Editor ’ s
Last year while unpacking a box of childhood books I had saved , I came across “ When I Was Young in the Mountains ” by West Virginia author Cynthia Rylant . The inscription read , “ For Samantha — Vacation 1998 — Greenbrier River — From Mom and Dad .” Little did I know we would soon be inadvertently recreating that exact family vacation .
My husband , Caleb , and I had recently decided it was time to take our daughters , Joanna and Ruth , on their first Almost Heaven excursion . We made it a true family affair , booking an Airbnb in Hillsboro , WV , and taking off in three fully packed cars along with my parents , brother and sister-in-law .
The five-day trip was nearly perfect . Our Airbnb — the Seebert Shack — was small but cozy , and we enjoyed the gorgeous views of Pocahontas County without an itinerary . We sat around a fire every evening , enjoyed the detached garage / game room and took advantage of Greenbrier River access only a half mile away .
The first full day of our trip , we all visited the Falls of Hills Creek . Just off the Highland Scenic Highway , it is home to three waterfalls . While I don ’ t necessarily recommend climbing 382 stairs with an 11-month-old and a 2-year-old , we had a great time and took it at our own pace .
On the third day , my parents kept the girls while the rest of us drove to Lewisburg . We shared an incredible meal at Food & Friends , did some early Christmas shopping at A New Chapter Bookstore downtown and stopped in nearby Marlinton on our way back .
We ended our trip with a ride on the historic Cass Scenic Railroad . The trip takes passengers the 2,390 feet from Cass to Bald Knob . We took in the gorgeous spruce trees and rustic overlooks , with a stop at Whittaker Station on the way back , and my brother and I recreated a photo taken of us over 25 years ago — matching shirts and all .
This issue of West Virginia Executive also includes Discover West Virginia , which we hope will help you plan your own Mountain State adventure . I am glad my parents showed us the beauty in our own backyard growing up , and I cannot wait to show our girls more of the amazing state I am proud to call home . •
Samantha Cart Editor at Large
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE