A walk around the fest site grounds. (West) Virginia Blue Bells

Views from the Alleghany trail. An Eastern/Red-spotted Newt. “Aquatic adults range in color from olive to brownish-green and have red spots on their back. The belly is yellow. During the immature terrestrial “red eft” stage, the body is completely bright orange or red. ” http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Nongame/salamanders/east-redspot_newt.htm

Views from the Allegheny trail. Amanda walking across the first rock bridge/butress

Photos from Patrick Pell’s land. The Pells have owned this property for several hundred years. They are one of two properties that still connect down to the cheat river in this area.

The arched stone masonry viaducts Tray Run and Buckeye were completed about 1907 by the B & O railroad. Originally these were made of cast-iron trestles built on top of continuous masonry walls. The design of the trestles were early works of Albert Fink. When they were built in 1852 it was considered the greatest engineering feat of the time. The picture of the Tray Run arched masonry viaduct appears on the back of the West Virginia State Seal.

The arched stone masonry viaducts Tray Run and Buckeye were completed about 1907 by the B & O railroad. Originally these were made of cast-iron trestles built on top of continuous masonry walls. The design of the trestles were early works of Albert Fink. When they were built in 1852 it was considered the greatest engineering feat of the time. The picture of the Tray Run arched masonry viaduct appears on the back of the West Virginia State Seal.

I reached out to the land owner (Hayes) to access the bridge/peirs across from the Cheat Fest site. This old trestle is where the race will begin Friday. I was looking for new angles to capture the start of the race. I think it would work great, but would limit my shots to only this vantage point for the race, as accessing the bridge requires hiking in.

Cheat River Narrows boating. Anna Withrow and Tara Smith

Cheat River Narrows boating. Anna Withrow and Tara Smith

Cheat River Narrows boating. I know these people and they allowed me to capture their rafting trip (Anna Withrow and Tara Smith). The plan was for them to run the canyon, but recent rain made the water levels too high for their comfort/ability). Maybe some of these shots might work for a variation on the boating areas on the Cheat, along with highlighting two women tackling the sport.

The view from Marvin’s Mountaintop, down to the Jenkinsburg Bridge.

The view from Marvin’s Mountaintop, down to the Jenkinsburg Bridge.

Marvin’s Mountain top use to be home to the Allgood Festival, until locals deemed it too much of a liability. This is an old bus that appears to be converted into a water station.

Night sky photos of the water tank/hippie bus at Marvins Mt top.

Hiking Conner Run

Hiking Conner Run

Hiking Conner Run with Mike Powell

Night Sky and Stars from the the Jenkinsburge Bridge, the take out for the Cheat canyon.

Night Sky and Stars from the the Jenkinsburge Bridge, the take out for the Cheat canyon.

Night Sky and Stars from the the Jenkinsburge Bridge, the take out for the Cheat canyon.

Star Trails above Jenkinsburg Bridge. I shot 450 consecutive photos through the night, and combined them in Photoshop to form this composite image. The hills and bridge are lit by the moonlight of that night.

Foggy sunrise at Marvin’s Mt top.

A fog ring illusion, caused by my angle to the sun and the refracting light through the moisture rich air (on Marvin’s Mt top).

The Down River Race. I got a flat tire at the festival site at 4pm, changing my strategy for shooting the race. I improvised by finding these very kind safety boaters to shuttled me across the river.

The Down River Race. I got a flat tire at the festival site at 4pm, changing my strategy for shooting the race. I improvised by finding these very kind safety boaters to shuttled me across the river.

The Down River Race. I got a flat tire at the festival site at 4pm, changing my strategy for shooting the race. I improvised by finding these very kind safety boaters to shuttled me across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. The mass start of the race, seen from the old bridge that extends half way across the river.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge. The Winner (Andrew McEwan)

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge. These boaters are argueing, as one of them accideintlaly struck the other in the face during the race (the other boater didn’t feel it was that accidental)

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge. This man was very worn out, but super happy to be at the finish.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

The Down River Race. At the take-out by Jenkinsburge Bridge.

