Reflections – US Appalachia ’24

Each trip delivers a new set of themes, questions, realizations and often concerns that I try and take the time to mull over… maybe even some sober second thought post trip! Perhaps one could consider them “snapshots” from a photo album dated August ‘24 😜.

The “American Road Trip” – The modern American road trip evolved in the late 1930s and into the 1940s, ushering in an era of a nation on the move. Rapid expansion of automobile production in the post WWII years, as well as the Interstate Highway System, opened America to vacation-by-road as more reliable vehicles and better highways increased speed of travel and ability to go further, faster. In fact, across North America families of wealth and modesty loaded the car for routes frequenting the cityscapes, ocean views, tourist attractions and impressive selection of National Parks that showcased the continent. We continue this tradition, having completed x-continental traverses on several occasions both north and south of the 49th. We live in a varied and amazing array of geographic phenomena that complement a rich cultural and complex societal representation. In base terms… the Road Trip enacts “learning by doing”… making the theoretical something tangible! Although many of the means (GPS/iPhone/Credit Card) have changed irreversibly, the challenge and rewards are still in place. We wouldn’t trade these trips for anything… epic journeys that expand the mind and grow capacity.

Southern BBQ – I’ve been a true fan of the smokehouse / BBQ genre of meal for a long time… to the extent that I’ve dabbled in my own meager forays into this cooking style. However, all-stars of the “pit”can be sourced throughout the Southern US. States and regions have even grown to perfect specific prep / cooking methods, creating accepted flavours that have evolved over decades of practice. On this trip we sampled… rolling up the sleeves to experience a selection of the many delights of BBQ (meats / sauces / sides). In my certain opinion, stopping for BBQ is a must (and we made 3 planned visits). Price, authenticity, reviews and proximity were deciding factors in those we chose. The options available to try are somehow familiar, while being endless. At no point were we dissatisfied with meal, price or service. The selection is broad so find your fit. Do it… it’s an Appalachian MUST!

The River – American television, newspaper and radio journalist and author Charles Kuralt wrote “America is a great story, and there is a river on every page of it“. Indeed, America grew both geographically and economically via the flow of goods and people westward. Communities & expansionists relied heavily on these avenues to provide both settlers and newcomers the stuff of life… and are indeed responsible for some of the nations most scenic landscapes. Rivers figured prominently in this edition of the US Road Trip, these highways of both past and present. We crossed the breadth of the mighty Hudson River in NY State, using the Cuomo Bridge span to navigate its expanse. We pondered our view at Marye’s Heights in Fredericksburg, where many of Burnside’s Union soldiers pontooned the Rappahanock River only to meet their cruel fate on the battlefield charging the stone wall fronting the Sunken Road. We ate, enjoyed the crackle and smoke of campfire, and rested to the calming rush of tiny Jake’s Creek in the Great Smoky’s. Bridges across the Ohio River enabled our winding route around Louisville, Cincinnati and through to Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh, with those shining yellow bridges, riverside walkways, and once military installation at Fort Pitt, is the site of convergence for three rivers, the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela. And indeed, in south central NY State we traced along the muddy Susquehanna River to our lodging on our return journey homeward. Yes, we appreciated the rivers that were on full display this trek through ❤️.

Election ‘24 – Looming in the confines of coffee counters, floors of shopping centres, cubicles of Gov’t offices and airwaves / data lines of media, (and most everywhere else on the globe) is the ever present rumble of the hotly contested November US Presidential Election. Now, my grandfather wisely claimed that one should never make small talk in regard to “… religion, politics, and someone’s fence line”… there is wisdom in that. Yet I can’t quite NOT mince a few words in regard to the temperature of this upcoming election season (a seemingly tireless / absolutely tiresome two year wind up). As a team, Janie and I actively follow the pulse of various media outlets that chase the ebb and flow of things political in the US. Invariably, we see Lincoln’s “house divided”, an America entrenched in polarity on policy, values, freedoms and security. All is seemingly unflinching and resistant to change. Decision runs on knife edge margins to the point where a special interest group or state can sway a result. We sensed and even shared this tension in our travels. It is, in fact, wondrous to us that a nation can be so wrought by such opposing perspectives. Fed by media and outright misinformation, the blue red gap closes as opposed to widening… realistic “fixes” are not to be found. Efforts in this decision seem to be focused on the one, ignoring the many. We are also not naive enough to fail in considering impacts in the US will have wide ranging in Canada. As such, we feel we do have an iron in the fire. We await the result with great interest and a keen sense of hope. Democracy is a messy deal!!!

The “B&B” – As a specific category of accommodation, the Bed & Breakfast is a rarely utilized form of lodging for us. I can count on one hand the number of bookings we’ve made in this type of stay. On this trip, however, it arose on several occasions in response to availability or pricing. For example, location, cost and availability were all factors in deciding to utilize our South Carolina B&B. A B&B seems especially suited to Janie’s extroverted nature with broad ranging conversation and intrinsic interests a natural consequence. I tend to be a bit more of a solitary figure, but can (after some measuring) connect in the more intimate B&B setting of another’s home. I sense that neither of us have a high level of ease with being served / waited on (it seems so foreign to the scenes in which we were raised). However, the takeaways, when all meet that “zone” of comfort, can be special. Whether the connection is one of shared value, an historic interest, or the sheer beauty and warmth in a home /meal. The opening of one’s home to travellers is surely not a new concept, and is in fact ageless. End result… the B&B proved a solution for several difficult situations we encountered (lack of vacancy, proximity to attraction/pivot, price point) and we enjoyed exploring these spaces on this trip. I expect we will be much more likely to engage with prospective bookings on future trips.

So there you have it… a big awesome trip that left us lots to ponder. Our curiosity and drive to keep learning about this neighbour to the south continues. We were welcomed with open arms wherever we visited, and I suspect these NS visitors were even bordering on the exotic in southern areas. Wishing them the best in their election year. I’m not sure we visited during the Trump Presidency, and in fact I think a lot of folks headed north to visit us here in Canada last time around. Here’s to seeing you all sooner rather than later! Thanks to all that followed along… comments and side notes were greatly appreciated ❤!

… Gallery – US Appalachia ’24