Not only did we spring forward on this Sunday, we are also getting ready to spring into summer fun. Before we know it the temperatures will be soaring and we are all going to be looking for things to do as COVID restrictions are hopefully lifted.
One of the best things to do across West Virginia is to just go outside and enjoy our natural beauty — hiking, kayaking and camping are just a few options.
We look forward to showcasing West Virginia throughout the summer. Joint our social media family and help us tell the story of West Virginia – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.
Kayaking is one of the most popular summer activities in West Virginia.
With an abundance of waterways across the state, kayakers have their pick of adventure. They can go whitewater kayaking on the New River or Gauley River, or they can take a slow float down the Elk River and many other rivers across the state.
Leslie Osborn and Amanda Shelton enjoy the Elk River.
In this Exploring West Virginia, we head to Clay, West Virginia where you’ll find up to 10 miles of Elk River just waiting for you.
If you have never kayaked, you don’t know what you are missing! It’s perfect for all ages and all degrees of thrill seekers.
What can be confusing is what type of kayak you need and what is the best way to start out in the sport. If you are new to kayaking, your best bet is to try it out first and rent the equipment. By going through a rental company, you get to experience kayaking without having to buy the equipment.
“The benefit of going with a rental company – the benefit of trying it – is somebody is doing all he work for you,” said Melody Cottrell, owner of Clay Yak Rentals in Clay, W.Va. “Someone is loading the kayak. Someone is unloading it. Somebody is getting all your gear ready. You’re showing up and just having a good time. You’re getting an experience instead of work.”
Cottrell started her business in February. A month later COVID-19 hit and brought the business to a halt. By working with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, her business is once again afloat. While she has had to turn away some larger groups, she has been able to sell out many weekends as people are searching for something to do that is safe during the pandemic.
“I feel like safety is more important than how big the business is and I think people who are renting from us appreciate the fact that we take so many measures to keep them safe,” Cottrell said.
Some of the measures include power washing the kayaks after each use and disinfecting the paddles and lifejackets.
Erik Wells on the Elk River in Clay, W.Va.
This was my first time in a kayak and if you can’t go with a rental company, head out with friends. Leslie Osborn and Amanda Shelton are educators during the year at Clay County High School, but in the summer time you’ll find them on the rivers around the state.
“There’s something about West Virginia just captivates you and it leaves your mind wanting more and when you’re done it’s like you feel like your soul was just healed,” Osborn said.
See for yourself and get ready to start Exploring West Virginia!
Enjoying a West Virginia summer day on the Elk River
For more information on renting kayaks in Clay, W.Va., contact Melody Cottrell with Clay Yak Rentals at https://www.clayyakrentals.org or call 304-619-8047. Rentals are $30 for single kayaks and $60 for tandem. Clay Yak also offers a shuttle service if you have your own kayak and just need a ride back to your vehicle. Shuttle service is available for $15.
To say this has been a long time coming is an understatement.
As the morning fog burns off, the promise of a new day arrives. You can consider this website the dawning of an old dream.
The concept of Exploring West Virginia started back in 2004, but life and military service put a hold on this dream. Now, the dream is becoming a reality and I’m glad you are here for the ride.
Over the coming months, content will be added regularly. Even in the days of COVID-19, there are things we can all do safely across the state.
You can help me build content by giving me your suggestions of places to go. I welcome them all! Shoot an email to info@exploringwv.com and let me know about one of your favorite exploring spots.
I remember thinking about this project and saying to myself I had to build a perfect website with content ready to go before I could go live with it. And then I realized, I just need to get at it and start. A year from now, this website will look different with a lot more content. For now, I’m just glad you are here for the journey to watch it grow.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start Exploring West Virginia!
Herot Hall Farms was once a dairy farm in Kenna, W.Va. in Jackson County. Years of cows on the land created soil that was difficult to plant much of anything. The exception was blueberries.
Herot Hall Farms is owned by Walter Moore, a self-employed pharmacist. He wanted a location that he could farm, but he also had a keen eye on agritourism.
Agritourism refers to farming that involves entertainment or a learning experience for visitors.
For Moore, the farm is about both the past and the future.
“I think we all in West Virginia started in a rural type of environment so we can all remember going back in time to our great grandparents house which was usually on a farm and playing with the chickens and the horses and that sort and just running in the fields.”
The fields Moore focuses on now are covered with more than 3,000 blueberry bushes. He bought the farm about 15 years ago, but it has only been open to visitors for the last six or seven years as a blueberry picking destination.
You can still pick blueberries this Sunday, July 5. The farm opens at 10 a.m. It is best to be there when it opens as the blueberries are picked quickly. A gallon of fresh blueberries will cost you $20.00.
For more information contact Walter at (304) 993-7799. You can also visit the Herot Halls Farm on Facebook.
If you have a story idea you would like to see featured on ExploringWV, drop us an email at info@exploringwv.com
