I hope you will enjoy this tour of beautiful WV.
This beautiful quilt hangs in the Matewan Train Museum ...
THANK YOU ALL so much for your well wishes. I hope NEVER to go thru this medical issue again. You are all so very dear to my heart & lifted my spirits. Love you ...
West Virginia is known as 'God's Country, By God' ... the people are very warm & welcoming, the mountains are majestic, reaching to the heavens.
This is a typical skyscape throughout the state ...
Chuck (Charles E.) Yeager. born in 1928 Myra, WV, is known as the world's most famous test pilot, few have ever matched his piloting skills. He served as a Brig. General in the US Army, tho enlisted to be a mechanic. In l997, the 50th anniversary of his first Mach One flight, he broke the sound barrier once again in an F-15, his last official flight in an Air Force plane.
Chuck led a very colorful life, had an enduring wife of his escapades ... his autobiography you will not want to put down. I enjoyed every second of this man's life ...
A lovely city nestled in the mountains of WV ...
A home nestled in the woods of the mountains ...
These next 3 pics are in reverse, sorry. The train cars go thru this station at the rate of every 2 minutes, in constant forward motion ... the huge trough has constant coal fed into it (pic 2) that feeds the (pic 3) square box which loads each car in 2 minutes ... it is quite the sight to view. Pic 1 is a view of about 500 cars as they were filled.
pic 2
pic 2
Lovely mountain florals ...
The friendly ol' fella came out to tell us that this bridge, before the floods, was about 30' down past the mailbox... 
And flooded his home, too.
A mountainside view of the various colors & work that has been done here ...
Tug Valley's two most notorious pioneer families were the Hatfield's & McCoy's, separated by the river. Their feud marked at the outset by a dispute over ownership of a hog, lasted 12 years, claimed 12 lives & brought national notoriety to this region.
Matewan was a boom town supplying goods & services to the mining communities. When the miners joined the union, UMWA in 1920, the Stone Mountain Coal Co. retaliated by firing men & hiring detectives to evict miners from their company owned homes. Miners let by the police chief Sid Hatfield, confronted the detectives as they waited to catch the train home to Bluefield. Ten men were killed in the gun battle. Red Necks derived from the use of red bandanas tied around the neck to signify union affiliation during the violent clashes between United Mine workers & owners between 1910-20.
The next pictures are from inside the Matewan train depot (above) ... if/&/or when you go to WV this journey is worth every bit of the vivid beauty & history that this state holds in her heart.She provides many energies for us all ...
Oh, Marydon, I'm so sorry to hear you've not been feeling well, and I hope you're feeling better.. Thank you so much for the tour through West Virginia! A fascinating trip it was, for this girl who doesn't typically get to travel terribly much, nor too far! I've heard of the Hatfields and McCoys, but this was the most info I'd ever heard!.. All over ONE hog, you say?! My gosh!! Hard to believe that all the bother and all the senseless tragedy was worth it to them!.. Loved that beautiful quilt though, and I'll have to watch for that biography of Chuck Yeager!.. Have a nice evening! ((hugs)) ~tina
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Marydon. Good info on the Hatfield and McCoys - I didn't know it was about a hog. So many lives lost over a darn hog. But people do stupider things these days.
ReplyDeleteI have been on vacation and didn't know you had been sick! I am so glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteWest Virginia is beautiful and I loved seeing the pictures!
Much love,
LuLu~*xoxo
I enjoyed your trip through West Virginia, Marydon. Thanks for "taking us along." Neat pictures!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better now.
I'm so sorry to hear that you were sick and I hope you are feeling better. Your post on WV is very interesting. So much info that I didn't know. I need to find a copy of Chuck Yeager's bio, as my DBF is a huge fan of his. Thanks for all the information. Feel better fast, my Friend...
ReplyDeleteOh so good to see you are up and posting after such an ordeal. I am happy you are feeling better Marydon.
ReplyDeleteThe History Channel runs a show called The Hillbillies. You can catch it once in awhile but you have to watch for it. It tells the story from beginning to end and is just perfect. I can't get enough of this great tale of American History. That being said, I love, love, love WV. Char
I love this tour with you, and now I know the origin of the phrase red neck.
ReplyDeleteSending you and your dh hugs through this post. Terra
So happy that you are better Marydon. I've never visited W. VA and enjoyed this post so much. I think my brother would love the Chuck Yeager book - thanks for the review. Hope you continue to feel better/stronger. Love to you, Mildred
ReplyDeleteI hope you're feeling much better now.
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting overview of West Virginia. I've read a lot about Chuck Yeager, a fascinating fellow.
Hi Marydon,
ReplyDeleteI love your post and all the W.V. info. My mother is from Morgantown and I just love the beauty and inspiration in the hills and mountains.
You always share such great info and teachings.
I am so sorry you have not been feeling well. You know, my prayers are always with you my friend.
So nice to see you today. Have a wonderful evening.
Get well wishes!
Love to you,
Celestina Marie
Oh dear Marydon, I pray that you are feeling so much better today! I truly enjoyed the tour of WV. A great place that I would love to visit! Sounds like you had a wonderful visit!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed evening! HUGS!
