Aug. 15, 2009
Enjoy the Outdoors With a Long Drive Before Summer Ends
From The Governor’s Desk
A weekly column by Gov. Joe Manchin
As summer comes to an end, I encourage everyone to get outside and enjoy what the great West Virginia outdoors has to offer. Whether it is a scenic drive along a byway or hiking at Dolly Sods, West Virginia has something for those who are young and those who are young at heart.
My family has always enjoyed the outdoor wonders of the Mountain State – hiking, fishing, boating and motorcycle riding. For me, the anticipation of hitting the open, clean air on a motorcycle excursion across our state is truly a highlight.
West Virginia is certainly the ideal location for any ride. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, a West Virginia getaway, even a day trip, will entertain you and your family. Countless miles of scenic byways and highways that wind through our mountains and valleys offer motorcyclists a memorable experience. Here, you will find a state committed to offering tourists and residents alike friendly services, unmatched hospitality and spectacular scenery. I know this not only firsthand from my own riding, but from the stories I hear from the thousands of motorcyclists who travel from near and far to ride in West Virginia.
Motorcycle riding truly defines why West Virginia is also called the Mountain State. The high peaks, the twists and turns offer challenging, yet calming roads for drivers to experience. It is no wonder that riding is one of the fastest growing segments of our state’s tourism economy. It has helped us to open our doors, both nationally and internationally, to enthusiasts as a prime destination for motorcycle tours.
Over the years, Gayle and I have traveled so many mile across our state, exploring and discovering hidden outdoor treasures. We love to take U.S. 33 from Weston to Elkins and on to the Smoke Hole area near Petersburg, then down W.Va. 28 through Thornwood, Boyer and Green Bank. Another great ride is taking W.Va. 92 north from White Sulphur Springs, through Minnehaha Springs and up to Green Bank, Bartow, Durbin and Huttonsville, back to Elkins. These are long winding roads that expose the Mountain State’s true beauty. From Wheeling to Welch, Point Pleasant to Martinsburg – there’s a friendly town and smiling faces eager to greet you on your journey.
If you don’t ride, enjoy a drive. From tree-covered hillsides to sparking mountain lakes, our little state offers so much for so many people. Traveling by car or taking an RV excursion are perhaps more family-friendly and just as fun.
Over the years, West Virginia has been – and it still is – a terrific location for my family’s outdoor adventures. I see my grandchildren enjoying many of the same incredible vacation spots I did as a child. I encourage you to make your own outdoor memories with your friends or loved ones by taking a long drive or a getaway before summer slips by. Those memories will last a lifetime.
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Enjoy the Outdoors With a Long Drive Before Summer Ends
From The Governor’s Desk
A weekly column by Gov. Joe Manchin
As summer comes to an end, I encourage everyone to get outside and enjoy what the great West Virginia outdoors has to offer. Whether it is a scenic drive along a byway or hiking at Dolly Sods, West Virginia has something for those who are young and those who are young at heart.
My family has always enjoyed the outdoor wonders of the Mountain State – hiking, fishing, boating and motorcycle riding. For me, the anticipation of hitting the open, clean air on a motorcycle excursion across our state is truly a highlight.
West Virginia is certainly the ideal location for any ride. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, a West Virginia getaway, even a day trip, will entertain you and your family. Countless miles of scenic byways and highways that wind through our mountains and valleys offer motorcyclists a memorable experience. Here, you will find a state committed to offering tourists and residents alike friendly services, unmatched hospitality and spectacular scenery. I know this not only firsthand from my own riding, but from the stories I hear from the thousands of motorcyclists who travel from near and far to ride in West Virginia.
Motorcycle riding truly defines why West Virginia is also called the Mountain State. The high peaks, the twists and turns offer challenging, yet calming roads for drivers to experience. It is no wonder that riding is one of the fastest growing segments of our state’s tourism economy. It has helped us to open our doors, both nationally and internationally, to enthusiasts as a prime destination for motorcycle tours.
Over the years, Gayle and I have traveled so many mile across our state, exploring and discovering hidden outdoor treasures. We love to take U.S. 33 from Weston to Elkins and on to the Smoke Hole area near Petersburg, then down W.Va. 28 through Thornwood, Boyer and Green Bank. Another great ride is taking W.Va. 92 north from White Sulphur Springs, through Minnehaha Springs and up to Green Bank, Bartow, Durbin and Huttonsville, back to Elkins. These are long winding roads that expose the Mountain State’s true beauty. From Wheeling to Welch, Point Pleasant to Martinsburg – there’s a friendly town and smiling faces eager to greet you on your journey.
If you don’t ride, enjoy a drive. From tree-covered hillsides to sparking mountain lakes, our little state offers so much for so many people. Traveling by car or taking an RV excursion are perhaps more family-friendly and just as fun.
Over the years, West Virginia has been – and it still is – a terrific location for my family’s outdoor adventures. I see my grandchildren enjoying many of the same incredible vacation spots I did as a child. I encourage you to make your own outdoor memories with your friends or loved ones by taking a long drive or a getaway before summer slips by. Those memories will last a lifetime.
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