Gribblenation

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is best known for whitewater rafting and other forms of adventure tourism.  Yet, found in the hollows and isolated valleys are quiet farms and former coal mining towns.  Well off the beaten path and isolated from much of its surroundings, Thurmond provides a unique view into Central West Virginia's industrial past. Thurmond began as a railroad town in the late 1800s.  Sparked by the arrival of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad and the local coal industry, Thurmond quickly grew into a sizeable transportation and coal center.  When it incorporated as a town in 1903, Thurmond was a full-fledged community - home to two banks, two hotels, and many other services and stores. A CSX freight train passes the old coaling tower in Thurmond.  It was here that many steam locomotives would refill and refuel. Thurmond was home to a C&O railyard which serviced the numerous steam engines passing through the narrow valley.  Thu...

Sitting just a few hundred feet from the modern Interstate 79 in Bridgeport, West Virginia, is the historic Simpson Creek Covered Bridge.  The 1881-built bridge is a multiple-kingpost truss, approximately 75 feet long. Inside the bridge are picnic tables for visitors. Asa S. Hugill built the bridge for a cost of $1483.  Seventeen years later, in 1888, a swollen Simpson Creek washed away the bridge.  A year later, the bridge was rebuilt at its current location, about one-half mile downstream from its original site. Today, the bridge is open to pedestrians only.  In 2002, the state completed a nearly $400,000 restoration project.  The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in June 1981. All photos taken by post author - October 12, 2025 Further Reading: Simpson Creek Covered Bridge ---West Virginia Department of Transportation Simpson Creek Covered Bridge ---Historic-Structures.com How To Get There:

  A zero mile, point of origin, or in many places in the world, a zero kilometer, is used to serve as a point from which roads, squares, or lots are measured . Many cities, states, and countries historically have had a zero mile from which they measure distances, including  Detroit, Michigan , and  Washington, D.C . Even international locations such as Pune and Nagpur in India have a zero mile stone. At one time, the United States Geological Survey would use post offices to mark the zero mile of towns, but now use landmarks such as city halls or town squares. During a search of Google Maps, I stumbled across a Zero Mile Stone located in Charleston, West Virginia, and I felt it was right down my alley to make it a point to visit when my travels took me to that corner of the Mountain State. Located on Kanawha Boulevard (US 60) across the street from the West Virginia State Capitol building and grounds, the Zero Mile Stone of the State Road Commission of West Virginia...

Union cannon near the site of Pickett's Charge Day Three saw Colton and I head north into South Central Pennsylvania and Gettysburg.  It was the most enjoyable part of the trip, and we also saw a wide variety of things. Route: I-81, I-70, MD 66, MD 77, US 15, PA 116, PA 16, US 11, PA 163, MD 63, US 11, I-81. For the entire day's photo set on flickr - please head here . There's a lot to do and see in Gettysburg.  Compared to Antietam - it is more tourist-oriented, and the crowds can be overwhelming.  On this pleasant May Saturday - Colton and I did not feel overwhelmed or rushed by tourists.   When I visited in October 2001 - you could schedule a guided tour, but I thought it was in advance.  I recall how I should have done it that year and would the next time.  I thought Colton would be good with a tour guide a few years from now; however, after a quick call to my wife and some begging from Colton, I changed my mind and said yes. It was certainly worth...

Cannons at Antietam. The second day of our adventure had us continuing through the Shenandoah Valley into West Virginia and then over to Antietam and Harpers Ferry.  It was my first visit to both locations in over twenty years, and I was looking forward to returning. Route: US 11, I-81, WV 45, WV 480, MD 34, MD 65, MD 34, WV 480, WV 230, US 340, WV 51. For a full set of photos from the second day of the trip head over here . Interstate 81 had its moments on the drive north, but it wasn't too bad overall. Our first stop would be at Antietam National Battlefield .  When I first visited in October 2001, this was my favorite of the battlefields I visited that year (Manassas, Gettysburg, Antietam). So I was excited to go back and share the trip with Colton.   Currently, the Antietam Visitors Center is being rebuilt, and a temporary one is open across from it.  After taking in the film - narrated by James Earl Jones - Colton and I began to do the self-guided auto tour...