Back in the Boonies of Appalachia: Panther, West Virginia - Panther-Mohawk Road is Like a Big Holler

Back in the Boonies of Appalachia: Panther, West Virginia - Panther-Mohawk Road
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[@ginariffe5525]

My mom was born in Panther and lived there until she went to school. She talked about walking to the head of the holler to go to school. They moved to Knox Creek after that. She always talked about how bad it was there and Knox Creek , people murdered or going missing. This was in the 30’s and 40’s. Both of her grandparents are buried on Knox Creek. It’s always been isolated but people lived off the land. Grew big gardens and canned everything. Grew fruit trees and picked wild berries and canned them or made jams and jellies. My cousins up there even today buy very little at the grocery store. They put up enough to last the winter. Milk and flour is about it. He even keeps bees and now they don’t even need sugar. Amazing people back in those hollers!

[@jamesallen1164]

my parents on both sides where born and raised there . panther and bull creek . Yeager. spent many summers there as a kid growing up . as country as it gets.

[@ashleycasey]

My grandfather was from Panther, last name Bailey.

[@ginariffe5525]

@@jamesallen1164 my dad was from Long Pole. He met my mom in Iager. at the drive in.

[@maikehannah9179]

Self sufficient. Be proud of it. Hard work.

[@ginariffe5525]

@@maikehannah9179 absolutely!! I know where I’m going when if it all hits the fan!

[@iamwhoiam4410]

We live in southern Appalachia, not in WV or Virginia though. We live in a small remote valley 11 miles at the end of a gravel road from a paved county road. When friends come to visit us for the first time they say we live at the end of the road in our country. All of us that live here all had successful careers as professionals mostly in the corporate world. We have hollows here in our area but nothing like WV. The local people born and raised here are just awesome and we consider them a part of our families and help them when they need helping, and they do the same for us. I'd rather have one of them for a friend other than anyone outside of here. They're a proud people and need to be respected for the fine people they are. They've had hard knocks in life and kept going without complaining, something most people have no clue about and probably couldn't survive them. Thanks for your videos. You're an inspiration for these good ole mountain folks.

[@jiml8594]

My Mom's whole family was from Panther. I still have a few relatives living there. I haven't been back there in 20 years. My uncle ran a little general store there after he got out of the mines until he died. My great grandfather and grandfather both died in the mines there. I remember big coal mine trucks coming around blind corners. Quite a few people died because of these trucks speeding. My step-grandfather made moonshine and I remember he used to give some to the chickens to watch them walk around drunk. We had a big garden, hogs and one big horse as well as many chickens and one mean rooster that used to chase me around the yard. I got paddled in school. I remember playing marbles with the other boys. We hunted and fished and played with crawdads in the crick. It was a great place for a kid to live. Not so much for adults. It took a lot of hard work to survive there. We had to use the outhouse and we always had to watch out for copperheads. My grandma used to make pinto beans and cornbread. Yum. My mom is buried there next to her dad. Maybe I will go back someday for a visit. Thanks for this video.

[@mikeb2777]

What memories

[@MichaelBrowning-o2n]

I had some really great times there

[@MichaelBrowning-o2n]

Love of my life live in Mohawk

[@jenettereynolds5490]

I will say I’m proud to be from Panther WV been here for 10 years and lived in McDowell county my whole life! The first part of the video was actually in Long Pole!! Just like every place in the world their is bad people but most people are the best people you could ever meet!! It does suck we don’t live near anything but not everyone their is obese just a litttle FYI! I work daily at a hospital I have children and honestly wouldn’t want to raise my kids anywhere else

[@EttaBailey-Jesus]

Do you know where Trap Fork is??

[@d0nproffitt216]

The little girl standing on the chair eating supper and the lady preserving fruit was really touching 😎

[@louisebling2536]

The photo slide show was beautifully done. Would love to see more. 🙂

[@wickedbunny2020]

I want to move to the boonies seriously. I’m tired of being around a ton of ppl and I just want to grow a garden and have chickens again (lol) and be left alone mostly. Ahh..sounds like heaven. Rich ppl have it wrong imo.

[@markwilliams5606]

That's why I moved Deep in the Ozarks. I like chicken 🐔. Eggs to! Sick of the crap.

[@joejerkoff9221]

You think you want that until ur actually living it. Then u realize you'd like to have ur conveniences that u take for granted

[@amywaltermyer4242]

@@markwilliams5606 I think that’s why I watch these videos. Almost like a calling to return back where my people came from.

