Win a Vacation for Four!

The East Fork Volunteer Fire Department is giving away a “Vacation Getaway” for four people.  Visit EastForkVFD.com for more information!

New products on VisitMatewan.com/shop

I just finished adding a few new products to www.VisitMatewan.com/shop/.  If you’re interested in any of the t-shirts, you should probably buy now because I’m not going to reorder a few of them (I’m replacing them with NEW styles).

Other updates regarding the site:
It may not appear than anything is happening at VisitMatewan.com but it is.  I’ve been making quite a few changes on the backend to help improve things for the future.  You should see some noticable changes in April or Early May.  Keep coming back!

Login and Registration Issues

Since February 8, VisitMatewan members have been unable to login and new members have been unable to register.  The issues have been resolved.  Sorry for the problems — during the transition from the old design to the current, I overlooked a small problem in the programming that runs the website.  Completely a mistake caused by my own doing.

If you have any problems logging in or registering, please email contact@visitmatewan.com to have them taken care of.

A New Look and Other Updates

What’s new?
Added Full WV Law Code for ATV’s and Hatfield-McCoy Trails
Added condensed version of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System Rules
Added message board (VisitMatewan.com/forum)
Fixed page titles - now dynamic (for most pages)
Added multiple image upload
Fixed title errors on multiple business listing pages (other, eats, and entertainment)
Image descriptions are now much more visible than before.
New rating system

….and a new design.
I just wasn’t liking the previous design. A few reasons:
1 - It was just too dark.
2 - It looked cheap/messy
3 - With the top random image bar, loading times were horrible. This wasn’t just because of the fact that 7 additional images were loading on EVERY page — each of those images were created on the fly (not saved anywhere). Basically this means that large images had to be shrunken down to thumbnail size, watermark applied, and printed all by a complex script….seven separate times on every page. This just had to be changed.  (Now you can find only two random images on the right hand sidebar)
4 - Although it allowed for much more content space, the old design was starting to feel too cramped. This new design is actually smaller than the old but has a right and left sidebar. I’m working on making the right hand bar collapsible so that more content space can be achieved if individual users desire.

I know there are a few bugs/kinks that need to be fixed. I’m slowly working on getting things straight and looking nice (while trying to keep the website online and functional). If you notice something you think has been overlooked, send an email to contact@visitmatewan.com.

HM Trail Authority Retracts Offer

     The Hatfield McCoy Trail Authority initially agreed to allow VisitMatewan.com to sale the required Hatfield-McCoy Trail User Permits.  However, after a whole lot of emails/phone calls/bargaining, VisitMatewan and the Trail Authority couldn’t come to an agreement.

So if you want to purchase a trail permit, please do so from one of the vendors in town (I’m working on implementing a way to view which businesses sell permits locally.  Look for this feature to make an appearance in the coming weeks).

On a final note, I am very disappointed that the Trail Authority retracted their initial statement.  This has not only wasted money, it has also wasted many hours of programming and development required to process the permit transactions.

- Kevin Smith
VisitMatewan.com Admin

Image Management Improvements

To make things easier, a multiple image upload feature has been added.  Now you can upload up to ten images at once.

Here’s how you do it:
(To find it yourself:)
- Login if you’re not already logged in.  If you’re not a member at VisitMatewan.com, what are you waiting for?
- Click on “My Media” up top
- Click on “Upload Multiple Images”

(For a direct link:)
http://visitmatewan.com/index/pages/wizard1/ (Click)

You can also edit your image descriptions by clicking on “Edit Images” under the “My Media” link (or you can go here http://visitmatewan.com/index/pages/membereditimages/)
Have an idea on how to improve this process?  Encounter an error while browsing the site?  Email contact@visitmatewan.com OR simply comment this post.

Bug fixes and a few new features

I like to keep anyone interested informed with the happenings on the site.  What’s new, what’s changed or going to change, and what new features are in the works?  Maybe this will give you an idea as to why something has been acting strange on the site.  “Why isn’t this working?” or “I don’t think that is supposed to work that way…” — no website is perfect.  It’s a continuous effort on my behalf to keep the “bugs” and problems from interrupting usability.

Bug Fixes:

• Usernames can no longer contain a space.  Users who previously had spaces in their usernames now login using an underscore in place of  any spaces.  (eg: John Doe is now John_Doe).
• Tab order on member registration page now allows users to quickly tab from one form field to another without other content interfering.
• Upcoming events are now separated into two sections: new and old.
• New upcoming events are now listed in ascending order.
• Separate meta tags for each page.  Aids in search engine searching for Matewan related searches.
• Contact form page craziness fixed.
• Image “alt”ernative tags fixed to show description of image.

New Features:

• Members can now edit the descriptions of their images.
• Nonmembers can now freely comment
• An 256bit encryption SSL certificate has been installed for users purchasing permits –
• A secondary form of encryption within the database which stores your information has also been installed.  Feel safe when purchasing from VisitMatewan.com

H&M Trail Merchandise now available on VisitMatewan.com/shop!

If you’ve been searching for some official Hatfield-McCoy Trail merchandise, you can now purchase it on VisitMatewan.com/shop.  Several tee-shirts (sizes ranging from Child Medium to Adult 2XL), hats, hoodies, and even a professional style DVD published by the Hatfield McCoy Trail Authority showing over 500 miles of the trails via Point of View Cameras on helmets have been added.  If you don’t see something in your size, just send an email to contact@visitmatewan.com and we’ll order it for you at no extra cost!

Ten must-have items before hitting the trails

This list may appear as common sense to some; however, we all have our moments. Before heading out, take time to scan through to be sure you’re truly ready.
1 - Protective gear
You are required to wear a DOT or SNELL approved helmet and eye protection. Long pants and water-resistant boots (lace up is best if you plan on “mudding”) are items your won’t want to leave at home. You don’t need to buy the fancy motocross garb. Levi’s and a long-sleeve Hane’s tee will work fine.

2 - Maps of the trail you plan on riding. Know where you are and where you’ll be.
Admittedly, the trail maps can appear like a squiggle on a graph at first glance. However, once you’re on the trails, you’ll see how everything fits together perfectly. If you were to have an accident, you’ll need to know where you’re at.

3 - Plastic baggies
Place items like your wallet/cash, photo identification (required at all times), and cellphone in these. More than likely, you’re going to get wet and muddy. You will also need something to place your trash in if you plan on spending any amount of time away from a trailhead (you can not camp on the trails).

4 - If you enjoy the mudpits, you already know to have a strong, long chain/rope on hand.

5 - Tire plug kit
These can be purchased at most gas stations and are a must-have. Don’t forget the fix-a-flat, either.

6 - A simple, small metric toolkit
Anything can happen and you definitely don’t want to be stuck in an unfamiliar place with no way to get help. A simple toolkit might come in handy.

7 - Disposable camera/cheap video camera
You’re going to want to take pictures and videos (to submit to VisitMatewan.com, of course). Unless you have a watertight case, leave the expensive camera equipment at home.

8 - Basic ATV knowledge and training
Don’t follow someone up a hill, don’t speed, don’t double. Know how to operate your ATV and you’ll be fine.

9 - A riding parter
This is probably one of the more important tips. You shouldn’t ride alone. If you were to get lost, get stuck, or wreck, someone to lend a hand is always nice (and is sometimes a requirement). Besides, a riding buddy will make the trails even more fun.

10 - Common sense
If you can’t do it, don’t try it. If you’re unsure as to whether or not it’s legal, don’t try it. Be safe, have fun.