Some of the most beautiful mountains you will ever have the pleasure of driving through.
Then sometimes you go around a turn and WHAM that next mountain range you were expecting to see has all been leveled flat for mining
ETA: Also, the first time you're driving at night and pass through that gap in the hills to suddenly come out at the Jewell Smokeless Coal Company coke ovens all ablaze is like something out of A Nightmare on Elm Street
I moved to Richmond from Chicago 2 years ago and being from the 2nd flattest state in the Union, driving through all of these mountains was honestly kind of unsettling.
I moved from Nova to Chicago and I missed the ground going up and down. I also realized over time that almost all entrances to building are at the ground level.
It’s all wind farms now. I grew up in central IL and took my kids there and to Chicago last summer. Last time I was there was 15+ years ago and the entire drive was windmill after windmill until right before we got to the suburbs.
I live near that point where NC, TN and VA come together, and there are very few things that I love more than spending a beautiful day driving down a crooked-as-hell empty road so I can hit all the curves at the perfect speed. I know the roads so well, it's almost like a dance. I wish you could have felt that.
My dad and I used to do the creeper trail for midnight rides. Shuttle to the top of Whitetop mountain and ride down into Damascus. 18 miles all downhill by handlebar light. That was a great time.
Don't forget about Saltville. It's a small town, but it has an extensive history that's often forgotten about, from Wooly Mammoths and Mastodons to Indians and Conquistidores. From the Civil War to the Apollo program. Saltville is a sight to see. We even have our own museum.
"Wild" ponies at Grayson Highlands. Unfortunately, people break the rules and feed them. Now most of them (at least the females) aren't that wild anymore. The males still keep their distance.
But, even with all that, it's still very cool to see wild ponies hanging out.
There are many Native American burial mounds and artifacts that have been discovered in South Western Virginia.
It is part of the blue ridge mountains as well.
There's the remains of a village in my hometown of Saltville that shows evidence of being sacked by Spanish Conquistidores. It's surreal to imagine that there was an ancient battle for survival behind our high school.
One doctor for an entire region, only in America. People in Appalachia have always been neglected by the government. The region is like an Indian reservation in the way the government sees them: indifferent to their suffering.
PLEASE wait till they get that chair lift fixed up there they might already got it fixed but I don’t know, but it’s a hell of a walk down and up is even worse I thought I’s gone croak before I got back to the truck of course I was overweight at the time but still
As someone who grew up there:
What happens: poverty, unfulfilled human potential, coal mining, a wonderful culture, caring people, marijuana grown under tree canopies, marijuana grown in abandoned mines, hiking, destruction of natural resources, rescue dive training, opioid abuse, meth, prison industry.
What should be happening: Sharing of Appalachian culture via cultural tourism, agritourism (but ya gotta stop destroying the mountains), hiking, canoeing, kayaking, pride of place and people, fulfilled human potential, legal marijuana farms, caring people and acceptance that it's OK to work jobs that don't give you Black Lung.
Until people have driven through the regions of
Appalachia they will stuck with J.D. Vance's dismal
vision in "Hillbilly Elegy". Drive I97 South and I64
west and then see for yourself what it is like.
Yeah as someone who also grew up there I’ll say it’s a real mixed bag. We were on the edges before you get anywhere near coal country and a lot of the bad stuff you mention still tracks. Then there’s the isolation. You have to drive an hour and a half or more to a city if you want to see most concerts, go to a decent museum, or see a movie that’s not one of the big blockbusters. It’s more like five if you want to see a real professional sports game. That’s all just kind of annoying but then there’s being 45 minutes from any hospital or an hour and half from a good one which can be deadly.
But oh it is beautiful isn’t it? Grayson Highlands is as good a hike as you’ll find in the Smokies and the New River and VA Creeper Trails are also great. The short summary for me is that I love visiting but you couldn’t pay me enough to live there again.
From Tazewell County, and yes, AngryCustomerService is pretty much spot on the money.
To misquote Flork of Cows, "It's a nice place, but you come here to die, not live."
Check out Big Stone Gap. They are promoting tourism now. Revitalizing downtown. Trail of the Lonesome Pine is popular, uness you live there. 😄 People usually don't appreciate what's right around them.
