COURTESY OF WATOGA FOUNDATION.ORG By ANGELA MINOR W ith some 339 state parks in the states of the Blue Ridge Country coverage area, there are at least a few in the mountains with enough size and superlatives to attract " national " attention. Let's explore seven of them. West Virginia: Watoga State Park While sitting around the campfire with darkness filling the forests, prepare yourself for what happens next in the state's largest park. For a hint, consider the First Nation name, Watoga, which means " starry waters. " The first surprise is celestial and occurs in " one of the largest and darkest skysheds within the eastern United States " : a universal light show. At this location you can see galaxies, planets, constellations and our own Milky Way. This vast experience recently earned Watoga an Official Dark Sky status in 2021; a designation with rigorous standards only awarded to 60 locations in the country. " Starry " wonders also happen closer to the ground. For only a few weeks during the year, a rare sparkling light show is performed by synchronous fireflies. Their claim to fame is rhythMAIN IMAGE: South Carolina's Caesars Head State Park/Jones Gap State Park are now collectively designated an official Wilderness Area. ABOVE: West Virginia's huge CCC-era Watoga State Park is also an Official Dark Sky Park. MAY/JUNE 2022 23http://www.FOUNDATION.ORG