New River Gorge’s Endless Wall of Nuttall Sandstone is much harder than regular sandstone and provides a stunning border for the Gorge There are all-season reasons to roam among the Northern Appalachians in W.Va. But springtime has its own special allure: the riotous blooming shrubs known as Mountain Laurel and Rhododendrons (they are different) scattered…

Interstate 77 (I-77) is one of the country’s north-south arteries that in “old normal times” provides an unbroken stretch of macadam for snowbirds heading south from Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Western New York. But for those whose idea of a good trip includes the journey, it’s a gateway to its own sensational attractions. From historic Marietta, Ohio, to island…

With old man winter’s icy breath encasing the Great Lakes, I’m dreading being cooped up listening to dire statistics and only being able to visit friends and family via Zoom. Thanks to the pandemic, festive holiday gatherings won’t brighten up the enveloping darkness and Lake Effect precipitation hurtling towards America’s “North Coast” at the end…