West Virginia Stops

We did a short stop at a radio observatory in West Virginia.  It wasn’t as big as the VLA in New Mexico but more like the observatory in Arizona with all types of radio dishes in various locations in the area.  We didn’t take the time for the tour, but went to the visitor center and played with displays like this one.  You can move the model dish but not the real one!

I’m sure kids would like the displays, but we enjoyed playing too.  This is us in the infrared spectrum.  I’m holding a camera in front of me, in case you’re wondering.

Lost World Caverns was interesting. Here’s a bear fossil from the museum.

It’s one of the few caverns that allow you to wander a path unescorted. Here’s some Hex Blocks.  They are formed when a bed dries up.  You can see what the top surface of the mud would have looked like.  The pieces tend to separate into hexagonal blocks.

The cavern has a large problem with mold due to the lighting.  They said that every winter they close and spray down the formations with water and hydrogen peroxide.  It’s better than bleach since it doesn’t hurt any insects or animals.  But by fall, the mold has all come back. Personally, I think it’s time to try buying some energy efficient LED lights along with motion sensors.

In 1971, a man from Parkersburg West Virginia sat on top of this column called War Club for 15 days 23 hours and 15 minutes setting a Guinness World Record.  I’m not sure if the record still stands but you have to wonder why people do these things!

Here’s Seneca Rocks.  It’s a rock formation that’s big for the East.  When they built a visitors center, they found traces of Native Americans who had lived here for thousands of years.  John’s pointing at a guy that’s standing at the top.  Lots of climbers travel to here due to the difficulty of the climb.  The only way you can really see the guy is with binoculars, so don’t try to find him!