West Virginia visit (Wheeling, Morgantown, Fairmont: travel, house, rent)

[Barb 714]

I was wondering if the weather is too cold in November to visit W. Virginia. I want to visit my roots, the cemetery where my grandmother is buried and her family. They are Wetzel folks and buried in Mt. Zion. I am going to check out the train as I am tired of flying everywhere and seeing nothing. The biggest city, I think is New Martinsville and then I would rent a car and go to the cemetery. I want to search around and find the old house my kin folk built. But, I remember the story about my grandmother being buried up on the hill and they had to jack hammer her grave because it was soooo cold. So how is the weather around 11/1 in those parts?
Thank you - Barbara

[David Kennedy]

Am-trac stops in Wheeling and Cumberland, Md. It is a delightful change of pace and so leisurely.
No snow to speak of until January and the folks to help you in Wetzel County with your family history are just amazing. It is one, if not THE BEST County in the state for being up on Family History research. Pioneered the GPS location for old family cemeteries.
The last time the weather was cold enough to really freeze the ground was 1976/77. Winter set in the third week of November and stayed until Easter. Wind chill was -50 below and froze the ground to a depth of 3/4 feet.
The other recorded winter that matched this was 1938/39.
Old story worth re-telling is the statue of Lewis Wetzel is the mountaineer located in Morgantown and the statue of David Morgan graces the courtyard of the New Martinsville Courthouse...were switched in shipment long ago.

[AmericanRoadGirl]

My grandfather's family originated from Wetzel County in the New Martinsville area, and once my family from Fairmont traveled over to N.M. and the gentleman who owns the property where the family's farm was located allowed them access to the old site. It was a very moving experience for my mother, uncle and cousins. I live out of state and was not with them at the time. I wish you the best on your similar excursion.