Off to see the Wizard

I dare you not to hum the song. Absolutely NO humming about how we’re going to see the guy who can give us a heart/brain/courage/way home. Can’t do it? Neither can I. Why…? I’ll get to that later. Read more…

He’s Popeye the Sailor Man

He got you to eat spinach before it was a “superfood” and if pressed, you’ll admit you said “I yam what I yam” at least once in your life. But if you have no idea what I’m talking about, then I suppose a visit to Chester, Illinois will be for a reason far different from mine. Read more…

Signs of Change: How a new font called “Clearview” is changing America’s highways

From time to time we take a break from economic stories to show you some of the other interesting things we see along the way. We call them “Detours,” and this is one of them.

Something was definitely up with the L’s.

In the first weeks of our trip, we began noticing something subtly but decidedly different on the interstate road signs we passed. Something about them was changing and it had to do with the lowercase L’s. On closer inspection, we realized there was a whole new typeface being used on some signs. Read more…

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…

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…

The Last Man in the Mountain

You’ve heard of the “Old Man in the Mountain,” the giant stone face that fell off its New Hampshire perch in 2003. But have you heard of “Stone Face Rock?”

Tucked away in the mouth of a cramped mountain pass near Pennington Gap in southwestern Virginia, this naturally face-shaped outcropping looms just 150 feet above the road that passes directly underneath. It enjoys far less fame than its former rival up north, but it is equally impressive. 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…

Beauty along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Whether on the back of a motorcycle or in our case, behind the wheel of The Escaper, the Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles through some of the prettiest meadows and majestic mountains one could ever hope to find. The brilliant orange wild azaleas alone made the stop worthwhile. Read more…

On the Hunt for Fairy Stones

In a rural part of southwest Virginia, unique geology creates naturally cross-shaped stones that have become a local legend. Along the way we’ll be taking the occasional break from stories of hard times to show you the interesting attractions we see on the road.

One of the few spots where the stones are easily found is behind the “Haynes 57″ gas station on state route 57 north of Martinsville. Owners Mary and Ronnie call their business the “Home of the Fairy Stones” and share their fascination with visitors who drop by. Read more…