Traveling down the backroads in Roane County, West Virginia, offers a journey into a world seemingly untouched by the rapid pace of modern life.
Traveling down the backroads in Roane County, West Virginia, offers a journey into a world seemingly untouched by the rapid pace of modern life. These narrow and often winding byways, which vary from single-lane paths to barely-there two-lane roads, meander through the lush Appalachian landscape. This region, steeped in history and natural beauty, invites a slower pace and a keen eye for detail.
As you drive, the surroundings transform, revealing hidden treasures that echo the past. Among these are abandoned houses and churches, each holding stories of bygone days. These structures, now succumbing to the relentless embrace of nature, stand as poignant reminders of the transient nature of human endeavors against the backdrop of time. The houses, with their peeling paint and overgrown gardens, hint at the lives once lived within their walls. Families who shared joys and sorrows, who witnessed the changing seasons, now gone, leaving only these silent sentinels behind.
Equally evocative are the old churches, often nestled in serene, out-of-the-way spots. These buildings, once the heart of small communities, now stand empty. Their weathered steeples and broken windows speak of congregations that gathered within, sharing faith and fellowship. The stillness that surrounds these abandoned places of worship is almost tangible, a stark contrast to the vibrant community gatherings they once hosted.
This journey is not just about the roads traveled or the sights encountered; it’s about connecting with a part of American history that is often overlooked. Roane County, like much of Appalachia, is a tapestry of stories, lives, and experiences woven into the very fabric of the landscape. Exploring these backroads is an exercise in discovery and reflection, offering a unique perspective on a region rich in cultural and historical significance.
3 Comments
Add Yours →Your photography is, as always, magnificent. But, to judge fairly and without mercy, your writing could stand to be a good deal more informative and perhaps somewhat less ethereal. Your photographic compositions do a splendid job of emphasizing the subject and why they are important.
I tend to put histories and timelines on their respective location pages and have been leaving the journal entries for more narratives. There wasn’t too much write about these, other than descriptions of their architecture. But I’ll take your comments into consideration and see about expanding the historical descriptions in these types of posts.
I also realized the captions were not showing with the images, which had more of the history/description of each photo. I’ve since fixed that.