Blue Highways of America Has Moved-Again

Blue Highways of America has moved - again. The new URL is

http://roadsideonline.com/riding-shotgun-eb/blue-highways-of-america

Blue Highways of America Has Moved!!!

As you can see, I haven't made any new posts on this blog in several months. I've moved it over to roadsideonline.com. Here's the link:

http://roadsideonline.com/blue-highways-of-america

The site is full of cool stuff about old roads, diners, weird tourist attractions and other road goodies. From my blog, click the Home link at the top to see the rest of the site.

If you buy from Amazon, could you help me out a little, by reaching it through the ad on the right sidebar of my blog?

Thanks
Tom Hoffman

Grandview, New River Gorge National River WV

This is the Grandview area of the New River Gorge National River. For many years, it was a West Virginia state park, and many people still call it that. The photo on the left shows the gate. At some point, the state park was annexed to the federal park. Most of it is the same, however. The views from the main overlook are spectacular. Railroad buffs will enjoy seeing the C&O main line (now CSX) on the far side of the river. There is a trail leading through some interesting rock formations next to the overlook.

Appalachian Trail Museum, Pine Grove Furnace SP PA

This is the Appalachian Trail Museum in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania. It's brand new, having opened in the spring of 2010. The exhibits are primarily about the early, pioneer through-hikers, such as Earl Shaffer and Grandma Gatewood. The museum is free, although donations are appreciated.

The museum is in this location because it is almost at the exact midpoint of the Appalachian Trail. Due to constant re-routings, the midpoint moves around a bit from one year to the next, but it is always just a few miles north of the park.

Pine Grove Furnace State Park is located on PA Route 233, about twenty miles north of US Route 30 (the Lincoln Highway)

Dam and Monument, Little Beaver SP WV

I suppose I should not be going around taking pictures of dams, lest I be mistaken for a terrorist. This dam forms the recreational lake behind it at Little Beaver State Park, WV, near Beckley. The monument bears the name of the company and the engineer who built it. The state park is a small one used primarily by locals.

Log Building, Pine Grove Furnace State Park PA

This interesting little building may be found in one of the picnic grounds at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania. I walked up to it and found it locked. It appears to be a utility or storage shed of some kind, but the design is typical of state parks just about anywhere. I'd guess it to predate World War II.

The park is on PA Route 233 about 20 miles north of US 30 (Lincoln Highway)

Thaddeus Stevens Furnace, Caledonia SP PA

This is the restored Thaddeus Stevens Furnace in Caledonia State Park, Pennsylvania. The park is at the top of South Mountain on US 30 (the Lincoln Highway) between Gettysburg and Chambersburg. The park is one of my favorite places, and I really can't say why. It has some good hiking, including the Appalachian Trail. There is a pool and extensive picnic and camping facilities.

Stevens built this iron-producing furnace before the Civil War. In July 1863, a detachment of Confederate soldiers destroyed it on their way to Gettysburg. It was revenge for Stevens being a passionate and prominent abolitionist.

Mont Alto State Park, Mont Alto PA

If Mont Alto State Park isn't the smallest state park in Pennsylvania, it's pretty close. It's located on PA Route 233 south of US 30. It appears to be used mainly by locals.

The structure on the left is obviously a picnic shelter. But when built, it was something else altogether. It was the outside of a merry-go-round.

In the early twentieth century, the country was crisscrossed by "interurbans" or rural streetcars. These electric railways often built amusement parks to bolster their ridership. One such park was located here. When it was abandoned, the shell of the carousel was retained and made into the picnic shelter.

Classic Neon Motel Sign, Ironto VA

This is another classic old neon sign for a motel. I've seen it at night, and alas, it's seen better times. Quite a bit of it has burned out. The motel is now a Budget Host; I believe that is an independent association rather than a chain. It is on US Route 11 right next to I-81, just north of the exit for Dixie Caverns. It's a single story motel, which is the kind that I prefer. I would never have any occasion to stay at this one though; it's too close to home. The restaurant appears to be closed.

