Yes, this is the land of Deliverance and the Hatfields and the McCoys. But to chalk up West Virginia as a punch line to a hillbilly joke is to do the state an incredible disservice. For those who love the great outdoors, there are few states that can match this corner of Appalachia for scenic beauty and challenging terrain. (The state's nickname, "The Mountain State," is well earned.) Indeed, West Virginia ranks just behind Colorado in the quality of its white-water rapids and offers splendid skiing -- and it's a whole lot cheaper than Colorado to visit. You'll find plenty of history, too. Harpers Ferry, site of one of the most famous raids in American history, is located here; the raid helped chart West Virginia's course of secession from Virginia and its entrance as a separate state into the Union in 1863. And if you prefer relaxation, the state is home to one of the country's most renowned resorts, the Greenbrier, and to the historic spa city of Berkeley Springs, where the Founding Fathers liked to get away from all -- and you can, too. For sheer value, few states in the country can beat this one.
