Mash Fork Waterfalls, Camp Creek State Park WV

These are the falls of Mash Fork in Camp Creek State Park, West Virginia. They are a short walk from the park campground. The park is beautiful at any time of year, and it contains a myriad of other trails, as well as ball fields, picnic areas, etc. The park is located on a side road off US 19 (and I-77) between Princeton and Beckley.

CCC Stonework, Roaring Run, Jefferson NF VA

The Roaring Run natural area is in the Jefferson National Forest northwest of Roanoke in Botetourt County, Virginia. Look at the stonework on the wall (left) and the gate (right). This appears to be the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps from the 1930s. Many examples of their fine work can still be seen all over the country. The area also has the ruins of an iron furnace. A scenic loop trail leads up Roaring Run to a waterfall, about two miles round trip. The site is on a secondary Virginia highway and can be hard to locate without adequate directions or a good map.

Draper Mountain Wayside, US 11 S of Pulaski VA

Here are two views of another of Virginia's "Waysides," which once served travelers the way "rest areas" do now on the interstates. However, every one of the Waysides was different. This one has recently been partially restored. It is on US Route 11 south of Pulaski, where the road goes over Draper Mountain.

Look at that stonework in the right photo. It looks like it could be some of the Civilian Conservation Corps work. The wayside is on both sides of the road; the left photo is looking toward the portion across the highway. Some of the facilities are still grown over with weeds, but Virginia has done a nice job of restoring this place.

Cutout Highway Signs, Christiansburg VA

If you're a "roadgeek," then you already know what cutouts are. In fact, you may know where these are. A close look at these old signs will show that they are different from those erected today. They're smaller for one thing. And the metal is actually cut out (hence the name) to the shape of the US, state or Interstate highway shield. Also note the black borders around the edges. Highway departments found that it was cheaper to make the signs the way you see them today. The new ones almost look like decals affixed to the metal. These signs are in Christiansburg, Virginia. I suspect that when they need to be replaced, it will be with the newer style signs.

Thurmond WV in New River Gorge Nat'l Park

This is the nearly abandoned mining town of Thurmond, West Virginia, in the New River Gorge National River. In its heyday, it was a busy place along the C&O (now CSX) Railroad tracks. The frame building is the old station, now used as a museum and visitors' center by the National Park Service. The bridge over the New River can be seen in the background.

To reach Thurmond, leave US Route 19 at Glen Jean, WV, north of Beckley and follow dead-end Route 25 down to the river.

King Tut Drive-In, US 19, Beckley WV

This isn't something you would see bypassing Beckley on the West Virginia Turnpike. I came upon it following the signs for US Route 19. I'd just had lunch, so I didn't stop. The menu is displayed on an exterior wall, and employees come out to your car to take your order.

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The Narrows of the New River, Narrows VA

This picturesque landform is on the New River in Giles County, Virginia. It is called the Narrows of the New River. East River Mountain (left) and Peters Mountain (right) descend to the river. You can drive through the Narrows on US 460 or on a twisting county road on the other bank.

The town of Narrows is less than a half mile upstream. The photo was taken from the bridge connecting the town with US 460. The town is to the left of the photographer.