[@missygatian1783]

It is wonderful. Our state motto. Almost Heaven WV. Peaceful, friendly, and beautiful.

[@QwayczarMusic]

I'm about to move up that way for the same reason!

[@paulmacek6563]

I live in Gettysburg Pennsylvania and your videos have summoned me to the gr8 state of WVA!! I'm literally intrigued with its history and beauty!! I will plan a 2 week excursion through your state in May of 2022!!

[@beunbad]

I’m from New England but while,in the Marines had a roomate from West Virginia great person I had a lot of laughs with. Always liked this State, wonder if They would accept me if I moved in one of these areas.

[@heygetoffmylawn1572]

We spent 2 weeks vacation in WV last summer 2021. We mainly explored the Monogohela National Forest, Pocahontas county and the lower south WV all the way to Lewisburg. Beautiful state. Expect to drive a lot of hills and windy roads for long distances just to get anywhere.

[@appalachianqueen8369]

This video and the pictures from the 1930s and 1940s brought back many memories of growing up in that area where Pike County, Ky, Buchanan County, Virginia and McDowell County, West Virginia adjoin. My ancestral roots there go back to the late 1700s when that region was the frontier of Virginia. Although, I don’t live there now, those hills and hollers and the people are always with me. With the passing of a lot of time and life experiences, I consider being born and raised there the best gift of my life. Thanks for the ride!

[@robertpendergrass7996]

McDowall County W.VA. great people 👏 👍

[@cheryl8930]

All of my Daddy's people are from those areas. I still have family in Iaeger and Panther.

[@tribecca626]

What a beautiful tribute to the community of Panther. I loved the b&w photos. Great touch ! 💜⛰️

[@nathanstrickland6508]

The family history runs deep in these hollers. We all came from coal mining families. I remember as a kid my cousins and I would play in the old mine shafts cut out in the sides of these mountains. All my dads kin made a living this way. It's how they all heated the house in the winter on a pot belly stove in the middle of the house. I remember taking a bucket in these old shafts and filling it up for my ant Lucy and other older people in the hollers. Most of these hollers are nothing but family from the mouth to the head. But that was before the strip mining came in the holler. It's long since been reclaimed and is beautiful again, but it took years.

[@bversbvers2268]

We went there yesterday. We talked to the people at the grave yard. We were lost. Everyone was very helpful. We stayed on the road that you turned around on and followed it back to Gilbert. It had many curves and was very steep. Very fun ride. I was raised in Mc Dowell county and have traveled all over and must rate this as one of the scariest roads. My wife didn't like it. It would be great on a motorcycle. Many curves. The leaves were beautiful.

[@realappalachia]

i bet it would be fantastic on a motorcycle

[@terrillwolf2552]

The whole time I was watching, I was thinking how I would love to ride that road on my Harley.

[@ep61611]

I've been within 20 miles of here quite a few times (Man). I love the area - it's so scenic, quiet, simple, and for the most part, undisturbed. It may not be an easy life, but if you're looking for a place to get away from the insanity we call "modern living", this is it.

[@mikestacy3224]

I might be able to shed some light on your question, Melody, on the wreaths/flower arrangements seen on the rear of some homes in Panther WV. I learned from my elders that over a century ago many families buried their loved ones in their back yards. Given the high cost of funerals and burials at cemeteries, and how poor McDowell County is, I believe some families bury their loved ones on their properties, and keep flower arrangements to signify a recent passing/burial.

[@realappalachia]

that would make sense, thanks!

[@DetroitHomeInspector]

True. My family is from KY and they usually bury them up on a hill behind the house on land that is not fit for growing/farming.

[@samanthab1923]

Wow. Not against the law back then?

[@mikestacy3224]

@@samanthab1923 An old school tradition by families long ago

[@JW-gl4yp]

@@samanthab1923 in some states you can still have your family buried on your own property

[@somersetdc]

I love the way you two talk. Especially the young lady with her very hard Rs. She would be a great reader for books on tape that have a country Appalachian theme.

[@carolynlazzell5316]

Started seeing your videos a few weeks ago. While traveling from Myrtle Beach, S.C yesterday, my sister and I decided to take a trip through Virginia and W. Virginia on our way back to Indiana. Absolutely gorgeous country. We traveled on highways, but I'm anxious to drive W. Virginia on small country roads like you all do. It's now on my bucket list.😄. I really enjoy your videos. Thank you.

