Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Heritage Center - Clifton Forge, Virginia 

Early in May, I visited the C&O Railway Heritage Center at Clifton Forge, Virginia. Clifton Forge is in the mountains of western Virginia, and was once an important rail center. The C&O Historical Society is headquartered in Clifton Forge, and displays artifacts from the C&O including rolling stock, the original freight house and reconstructions of the passenger station and switching tower.

This week we will be looking at photos from my visit to Clifton Forge, and telling a little about the history of the town.

Along the back roads of Greene County, Virginia

Construction of the Interstate Highway system started in 1956. Eisenhower was President, America was in the first blush of post-war prosperity, and Americans took to the roads. High speed, controlled access divided highways began to replace the old routes that were built in the first half of the 20th century. Perhaps the most famous of these old routes was Route 66.

For a great history of the old numbered highway system, check out U.S. Highways: From US1 to (US830). 

"One of the goals of this site is to show where these highways go and have gone. Maybe you will recall road trips from your past, or be inspired to take another one. Maybe you will learn a little more about the historic routes you travel. Recall those twisty old two-lane roads, neon lined motels, and a time when most gas stations had service bays instead of food marts."

Roadside attraction - Great Smoky Mountains - 1951

In 1951, my mother and father and I, along with my aunt and uncle set out on a road trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. Memories of that trip, hazy impressions really, are among the earliest memories that I have, conjured in part by a handful of snapshots of the trip that came down to me from my aunt.

Interstate highways are a marvelously efficient way to get to where you are going, but you don't see much while sealed in an air-conditioned car, surrounded by trucks at 70 miles-per-hour. 

Before Interstate highways traveling was as much a part of the adventure of a road trip as arriving at a destination. Sometimes, the road was the destination. Progress was slow, but there was plenty to see along the two lane roads lined with small towns and roadside attractions, otherwise known as tourist traps.

In 1951 we loved tourist traps, and were in no hurry. There was no telling what might turn up just down the road a bit.

Weese's Bar & Grill - Covington, Virginia

Honeysuckle

Yesterday morning I walked outside with the camera. I do that quite often, and over the years have taken thousands of photographs in my yard. It would be the work of a lifetime to document the  individual species of plants and animals that live on this small plot of land, for observation arouses curiosity. What will this plant look like on this Monday morning, the sky pale with clouds and rain in the air? What changes are wrought by weather and the seasons, by cultivation and by neglect? What grows old? What's new?

It is all utterly commonplace. And I never get tired of looking.

Coneflower

Distant flag - Richmond, Virginia

Independence Day - 2011

Wall art - Elkton, Virginia