Amanda Pitzer thanking everyone for all their hard work and support, at the pref-fest celebrations Friday night.

The Cheat River Festival.

The Cheat River Festival. This is the kids nature hike, taking place along the Cheat River.

The Cheat River Festival. This is the kids nature hike, taking place along the Cheat River.

The Cheat River Festival. Artist vendor tents

The Cheat River Festival. Kids tent activities. Kids decorate a pyrimid as part of Nile themed activiites (The Nile theme is based on the fact that the Cheat River flows North, and so does the NIle).

The Cheat River Festival. Kids tent activities. AMD tie-dye

The Cheat River Festival.

The Cheat River Festival.

The Cheat River Festival. Mike Powell’s wife at her art booth selling her handy work.

The Cheat River Festival.

The Cheat River Festival. My lad, Ellic. He just lost his two front teeth in the last week. One of them along the Cheat River early that week.

The Cheat River Festival. Art Market Area.

The Cheat River Festival. The kids’ Nile Parade.

The Cheat River Festival. Cheat canyon art, made from AMD stained clay. These are the medals for the 5k racers (by gail Anderson)

my darlin, Tara Smith

The Cheat River Festival. River Inspired artwork. This is a boaters Juju box, for storing bad energy in before getting on the river.

The Cheat River Festival. Kieth McManus, lead singer/fiddler for Stewed Mulligan

The Cheat River Festival. Amanda Pitzer in chill mode at the festival.

The Cheat River Festival. Jason Coffman and his lovely wife

The Cheat River Festival. Mike Powell with Jason Coffman

The Cheat River Festival. Mike Powell enjoying the festival.

The Cheat River Festival. revelers dancing in front of the stage.

The Cheat River Festival. revelers dancing in front of the stage.

The Cheat River Festival. revelers dancing in front of the stage.

The Cheat River Festival. Gail Anderson and her 3 tooth snail ear rings.

The Cheat River Festival. TNC booth with Mike and his son Mason.

The Cheat River Festival. The Stewed Mulligans performance

The Cheat River Festival. The Stewed Mulligans performance

The Cheat River Festival. The Stewed Mulligans performance. Vince Farsetta

The Cheat River Festival. The Stewed Mulligans performance, Pat McIntire

The Cheat River Festival. The Stewed Mulligans performance

The Cheat River Festival. The Stewed Mulligans performance. Bob Spangler

The Cheat River Festival. The Stewed Mulligans performance. Bob Spangler

The Cheat River Festival. The Stewed Mulligans performance

The Cheat River Festival. Night photos of some after party music with a few members of the headlining band, Quiet.

The Cheat River Festival. Night photos of some after party music with a few members of the headlining band, Quiet.

The Cheat River Festival. Night photos of some after party music with a few members of the headlining band, Quiet.

Jim Snyder at the Alley, a section of the Cheat River that contains the unique hydraulic flow they call the Mystery. He uses a special boat of his design called a Squirt Boat.

Jim Snyder at the Alley, a section of the Cheat River that contains the unique hydraulic flow they call the Mystery. He uses a special boat of his design called a Squirt Boat.

Jim Snyder at the Alley, a section of the Cheat River that contains the unique hydraulic flow they call the Mystery. He uses a special boat of his design called a Squirt Boat.

Jim Snyder at the Alley, a section of the Cheat River that contains the unique hydraulic flow they call the Mystery. He uses a special boat of his design called a Squirt Boat.

Jim Snyder at the Alley, a section of the Cheat River that contains the unique hydraulic flow they call the Mystery. He uses a special boat of his design called a Squirt Boat.

Jim Snyder at the Alley, a section of the Cheat River that contains the unique hydraulic flow they call the Mystery. He uses a special boat of his design called a Squirt Boat.