee table book of your travels. (or maybe several volumes)

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, I have never been to W. VA and hope to get there sometime soon. Love the post today! You and George sure do have fun! Have a great coming week! I am going be be changing Internet for home so I may not get to comment here and there. Hopefully that won't be for two long.

Wendy said...

What spectacular views! Love that windy river, but the last photo says it all!
Hugs

Donna said...

I have only briefly driven through a corner of West Virginia, but it sure looks like it has an abundance of beautiful scenery. As always, I small when I see pics of you two having fun...

Rose said...

Betsy, that is one beautiful area. Can you imagine it with snow!!!

carolina nana said...

Wow what a beautiful place and I'm like you I can imagine how this would look with the fall leaf color,wow !!
Blessings to you
Marilyn

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

I can see why they call it Grandview! The view certainly is grand. I can only imagine it when it shows off for fall.

Lynda said...

You just keep finding more and more new places for us to visit with you - - - and always your stops are gorgeous!

Sally Wessely said...

You are the master of the overlooks! I love all your panoramic views.

Pat Tillett said...

Hi Betsy! What a fantastic place to visit and you took so many amazing photos! Hope you are doing well...

A Colorful World said...

Oh, Betsy, this place looks AMAZING! How serene and totally beautiful it is! Wouldn't it be an incredible thing to have a house with an overlook view like that somewhere in the mountains! Thank goodness, as you said that WV saved that pristine land for so many to enjoy!

Unknown said...

Hey Miss Betsy! I haven't fallen off any wagons, tractors, or the combine, but I HAVE fallen into that river! It was one of our first dates and a group of us all went to whitewater raft the New River. We even went under that big bridge! We made it through all the tough spots then Steve and I both went out on what they call a "bunny spot." Too funny! Beautiful pics and thanks for the fun memories!

Still working on harvest. Beans have been done for a while, and I am so glad to say we should be out of our downed corn by the end of the morning, That will put me back in the combine this afternoon I think! Never a dull moment around here!

Hugs!