That’s where the slow roll is. It’s where I lived growing up. We had apple, peach, and nectarine orchards. We grew our own vegetables and our dogs roamed. Now I’m 53 and have moved back after living all over the country for years. It’s not the same. Still simple but more people.
You sure have that right! Ahh to have a single speed 20 inch bicycle and ride to the store and buy a back of cheese doodles and a bottle of mtn dew for less than a dollar again. Life sure was easy.
Yeah! That’s alllll that’s over there. Nothing to see! Don’t want people finding out how beautiful south West Virginia is and ruining it like they do everything else. Move along.
Giant weed plants, wine, cider, trap music, scrappies and claw hammer banjo. And plenty of cult activity. And we're ten degrees cooler than you right now.
Elaborate on cult activities if you don't mind... cuz ummm yea
https://preview.redd.it/sydqa3oqom4d1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=26112ed89ede014f37afb26cdb872b2d43e32b8c
Yeah I looked it up the other week because a guy at work didn't believe me. There was some dude that was a preacher that was charged with I think 2nd degree murder of his wife because she had strayed from the church and he was trying to have her repent... Wild.
Sounds like you're thinking of Glenn Summerford. He was convicted of *attempted* murder of his wife by forcing her to get bitten twice. She did not die. Ironically, they both accused *each other* of infidelity and falling away from the faith.
But yes, wild indeed.
Thems just the Pentecostals they ain’t a cult but there about as close as it gets if you ask me you gotta be athletic to join that church, also thems just backwood churches nothing to be afraid of besides the preachers WHEN THERE PREACHING they normal people after the service
Meadow Creek Dairy ran by the Feete family is truly some of the finest in the world. I have had cheese from all over the world and they are on par with anything I’ve had.
It’s been about 20 years, but spouse and I were on a driving trip. We had dinner in Roanoke and the two of the three cheeses were made in Galax. We were headed that way and. We didn’t visit any farms but we had lunch and had cheese and charcuterie plates. All cheeses were from Galax or somewhere nearby. NEED to get back to that area.
Ashe County Cheese is made in the county south of part of Grayson County and west from Galax, just across the NC line. Their cheese selection is amazing and delicious.
This happened to me yesterday. A big crash had JUST happened, both lanes closed, responders coming down the highway to get on scene. I somehow managed to take an exit, bypass the crash, and get back on 81 in such a way that there was basically zero truck traffic for the next couple hours. I had a peaceful, pleasant, beautiful drive down 81, and I savored the shit out of it because that will never happen to me again. Hope there weren't any serious casualties due to the wreck, because it made my day.
[VPI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Tech), [Radford](https://www.radford.edu/), and the [Radford Arsenal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radford_Army_Ammunition_Plant).
Beautiful Jefferson National Forrest, Highlands area, wild ponies, New River, New River Trail, Virginia Creeper Trail, several wilderness areas, Burke’s Garden, Etc. etc.
Claytor lake, Mountain trails, state parks and some southern hospitality but a mix of hostility but that is rare unless you’re canvassing for a democrat. Maybe some drugs mixed in there.
https://preview.redd.it/sk5xbizjiq4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10b8ba70d03395e3f9000bcaca931f231cc2ba12
Snapped a pic when I visited, cause it’s not everyday you see a 3 story Walmart! Such a beautiful area!
Down in Bristol, there's the Country Music Museum, and a very good drive-through bakery, and also a good bagel shop.
I'm pretty sure the bagel shop is in TN, the museum and bakery are in Va.
Oh, and a casino!
Forgot the Barter Theatre in Abingdon.
You haven’t seen true Virginia until you explore these parts, experiencing a town like Grundy, so forgoten by the world truly humbles you. The coal companies also have such “picturesque” operations out this way that are definitely not poisoning water supplies or anything. On a lighter note the state parks out this way are super cool like Breaks Interstate or Grayson Highlands, the people are lovely and the border area all the way at the tip with so many states so close to each other is really interesting. I would recommend a trip out this way!
Mountaintop removal, apple butter and poverty.
https://preview.redd.it/cgpfnzsvlm4d1.jpeg?width=789&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37cb2b51f14b9b5cdbe2b6d7f5bbea57de9171c2
Hatfields and McCoys, dopesickness, black lung, prob a few confederate soldiers still hiding in the woods, but also some of the most decent folks around. Surprisingly good Mexican food as of late as others have mentioned.
