COAL KEEPS THE LIGHTS ON!

The area where we travelled in West Virginia displays the model COAL KEEPS THE LIGHTS ON on prominent bill board signs. After settling into our very peaceful relaxing 4 day stop at Rippling Waters camp site in Romance WV we decided to explore the area. The 1 1/2 lane road past our camp lead directly from I-77 four miles away.

As we followed this road into the woods it wound around the edges of cliffs with shear drop-off we wondered why anyone would live here. We met a surprising number of cars and trucks rapidly swerving around us but still clinging to the road. The road continued, paved with patches on the curve-wear deeper into the hills. Finally, after about 10 miles, as the road narrowed into one lane with no more road signs or guard rails we decided to turn around while we could still find an open space.

Back at the Rippling Waters camp office Jannich asked about this road. The worker said that we would be okay if we took the road to the left as the right gravel fork was dangerous. Thanks, we had taken the more dangerous road and turned around.

The next day we travelled south of Charleston to what appeared to be a coal mining town. We drove around several small settlements east of I-77 and a large winding river. We were happily taking photos of the small unique houses, the beautiful hills and a tug boat pushing barges filled with coal along the river when we were suddenly approached. A 30 year old man on a motor bike had followed us and aggressively demanded why we were photographing the town! Jannich with a calm, slow approach to any situation engaged him in conversation about the beauty of the area, hunting and his occupation. He told us that the local people were concerned about strangers photographing the area and they always "run them off" as they are worried about a large company that wants to tear down the houses and strip mine the town. He was receptive to this approach.


In the part of the conversation about hunting Jannich asked what animals were here - deer - moose- the man interjected - "no moose here"! Lots of deer etc. Ruth found this funny as mountain goats would be more at home here than moose. Jannich has spent too long in northern Ontario. Anyway, we got out of there safely as we followed his directions to a scenic lookout called the Eagles Nest. Personally we think that it was a ruse as we drove several miles south and could not find the look out. We turned around and quickly drove past the town back to our camp.