Thursday, November 13, 2008

Remnants

Today I thought I'd post a few remnants of various trips from all around West Virginia. One thing I've found to be true while travelling the countryside, you never know what you are going to find right around the bend.



I've also learned several valuable lessons while driving down the lesser known backroads, such as not all roads are listed on a map, and if you are on an unknown road and you see grass growing in the middle of it, well, that is a pretty good sign that you need to turn around and find an alternate route.



Conversely, I have discovered many interesting sites, met many great people and have rediscovered the uniqueness of Appalachia. It truly is an adventure every time I head for the hills.

It never fails that you find the most interesting sights alongside these country roads, such as this sign that we lucked onto near Birch River. Do you rent pigs?



I've saw wonders of the natural world and an outdoorsmans paradise.



And I've found one of the last vestiges of real, honest-to-God wilderness.



I've discovered scenic beauty that will bring tears to your eyes, and make you intensely aware that you are part of something larger than you ever imagined.



I was so impressed that I began to recognize beauty everywhere I turned, even in things that I would typically overlook.

Like this fungi...



And this milkweed...



And amidst a forest of color, I even noticed...



And lastly, I even grew to appreciate the significance of all this crap.



I would highly recommend that you take to the backroads, keep an open mind, and discover yourself in a new land.

7 comments:

Les Barr said...

In the past years, my Wife and I have done, many times, just what you have done. Most of it was riding a Honda Goldwing and touring the state of West Virginia. You don't get too see what the real Country is like traveling the Main Highway's. We like to take a back road and see what's there, just for the fun of it. One of the roads that lead to Cass, WV was one of them. Sometimes we got lost, but looked at a map and figured our way out.

Matthew Burns said...

Cass is a wonderful place. Since I grew up in Pendleton County, I know all of the little roads all around Cass, so I know just how easy it is to get turned around in that area. My great-granddaddy worked at Cass back when it was a booming lumber town. He said you could get anything you was looking for in Cass, and some things that you wasn't looking for.

Matthew

Granny Sue said...

Lovely photos, Matthew. Those kinds of journeys are good for the soul, allowing time to reflect and really see what is around us. How many people miss the opportunity!

Janet, said...

Pretty pictures, Matthew. I remember the milk weed. When I was a child we used to get these and tear them apart.We ended up with very sticky fingers.

Anonymous said...

Matthew-I like your pictures-and your advice!!

Granny Sue said...

you've been tagged, Matthew! see my blog for information.

A Colorful World said...

Amen, Matthew....wonderful post! Taking the road less traveled is one of my favorite things to do!
Marie