It's that time of year down in the southern end of the county. Hundreds of visitors will flock into Elkhorn City to enjoy a set of natural wonders that are second to none on either side of the state line.
The beautiful weather forecast will bring boaters from every state for the first release weekend on the Russell Fork. Nearly 200 runners from across and outside the U.S. will attack the Pine Mountain Trail in Saturday's Cloudsplitter 100 races. The majestic Breaks of the Big Sandy is what these people come to experience.
This weekend in Elkhorn City also features Railroad Days events, the Girl Scout's 5k race/1 mile walk, and an outstanding show at Artist's Collaborative Theater "Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming." Absolutely something for everybody.
Unfortunately, there are a few around town who resent these events, who don't see the upside of a couple thousand extra folk with money rollling through our town in a weekend, and who want to get in the way. Some might be asking for your vote in November.
There are still many in Elkhorn who believe otherwise and see the economic potential in smart tourism development grounded in our unique place. But sometimes it seems there aren't enough of us.
All we've heard for 50 years, from tourism professionals to cabinet secretaries to governors, is what potential we have. It's the single thing I've heard most for the last 22 years talking directly to all types of visitors. And to a person they're all puzzled why we aren't there.
Potential is a hard thing to realize, a burden some people and places just aren't able to carry. For a couple years now, I've wondered if Elkhorn City is that place. It doesn't matter how close you are to the gold ring if you won't reach out and grab it.
Maybe it really is the water.
This week Jenkins, just 23 miles up Elkhorn Creek, went wet. They did it because they've seen other towns in the region legalize alcohol sales and benefit. They did it because they want to nab more money from travellers on US 23. Why should Pound, VA get all those tax revenues?
Imagine, with thousands of paddlers, hikers, runners, bikers, atv riders, anglers, bird watchers, leaf chasers, theater and arts lovers, and family reunioners coming through our town in a year what that added revenue could do. But we're no closer to legal beer sales in our town than we are to Disneyworld.
Is that the magic key? Of course not, there are a hundred things we, as a town, need to do to create a real tourism economy. None of them are that hard because, simply put, we have a product that people want to experience and can't be replicated.
Give them places to eat, to sleep, to purchase supplies, to buy gear, and to be entertained after a hard day outdoors. Welcome them like we always did.
They'll keep coming back and the money will flow.