CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The message is simple: “Put those phones down.”
State Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby is challenging West Virginians to spend more time outside this weekend, leading up to West Virginia Day on Tuesday, June 20.
While reading something earlier this month, Ruby said she across a statistic that claimed Americans only spend about 8% of their time outdoors. It’s a mark that disappoints the Tourism Secretary.
“We’ve got to do better,” she said.
For about 6 six years now, Ruby has had this idea of encouraging people to discover new areas and travel to new places across the state and then share their experience on social media with the hashtag, #almostheaven.
“We live in the most beautiful state in the country,” said Ruby. “You know I love West Virginia Day, and so our challenge this year is to get offline this year, put those cell phones down, and go outside.”
So, technically you’re still using your phone to snap a picture and share it, but it’s the getting outside part first that she’s more focused on getting people to do.
“Go outside, do something great, then on West Virginia day post your picture.” Ruby said.
Over the years, the impressions and responses that come with the photos have grown, according to Ruby. With the hashtag, #almostheaven, the West Virginia Department of Tourism, and anyone in the state or across the world can see the beauty throughout every corner of the state.
Past photos can be seen at wvtourism.com.