The West Virginia Traveler

Moonshining has always been an illegal part of the backwoods culture and heritage. Historically it was an occupation of secrecy carried out by those who were brave or desperate enough to risk a lengthy jail sentence for putting food on the table, today moonshining has become mainstream enough to have its own television series. Despite the legality of making moonshine those who choose to take on the risk will always find a willing audience eagerly awaiting the next delivery. With the risks involved many shiners are choosing to turn their backwoods brew into legal ventures. As someone born and raised in the backwoods of West Virginia I'm familiar with moonshine as I've tasted several of _______'s products over the years and most of these legal ventures fall flat on their faces when it comes to being true authentic backwoods style shine. I happened to be driving by a few years ago in Myrtle Beach SC when Palmetto Moonshine opened their retail store and being a good ol...

Earlier this year I had a chance to relive a bit of my youth while taking my children to enjoy the rides at Kennywood . I'd visited Kennywood a few times as a teenager and enjoyed the thrill of the original Steel Phantom and the heart-stopping adrenaline rush of the since-removed Pitt Fall. As I waited in line for The Phantoms Revenge I had that same anxious feeling of excitement I had so many years ago when I stood in line on the same platform waiting to board its predecessor. The only difference this time was my age was more than double what it was back then and my weight had long since multiplied as well. Upon boarding the ride I found that even with my larger size the restraints were snug and comfortable despite the sudden feeling of "What am I doing?" when the train lurched forward to begin its climb. In my youth, a roller coaster was an exciting idea flying around at 80+MPH on a couple of small ribbons of steel was dangerous and awe-inspiring. At my current ...

I went out of state for this one as you can tell I do quite a bit of traveling be it for business or vacation I always manage to have a good time and find something to do while I'm there. This photo was taken at Patriots Point in Charleston South Carolina aboard the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier and shows me and my dad in front of the ships bell. Patriots Point features the USS Yorktown, USS Clamagore, and USS Laffey as popular attractions along with it's Vietnam experience camp that allows you to see what a U.S. military camp looked like during Vietnam complete with sound effects, smoke, vehicles, and other exhibits to bring it to life. The Yorktown is an Essex class aircraft carrier with several aircraft present on board, the Medal of Honor museum, space capsules, a theater, a restaurant, and tons of small passageways to climb through while exploring the ship. When you make your way onto the flight deck you get the added bonus of an exquisite view of the bridge spann...

There really is no better way to relax and enjoy our beautiful state than via our waterways. This past summer a friend introduced me to kayaking and I fell in love with it. I purchased my own kayak a couple days later and spent the end of the summer paddling from place to place on the Cheat River in Tucker County enjoying the solitude and peacefulness of the river. Next summer will see me posting, even more, kayaking articles and photos as I plan on traveling a bit more and enjoying my new hobby on several of the lakes and streams that dot the landscape of the Mountain State both alone and with my family who have also taken a liking to my new adventure. I know my wife is tired of hearing me ask her to go kayaking in the wintertime and thinks I'm a bit crazy for wanting to risk being frozen on the river but honestly I'm chomping at the bit to get back out and once again partake in my favorite hobby. Stay tuned to the blog and Facebook page in the coming months as I...

Harpers Ferry West Virginia is a popular tourist destination within the state due to its historical significance. The town housed an arsenal that was the target of John Brown during his 1859 raid where he attempted to incite a slave revolt. The raid proved unsuccessful as Brown and his men were defeated by a company of U.S. Marines overseen by Colonel Robert E. Lee. After the war broke out the battlefield located above Harpers Ferry would become the site of the largest Union surrender of troops during the war. Confederate troops managed to take the poorly defended high ground surrounding the battlefield, move artillery into place, and carry out an effective bombardment of the Union camp and lines. Today Harpers Ferry is a National Park dedicated to preserving the history of the town through a mix of living history, museums, and exhibits. They provide a shuttle service that takes you to different areas of historical note and a knowledgeable staff that can answer most questions ...

As you'll be able to tell by my articles I've always been interested in both the civil war and local history. Me and my wife had a chance earlier this year to attend the  Jackson's Mill Jubilee an event located at Stonewall Jackson's boyhood home near Weston WV featuring handcrafted vendors, Civil War demonstrations, Native American dances, bluegrass music, car and tractor shows, good food, blacksmithing demonstrations, a healthy dose of Appalachian Heritage, and much more. For me being a history buff the highlight of the trip was walking where Stonewall Jackson once called home and seeing the stream and stand of trees that most historians believe he recalled with his last words "Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.". While not the history buff I am my wife enjoyed the many local vendors who set up selling arts, crafts, food, and other wares. We both had a good time, plan to return next year, and would recommend this e...