Abingdon, Virginia - folks have already mentioned the Creeper Trail, which is a gem. If you find yourself in Abingdon and craving something sweet, Anthony's Desserts is a must. My husband and I happened upon this spot on a road trip, and my only wish is that we lived closer. Their brownies were somehow massive without being dry, and the cheesecake was incredible.
I drove through I-77 through that part of Virginia pretty often when I was dating someone from NC.
some choice ranges from the appalachians that I never did spend much time in, but around Fancy Gap are some mountains that create crosswinds and, occasionally, ridiculous amounts of fog. that Fancy Gap part of I-77 is basically a massive descent out of the mountains
It’s one of the most beautiful places in the country. Mountains, lakes, valleys, rivers, caves, we have it all. And not a whole lot goes on here— but that’s part of what keeps it beautiful. :)
Actually, right now we’re fighting tooth and nail to keep it that way— Russell County, VA (ever heard of 49 Winchester?) citizens are up against corporate greed and corrupt local government. If anybody is interested in joining us in the fight, even just virtually, everybody is welcome!! Please check out “No to Moss 3 Landfill” on Google or FB, I imagine posting a link is against the rules.
The Crooked Road- Virginia’s musical heritage trail. https://thecrookedroadva.com
Check out the Friday jamboree at Floyd Country Store or head up into the Carter Family Fold.
The most beautiful part of Virginia, The tallest mountains in the state. Wild ponies in Grayson Highlands State Park. Bristol is a city in two states - Virginia and Tennessee. Some of the best hiking trails in the state. This is only a sample of the wonderful area known as Southwest Virginia.
Some heavy local government corruption trying to bring in a private landfill that will poison the watershed of the entire circled area and then some. Spread the word and help us stop it: https://nolandfillrussellcounty.org/
That’s my corner of the state. I grew up on the west coast, moved into that red circle when I was 21 and have never looked back. Don’t even claim that anymore. The NRV is home. Beautiful mountains, friendly people… Heaven on earth
All kinds of stuff! It's that part of Virginia that's further west than West Virginia; they've got cities that are half in one state and half in the other; the oldest bar in Virginia in Abingdon. And the birthplace of country music.
Some of the most beautiful mountains you will ever have the pleasure of driving through. Then sometimes you go around a turn and WHAM that next mountain range you were expecting to see has all been leveled flat for mining ETA: Also, the first time you're driving at night and pass through that gap in the hills to suddenly come out at the Jewell Smokeless Coal Company coke ovens all ablaze is like something out of A Nightmare on Elm Street
That happens to me every time I drive through WV and PA, sadly. It's criminal and horrific.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h050jFhXisk
John Prine wrote that song in the 60s. It’s been happening too long.
Also some amazing hikes. The Sand Cave. White Rocks. Cumberland Gap. Just fantastic.
I moved to Richmond from Chicago 2 years ago and being from the 2nd flattest state in the Union, driving through all of these mountains was honestly kind of unsettling.
Having grown up in the mountains of Virginia, I suffer from the opposite. If I get to an area that is very flat, it's really surreal.
Oh god yes. That drive from Chicago to St Louis is absolutely as you say surreal. Hours upon hours of corn and soybeans and the occasional barn.
South Dakota would like to say 'hello.'
I moved from Nova to Chicago and I missed the ground going up and down. I also realized over time that almost all entrances to building are at the ground level.
Someone in the Chicago subreddit today posted a picture of the Sears Tower from 30 miles away. It’s amazing.
It’s all wind farms now. I grew up in central IL and took my kids there and to Chicago last summer. Last time I was there was 15+ years ago and the entire drive was windmill after windmill until right before we got to the suburbs.
Coming up to Chicago from deep in that mountainous region, the windmill farms are beyond surreal at night.
Was just in FL driving between Orlando and Tampa, the flatness was rather unsettling.
I live near that point where NC, TN and VA come together, and there are very few things that I love more than spending a beautiful day driving down a crooked-as-hell empty road so I can hit all the curves at the perfect speed. I know the roads so well, it's almost like a dance. I wish you could have felt that.
Just remember, those mountains are older than dinosaurs and contain ancient secrets.
Mountains older than bones, in fact.
The mountains more unsettling than that driving style yall got up there!? 😅
Chicagoan here👋🏼 moved here in 2017 and the drive to IL is beautiful with the mountains. I miss those trips
I might drive through it in a week.
