Some of the most underrated views to behold in the United States, according to my humble opinion, can be found dancing between Virginia and West Virginia. As the West Virginian number plates clearly state, it is Wild and Wonderful. The rugged natural scenery and the down-to-earth people that roam this small part of the US will enchant your mind.
I had the privilege of seeing it from a few different vantage points as I road tripped haphazardly from North to East and a bit of the West. Without further ado, here is my personal list of most underrated views to see between Virginia and West Virginia.
Big Walker Lookout
My eyes brushed the tops of trees as I viewed the underrated sight of the Battle of Wytheville from the Big Walker Lookout. If you are interested in a better sighting, you can climb the 100 ft tower. I’m not sure how I could justify paying $6 to end up with stiff thighs and seeing the tops of trees at a downward angle of 70 degrees instead of 40 degrees, so I wandered round the back of the Big Walker Store to find an old Chevy pickup to photograph instead. The Big Walker Store has incredible home-made ice-cream. I had pumpkin. Because I could. And it turns out it was delicious and went quite well with the vista before me.
Pinnacle Rock
Another underrated spot to behold the wilderness, between Virginia and West Virginia, is from Pinnacle Rock. The walk up gets the heart pumping but it is quite a manageable gradient. I opted out of walking down into the valley to get close to the lake. I needed gumboots, not pretty little pumps. Note to self…always wear decent walking shoes when travelling, no exceptions.
East River Mountain Overlook
Just behind Leatherwood Farm is the mighty East River Mountain. The road up is more curved than a hippo’s bottom but fortunately not as rough. At the top, a well kept rest stop overlooks the entire town of Bluefield. It is a fantastic way to orientate yourself before attempting to navigate the roads on your own.
New River Gorge
Wide berthed rivers lazily make there way through the forests and hills. The New River is no different. Parts are lazy, parts are in a rush but the grey shimmer slithers non-stop in s-bends. It flows in the unusual northern direction, before changing its mind and heading west to empty into the Pacific. The path the river takes has dug a deep trench and offers beautiful vantage points of its journey all along the gorge.
Burkes Garden
Burkes Garden, worth a visit, even if it is just to drive the circular route without stopping at the shops and Amish markets. It is a circular escarpment when viewed from an aerial photograph, a bit like the rim of a tea cup with its handle. The soil here is fertile and so the home of many a farmer. Sights of barns, some new and others barely standing upright, are common. Cows and horses are the self-appointed lawnmowers. Amish children run wild with their upside-down pot hairstyles and dull coloured shirts, big smiles pasted on their faces. There is only one official windy road in and out. Unless you are travelling with me, then you find the rough road zig-zagging up and down the face of the mountain opposite the entrance point.
Lost. Never. It was all part of the adventure in search of the most underrated views between Virginia and West Virginia.
Lotito City Park
Okay, so this isn’t a real view but right in the centre of Bluefield lies the Lotito City Park, a small getaway where you can trail run or walk. Chances are high that if you are a city slicker like me, the white tail of a deer, observed at a reasonable speed and the very edge of your visual field will result in an increased heart rate. Once your eyes focus, that formidable shape suddenly changes, from scary possible bear, to meek and skittish deer. Even a loose branch that reared itself as I passed, had me in a panic mode as I yelped out a loud cry, then burst out laughing as the craziness of it hit me. Africa certainly travels with you.
Blue Ridge Parkway
My favourite underrated views would be from the Blue Ridge Parkway, a road that makes its way from North Carolina to the north of Virginia and along West Virginia. A path on the watershed offering 360 degree views of rolling hills covered in trees like the bristles of an unshaven chin. Half the bristles are green, the other half are still stuck in winter. The clouds in the distance look ominous, heavily laden with rain and life. A deep breath is intoxicating, it is so clean and the cold air bites my cheeks until they are pink. It is here where I witness my last sunset over the beautiful rugged countryside of America. Wild and wonderful, just like the song, almost heaven.
Any thoughts or opinions? Please leave a comment.