West Virginia Explorer West Virginia Explorer News
Browse

David Sibray

David Sibray is the founder, publisher and editor-in-chief of West Virginia Explorer, a news and travel magazine devoted to the state’s history, tourism, outdoor recreation and economic development. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390 or at editor@wvexplorer.com
A series of ziplines now leads adventurers on a remarkable canopy tour through the Bluestone River Gorge.
Attractions

Zipline tours of the Bluestone Gorge open at Pipestem

by David Sibray

Pipestem Resort State Park unveiled the state’s newest aerial adventure—a series of zip-lines that lets riders soar for more than a mile above the breathtaking Bluestone National Scenic River. Stephen McDaniel, director of the state Division of Natural Resources, heralded the zip-line network as among the world’s most fantastic canopy-tour venues and thanked the state’s … Read more

Chelsea Ruby unveils new state park
Attractions

West Virginia governor unveils new Elk River state park

by David Sibray

Stressing his commitment to a diversified state economy, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice on Wednesday announced the inclusion of a new state park—a trail that wanders a 72 mile stretch of the Elk River in Clay County. Introduced by West Virginia Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby, the governor told a crowd of more than 100 dignitaries … Read more

The father of Shirley Stewart Burns is baptized in southern West Virginia.
Arts

Stories define West Virginia songwriter’s new collection

by David Sibray

Wandering an old cemetery, Shirley Stewart Burns considers the stories that headstones tell. And it occurs to her that birth and death dates aren’t as important as the days between—represented by a line drawn between the dates. And that becomes a song. The Line There’s a line that’s etched in granite With two dates on … Read more

The Dirt Days Festival showcases Williamson as a chief destination for off-road travel in West Virginia.
ATV Touring

Dirt Days fest to showcase Williamson as off-road hub

by David Sibray

More than 300 miles of trail extend into the mountains from Williamson, West Virginia, host of this weekend’s inaugural Dirt Day Festival, which proponents expect to become one of the nation’s chief off-road extravaganzas. Sponsored by the Tug Valley Area Convention and Visitor Bureau, the April 26-28 festival aims to showcase some of the best … Read more

A historic stone barn awaits the harvest in West Virginia's eastern panhandle.
Agriculture

W.Va. Dept. of Agriculture releases new five-year plan

by David Sibray

The West Virginia Agriculture Advisory Board has released a five year-strategic plan for West Virginia agriculture, which Commissioner of Agricultural Ken Leonhardt says he hopes to initiate immediately. Titled “A Shared Agenda for Growing West Virginia’s Agricultural Economy,” the plan focuses on several areas—connecting producers to market opportunities, creating infrastructure needed to grow the agriculture … Read more