Fayetteville 2 (and some clouds!)

I finally got the clouds I was hoping for this morning. The proprietors at my B&B were laughing at me; they said I was the first client they had who was hoping for cloudy skies. Yup, photographers are a strange breed.

I excitedly drove the hour plus down to Sandstone Falls , the piece the resistance of New River Gorge, which I was saving for just this occasion. They do make it easy, as a boardwalk leads directly to a clear view of the main falls. I also walked down to the shore, which actually provided a more straight-on view. Fortunately I got my shots before a fishing boat planted itself directly in front of the falls.

I then drove back up to Grandview , which provides an overview of New River Gorge. It was midday, but the clouds saved me and allowed me to get at few shots.

I then drove back a bit past Fayetteville, to shoot Cathedral Falls , which is literally by the side of the road.

This was my last day in West Virginia. This is the state that I probably knew less about than any other. As I have said in previous posts, it has been a lovely surprise. The state is serious about moving on from its coal and other extractive industries and focusing more on tourism and adventure sports. The West Virginians I met were all friendly and helpful. I think I have said this before, but I felt like I was back in the Deep South from that perspective. Knowing what I do now, I will definitely be making a return visit to West Virginia. I will make a brief stop in the Canaan Valley tomorrow, to at least get a taste of the upper panhandle before I entirely leave the state and return to civilization for a while.

Tomorrow I drive up to Washington D.C., which I am calling a state for purposes of this trip. Presumably it will receive that formal designation at some point in the near future anyway.

Additional images are found in the Gallery.