Amusing names

Thursday, November 1st, 2007
Meadows of Dan, Virginia to Flatwoods, West Virginia

259.4 miles
Sunny and cool

Lots of mention of Mayberry around here. A gal at a gas station told me that way back when, the Andy Griffith Show was often filmed in this area, hence everything carrying the name!

Back in the land of the riding lawn mowers – great big yards of green grass!

After a short stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway this morning, I moved on to the Virginia By-Way. Equally curvy and hilly and colorful as the previous drive!

Near Roanoke, passed the Catawaba Sanatorium – circa 1915 – which looks just like you might remember from weird movies! Not for crazy people though, but for those with 'consumption!'

You might notice on the map that I had a little detour – came to a low overpass that I could not sneak under. Took me 23 miles and almost 45 minutes to find a way around it!

Local elections here soon and one sign caught my eye – an old fashioned “wanted” poster, with picture, saying “Wanted – John Hall for Sheriff” – clever!!

Great names here is West Virginia – Towns like Ronceverte, Alderson Pense, Zickafoose, Muddlety! Possum Hollow Pizza – we deliver!

And, shiver, great big logging trucks trying to blow me off the narrow little winding road as they roar by! 

Interestingly, I have seen no signs of coal mining, which I thought was big in WV. Did see one sign advertising for an ‘underground mining specialist’ though.

One thing I'm sorry to see - the West Virginia land I've seen so far is rather like the jokes and media stories - dilapidated homes, beat-up old cars, tired looking people. Good country folk though, for the most part. Friendly, curious about this blonde driving the big box by herself.


Way pretty drive, all in all – but a long long day – and again, no phone, no internet, no TV. Maybe I should try sleeping!


Flatwood RV Park
2000 Sutton Lane
Sutton, WV 26601
304-765-5055