WILLIAMSTOWN - Travelers took full advantage of the Williamstown Welcome Center this holiday weekend, officials said.
"We were busy all weekend," said Donna Briggs, supervisor of the center. "Travelers started coming in Thursday and it continued from there."
On Monday afternoon a steady stream of people stopped at the welcome center to stretch their legs and get information on the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Suzanne Pascle and William Bythway of Painesville, Ohio, parked their motorcycles in the parking lot after driving several hours from Weston, W.Va.
"We decided to spend the long weekend in Weston so we could ride the crooked roads," Bythway said. "It was a great time with great weather.
"We found exactly what we were looking for - you can't find a straight road in West Virginia," he added.
To help travelers who stopped at the welcome center refresh, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 52 had a donations-only drink stand set up.
"We have done this for many years and will continue to do it," said chapter commander Dean McKown. "It's something nice we can do for people."
Last week, AAA auto club projected a 10 percent increase in holiday travel over last year with an estimated 34.4 million people expected to take trips of at least 50 miles. Briggs and center travel guide Boni McKimmie said they believe AAA's estimates were correct.
"The welcome center was hopping all weekend," Briggs said. "After Thursday, Friday was a little slower but Saturday and Sunday picked up."
While the actual weekend was busy, Briggs said Labor Day itself was the busiest.
"Monday was hectic, to say the least," she said.
Briggs and McKimmie said travelers were stopping for the bathroom facilities because many in Ohio are closed as well as directions and information on West Virginia attractions.
"Fenton Art Glass was extremely popular along with the New River Gorge bridge," Briggs said. "I think the dry and sunny weather with mild temperatures made people want to get out of their cars and see what our beautiful state has to offer."
McKimmie said this holiday weekend was the latest in a season of busy days at the welcome center.
"The whole summer has been busy," McKimmie said. "This has been the busiest year we've had since we moved up here from Mineral Wells in 2004."
