WEST VIRGINIA (WCHS) — Award-winning photojournalist Brad Rice has been touring the Mountain State for years, bringing our viewers along to tour points of interest and make discoveries off the beaten path.

Eyewitness News has compiled a top ten list of Traveling WV stories from 2024 which can all be revisited online .

The most-viewed story of the year was a bucket list item for Rice, who stumbled across a curious property while on a fishing trip in Tucker County that appeared to be straight out of a J.R.R. Tolkien novel.

Raven Ring Island is nestled along the confluence of the Glady Fork and Cheat River. The creative owners have built a castle-like residence room-by-room which is filled with mystical and fantasy-driven art installations.

While it is private property, annual guided tours are offered through the ArtSpring Gallery out of Thomas, West Virginia. A book entitled “A Year on Raven Ring Island” is available for purchase online .

Next up, a small-town burger restaurant in Fayette County caught the eyes of hungry viewers.

Burger Carte, located in Smithers , has been a local favorite for more than 60 years.

The establishment of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve has brought a new surge of customers and national attention to the eatery.

Cowboy hat maker CJ Landers , of Elkview, was next our our list.

His talent can be seen on television as Landers produced hats for actors in "Yellowstone," "Horizon: An American Saga" and "Dead City."

Landers Hatworks can create custom orders for the arena or the open range. For more information, click here .

Unraveling a mystery that has captivated visitors and southern West Virginians since the mid 1950s was another top pick of 2024.

The "Bruiser's Bus Rock Camp" in Gauley Bridge has sparked stories of speculation on how a full-sized bus ended up mounted on a large rock in the middle of the New River.

Theories have ranged from raging flood waters to drunken college pranks.

To get the true origin story behind the Fayette County curiosity, click here .

Also along the New River is a picturesque getaway for couples that envelops visitors in Almost Heaven's deciduous forests.

New River Hideaways , a pair of geodomes that have all the comforts of home, were established by Ohio-based couple Coy and Andrea Lehman.

The unique Marion County vacation spot is now available as an Airbnb rental .

In Braxton County, Traveling WV visited with a teenager who has turned his longtime fascination with trains into a railroading career.

Lane Friend showed off a fully-functional steam engine built at his Strange Creek home workshop.

At the time this story was published, Friend had secured a job as a machinist for Cass Scenic Railroad.

Another way to travel that has gained popularity in the Mountain State now has its own resort.

The Appalachian Outpost offers UTV and ATV rentals, lodging, shopping and food options in Logan County.

The resort offers easy access to the Hatfield-McCoy Trails .

Another vacation rental opportunity can be found in the hills of Nicholas County.


McFadden Ridge offers the comforts of home inside of an upcycled shipping container.

The unique destination neighbors Summersville Lake and the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

An unusual combination of goods and services offered in Mason County was also featured by Traveling West Virginia in 2024.

The Cornerstone Barber Shop and Outfitters allows patrons to get a hair cut and gear up for a fishing excursion.

A former furniture store along Route 62 in Mason houses the business owned by Brian and Amy O'Neill.

To round out Traveling's 2024 top 10, we head to Jackson County, West Virginia.

Ripley's Farmhouse Market Finds boasts a wide variety of decor, antiques, clothing, furniture and more inside a 10,000 foot shopping space.

Hungry shoppers may opt to grab a homestyle meal inside the market's bistro.

To check out more Traveling West Virginia segments, visit us online or subscribe to the WCHS-TV YouTube channel .