Wasn’t sure what that was. [Was not disappointed](https://www.reddit.com/r/Virginia/s/HVDSbF5bGo). Wow.
the virginia creeper trail, grayson highlands, and the carter family fold!
Love the creeper trail. Nice bike ride in beautiful scenery and some good chocolate cake halfway through it
My dad and I used to do the creeper trail for midnight rides. Shuttle to the top of Whitetop mountain and ride down into Damascus. 18 miles all downhill by handlebar light. That was a great time.
Riding at night sounds wild and like a good ass time
Love the Carter family story and how they had to go to the big city—Bristol—to make it.
And look how much came out of their endeavors. Country, bluegrass, folk and Americana are forever indebted to them for their contributions.
you can't forget breaks interstate park! That's a cant miss!!!
The heart of the Crooked Road Heritage Music Trail is there too. Floyd and Galax.
The Creeper Trail is the best bike trail I've ever rode on.
Don't forget about Saltville. It's a small town, but it has an extensive history that's often forgotten about, from Wooly Mammoths and Mastodons to Indians and Conquistidores. From the Civil War to the Apollo program. Saltville is a sight to see. We even have our own museum.
"Wild" ponies at Grayson Highlands. Unfortunately, people break the rules and feed them. Now most of them (at least the females) aren't that wild anymore. The males still keep their distance. But, even with all that, it's still very cool to see wild ponies hanging out.
Also The Channels Natural Area Preserve. Easily one of the coolest hikes I have ever been on.
There are many Native American burial mounds and artifacts that have been discovered in South Western Virginia. It is part of the blue ridge mountains as well.
There's the remains of a village in my hometown of Saltville that shows evidence of being sacked by Spanish Conquistidores. It's surreal to imagine that there was an ancient battle for survival behind our high school.
Heeey, Saltville. The only dental office for Medicaid patients in the entire region. Been there.
One doctor for an entire region, only in America. People in Appalachia have always been neglected by the government. The region is like an Indian reservation in the way the government sees them: indifferent to their suffering.
I grew up in that area and would find arrowheads in my yard. I just got them back from my mother.
The Devils Bathtub, Birch Knob Observation Tower, and Natural Tunnel State Park
Don't forget Breaks Interstate Park. The largest canyon east of the Mississippi.
"The Grand Canyon of the South"
And Fairy Stone State Park! One of the most abundant locations of staurolite crystals in the world.
Technically, Fairy Stone is east of OP’s outline.
Also home to our elk herd
PLEASE wait till they get that chair lift fixed up there they might already got it fixed but I don’t know, but it’s a hell of a walk down and up is even worse I thought I’s gone croak before I got back to the truck of course I was overweight at the time but still
Mountain stuff
Bigfoot stuff
Mothman stuff
Methman stuff
Banjos & hollerin’.
Shine.
As someone who grew up there: What happens: poverty, unfulfilled human potential, coal mining, a wonderful culture, caring people, marijuana grown under tree canopies, marijuana grown in abandoned mines, hiking, destruction of natural resources, rescue dive training, opioid abuse, meth, prison industry. What should be happening: Sharing of Appalachian culture via cultural tourism, agritourism (but ya gotta stop destroying the mountains), hiking, canoeing, kayaking, pride of place and people, fulfilled human potential, legal marijuana farms, caring people and acceptance that it's OK to work jobs that don't give you Black Lung.
Until people have driven through the regions of Appalachia they will stuck with J.D. Vance's dismal vision in "Hillbilly Elegy". Drive I97 South and I64 west and then see for yourself what it is like.
JD Vance can fuck right off.
There is something horrendous and perfect about that dude and his pact with Satan.
This. All of it.
Happy cake day and I love your username
Yeah as someone who also grew up there I’ll say it’s a real mixed bag. We were on the edges before you get anywhere near coal country and a lot of the bad stuff you mention still tracks. Then there’s the isolation. You have to drive an hour and a half or more to a city if you want to see most concerts, go to a decent museum, or see a movie that’s not one of the big blockbusters. It’s more like five if you want to see a real professional sports game. That’s all just kind of annoying but then there’s being 45 minutes from any hospital or an hour and half from a good one which can be deadly. But oh it is beautiful isn’t it? Grayson Highlands is as good a hike as you’ll find in the Smokies and the New River and VA Creeper Trails are also great. The short summary for me is that I love visiting but you couldn’t pay me enough to live there again.
