From http://www.ilovemountains.org/:

Just last night, we confirmed reports that Massey Energy has begun blasting on Coal River Mountain in southern West Virginia. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has stated that the mining operation on the mountain is "actively moving coal." Workers were seen throughout this past week moving heavy equipment up to the mining zones, and blasting and plumes of smoke were seen and heard near the Brushy Fork coal slurry impoundment on Friday.
The Brushy Fork impoundment is an enormous retention pond holding 8.2 billion gallons of toxic coal slurry waste. If the impoundment were to fail due to the blasting, hundreds of lives will be lost and thousands more will be in jeopardy from an enormous slurry flood.
A 2006 study confirmed that Coal River Mountain -- which has the highest peaks ever slated for mining in the state -- is an ideal location for developing utility-scale wind power. Local residents have rallied around this proposal as a symbol of hope, a promise of a new and cleaner energy future, but that hope may be destroyed unless quick and decisive action is taken right now.
Please call President Obama today at 202-456-1414 and implore him to use his agencies and influence with West Virginia politicians to stop the destruction of Coal River Mountain immediately.
Visit our Coal River Mountain action page for more details and talking points. We will also post status updates as we receive them.
Thanks for all you do for the mountains-and especially Coal River Mountain.
Matt WassoniLoveMountains.org

Pipestem State Park Tram Ride and Hike

This is the testing equipment for the Corps of Engineers to test the water levels, which they do to prevent floods in West Virginia.

The lodge at the bottom of the tram ride.

The tram cars waiting to go:

First few weeks in West Virginia

Driving into southern West Virginia.























This is coal mining country. A sign in the laundramat.





















































Concord University library and the Administration building where my office is.














The view from the Lodge at Pipestem State Park, just north of Athens, WV.















The lake at Pipestem.





































Toadstools around the lake.




































































Another view of the mountains from the lodge.















Hinton, West Virginia, the homemade instrument capital of the world.

Musicians at the festival in Hinton.






























The food at the Festival of the Rivers.
























A vendor selling food at the festival.

A woman giving whistling lessons at the Festival.

The water slide in Hinton.

The stage at the festival.