Montani Semper Liber . Mountaineers Are Always Free. These words adorn the
state flag of the Great State of West Virginia. Yes, that state, the one
that continually comes in last in every statistic kept by the federal
government. We're last (or next to last) in just about every failing of
humankind . obesity, tobacco use, high school graduation rate, teen
pregnancy. You name it, we're number one - or number fifty, depending upon
your perspective.
West Virginia is one of the poorest states in America. Our median income
wouldn't buy a cheeseburger, fries, and a coke in New York City. Our
elected politicians are, by and large, good ole boys. We're the butt of
many a joke around the country. The largest employer in the state IS the
state. The largest single city in West Virginia barely has 50,000 people.
We're mostly known for coal mining, yet the lion's share of dollars from
mining leaves the state, and ends up in the hands of the land barons
living elsewhere.
No United States Presidents were born in West Virginia. I don't even
believe any Vice Presidents were born here; but we are the home of Senator
Robert C. Byrd.
West Virginia doesn't have a professional sports team. We're not big
enough. We don't have any major TV markets that would be attractive to any
owners. We don't have any national monuments. no Grand Canyon, or Mount
Rushmore, or even a Disney World; no NASCAR tracks, no Great Lakes, no
international airports, no Opryland, no sky needles, no eight lane
highways, no beaches, no Ivy League colleges, We don't have any rodeos,
or any skyscrapers, or world famous vacations spots, or motion picture
studios, or amber waves of grain; no subways, no Emmy Awards, no Mardi
Gras, and no Rose Bowl Parade.
With all of the things West Virginia doesn't have, why would anyone bother
living here, you ask?
Well . . .
West Virginia has some things that a person doesn't realize they wanted
until they were here. West Virginia has mountains. The Appalachian
Mountains extend from New York to Georgia, but in no state are they more
majestic, or part of the renown, than in West Virginia. The highest point
in West Virginia is Spruce Knob, one mile above sea level. Yes, there are
higher points in America, but none more breathtaking.
Because of our mountains, we have rivers. The oldest river in the western
hemisphere, the New River (quite appropriately named, don't you think)
ends in West Virginia. We have the Gauley River which, along with the New,
offers tremendous recreational opportunities. We have the Kanawha River,
formed from the Gauley and the New rivers in a magnificent cascade, which
flows through the center of the state, and directly through the capital
city of Charleston, the largest city in West Virginia.
The tallest building in Charleston is barely 25 floors tall, which, if you
think about it, is a plus; how could you possibly build a skyscraper more
beautiful than a mountain? The capital city stretches throughout the long
river valley, encompassing both hill and dale. Our airport, the largest in
the state, sits on top of a mountain. The crime rate in Charleston,
including the entire population of the Kanawha Valley (around 200,000),
reflects that of the entire state. the lowest in America. No more than a
handful of murders are committed each year.
Charleston has no subway systems, but, truth be known, you can get from
one end of town to the other, even in rush hour traffic, in less than ten
minutes. There are three major interstate systems going through
Charleston, the smallest city in America to make such a claim. The entire
state has six different interstate systems, meaning, from Charleston, you
can reach Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Louisville or
Charlotte in four hours or less.
Ah, but, once you leave the interstates, the drive becomes a thing of
wonder. Two lane roads, winding up and down the mountains, offer amazing
views and historic places. small towns, poor in wealth but rich in
history.
West Virginia is the birthplace of Mother's Day, in Grafton. We have the
oldest covered bridge still in use. We have walnut festivals and
strawberry festivals and apple festivals and pumpkin festivals and arts
and crafts fairs and stern wheel regattas and ramp dinners. We have Bridge
Day, on the New River Gorge bridge, over 800 feet above the New River; the
only standing structure in the United States that, one day a year, allows
parachuting and bungee jumping. We have college basketball, and minor
league baseball and hockey, and, just like all of America, Friday night
high school football.
We have white water rafting, and skiing, and hiking, and caves, and
waterfalls, and camping in every direction. We have Sundays where a
leisurely drive in the car can take eight hours, and only cover 100 miles.
We have bed and breakfasts, and resorts, and golf courses, and museums,
and the Greenbrier.
West Virginia has more natural beauty and wonder than any person could
ever imagine. We have all of this, and yet . . . our greatest asset is our
people.
West Virginians are good people. We care about each other. We talk to our
neighbors over the backyard fence. We grow tomatoes for the entire
neighborhood. We turn around in each other's driveways, and yell howdy
when we do. We sit on the porch on warm summer evenings, listening to
crickets, and watching kids catch fireflies. We loan a hammer, or a cup of
sugar.
We don't take two hour lunches, but we do spend a few minutes each day
with a cup of coffee, and our feet up on our desk, shooting the breeze.
We rarely get in a hurry. We have relatives just down the street. We don't
just loan someone a socket wrench, we help them fix their car. We share
recipes, and gardening tips. We baby sit each other's kids, we house sit
for each other's dogs while we're on vacation, and we loan each other our
cars if we have to get to the drug store. We ask each other if we need
anything as we're going to the market. We celebrate each other's
accomplishments, and we cry over each other's disappointments.
We are a friendly folk. We are West Virginians. Mountaineers are always
free. Free to take the time to enjoy life, and hold each moment in our
hearts, forever. Come visit us sometime.
But ya left out Summit Point Raceway! And there is always the Horses at Charlestown! 
Of course this was back in high school when I was a few pounds lighter! 
The 70mph speed limit!! 
Linear Mode