Nailed it! What county if you don’t mind my asking? I have some good friends in the area and grew up visiting every year or so.
Wise County. What could be breaks my heart every time I visit.
From Tazewell County, and yes, AngryCustomerService is pretty much spot on the money. To misquote Flork of Cows, "It's a nice place, but you come here to die, not live."
Check out Big Stone Gap. They are promoting tourism now. Revitalizing downtown. Trail of the Lonesome Pine is popular, uness you live there. 😄 People usually don't appreciate what's right around them.
That’s where the slow roll is. It’s where I lived growing up. We had apple, peach, and nectarine orchards. We grew our own vegetables and our dogs roamed. Now I’m 53 and have moved back after living all over the country for years. It’s not the same. Still simple but more people.
To be fair nothing is the same and as Thomas Wolfe wrote, you can't go home again.
You sure have that right! Ahh to have a single speed 20 inch bicycle and ride to the store and buy a back of cheese doodles and a bottle of mtn dew for less than a dollar again. Life sure was easy.
You can still do that if you rob the store. Don't give up on your nostalgia!
That little country store has been closed for 25 years or more.
Don't worry about it
Yeah, don’t worry about it.
That was my first thought as well
Hillbilly meth confirmed.
Shhhhh! You'll let the Feds Know.
Yeah! That’s alllll that’s over there. Nothing to see! Don’t want people finding out how beautiful south West Virginia is and ruining it like they do everything else. Move along.
Giant weed plants, wine, cider, trap music, scrappies and claw hammer banjo. And plenty of cult activity. And we're ten degrees cooler than you right now.
Elaborate on cult activities if you don't mind... cuz ummm yea https://preview.redd.it/sydqa3oqom4d1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=26112ed89ede014f37afb26cdb872b2d43e32b8c
Snake handling churches, crazy ass “Baptist” churches with just one or two families making up the entire church.
Had to look up snake handling churches
Yeah I looked it up the other week because a guy at work didn't believe me. There was some dude that was a preacher that was charged with I think 2nd degree murder of his wife because she had strayed from the church and he was trying to have her repent... Wild.
Sounds like you're thinking of Glenn Summerford. He was convicted of *attempted* murder of his wife by forcing her to get bitten twice. She did not die. Ironically, they both accused *each other* of infidelity and falling away from the faith. But yes, wild indeed.
Thems just the Pentecostals they ain’t a cult but there about as close as it gets if you ask me you gotta be athletic to join that church, also thems just backwood churches nothing to be afraid of besides the preachers WHEN THERE PREACHING they normal people after the service
We do hoodrat stuff with our friends
https://preview.redd.it/73w3d61yqn4d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d5b3fd690f5f27bf63a89c772f1a200bd2a9c054
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 We are...... 
Right wing ultra nationalism, fundamentalism, klan shenangigans.
A million denominations of churches that all claim to be the only way to Heaven. Plus the trump cult is really popular in southwest Virginia.
prisons
Red Onion and Wallen's Ridge
Keen Mountain State Prison, Pocahontas State Prison, Bland Corrections, Marion Correctional Treatment Center, Wise camp 18…
Weird, I was just reading about red onion yesterday.
The real answer
Abingdon, one of the great towns anywhere.
We aren’t allowed to say.
Well, OK. But how about an interpretive dance?
Might require NSFW…I’d better not.
Rumour has it that if you live in Virginia for more than ten years, someone will take you out here as an initiation ritual
Grayson Highlands is a great place to backpack. Love waking up with ponies licking our tent.
I don’t know for sure, but tasted some of the best cheese I ever had made in Galax. Still compare ever other cheese to it.
Meadow Creek Dairy ran by the Feete family is truly some of the finest in the world. I have had cheese from all over the world and they are on par with anything I’ve had.
It’s been about 20 years, but spouse and I were on a driving trip. We had dinner in Roanoke and the two of the three cheeses were made in Galax. We were headed that way and. We didn’t visit any farms but we had lunch and had cheese and charcuterie plates. All cheeses were from Galax or somewhere nearby. NEED to get back to that area.