[@realappalachia]

thanks so much, really hope you had a pleasant drive through these parts

[@donaldatkinson7937]

You probably went right by my place in Darlington county SC.

[@DavidSmith-sb2ix]

Many of us in Western Maryland would love to break away from Maryland and become part of West Virginia. Lower taxes, more freedom and less hassle from the state government.

[@buck546]

You would be welcome. Come on in.

[@mindyk2376]

Do it and as soon as the economy picks back up my husband and I will join you from Southern Maryland. Have been planning on checking WV out so when he retires we can move there.

[@williamreilly5469]

I'm from Baltimore, mom was born in Glenville, we have property there, I'm 65, retired and moving there asap... I love it...always have since I was a kid ...

[@kenmcfarlane7534]

How about a trip over to Fletcher Ridge/Indian Grave Gap My Mother Ruth Ratliff Mcfarlane was born on Fletchers Ridge back in 1927......Her Father my grandfather was Game warden Henry Ratliff.....I've heard so many stories about life way back then...I love that area but last time we was there could not find the home place that had been there since 1913....Hope it was not tore down. My roots run deep in Buchanan County Va. Love your videos. He also had a store by the home place on Hurricane Creek...Had to put that in....almost forgot......Then my other Grandfather and his wife...Mel and Cara McFarlane took care of the Mission School over in Council Va. Back in the 1920's so many stories I have heard about that school........ Mel McFarlane also laid the stone on the Grundy Courthouse..... People worked so hard in those days.

[@smokestack2516]

You should go to Dunlow WV and Fort Gay and Wayne WV...Like what you do keep up the good work !!!!!

[@debbieepperly3821]

That was a beautiful drive even though the road was curvy & narrow. Really loved seeing the old pictures of life in Panther. And I thought I lived in the boonies! Blessings from VA!

[@martindavies1012]

Great videos! Just found you & subscribed, I'm in the UK but traveled some back roads of the States but nothing like this...It's now on my bucket list...Would be great if you could find stores that are open (If not done already)!

[@buddjewelry9324]

All southern Ohio is considered part of this range just doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Nice college towns like athens u should check out and do a video on. But southern Ohio is just like West Virginia

[@samanthab1923]

Athens is very haunted also. Could do a whole show on just Athens alone. Weird cemeteries, the Asylum, the college etc 👻🍁

[@buddjewelry9324]

@@samanthab1923 cool stuff

[@samanthab1923]

Budd Jewelry Right?

[@crystalashby7217]

I’ve lived in Panther for 42 years and have never heard Panther said that way 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@kathytorres3297]

I was thinking the same thing. My family is from Panther and had friends there. No one says it that way.

[@kateshrewsbury5630]

My Grandfather was raised in Panther W.Va. It wasn't like y'all depicted it. People had gardens. Canned there food. Had hogs and cattle for meat and meat was curried and canned. Fresh eggs. People bartered with each other. Water was hauled from a spring for drinking . Had horses and carts to travel when they needed to go. In my opinion people go to much anymore. Go, Go, Go. We where all over those mountains when we where young. There are caves and Indian trails and markings. Why don't you walk those mountain trails? You didn't need a gym! Times where indeed hard. But You kept busy. Living out in the country was a way of life. I was raised in McDowell Co all my life. I know things have changed a lot. But when I was young I wouldn't have wanted to be any where else. People where different. You made it sound like people are fat and have no true way of life. I resent that. My Grandfather had a college education as well as his brother's and sisters. The grave flowers you seen on the hill sides where more than likely a loved pet that died. Roads are crooked! Your on and in the mountains carved out by those trails I mentioned. By the way all those chickens you where seeing lay fresh eggs and fry up really good in a cast iron skillet and taste mighty good. If the shot ever hit the fan you would be running to these people I feel you insulted. Woman You complained the whole time. Stereotypes. That's was wrong. Winding roads is what you where on. You took the winding roads. It surly isn't what's ingrained in you. This stereotype is why people from West Virginia get labeled. Back when they took pictures they sent a bunch of folks here to make us look like we where all barefoot and pregnant,Uneducated. I experienced that when I was young. Telling the women they didn't know how to cook or clean to take care of there children. Do your research. I'm old and old enough to know. You say you wanted to show the good and bad. Your opinion of what's available and what's not. Well maybe you need to learn to can and put up your own food. Make your own clothes etc....you couldn't do it. People do have fruit, berries, apples, pawpaws, walnuts. Just because it didn't come from a store? Really? Yo made jams and jellies. Sure looked to me like folks had cars, trucks, homes. Electric. You must like the convenience of everything at you finger tips. Well like the man said. It's there choice. I worked at a hospital as a central service technician. My Mother and Grandparents taught me to garden and provide. From right there in PANTHER W.VA. I want you to know that people there served this country and gave there lives. They did there part. Stereotype. It's easy to judge. The bible says we will always have the poor. Maybe y'all need to get out and learn about the true Appalachian People. Hike those mountains and trails look at people with softer eyes. This country was built on them. They're ways. So you can run around looking at it. But not knowing the bones of it .

