Hatfield McCoy Trail System, West Virginia

When life gives you a lemon-make lemonade. That kind of thinking produced the greatest system of ATV Trails on the east coast- The Hatfield McCoy Trail System. They are located in the southwest corner of W Va. close to the Kentucky Border. It's a place where craggy mountains, curvy roads, and a long history of conflicts come together. It is not "Almost Heaven"- it is Heaven to a trail rider. The area was hit with "hard times" and community leaders decided to promote the rugged terrain with a trail system. And, what a trail system they produced-the trails are marked like a ski area-green are easy to ride; yellow are more difficult and black diamonds are "white knuckles"! My two good friends from high school and I spend two days riding 84 miles . That may not seem like much to those of you that don't ride off road- but those miles are going up and down very steep mountains, complete with large rocks and washed out trails. It is an adrenalin junkies paradise. Did I mention that the scenery is absolutely beautiful! They should change the state motto to: West Virginia-it is Heaven!

Hatfield McCoy Trail-Gilbert, West Virginia

When our ATV Group drove to Gilbert, W Va. we found complete disaster. Torrential rain had caused extreme flooding which closed most of the town. Trailers were washed downstream; roads were impassible; restaurant and motels were closed. It was a real mess. We had a difficult time finding lodging as visiting Red Cross and Disaster Relief Workers utilized all facilities in the neighboring towns. It is unbelievable the destruction that Mother Nature cane cause-you stand in awe!

Mercer Folk Festival

Peggy and I plus our friends Roy and Anne demonstrate how colonists carved primitive duck and goose decoys. We also have examples of decoys-from as early as 2000 years ago (reproduction) to later wooden decoys of the 19th century.