Many folks say that wild, wonderful West Virginia is the place to be with all of its untamed rivers and streams, mountainous beauty with all the charm and grace of a kingdom, forgotten wilderness and trails to be rediscovered and teeming with the rich history of those that made this state what it is today. Small towns that sprang up along now abandoned rail lines have become nothing but ghost towns yet were once bustling with life and hope. Nestled in this great state, we live in a county that embodies all these aspects and more. Clay County, our home, is home to many that have such a rich family history with roots that grow deep. This is not a history lesson for the great folks of this county but a call to get out and explore our history and to maintain our ancestral heritage before it is gone forever.
Our county was built on the backs of individuals that pushed the boundaries of hard work and determination, that built logging and mining communities along the rail lines where they raised families and buried loved ones in cemeteries that dot the hillsides. These communities, Swandale, Avoka and Adair just to name a few, have now become ghost towns where nothing is left but distant memories. If you are a native of this county, then your family played an intricate part of the building of this county in one form or another. With that being said, there is one way of remembering these communities and their history. There have been many stories already written on the newly opened rail to trail that stretches from Pisgah to Widen; it is a wonderful way to get out and explore this county. Hopefully this development brings other venues that can thrive in this county if only people will just get out and away from the hustle of life and get moving. There are many hiking and biking trails that will get your heart pumping in Clay’s great outdoors. One particular hike if you’re feeling adventurous is the hike from Crestmont to Dundon, roughly a 12 mile hike through some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever see. The old railroad bed guides you past one of the more if not most scenic creeks in the state, Buffalo Creek.
I had the opportunity to experience this hike this past weekend with the family. It is breath taking, to say the least, not just the creek but nature itself wraps its arms around you and fills your lungs with a renewed passion for the outdoors. About a mile and a half into the hike you no longer hear the cars, and it is just you and nature together for miles. The hike will take you through two old towns that nature has taken back, Adair and Avoka. There is nothing left except for memories and a cemetery located in Adair, but as you go through them you can almost hear the sounds of a once bustling railroad community and still smell the sweet smell of creosote and coal. Biking would be a no-no on this section but other sections will afford the opportunity to get some peddling in. You owe it to yourself and this county to take advantage of the opportunities to partake of the other sports in this county – hiking, fishing, canoeing, and biking. Let us make Clay a go to destination for these activities and more and learn about our history at the same time. The trout are stocked, and the only way to get to the good ones is to stretch your legs to travel to the remote honey holes. Trout are biting and the trails are waiting. Get out and enjoy and don’t forget the bait or your camera.
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