Do you remember your New Years Resolutions? It feels like ages ago that we set goals for ourselves. Have you been keeping up with them? Not the Kardashians, your resolutions! If your resolution was to be more adventurous this year, youre in luck. Today is the day to Walk On Your Wild Side. Walk On Your Wild Side Day encourages you to get out on the ledge. Be a little brave and do something that scares you.
West Virginia has some of the best white water rafting in the entire world. It was actually listed in the top 10 white water rafting spots in the world, so you know youre getting the real thing! You can take it easy down The New Rivers calmer sections or the Cheat River OR you can be daring and head for the Gauley, which boasts some of the best paddling in the whole world. Tygart River is the newest addition to the courses but this isnt for the faint of heart: its steep drops are the most powerful on the Monongahela River. No matter what your comfort level is, youll be able to find some rapids that suit you. Are you gutsy or do you prefer to keep it tamer? Most of these will require a bit of a trip to reach, but were certain you wont be disappointed once you arrive.
1,500 feet below the hills of New River Park sits the Beckley Coal Mine. This is definitely not for the claustrophobic among us. Travel under the earth in an authentic mine cart and learn about the history of low-seam coal mining from the past all the way up to the modern mechanization era. If youre brave enough to descend under the ground, you can explore a historical coal camp spread throughout the grounds. If youre unafraid of tight spaces or youre brave enough to overcome the fear, Beckley Coal Mine is an interesting experience. Youll even leave a little smarter. Beckley Coal Mine is a bit of a trip, but for the adventurous, itll seem like nothing!
Real daredevils wont be deterred by the frightening height of Seneca Rocks. Nestled in Monongahela National Forest, Seneca Rocks is quite a sight to behold. Soaring 900 feet above the North Fork River, acrophobics should steel themselves before glancing upward at the peaks. An intrepid visitor will be excited to trek up the 1.3 mile self-guided trail, which ends in stunning views of the valley below. Will you embrace your fear or shy away from it?
If your New Years Resolution was to be more adventurous, youve got plenty of opportunities to do so in West Virginia. In honor of Walk On Your Wild Side Day, step outside your comfort zone a little bit. Even if its just picking a new drink at Starbucks. Its so easy to Walk On Your Wild Side in wild, wild West Virginia. Do you face your fears or do you prefer the safety of your Pierpont apartment? Share them with us on Facebook and Twitter.
