A Bridge, Naturally

It’s not the only natural stone arch found in nature, but it is the first one I’ve ever walked across! We spent one hot and humid Saturday visiting the Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade, Kentucky. Read more…

Life Lessons

Growing up on a farm in rural Ohio, Jared Rowley would daydream about city life and one day going to college. It was a dream not shared by his parents. So after high school graduation, Jared was on his own. He made his way to Ohio University, but college life was far from what he imagined it would be. Read more…

From Here to Kingdom Come

One month and three gas caps later, John and I have literally driven from Kingdom Come to Promised Land.

Granted, those are State parks in Kentucky and Pennsylvania, respectively, but in just the few weeks that we’ve been on the road in our rusty, trusty RV we affectionately refer to as the Escaper (because that’s what Toyota called it some twenty years ago as evidenced by the paint job – and it’s absolutely appropriate), I feel like we’ve covered a lot of ground in many ways. Read more…

Mustard with Jazz Hands

John gets full credit for the title of this blog even though he doesn’t remember uttering the phrase “jazz hands.” It was an observation made over a week ago about an enthusiastic waitress at a Chinese-Thai restaurant outside of Berea, Kentucky who delivered the squeeze bottle of hot mustard with flair.

I almost did a spit take with my Pad Thai. Read more…

A Miner’s Story

George “Aaron” Leath was born and raised in Harlan County, Kentucky – the heart of the US coal mining industry.

His father is a coal miner.

His grandfather is retired from working the mines. An oxygen tank in the living room is a reminder of years underground; Black Lung disease has ravaged his chest and makes it difficult for him to breathe. Read more…

Willing and Able

Looking for work these days can be a challenge for anyone. In the past year Harlan County, Kentucky has already seen a coal mine and several department stores shut down, and there are rumors of future layoffs at area coal mines.

With fewer places hiring and fierce competition for limited spaces, imagine what it must be like for people who are already perceived as disadvantaged because of a physical, mental or emotional disability? Read more…

Stronger than Sallet

The sign posted along Highway 119 proudly announced the 54th Annual Poke Sallet Festival would be coming to downtown Harlan, Kentucky on June 4-6th. This prompted an immediate Internet search on my BlackBerry. Read more…

Until the Storm Passes

The rain keeps falling but it has not kept the birds outside my window from their early morning revelry. As I sit safe and dry, listening to the drops pound against the roof, I wonder what exactly these little creatures have to sing about while stuck in the treetops, their flights delayed? Read more…

Crossing Copper Creek

Driving through Clinchport on our way to Jonesville, VA we passed the Copper Creek Railroad Trestles. These double trestles span the Clinch River and are still in use by CSX Transportation.

A scenic marker says the upper trestle was built in 1908 by the Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio Railway and stands 167 feet over the Copper Creek – Clinch River junction. It used to be one of the tallest railroad bridges in the eastern US and opened up coal delivery from Virginia and Kentucky to cities in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. An average of 18 to 24 coal trains still travel over the bridge daily. Read more…

Out of Dodge

Nelson Automotive is known around Martinsville and in Henry County, VA as the place with those crazy TV commercials where the guy bangs on fenders. The gimmicks only get people in the door; something else brings them back time and again. After more than 30 years in the car business, selling 13 different lines in 6 locations, Nelson Automotive has become an institution. Read more…

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