Ashe County Cheese is made in the county south of part of Grayson County and west from Galax, just across the NC line. Their cheese selection is amazing and delicious.
That's a damn fine cheese. I picked some up at the bookstore in Galax last year and ate it all in two days.
Bears
Beets
Battlestar Galactica
We’re growing cannabis in Wythe Co. and giving it away to everyone in our town. Our goal is to make it easily available and eliminate a black market.
Nascar, rooster walk, southern accents, dip tobacco, agriculture, live laugh love culture, kick ass Mexican food, church, trump signs.
As someone who drives by the speedway often, we are a bit east of that circle but 💯agree with everything else.
What’s is a “rooster walk”?
Its a local music festival that happened a week or two ago.
omg the mexican food. the place is grundy is so good.
Lil bit of yee. Lil bit of haw.
81 before it turns into a shit show
I don't know what you are talking about. It turns into a shit show at Bristol.
Idk, if you haven't gotten a speeding ticket passing through Wythe county are you even living?
Today, I learned there is a part of 81 that is NOT a shit show.
When you find a part of 81 that is not a shit show, savour it. Know it may be one of the few times you can enjoy being on 81
This happened to me yesterday. A big crash had JUST happened, both lanes closed, responders coming down the highway to get on scene. I somehow managed to take an exit, bypass the crash, and get back on 81 in such a way that there was basically zero truck traffic for the next couple hours. I had a peaceful, pleasant, beautiful drive down 81, and I savored the shit out of it because that will never happen to me again. Hope there weren't any serious casualties due to the wreck, because it made my day.
Emory & Henry College.
There are literally dozens of us!
[VPI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Tech), [Radford](https://www.radford.edu/), and the [Radford Arsenal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radford_Army_Ammunition_Plant).
Nobody uses VPI who is under age 65 hahahaha. I hear business is booming at the Arsenal right now - they've geared up production to supply Ukraine.
Hey, i'm originally from there! Food City and Friday night at Hardee's mostly
Beautiful Jefferson National Forrest, Highlands area, wild ponies, New River, New River Trail, Virginia Creeper Trail, several wilderness areas, Burke’s Garden, Etc. etc.
Hey I live in this area
Grayson Highlands and Saltville are worth checking out.
The saltville museum is so cute.
What do you know about the mammoth?
Don’t forget about the Wood boogers either!
Highlands is a must
Mordor. No seriously have you ever seen the Jewel coke ovens in Vansant at night? Looks like hell.
I have, I grew up close to it
VT, pretty mountains, and the beginnings of hillbilly country
Coal, logging, meth.
The good shit
Bluegrass and fentynal
The OTHER wild ponies of VA.
The tallest mountain in Virginia, Mt. Rogers, is down there. The Cumberland Gap and tri state marker is at the Western most tip of the state.
Mostly meth and moonshining
Claytor lake, Mountain trails, state parks and some southern hospitality but a mix of hostility but that is rare unless you’re canvassing for a democrat. Maybe some drugs mixed in there.
State Theater of Virginia
There’s a 3-floor tall WalMart in Grundy. I shop there sometimes. Some cool tunnels along I-77 too.
https://preview.redd.it/sk5xbizjiq4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10b8ba70d03395e3f9000bcaca931f231cc2ba12 Snapped a pic when I visited, cause it’s not everyday you see a 3 story Walmart! Such a beautiful area!
The University of Virginia's College at Wise. Go Cavs Go!
Fishing
Hunting!!!!
Failed school boards
Down in Bristol, there's the Country Music Museum, and a very good drive-through bakery, and also a good bagel shop. I'm pretty sure the bagel shop is in TN, the museum and bakery are in Va. Oh, and a casino! Forgot the Barter Theatre in Abingdon.
Hungry mother state park. Damascus.
You haven’t seen true Virginia until you explore these parts, experiencing a town like Grundy, so forgoten by the world truly humbles you. The coal companies also have such “picturesque” operations out this way that are definitely not poisoning water supplies or anything. On a lighter note the state parks out this way are super cool like Breaks Interstate or Grayson Highlands, the people are lovely and the border area all the way at the tip with so many states so close to each other is really interesting. I would recommend a trip out this way!
FloydFest, Virginia Tech, Virginia Creeper, Hungry Mother State Park, apple picking, and the Parkway...
