(2020) My Experience in Morgantown, West Virginia
West Virginia’s beauty took my breath away. When I landed on my sister and her husband’s front steps I distinctly remember remarking “this is God’s country.” I didn’t realize how spot on I’d be.
God’s Country
The 4 things that stuck out to me most about Morgantown were:
Tremendous school pride,
rough roads,
foggy mornings, and
greenery
…all in that order.
Say I Do With WVU
Let’s start with the university.
Morgantown is dedicated to West Virginia University.
Step aside Bevo (UT joke), WVU has some passionate fans. I didn’t dare say Hook 'em in the local Kroger lest be taken to the butchery department and never seen again.
I could spend a decade writing a thesis on the topic of college wear and school pride in Morgantown.
I’m talking WVU…
earrings,
shirts,
temporary tattoos,
sweatpants and crop tops (together),
sandals, and even
WVU weddings (“Say I Do With WVU”)
This pride is why I’m traveling the country––to meet people who are proud of where they live and who are living Clothing Confidently in their town.
Morgantowners are particularly proud of their corner of the earth, or as they would call it, their lil’ slice of heaven.
Buffalo to Morgantown, The Contrast
Going from Buffalo, New York to Morgantown, West Virginia was quite a contrast. Buffalo, while not the booming city it was once, is still 8x larger than Morgantown.
From its birth, Buffalo experienced meticulous city planning and thoughtful park placements, from carefully manicuring around the natural phenomenon of Niagara Falls to creating thoroughfares in the city for afternoon gatherings. Buffalo was raised by a Helicopter Parent.
Morgantown on the other hand is more unrefined, but in a beautiful way. “Leave the gem uncut” sort of style. Think more Permissive Parenting.
The result is that West Virginia has the “rougher” version of what you’d expect. The “roads” are treacherous and serve as amateur Nascar for the locals (“how fast can I go around this bend?”).
Buffalo is polished, Morgantown, rugged, but both are surrounded by unbelievably beautiful nature.
Explore Morgantown with me!
Read my conversation with
Morning Fog, Evening Light
Right across the road from my sister and her husband’s home is a farm that, no matter the time of day, glows with wonder.
I tried my best to capture the morning fog, but you may have to visit West Virginia to see it for yourself.
Coopers Rock and Swallow Falls
We spent an entire Sunday driving around finding new greenery––from Cooper’s Rock and Swallow Falls in Maryland (only an hour away).
The Farmland of West Virginia
Some forgotten, some still in use today.
Abandoned Homes in West Virginia
Don’t you want to go inside?
I have a fondness for abandoned buildings like these.
It makes me wonder… what were they used for in their HAYday? School house? Barn?
Now, they serve as entertainment to the local youth on weekend evenings (PBR and all).
From West Virginia Hills
(words by Mrs. Ellen King, music by H. E. Engle)
Oh, the West Virginia hills!
How majestic and how grand,
With their summits bathed in glory,
Like our Prince Immanuel's Land!
Is it any wonder then,
That my heart with rapture thrills,
As I stand once more with loved ones
On those West Virginia hills?
