Judy Grillo
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Life is Old There

5/18/2017

8 Comments

 
When I booked my 10 days in West Virginia, it was as much for the availability of a hostel bed enroute north, as curiosity about the area. All I knew was that the "New River Gorge" was nearby, and if there was a hostel, there had to be something of interest. As I drove over the bridge, I was shaking my head and asking myself, "How could I not know this exists?". 

For centuries, the area was inaccessible, but the railroad opened this part of West Virginia in 1873, and with it came mining and 13 bustling towns, by 1905. The boom continued through the 1950's, though the once busy towns, mines, and homes in the gorge are now mostly hidden. The New River Gorge Bridge was put in place in 1977, reducing a 40-minute drive, down narrow mountain roads and across a truss bridge from the 1890's, to less than a minute. It's the world's third longest single-span arch bridge, and the third-highest in the country. 

The New River Gorge National River was designated in 1978 to protect 53 miles of one of the oldest rivers in the world. The Park encompasses over 70,000 acres for white water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, and fishing, but is renowned among rock climbers. It's also just one of three National Recreation areas in this Southern Appalachian region.

The main town near the Gorge Bridge is Fayetteville (population 2,900), named for the Marquis de Lafayette. Besides outdoor activities, I really enjoyed "going to town", and had extensive conversations with very friendly locals. All the way around, this West Virginia stop was a great surprise!
8 Comments
Barb
5/22/2017 01:41:44 am

Hi Judy... Come visit Brockport. Also, your book should be "Post Offices Across The US." Love the Edmonds PO best. And Sylvia the play!

Reply
Judy
5/22/2017 06:08:21 pm

Barb -- I've yet to figure out the angle on the book! That said, I need to sell copies so hence -- who is the audience? I did love that tiny post office; went inside to buy stamps and enjoy it! Knew you'd love the Sylvia reference - an interesting play and Sylvia is a dog (played by a human).

Reply
Barb
5/23/2017 12:48:42 am

Ha! Sylvia, a human dog. It's my mom for sure. Thinking about our next Sara Lee cake. I think the PO boxes across the US is about nostalgia, documenting simpler ways of information exchange, but an adapted fixture to our culture that is not extinct. Touched by time but not dismantled. And a lens into culture and ritual. What a PO means to people. Connections. To each other. And place to place. The art of letter writing. And post cards. And passports. So much more. I'll write your introduction. Creative nonfiction. It's what we do best in academia.

Judy
5/23/2017 07:02:51 am

Barb -- I like that but worry about "ageism" as the post office is meaningless to those under 45 (while nomadic living is not) AND can I legally sell photos of the post office? I've yet to find that answer online! j

Reply
Donna
5/23/2017 10:21:37 pm

Hey J , i think your book should chronicle your Tent Life ~the beauty, history, & friendships experienced by a solo woman traveler .
Anyways West Virginia mountain momma ~ think John Denver got it right! that River valley is quite spectacular. You have certainly found so many beautiful places in this United States 🚴

Reply
Judy
5/24/2017 09:50:26 am

Donna ... good catch on John Denver (hence the title)! Yes, I am amazed at how little we know that goes on in this country. Time for new "news". Agree on the solo woman travel concept, too. Have third angle on the page as well. Pondering! Blog 2 locations behind but update coming later today. Thx for visiting! j.

barb
5/23/2017 11:11:59 pm

I am pretty sure you can publish your own photos. But will check on this w/ our library. Young people need your book. Otherwise, they miss this artifact. And it's art. And art is timeless. But I like Donna's woman/tent life suggestion. Crazy camping people might buy this. Still, glued to the PO photo book idea.

Reply
Judy
5/24/2017 09:51:46 am

Barb, Thanks for checking when you can! This will be a book proposal before a book gets written so time to manage. Heading to a writing group tonight to see if I can get reactions on 3 or more angle ideas! Behind here but catching up! Rain coming! j.




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    Cyclist, writer, teacher, avid reader, bike/ped advocate, nomad, pie lover

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