November 12, 2011

Seneca Rocks Discovery Center

Monongahela National Forest, WV


On October 20 we made one of several autumn drives to West Virginia . The weather was not as nice as the forecast had predicted, but I was glad we went even though it was cloudy. The visitors center at Seneca Rocks was closing for the season in a few days.

It's near the intersection of WV 55/28 and US 33. There are exhibits but the main attraction is the view of Seneca Rocks. As you might notice in the vertical photo, access to the patio was closed for repair work.

The dramatic rock formation is the best known of a number of razorback ridges made of Tuscarora quartzite. Another example is nearby Champe Rocks.


Next to the visitors center, remains of a Native American village were found. Some findings from archaeological investigations are incorporated in an exhibit. There I learned that the post holes from dwellings were found to be uniformly spaced by the length of a forearm plus hand. The investigative team named this unit of measurement a "yokum." (My guess is that they were paying homage to Yokum's Vacationland where some of them were staying.)

Of course, this has nothing to do with the picture of Smokey. He's modeling a souvenir shirt and I thought he was cute.

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