Adventure Outdoors Magazine Summer 2018 | Page 50

Hatfield-McCoy Trail System AN AUTHENTIC Vacation Experience In a world full of overrated pleasures and manufactured en- tertainment, what could be a better antidote than the au- thentic thrills of The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System? The wilderness is our landscaper, with flora and fauna competing for attention. Nature is our architect, as mountains create vistas more amazing than anything one could see from any skyscraper. The moon and stars stand in for neon lights. Let amusement parks keep their roller coasters. We offer a riding trail for every day of the week, with an eighth one soon to be opened. No two rides are ever the same, as rugged ter- rain winds its way to panoramic views that deserve to be seen only by those with wings or a brave spirit. Concrete jungles may need makeshift fountains to decorate their world, but ours comes adorned with the natural beauty of the aptly named Twin Falls State Park. Streams and rivers, so beautiful from the shore, can be further enjoyed on a kayak or canoe expedition, or even on an airboat ride. 48 | Summer 2018 | Adventure Outdoors Feuding families are just the beginning of our illustrious past. The homes of coal barons and battlefields of labor have been turned into exciting museums and attractions. Entire towns like Bramwell and Matewan have been re- stored to tell about a unique part of our great nation’s history. Off the beaten path—in this case literally—is a region re- plete with celebrated amenities. Our restaurant scene dots the map with places offering Appalachian cuisine famous for its use of homegrown produce fresh from the earth. Chefs offer classics like Brunswick stew or spe- cially prepared venison, as well as new twists on old fa- vorites like pizza, burgers, and milkshakes. Bakeries and coffee houses offer great meeting places to catch up with the crowd, or just to enjoy a fresh brew and dessert. Meanwhile, a local moonshine distillery is the perfect place to get acquainted with mountain spirits of a differ- ent kind.