[@hazystafford6231]

Thank you Kate for telling the real story of the great people of WVA. I was born in WVA our family moved North when I was around 4 years old. I remember our family having chickens, a pig and a cow for milk , a churn to make butter. Life was a little hard but it was a good life. God bless you.

[@kandicehope1538]

I hate to break it to ya buddy but you’re not coming through panther you’re coming through longpole I lived around there for many years

[@toniesedrick691]

Well at one time all this was farm land, just imagine that. Bonnies. Panther, Mohawk, okay that tell it's true history. P.S. little girl people that suffered server cold warmed their hearts with fake flowers. I live in Cape Coral Florida and still arrange my plastic flower to this day. Thank you for sharing. Makes me think of home, where families consisted of many children in those days. Again thank you.

[@alexm4994]

Would it be possible to do videos showing us the cemeteries? Those small cemeteries are so interesting! I love your videos!

[@348Tobico]

No buddy, the real boonies are when you drive hours and don't see anyone. And no chicken and for sure no dogs in the road. No buildings even standing- just collapsed. Real desperate nothing.

[@jonb8371]

I really enjoyed this video. Some flowers in back yards might be where a beloved family pet is buried. I liked the old photographs too. Thankyou.

[@joedaly2362]

Being that you are "down" in the hollers, the affect of the limited hours of direct sunlight must be something to become adjusted to. This would be difficult for me to like.

[@markwilliams5606]

You have no idea how good these people have it. Live in the Ozarks. Love it. You don't want to come here. Cattle and cowboys. Trump country

[@judypierce7028]

WV has primary roads, secondary roads, and thirdary roads. While driving on thirdary roads, the driver must toot their horn when going around a curve. The road you are on is considered a thirdary road.

[@jimblevins4085]

McDowell county is a special place, My parents are from there and still live there 1/2 the year, other 1/2 in fla, and we have our family reunion at Panther Park in august ever year for about the last 45 years. Yes it seems like the end of the world, and if you was in a hurry you would swear you was for sure. The most amazing thing is the sense you get when you actually feel as if time has stood still? Been all over in my 63 years and unless you have lived in a super busy place you dont appreciate it. Going out of Panther you only have a couple ways to go, towards Ieager, or pawpaw and toward Ieager is like going to the city almost, the other way that will eventually take you to Big Rock Va is a rough way, Unless your like me? You like the rough way. Was in the Ozarks a few years ago and i come upon some road signs, 1 said dangerous roads ahead, 2nd one said road impassable at times. 3rd one said steep grades (7%) and narrow shoulders, travel at your own risk? I told my wife, This is my kinda place.Now were not adrenaline junkiees we just like being left alone. Solitude is an amazing thing, We own property on top of Bradshaw Mtn and with all the crazy things going on in the world it might be a great thing to retire there and live as if time did stand still! Thanks for the Videos and May God Bless You Both.

[@alvankarpas6245]

I think you could collectively store these videos under the heading "Great Places To Go Parking in WV!" Just thinking out loud here, and yes, I was young once too! ;-) Being from Hannibal, MO originally, you two remind me of that famous Mark Twain quote, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all of one's lifetime." Nice touch with the historical photo sequence and music. Oh yeah, time to clean that windshield Bubba! God bless you both...

[@tfknauss]

From NW Ohio (very flat farm area) We love visiting KY, WV, Tn, NC.. for the mountains and small towns... My family is from Ky, WV, Va. and like to see what my kin experienced... saying that I always noticed the area don't have many "For sale signs" in yards...

