Evocative Sights in the New River Gorge

 Rustic old and newer bridges across the New River

 A turn-of-the-last-century cemetery alone in the forest...

And an Amtrak stop in a ghost town, in Thurmond, WV.

More Scenes From the New River Gorge

 The best angle I got on this wonderful butterfly; I will edit this post once I've ID'ed it.

 On a hot, humid afternoon, the air that poured from the cleft in the rocks was as cool as on air conditioner.

Another sweeping view of the New River from on the bluffs; with Mountain Laurel in bloom! This New River is very, very ancient, brimming with history.

The Magnificent New River Gorge...

though West Virginia is only a "big" day's drive away from our area in Chicago, I am surprised how few people in the Midwest are aware of this place. Over the millions of years, the river has cut a giant channel through the mountainous, rugged land. The roar of the water tumbling over rocks can be heard all over the valley all the time.