(Photo Provided by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources)

The weather hasn’t exactly played nice over the past several days — 80 degrees and sunny one minute, 35 degrees and raining the next — but once this March lion calms down we may finally start to be able to enjoy the wonders of spring in our region.

One way to do that is by visiting the West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek. If you’ve been reading me long enough, you know it’s one of my favorite places to visit. It’s not that far away (pack the motion-sickness medicine for the kids in the back seat), it’s not very far from some other gorgeous state parks and facilities, it’s interesting and educational, there are walking and hiking trails AND it’s ridiculously inexpensive.

This year, the center opened April 1, with admission of a whopping $4 for adults, $2 for children (and “children” can be up to age 15), and kids 5 and under getting in free. You can get annual passes, too.

“The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is a hidden gem where families, students and nature lovers can experience the beauty of our native wildlife up close in a natural setting,” said West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Director Brett McMillion. “With spring bringing warm weather and new life to the outdoors, it’s the perfect time to visit and learn more about West Virginia’s incredible wildlife.”

There will be special events throughout the summer, too, like the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Mobile Aquarium or a Living History Rendezvous.

There are concessions — mostly typical fare. But I was there once when a local person seemed to be selling snacks she had made herself, and they were worth the drive. (About 2 hours and 15 minutes from Parkersburg).

If you choose to take your own food, though, there are picnic areas. The Canada geese have figured out where some of those are, though.

But however you choose to make the trip, get over there. It’s a great family adventure, or a nice chance to get a little solo time in Upshur County.

While you’re there, you’ll see a couple of big cats: one that is still roaming all over the Mountain State (the bobcat), and one that is no longer here … probably (the mountain lion).

Imagine what it would be like to see one of those big cats outside its enclosure.

I try to think of myself as someone with common sense, but I’m afraid I’d be one of those people who makes headlines for whispering “psp psp psp” to one if I saw it while I was out on the trail.

That’s certainly what would have happened if I had followed my initial impulse and headed out to the middle of Washington County Monday, to see if I could spot (and, OK, lure into my car) a serval that was reportedly on the loose.

No one would mistake a serval — native to sub-Saharan Africa — for a big cat that should be wandering around southeast Ohio, but as I write this, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is still investigating a situation in which one did spend some time gallivanting in the Warren Township area before it was caught.

I’m glad it was caught and seems to be safe, rather than the alternative.

The reality is if I had managed to get anywhere near it, it would likely not have wanted the cuddles I was prepared to give it. (In fact, no one should try to approach an animal — wild, or even domesticated but unknown to them. The results can be a bit bitey and scratchy.)

So I need to stick to going to places like the West Virginia State Wildlife Center to get my big cat fix.

And that’s OK. The weather is not quite to my liking just yet. But I’m very much looking forward to the trip.

Christina Myer is executive editor of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. She can be reached via e-mail at cmyer@newsandsentinel.com