We Just Love to Explore WV

Improving our Woodland: Focus on Trees

Our LandBy nighthawkads September 25, 2022

We’re using a targeted approach to cut and apply herbicide to invasive plants on our property, including multiflora rose and autumn olive.

Saturday Adventures in Preston County

Food and Drink, Other ExplorationsBy nighthawkads July 17, 2022

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

Our LandBy James July 12, 2022

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

Jeep TrailsBy James June 25, 2022

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

Our LandBy James May 22, 2022

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

BirdingBy nighthawkads May 17, 2022

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

Other ExplorationsBy nighthawkads May 11, 2022

If you’re as curious about forestry, wildlife, botany, and geology in WV as we are, then you would love Master Naturalists.

Labeling our cold stratification methods

Growing Milkweed from Seeds: Cold Stratification and Germination

Our LandBy nighthawkads April 26, 2022

After waiting all winter, it’s finally time to plant our milkweed seeds and increase the milkweed presence on our property.

Fox Sparrow at Little Kanawha River WMA, Calhoun County, WV

Gilmer, Calhoun, and Wirt Counties Exploration

Birding, Other ExplorationsBy nighthawkads January 17, 2022

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.

Mount Harmon

Jeep TrailsBy James January 16, 2022

Short but sweet.

Russel’s Run

Jeep TrailsBy James January 16, 2022

Enjoy the best that West Virginia scenery has to offer.

Graveyard Hill

Jeep TrailsBy James January 16, 2022

You can dip more than your wheels in the water on this trail.

Gallagher Ridge

Jeep TrailsBy James January 15, 2022 1 Comment

Explore a little more of Mon County with this fun little trail.

Exploring Mason Dixon Historical Park

Hiking, Other ExplorationsBy nighthawkads January 2, 2022

Mason-Dixon Historical Park is a sweet little gem just outside of Morgantown with camping and hiking opportunities spanning two states.

Peter Eddy Trail

Jeep TrailsBy James November 10, 2021

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

BirdingBy nighthawkads November 6, 2021

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

BirdingBy nighthawkads November 1, 2021 1 Comment

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

Our LandBy James October 25, 2021

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

Jeep TrailsBy James October 24, 2021

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

BirdingBy nighthawkads October 16, 2021

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

Our LandBy James October 8, 2021

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 LandBy James October 5, 2021

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

Jeep TrailsBy James September 13, 2021

A pleasant range of views, interesting finds, and Appalachian woods makes this a fun and accessible trail to check out.

High Ground Brewing

Food and Drink, Other ExplorationsBy James August 7, 2021

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

Jeep TrailsBy James July 28, 2021

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

BirdingBy nighthawkads June 30, 2021

Short but Sweet: 29/4 in Mon County

Jeep Trails, PhotographyBy James June 27, 2021

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

BirdingBy nighthawkads June 26, 2021

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

Food and Drink, Jeep Trails, PhotographyBy James June 8, 2021

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

Jeep TrailsBy James May 19, 2021 2 Comments

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

Jeep Trails, PhotographyBy James March 28, 2021 1 Comment

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

Jeep Trails, PhotographyBy James March 27, 2021

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)

Birding, Hiking, Other ExplorationsBy nighthawkads March 20, 2021

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

Food and Drink, Other ExplorationsBy James March 18, 2021

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

Birding, Jeep Trails, PhotographyBy James February 9, 2021

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

Birding, Jeep Trails, PhotographyBy James January 14, 2021

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

Jeep Trails, PhotographyBy James January 2, 2020

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.

We Just Love to Explore WV

About WV Explorers

James

Mollee

Finn

Ledoux

The Jeep

The Blog