Blackwater Falls

Blackwater Falls, originally uploaded by senecacreekphotography.

Blackwater Falls is located in Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia. Later that day, I was led into the park at about 11pm to experience the darkest state in the nation. So far removed from light pollution, i was completely blown away when i looked up into the sky.

“Its not dark enough to see the Milky Way, you’ll be looking down your telescopic barrel at entire galaxies and planetary nebula–remnants of dead and dying stars.” If you don’t have a telescope (like myself) you can still see the Milky Way in all its glory. I had no clue that the sky could look like that until visiting and till this day am still jaw dropped at what i saw.

To all those who don’t like the outdoors all the much, If you visit West Virginia at night (lead by some ranger or naturalist from a park, of course) then I will get off your case about railing you on getting out more often, and even better, you will probably want to get out more on your own after realizing what has been above your head every night hiding.

Check out this picture taken from East Lynn, WV by Jeff Ball if you need convincing.