"Almost Heaven.....maybe?" a West Virginia Travel Page by hansash

I have family in West Virginia. I have been traveling to just outside Parkersburg and have enjoyed my numerous trips since I was a young boy.
Unfortunatly I've always gone to just about the same place, a small town called Elizabeth. Oh it's charming in it's own little way ,but, I've found nothing out of the ordinary that would want me to just pack up everything or on the other end of the spectum ,grab just what was nessasary and head to the hills on a whim.But, I have on many different times just to get away!!!!!But,get this... my family is what draws me to this place and that is what makes it so great! I feel WV was most likely a very beautiful place.....when or before the white folks came in and destroyed the land.Strip mining and the logging industry killed the landscape. It's looking better and better though given the years I've been going down there. The oldest tree I think I saw couldn't have been more than 100 yrs old if that.
More like 60-70 yrs old. What a shame!
My family is going to kill me for writing this ,but, this may explain why I have the need to head to the Northwest so often.
Don't get me wrong the landscape is alot like Oregon; steap rocky hills(the locals call them mountains),wildlife,hospitality and some of the best whitewater rafting I've ever heard about in the eastern US. Mind you I've not really explored the whole state only about 1% if that!
I wish I cauld have seen it 200 yrs. ago!
I guess I can't do that so....Back to making plans for a trip to the real wilderness soon.
I know I haven't given this lovely state a chance and I hope I don't regret what I've written since this state is so close to home.
I already feel guilty!!!! Sorry Aunt Nana!!!!!!!!