Ever eat a peanut butter sandwich right before coming face-to-face with a black bear? And how about seeing a bear with Paul McCartney eyes? With this in mind, the following are readers’ creative endings to earlier posts (Part 1 and Part 2) about the black bear at Watoga State Park. Peanut Butter Sammie, Anyone? The …
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Mechanical Milieu Probably the best advice that was ever given to me by an uncle who freely dispensed advice, much of it unsolicited, was to be good to your mechanic. He was spot on; if you are fortunate enough to find a competent and trustworthy person to entrust the health of your car to, it …
How did West Virginia Become Known as “Wild and Wonderful”? Have you ever gone fishing for wild rainbow trout? Do you have a “Wild and Wonderful’ rainbow trout fishin’ story to share? Well, I have. And here is my fishing story. From a pet deer to a black bear, those carefree days in the late …
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Editor’s Note: The Department of Natural Resources advises all state forest and park visitors to NEVER approach wildlife in an attempt to touch it. The Department of Natural Resources protects the state’s wildlife so that all can enjoy their beauty in West Virginia. The Black Bear’s Blood Drains Near Me I noticed something bright red …
Part One This is the untold story of the black bear. While it may be true that watching a black bear can be fascinating, seeing one up close and personal is not always a pleasant experience. The Secretive, Shy, Intelligent Black Bear During that magical summer in 1971, there had been endless bicycle rides to …
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The Day We Met Freckles The following is one of my many memorable experiences growing up at Watoga State Park. “Ronnie, Johnny, Vicki,” Dad yelled. “Come with me. I have somethin’ to show ya.” Of course, we followed. Thus began the story of Mom’s Bandannas for Freckles while I grew up at Watoga. “Look what …
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Current Happenings in and around Watoga State Park via Watoga Update November 4, 2019 The Riverside Campground sits empty now, the gate was closed last week for the 2019 camping season. Riverside will reopen as it does every spring, on April 1, 2020. It is now a winter sanctuary for dog-walkers and beavers that can …
Jim Meads, Professor Emeritus, Glenville State College, was Park Naturalist at Watoga in 1967 and 1968. Here are Jim’s stories from his time at Watoga. Background Judy and I have been married 52 years this July, 2019. Watoga State Park is such a special place for us. We started our wonderful life together here. In …
For the last 21 years visitors to Watoga State Park have driven by Jack Horner’s Corner as they make their way through the village of Seebert, the gateway to the park and a major trailhead on the Greenbrier River Trail. Longtime visitors have observed the steady growth of the building and parking areas; the old …
Some of you generously shared your recollections of riding the trail at Watoga State Park. Others also shared information about who ran the operation and some ideas about its demise. Memories of Horseback Riding at Watoga State Park I am told the riding operation was run by Stuart Horner’s father. Stuart and his wife Kristy …
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