The Tug Fork of the Big Sandy is a uniquely notorious Appalachian river, the primary setting of the infamous Hatfield and McCoy clans and their legendary feud, multiple environmental disasters, devastating floods, and rugged, isolated frontier existence. If you’re looking for a place on nobody’s holiday destination list, I’ve got just the place for you. The Tug Fork valley, … [Read more...] about Tracing the Tug: Exploring West Virginia’s Notorious River
Michael Abraham
Looking for shamrocks in Southwest Virginia’s ‘Burgs
I am fortunate enough to live in Southwest Virginia, where great motorcycling roads surround me, so I thought it would be fun to explore my backyard with a St. Paddy’s Day cloverleaf of four loops to the southeast, southwest, northeast and northwest of sister towns Blacksburg and Christiansburg in Montgomery County, just west of Roanoke. Blacksburg has 45,000 residents but … [Read more...] about Looking for shamrocks in Southwest Virginia’s ‘Burgs
The cultural maelstrom of McDowell County, West Virginia
Prepare to have your sensibilities slashed, pummeled, and eviscerated by the reality of contemporary McDowell County, West Virginia. Your Appalachian Mountains have quaint villages, picturesque farms, forests, country inns, wineries, orchards, and breweries. Your upscale towns and cities have bistros, brewpubs, delicatessens, vegan cafes, and chocolatiers. You’ll leave all … [Read more...] about The cultural maelstrom of McDowell County, West Virginia
