BARBOURSVILLE WV TO LEXINGTON VA

Once more east on 60 towards Charleston WV, the largest city in West Virginia, population 50,000. Once out of Charleston 60 dove into the mountains and quickly became very interesting, very rural, two lane twisty road. We followed a river for several hours and the every present railroad tracks. Passed the surface buildings of some large underground coal mines with huge piles of coal. Passing through the small unincorporated mining communities the flags at many places are still at half mast for the miners lost recently.

The portion of 60 from South Charleston to the town of Sam Black Church is known as the Midland Trail. This is not only one of the best motorcycle roads it is also a historic trail. Originally used by settlers heading west in 1790 George Washington, in an early example of a stimulus program, ordered the trail improved for wagon travel. Stopped for a break at a small park next to an old water driven power house on the river at a small falls. Then lunch along the river later watching a couple drift and fish from their boat.

Once we approached Virginia 60 merged with I-64 and we headed into the Appalachians and heavily forested area until stopping for the night in Lexington.

The place names today were very interesting named after the mines or saw mills. Small roads running off of 60 with street names like Bouber Hallow, Crestfallen Hallow, Dupont Haller.

West Virginia is definitely worth the time to travel, beautiful state.