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Bianca BosworthBianca Bosworth

Born in Charleston, Bianca Bosworth spent years traveling the world as a travel nurse and freelance writer. In 2009 she returned to West Virginia to pursue a career in writing and mountaineering. She now calls Putnam County near Charleston home. She can be reached at 304-575-7390 or bosworth@wvexplorer.com.
Rather than leveling the land, this contemporary West Virginia home in the Canaan Valley embraces the natural mountainside, illustrating how architects increasingly design with the state's steep terrain instead of trying to overcome it. (Illustration courtesy Mills Group)
Arts

How modern engineering is changing the way people live in West Virginia’s mountains

by Bianca Bosworth

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — For generations, West Virginia’s steep mountainsides posed one of the state’s greatest challenges for homebuilders. Deep hollows, narrow ridges, and rugged slopes left little level ground for construction, so communities developed along river bottoms and broader ridge tops, where building was easier. Homes climbed hillsides only when necessary, and the state’s dramatic … Read more

Guests on horseback gather in the gardens of the Pence Springs Hotel during the resort's early years. Horseback riding was among the attractions that drew visitors to the famed mineral springs resort, where the Alderson Horse Show will return horses to the property this summer. (Courtesy photo)
Festivals / Events

Horses return to historic Pence Springs Resort before Alderson Fourth Of July celebration

by Bianca Bosworth

PENCE SPRINGS, W.Va. — Horses will return to the historic Pence Springs resort grounds this summer when the Alderson Fourth of July Celebration hosts its annual horse show at the former mineral-springs resort, reviving an equestrian tradition that helped define the property more than a century ago. Organizers say the June 27 event, part of … Read more

The Middle Fork River at Audra State Park is among the most popular natural swimming holes in West Virginia, attracting visitors throughout the summer. (Photo courtesy Sebastian Chambers)
Travel / Transportation

The 12 best swimming holes in West Virginia for ideal summer escapes

by Bianca Bosworth

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Whether you’re chasing cool, crystal-clear waters or hidden natural pools tucked into lush forest valleys, these publicly accessible swimming holes in West Virginia offer the perfect summer escape. Keep in mind that there are hundreds across the Mountain State, many of which are sourced from clear mountain streams. Explore the best natural … Read more

Communities nationwide have used historic tax credits to transform aging downtowns into centers of housing, commerce, tourism, and community life.
Economic Development

West Virginia-backed Senate bill could spur new investment in historic downtowns across America

by Bianca Bosworth

LEWISBURG, W.Va. — Historic buildings, from New England mill towns to Appalachian downtowns, could become easier to restore under bipartisan legislation that would expand one of the nation’s most successful redevelopment incentives. U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito has joined lawmakers from both parties in sponsoring the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act of 2025, … Read more

Historic Harpers Ferry is dressed in red, white and blue for Independence Day, drawing visitors to one of West Virginia's most iconic destinations during the Fourth of July holiday.
Festivals / Events

Patriotic destinations worth visiting in West Virginia on Fourth of July weekend

by Bianca Bosworth

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — As Independence Day approaches, travelers across West Virginia are planning weekend getaways that combine scenic landscapes with the state’s rich American history. From Civil War landmarks and statehood sites to historic forts and presidential retreats, the Mountain State offers numerous destinations where visitors can reflect on the nation’s past while enjoying … Read more

Blackwater Falls in Tucker County ranks among the tallest and most visited waterfalls in West Virginia, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Natural Wonders

West Virginia’s highest waterfalls ranked: The Mountain State’s tallest cascades

by Bianca Bosworth

DAVIS, W.Va. — West Virginia’s rugged mountains, steep gorges and high-elevation streams have created hundreds of waterfalls across the state. While some are known for their width or scenic beauty, others stand out for their height. From the iconic Blackwater Falls to the towering cascades hidden in the Monongahela National Forest, these are the highest … Read more