Nature and History Featured this Weekend in Parks
2015-09-19 - 2015-09-20
This season is a great time to enjoy national parks! Be it nature, history, a sense of adventure that draws you outdoors, spending time in parks can be refreshing. Ranger-guided programs might be just the ticket for you this weekend. All ranger programs are FREE unless otherwise noted. Wear comfortable walking shoes for guided walks. Water, snacks, camera, and binoculars are other useful tools to bring along. Below is a list of this weekend's featured ranger programs in area national parks, plus news about other happenings in and near the park.

Saturday, September 19, 2015:

Bluestone Walk

10:00 am - 11:30 am. Meet at the base of Pipestem Resort State Park tramway. 2 mile walk. Walk within Bluestone National Scenic River for a mile and return. Along the way, enjoy the flora and fauna of the area and discover regional history. Bring $2.25 for the return tram ride.

Sunday, September 20, 2015:

Historic Thurmond Tour

11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Meet at the Thurmond Depot Visitor. 0.5 mile walk. What was life like in one of the New River Gorge's most renowned towns? Meet a ranger in Thurmond's historic district for an informal tour of this once bustling railroad town, hearing stories of days gone by.

Ranger's Choice at Canyon Rim

2:00 pm 3:30 pm. Meet at Canyon Rim Visitor Center in Lansing. Come and go as you please for this informal hands-on talk with a ranger about the park.

There are several ways to celebrate the arts around the parks this weekend too. Stop by Tamarack in Beckley to see the 2015 Hidden History Photo Contest exhibit. With twenty-seven heritage-based images on display this month, this annual contest provides an opportunity for West Virginia amateur adult and youth photographers to capture hidden and not-so-hidden elements of southern West Virginia's history. These photos are on display in the vestibule directly across the hall from the David L. Dickirson Fine Art Gallery or can be viewed online at www.nps.gov/neri. Tamarack is open daily 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Park volunteer and "Resident Artist" Cecil Glenn Runions, will also be using history and nature as a source of artistic inspiration in the park on weekends. Call Sandstone Visitor Center (304-466-0417) to find out where this artist will be painting to see Runions in action, creating art in the plein air style (paintings created outside using natural light).

2015 Hidden History Weekend is almost here as well, so mark your calendars for September 25 27. Celebrate the wonders of Appalachian heritage at this annual special event. Explore the rich sites and stories of our area's diverse history. Free programs will take place at New River Gorge National River, the National Coal Heritage Area, Tamarack, and the West Virginia State Parks of Babcock, Pipestem Resort, and Twin Falls Resort. See the full event schedule at http://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/hidden-history-weekend.htm.

For more information about area National Park Service sites visit: http://www.nps.gov/neri, http://www.facebook.com/newrivergorgenps, https://Twitter.com/NewRiverNPS, or stop by any New River Gorge National River visitor center.

About the National Park Service

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. For more information about the National Park Service, visit http://www.nps.gov.