[@livincountry]

If you’re gonna make videos of our BFE hollers, don’t make fun! People live here and love it! We don’t come to you town and talk about all the robbing and killings that go on, do we? Nope so be courteous!

[@jeanneshannon5607]

??

[@derekbrown2215]

I thought they were being fairly respectful to be honest.

[@malapoyo]

The funeral flowers you're seeing in people's yards.....were trespassers.

[@williamhorn6047]

I grew up in Wyoming county. I have family in and around Ieager. I've been all through those hollars. Left home years ago because it really can be a hard life, and options were limited, however, the communities in that part of the country were very tight knit and the shared miserly made for a loving community.

[@johnnielson7676]

A beautiful drive with the leaf colors changing. Something I was wondering about is with the houses down close to the road and the creek, is there much flooding and does that make flood insurance unaffordable or unobtainable?

[@realappalachia]

absolutely plagued by flooding and i would guess almost every house in the area is in the flood zone

[@wvmountaineer69]

Haha that wasn't Panther my friends, that was Longpole, you drove right by my house!

[@teresajustice9702]

And the chickens r game chickens they fight them 😏 or sale them. I run a dog rescue in Panther Lilbuddyrescue we have fb. We pick up strays we save around 1200 a year.

[@Julie-ms9ss]

What a pretty drive. WV is a beautiful state. Where’d you guys find all the old photos of Panther ?

[@realappalachia]

There was an old government program in the 1940s that photographed some coal camps including Panther, very gripping photos

[@marywegrzyn506]

Hi !!! Thank you for filming another beautiful place full of amazing History. I appreciate you guys so much. I love getting to come along on these gorgeous lil trips so much. I always wish I could go visit all those precious places in W VA but I don't have a dependable vehicle n cant afford to buy one, so I've been stuck here always dreaming n wishing to go to W.VA. n the worst part is I just turned 60 n fear I won't ever get there before I die, so thank goodness for you two for "taking me w you" so I could get to see some incredibly wonderful places that I wish I could live near n experience first hand what real living is like. It's true it is "almost Heaven" to me.

[@realappalachia]

sorry that you can't get out like you'd like but so thankful you watch our channel. We appreciate you being part of the family and riding along with us

[@rickterry8991]

They didn’t mention a lot about the people in that area. Lot of hardworking people working coal mines what’s left. They live off the land raising gardens hunting fishing enjoying life. Lot of God fearing people and always there fir you when needed. Still love their fighting roosters today. I never lived there but got family members not far from there. Nice little state park panther creek state park. And yes they love bluegrass as well God Bless southern WV.

[@saramadlyn]

My dad's grandmother and grandfather were from Knox Creek, she was a Riffe :)

[@carolyns5596]

Some families are too poor for gravemarkers. Mine included............we have field stones. Decoration Day is for placing flowers on graves.

[@jd-hj5ed]

We have a few unmarked graves in the family graveyard. We had decoration day a long time ago. Sad it has ended.

[@MrGoblue1131]

Not a well thought out comment about obesity. People that live in extreme rural areas like that usually grow their own food, hunt, fish, work VERY hard and are not obese. They eat MUCH better than we do. I would say the main negative out that way is drugs.

[@coreyowens4201]

You are so right my friend this is my home and we grow and hunt just about everything we eat. And you hit it right on the head and you said about drugs big pharma came into these counties and dropped millions and millions and millions of pain pills on poor and distressed coal miners and started a never ending state of emergency that we will never get out of and left us with nothing but Graves to dig and broken families.

[@JamesSmith-ym3hc]

I know some of these places. My grandpa was the marshal of Bramwell years ago. My mom was born in Jenkins-Jones coal camp. Tramped around those hills with my youngest son.

[@mpgarr]

Thanks for taking these trips up into the hollers. I've wanted to but never have. Take care in your travels. That was some great music you had playing in the historic photo section.

[@pamelar.5146]

Thanks for sharing this! My mother (who is now 83) grew up in Mohawk, WV & moved away to attend college in KY in the late 1950s. My grandmother, who just passed away this past February just 2 months shy of her 100th birthday, was the USPS postmaster in Mohawk until the age of 80. The Mohawk, WV post office, which was a small trailer in her front yard, was finally closed in 2009.