It is always so interesting to travel with you, it's such a learning experience. I didn't know that little tidbit about the redneck scarf. The whole story about the Hatfields and McCoys is so sad. What a waste.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your kidney stone. I hear those can be horribly painful. I hope you are well on the mend and that you have a great weekend!
Hi, Marydon! This was an interesting post, I especially like the "old time" photos! AND, thank you for becoming a Follower on my blog! I have been a follower of yours: I think you are a friend of dear Mrs. Magpie, no? I think that's what originally got me to your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks again, and take care!
Best regards,
Glora
Hello friend! I loved this post! Thank you for sharing the bits and pieces of WVa history. So interesting. And I didnt know Chuck's last flight was in an F15! That is my all time favorite plane (I grew up A.F. brat) way cool.
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed perusing your tour for us!! wow, that little town nestled in the mountainside would be a wonderful, quiet and serene place to dwell!! Love the history, and really appreciated the historical value of your blog today. Excellent work my friend.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you'll feel better soon.
HELLO from SWEDEN :)
ReplyDeleteHåkan
I really enjoyed the post Marydon! I enjoyed the pics and the history behind it.
ReplyDeleteI have been to W. Virginia, and it is lovely!
Micki
My husband's mother's family is from West Virginia so I enjoyed the pictures.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better.
Marydon I'm glad to hear you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteLoved the post on beautiful West Virginia. I also didn't know the fued was over a hog.
One of my oldest dearest friends is originally from there. I often tease her about speaking a little faster as I have forgotten the last word by the time she gets the next one out. LOL
She brought me back a coal miner made of coal on one of her trips home and I treasure it from a dear friend.
Dear Marydon
ReplyDeleteFirst I would like to thank you for visitng and your PRAISE! You have just made my day.. Thank you dear..
I am so happy to hear you are on the road to recovery... Thank you for the most enjoyable tour.. I truly enjoyed it.
Blessings,
Penny
Marydon,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this piece about the history in your hometown. This is perfect for me with all the small town charm and such rich history. Love it.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
what a great tour.. we have a customer at work that lives in Morgantown,WV and is moving out here to WA... don't know why he would leave such a beautiful place. Hope you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit. And I enjoyed my tour here too..glad you are feeling better! ;D
ReplyDeleteOh, I love all the history and the old pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marydon, for being such a faithful friend, you're very sweet..
You need to go on and get well now.
thanks for the comment on my blog, come by anytime.
hugs,
glenda
an interesting collectin of photos - thanks for sharing them. Judith
ReplyDeleteOh, Marydon I do hope you are feeling better too. You have a great post on this region. Being from KY this is all very familiar looking. Hills and coal mines are what I grew up around, even though I was from Western KY. Didn't know that about the origin of "redneck." How sad. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteSherry
Hi Marydon! Hope you're feeling better today.
ReplyDeleteI've been to Virginia but not West Virginia until today! :)
Loved seeing all of the pictues.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I am so sorry that you have been ill ! Kidney stones are supposed to be really painful, I pray you are better now. WV is so pretty. I went their once when I was a kid to My Mothers friends farm. They had a Strawberry field and they were the best I had ever had. I love all of the green and trees. It is a slice of Heaven you live in for sure. Praying for you !! Hugs :)
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better now Marydon!
ReplyDeleteYou were in my neck of the woods when you were around the Chuck Yeager Monument! I remember when they were building it. I've never been to Matewan that I know of. I had hoped to travel around West Virginia this past Summer with the kids during the day but it was just too hot to do it. Hopefully next year.
Great pictures! It is fun to read your comments of so many people that have a connection to West Virginia.
Have a Great Day!
Angela
What an interesting history lesson. I never knew where "Red Neck" came from. Thanks for sharing with us Marydon!
ReplyDeleteOh, and so glad you're feeling better :-)
So glad you are doing better.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fascinating trip..thanks for taking us along..:0)
Nice tour. Thanks for taking us along. I have a son who lives with his family in WVA, City of Charleston; and it has been too long since we were there.
ReplyDeleteHi Marydon, glad to hear you're feeling better! I love WV! My Aunt Beck lives there and you can't beat the scenic ride from Maryland to West Virginia! It makes me miss the East Coast! Thanks for visiting me today and stay well! Suzie
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you have been sick. I really hope you are feeling better. I enjoyed this post, the pictures and the history lesson. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a really good trip. Thank you for sharing it with us. It was very interesting. I'm so sorry that you have been sick. Hope the rest of the year will be much better for you.
ReplyDeleteMarydon, thank you for not only coming by to visit but for sharing such an interesting, picture filled history with us. I have never been to W.V. but would love to go, especially in the fall.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend friend. Hugs...Tracy :)
Oh wow lots of history in your neck of the woods too..We also have trains going by in our home town too..
ReplyDeletevery beautiful photo s
Hope you have a wonderful day.
Well, I always wondered about the Hatfields and McCoys! Not a couple of families one would want to disagree with...especially during elections! Interesting post, Marydon! Looks like you had a really fun trip!
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better!!!
Blessings and Big Hugs to you, my dear!
Coralie