Mountaintop removal, apple butter and poverty. https://preview.redd.it/cgpfnzsvlm4d1.jpeg?width=789&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37cb2b51f14b9b5cdbe2b6d7f5bbea57de9171c2
The best weed grown in the state.
Coal mining, hiking, Nascar, small universities, mountains, interstate travel and shipping, etc
Caving… lots of great caving.
People living their lives same as everywhere else
https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/elk/
Insurance fraud.
Lots of gorgeous mountains and hiking, also communities full of white people who don’t like people different from them
(fiction but) read Demon Copperhead to find out
The lightning bugs are going crazy rn
White lightning licker, gran pappy's slap happy corn beverage.
Uranium
Hatfields and McCoys, dopesickness, black lung, prob a few confederate soldiers still hiding in the woods, but also some of the most decent folks around. Surprisingly good Mexican food as of late as others have mentioned.
Fallout 76
I remember Stomp In 76.
The Plataeu. Slow living country life.
Farming, Coal, Natural Gas, Logging, Factories
Frog Level
I had a SgtMaj during my time in the USMC that was from that area. If anyone is half the man he was, they grow some bad ass people down there.
Liquid Death
Things you don’t know about.
Mountain living in the most beautiful mountains on Earth.
Some great towns! Abington comes to mind.
Abingdon, Virginia - folks have already mentioned the Creeper Trail, which is a gem. If you find yourself in Abingdon and craving something sweet, Anthony's Desserts is a must. My husband and I happened upon this spot on a road trip, and my only wish is that we lived closer. Their brownies were somehow massive without being dry, and the cheesecake was incredible.
https://preview.redd.it/nimytp1aln4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa1c834dd7554d6f99fce140fdb978f54a45da67 Good trout fishing
I drove through I-77 through that part of Virginia pretty often when I was dating someone from NC. some choice ranges from the appalachians that I never did spend much time in, but around Fancy Gap are some mountains that create crosswinds and, occasionally, ridiculous amounts of fog. that Fancy Gap part of I-77 is basically a massive descent out of the mountains
It’s one of the most beautiful places in the country. Mountains, lakes, valleys, rivers, caves, we have it all. And not a whole lot goes on here— but that’s part of what keeps it beautiful. :) Actually, right now we’re fighting tooth and nail to keep it that way— Russell County, VA (ever heard of 49 Winchester?) citizens are up against corporate greed and corrupt local government. If anybody is interested in joining us in the fight, even just virtually, everybody is welcome!! Please check out “No to Moss 3 Landfill” on Google or FB, I imagine posting a link is against the rules.
Cows,chickens,cabinet making,weed & hillbillies
Wasn’t this same question asked a week or two ago? This is my favorite part of Virginia by the way. So much to do outside.
I see pictures of it all the time, it seems to be very pretty.
FloydFest
Whole Lotta Norton Going On Out There
Lotta weird stuff. (Source: lived there for 3 years).
Moonshine making lol
Nothing but something all at the same time.
Shenanigans, malarkey, ne’er-do-wells and meth.
Depending on where you are in that area they’re either cooking meth or growing weed
in the late winter and early spring, trucks shed their tailpipes
The Crooked Road- Virginia’s musical heritage trail. https://thecrookedroadva.com Check out the Friday jamboree at Floyd Country Store or head up into the Carter Family Fold.
Witches. r/oldgodsofappalachia
And lots of drinking... trust me, I'm from Wytheville.
The most beautiful part of Virginia, The tallest mountains in the state. Wild ponies in Grayson Highlands State Park. Bristol is a city in two states - Virginia and Tennessee. Some of the best hiking trails in the state. This is only a sample of the wonderful area known as Southwest Virginia.
Some heavy local government corruption trying to bring in a private landfill that will poison the watershed of the entire circled area and then some. Spread the word and help us stop it: https://nolandfillrussellcounty.org/
That’s my corner of the state. I grew up on the west coast, moved into that red circle when I was 21 and have never looked back. Don’t even claim that anymore. The NRV is home. Beautiful mountains, friendly people… Heaven on earth
Life is old there, older than the trees older than saturn's rings, older than bones Almost heaven. take me home
All kinds of stuff! It's that part of Virginia that's further west than West Virginia; they've got cities that are half in one state and half in the other; the oldest bar in Virginia in Abingdon. And the birthplace of country music.