Improving our Woodland: Focus on Trees
We’re using a targeted approach to cut and apply herbicide to invasive plants on our property, including multiflora rose and autumn olive.
Check it out
Saturday Adventures in Preston County
We visited a sampling of scenic stops and had good food and drink on our way to the Appalachian Youth Livestock Showcase in Preston County.
Preparing for a Wildlife Garden
We’re using a targeted approach to cut and apply herbicide to invasive plants on our property, including multiflora rose and autumn olive.
Pedlar Run
Located just outside of Terra Alta, West Virginia, Pedlar Run is nestled into the lush mountains that make this place so special.
Invasive Plant Removal on our Preston County Property
We’re using a targeted approach to cut and apply herbicide to invasive plants on our property, including multiflora rose and autumn olive.
Baby Birds! Nesting Season in WV
It’s bird nesting season in West Virginia! Learn about baby birds in our state, how to look for them, support them, and help an injured bird.
Master Naturalists and an Aquatic Habitat Workshop
If you’re as curious about forestry, wildlife, botany, and geology in WV as we are, then you would love Master Naturalists.
Growing Milkweed from Seeds: Cold Stratification and Germination
After waiting all winter, it’s finally time to plant our milkweed seeds and increase the milkweed presence on our property.
Gilmer, Calhoun, and Wirt Counties Exploration
What’s the best way to explore the most rural in West Virginia? Study some maps, pack snacks, and hit the road. We spent a day birding and exploring Gilmer, Calhoun, and Wirt counties.
Exploring Mason Dixon Historical Park
Mason-Dixon Historical Park is a sweet little gem just outside of Morgantown with camping and hiking opportunities spanning two states.
Peter Eddy Trail
Get some mud on the tires and escape into the mountains of West Virginia with this short but fun trail.
Pleasant Creek Wildlife Management Area
This is easily one of the most exciting birding areas in the entire state of West Virginia. It boasts large numbers of expected species and rarities alike.
West Virginia Rare Bird Resources
If you want to keep in the loop on rare birds in West Virginia, here are four free resources you can use.
Milkweed Seeds and the Natural Resource Conservation Service
When we started looking for property, we knew our priority was to actively manage it for wildlife. While we both know a good deal about nature and we’ve been studying up, we aren’t experts. One of the first steps we took upon closing on the property was to meet with experts.
Little Indian Creek Road
Most people know Little Indian Creek, if they know it all, as a place to hunt. But it offers a lot…..from birding and other wildlife viewing to a great offroad trail there is a lot to find here.
Fall Bird Migration in West Virginia
This week, my newest article launched online after being published in the fall edition: The Great Migration, all about fall bird migration in West Virginia (with a shoutout to butterfly migration, too!).
The Mighty…Acorn
While researching how to manage our land, we’ve learned so much about the benefits of oaks. In addition to being impressive and beautiful trees, they also host an astounding amount of wildlife.
A New Adventure
Our next big adventure is 40 acres of overlooked land in Preston County, West Virginia. It may not seem as exciting as hitting the trail, but I’m sure it will provide plenty of room to learn, grow, and, most importantly, to share.
Marion County Route 36/2
A pleasant range of views, interesting finds, and Appalachian woods makes this a fun and accessible trail to check out.
High Ground Brewing
A beer experience is always better at the brewery itself, and best of all, it’s an excuse to explore another part of West Virginia. High Ground Brewery does not disappoint.
How to Find New Jeep Trails
Keeping a list of all bird species seen in WV is exciting, but can also mean that you’ll be tempted into dropping everything and speeding off to who-knows-where to chase a species that you may only have one shot at seeing in that area. Such was the case when we heard that five Roseate Spoonbills were present in Grant County, West Virginia.
Rare Bird Chase: Roseate Spoonbills in WV
Keeping a list of all bird species seen in WV is exciting, but can also mean that you’ll be tempted into dropping everything and speeding off to who-knows-where to chase a species that you may only have one shot at seeing in that area. Such was the case when we heard that five Roseate Spoonbills were present in Grant County, West Virginia.
Short but Sweet: 29/4 in Mon County
County Route 29/4 is nestled right in the middle of western Monongalia County between Morgantown and Blacksville.
Exploring Mercer and McDowell Counties: Breeding Bird Surveys
James and I took off with our tent and birding gear and headed to the southernmost part of WV to conduct two breeding bird surveys.
Exploring Canaan Loop Road: The Trail on Everyone’s List
Canaan Loop Rd…. It’s probably the one trail in north-central West Virginia that is on everybody’s radar. It offers a lot without more difficulty than beginners can take on while still being a fun drive for those with more experience.
Finding a Jeep Playground: County Route 27 Drives
I get excited when I find an area that has clear roads but at times opens up, splits off, and just seems very open-ended, and these can be fun. County Routes 27/1, 27/2, and 27/4 fit this description.
County Rd 18
County Route 18 heads west from 218 just outside of Daybrook in Monongalia County. It’s a typical rural route that winds through the countryside, giving you a nice relaxing drive.
Monongalia County Exploration 1
There’s nothing better than finding good trails to hit close to home. Much to my surprise, I found some great places in Monongalia County that held potential for Jeeping.
Middle Island (Ohio River Islands NWR)
Middle Island always seems to surprise me with the amount of birds and activity present. Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge can otherwise be difficult to access without boats, but here, you can drive, hike, or even leisure at a wildlife blind!
Short Story Brewing
One of my favorite breweries near my home in Morgantown is Short Story Brewing in Rivesville, a small town of just under 1,000. The location strikes a nice balance between the trendiness and its rural routes.
Bull Run Winter Drive
Located just 25 minutes from Morgantown, Bull Run is one of my favorite places to take the Jeep out for a little drive. It’s a fairly short drive and non-technical but has a lot to offer.
Tyler County Exploration
Our first foray into Tyler County was a bit hit or miss. As with many places in West Virginia, I had very little to go on while looking for off roading trails. Armed with county route maps and my Avenza app, we went off to see what adventure we could find.
Canyon Rim Road
Canyon Rim Road runs from Douglas to US 219. This route is an easy drive and most SUVs should have little problem. While not a technical route, the scenery is beautiful and worth traveling to experience this part of Wets Virginia.