Neon Sign, BBQ Restaurant, Harrisonburg VA

Here is a classic old neon sign for a barbeque drive-in restaurant. It may be found on US Route 11 just north of Harrisonburg, Virginia. I didn't eat there because I'd just eaten dinner before discovering it. The modern arrow sign below the neon one detracts from it to an extent, but it's still good when you can find an old classic like this.

Humpback Bridge, Covington VA

This is the Humpback Bridge, in a small park on US Route 60 just west of Covington, Virginia. You can't drive over it, but walking is permitted. The plaque in the left photo gives the history and significance of the structure.

Penny's Diner, Low Moor VA

I've been staying home a lot lately, hence I have less to post. This should please diner fans, though. This diner is in Low Moor, Virginia, between Covington and Clifton Forge. It's obviously a replica diner, which I sometimes refer to by the less complimentary adjective "fake." However, unlike many replica/fake diners, particlarly in urban areas, the prices are reasonable and there aren't a lot of exotic, non-diner menu items. I had a good lunch there.

Site of the Clifton Forge in Clifton Forge VA

This neglected historical marker overlooks the site of the Clifton Forge in western Virginia. It is a mile or so south of the town of Clifton Forge on US Route 220.

Restored Pre-Interstate Rest Area VA

I've posted before on Virginia's "waysides" which were the pre-interstate version of the "rest areas" found on interstates today. This one is a little different, though. It's been completely restored, with stonework and picnic tables as they were. It can be found on Virginia Route 598 at the top of East River Mountain, on the border with West Virginia. 598 was originally US Route 52, which has been "replaced" by I-77. The interstate tunnels under this same mountain.

The view is into the city of Bluefield, West Virginia.

US Route 18 in Virginia?

Granted, this is sort of a "roadgeek" type of thing. But some of us who love blue highways are sharp enough to detect errors like this. The route number (18) is correct, but it is shown as a US rather than a Virginia highway. Someone at the Virginia Department of Transportation goofed when they installed this sign. More likely, they didn't know any better. It may be found on Virginia 18 south of the old industrial town of Covington.

One More Classic Bridge About to Go

This is a bridge of a classic design of the early to mid twentieth century. The construction to the left is its replacement. There are fewer and fewer bridges like this every year. Fortunately, some have been left standing for fishing or walking.

This bridge is just outside Hinton WV. The road on the far side of the bridge is West Virginia Route 3.

Rakes Mill Pond, Blue Ridge Parkway VA

This is Rake's Mill Pond on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a very small exhibit. While the crowds go to Mabry Mill, just a few miles south, little gems like this one are often overlooked. It can be found between Blue Ridge Parkway mileposts 162 and 163, just north of Tuggle's Gap and Virginia Route 8.

"Pure" Gasoline Sign, Pulaski VA

Here is a rare sign for Pure gasoline outside a former gas station and country store. (the Gator Mart per the other sign). It now appears to be a private home. The Pure brand of gas still exists, but you don't see it very often.

I found this on the outskirts of Pulaski, Virginia, on one of the 600 or 700 series of secondary Virginia highways.

Engine Bell Exhibit, Camp Creek SP WV

Camp Creek State Park in southern West Virginia is a beautiful little park. I've gone there many times to hike the trails. It's surprising that I just noticed this, since I'm a railroad buff. The bell is from a locomotive that was used in removing timber logged in what is now the park.

The park is between Princeton and Beckley near both US 19 and I-77.

Isolated Waterfall, New River Gorge Nat'l River WV

This is a beautiful waterfall in the New River Gorge National River. It falls down one of the steep bluffs, goes under the road and flows into the New River directly behind the photographer.

But you've really got to love back roads to find this place. In an earlier post, I described the directions to Sandstone Falls. Continue along the same road. The pavement soon ends and you go a couple of miles on a dirt road. The falls will be on your left, just before you go under the I-64 bridge.

The road then goes under the interstate but stops at a gate to private property. There is no access to the interstate from the riverside road.