Monday, May 30, 2011

That's My World Tuesday, Thurmond WV


The scenery on the drive to Thurmond, WV was pretty but it's nerve wracking because most of the roads allow traffic in two directions but only have room for one car.
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Fortunately we didn't meet any cars because the only option would have been to back up to the few spaces with room to pull over, or I guess you could play chicken and see who blinks first.
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In the case of the bridge into the Thurmond you can see across and wait if you see a car already on the bridge.
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One side of the bridge is for cars and the other for trains.
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Thurmond was once a busy prosperous town. With the advent of diesel locomotives and less coal mining in local mines, the population shrank to its current size of 7 people as of the latest census.
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The Thurmond Depot (yellow building above) has been restored to serve as a park visitor center and museum. Much of the land around the Thurmond area is a part of, and managed by, the New River Gorge National River Park services.
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What was once downtown Thurmond is now empty buildings.
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There was a time when the Thurmond bank was amongst the most prosperous in WV.
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The only people we saw when we visited Thurmond were people who were working on the train tracks.
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According to what I read online they have trains running on the old tracks for park visitors but nothing was opened when we were there.
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10 comments:

  1. Judy May 30, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    I remember seeing Thurmond on the map once. Thanks for the tour, now I know what we missed.

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  2. Cezar and LéiaMay 30, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    Thanks for giving us the fabulous taste of this beautiful place!I'm enchanted by the bridge shot, it's so different!
    Hugs
    Léia

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  3. Penelope NotesMay 30, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Aww … your last photo is a little sad, Carver. The area looks somewhat abandoned even as a museum location. Actually, that is lucky since only one car can travel on the road at one time. Nonetheless, it looks to be an incredibly charming part of the world. It is reminiscent of earlier times when life was slow and nature was untamed at our doorstep. The bank is a reminder that even prosperous business can have a shelf life and expire.

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  4. RajeshMay 30, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Even though narrow wonderfully scenic route. Beautiful shots.

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  5. Sylvia KMay 30, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    It is sad and I think it's happening to a number of places. I know there are a number of towns in Texas where I grew up that are ghost towns now. Marvelous captures as always, Carver, and a very interesting post! Would hate to drive on that road, but it does wind through such a beautiful area! Hope you have a wonderful week!

    Sylvia

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  6. Martha ZMay 30, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    It does look nerve wracking. It reminds me of a trip on the Old Tioga Road out of Yosemite when I was a child. On that one, though, there was a cliff wall on one side and a steep drop on the other, no trees, though to obstruct you view.
    I enjoyed the beautiful scenery of all your recent posts, looks like a wonderful road trip.

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  7. fjällripanMay 30, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    Beautiful photos! Looks like a nice place to visit, but is the town/village abended...its a little spooky I think. We dont have towns where no one lives, but I have seen in TV that there are some of them in America...:)Have a nice day!

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  8. Kay L. DaviesMay 30, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    Abandoned towns are so sad, Carver, but your photos are wonderful.
    I've been on a few two-way one-lane roads and it can be a little too exciting, can't it? I used to live near a one-lane bridge leading to a very small town, and drivers were always good about waiting their turn.
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  9. SandyCarlsonMay 30, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    I'm glad you made your way safely! These are wonderful photos. The place suggests another time--and one i'd like to visit.

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  10. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    The only towns that small I've seen were in Alaska, though it makes sense that the West Virginia mountains would have a few. I've been to that general area - next time, I'll make sure I stop in Thurmond and look around.

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