[@specialk5296]

“There are no gyms out here”!!! Thats a really narrow statement. That’s what the beautiful outdoors are for. Get out of town And take a hike, for goodness sakes. That being said, I grew up in Western Pa. Laurel Highlands and appreciate your videos of the rural countryside. Perhaps in a future video you can stop and meet some of the folks that live in these mountains.

[@MikeD-px9eh]

Like others have posted, what a colorful fall drive. Living on the prairie in South Dakota we don't have drives like that. Thanks for sharing.

[@Leroy816]

This is similar to the road to my new house, I can't wait to get there.

[@d.g.n9392]

New subscriber from last week, first started looking at KZbin channels a couple years ago of Appalachia. First was interested in Appalachia language, because one of my grandmothers and family was from WV, and always remember her way of saying some words or expressions. Your channel and several other channels are so captivating, wonderful scenery. We used to say, you’re so far out in the boondocks, you’d better put your chickens away at night (or the hoot owls will screw them). Watching from Missouri

[@realappalachia]

I like that saying lol, thank you

[@rob8635]

BFE = Bum **** Egypt! Am I right? lol! Panther is definitely that. Love your videos and love going to Appalachia to get away from NOVA.

[@realappalachia]

thanks so much

[@robmills1004]

Just wanna give out a holler to all my kin in west virginia, especially logan county, do appreciate this videos, they make me lonesome for the place, i haven't been back there since 1981

[@realappalachia]

Thanks for riding along with us

[@joycelebaron2582]

I wanted to see where you finally turned around. I've been driving through those areas lately and my biggest fear is going down those narrow, winding roads with no place to turn around. Oh, that and driving up those steep, narrow hills in Welch. Luckily all I saw was one other person coming the other way and she stopped and waved me through! Nice!

[@auntysoup]

Try running out of gas and have to back down the mountain looking for a place to pull over.

[@joycelebaron2582]

@@auntysoup OOOOHHHH NOOOOO!

[@debluetailfly]

Used to get to WV when I was driving big trucks. Of course, I couldn't drive the little roads thru the hollers. Some of the highways were a bit narrow in a truck. Stopped at Beckley rest area and bought a CD by Carl Rutherford. Whenever I hear of McDowell County, I think of his music. In the Ouachita/Ozark region of AR, a lot of folks came from the Appalachians, so you feel at home either place. A book on Ozark speech says people pronounced panther 'painter', which is similar to the way you said 'painther'. I don't recollect ever hearing anyone back in the hills say that word, but makes me wonder if they also had the 'h' sound in it. Maybe someone who knows will read this and comment.

[@jasong428]

Pre-industry, Appalachian peoples had more than city folk. The past 125 years have not been kind.

[@marydonohoe8200]

Maybe now that we know you were actually in Longpole and we may not have seen anything of Panther, would you try again and see if you can find the coal mine, the old company houses and school in the photos, and perhaps a store or two? Those were great photos!

[@dennismcguire2392]

You didnt show Panther state park or talk about Bear Town

[@jdaugherty76]

That’s the only way I traveled when the road was broken off close to Litwar! Go through the park,then to Bear Town then depending on if I was going to Coon Branch and Iaeger or Bradshaw. Lol.

[@kathytorres3297]

Good ole Beartown. My ancestors had a homeplace at the top where the cemetery is when you first turn onto the ridge. They were the Kennedys.

[@jd-hj5ed]

Nice road compared to those back home in Virginia. Back in a hollar with road going up and down, blind curves, and people flying. Was there today and almost hit two deer. When I took my late husband for his first visit, I told him I lived in the boonies. He thought I was kidding. Agreed with me by the end of the trip. Oh, and we have bamboo growing there too. Made me smile watching.

[@erinkalb1693]

I love watching your videos. I'm from Baltimore and my grandparents lived in glade spring virginia. When I was in school I would come spend the whole summer down there. I have family all over down there and your videos bring back so many memories. I've been to backbone rock my granny lived in Damascus. I'm glad I came across your videos hope you keep making them.

[@realappalachia]

Thanks so much, Erin, we had a good time making the Glade Spring video. It is a special place.

[@Bscott-390]

These videos keep taking me back home in my mind. Those pics were awesome.

[@scottydog62]

As a truck driver it always amazes me how they would get sizable mobile homes back in these places? I mean the roads are tight and insane curves... I can't imagine,

[@larrybuckner8619]

Great video and I really like the old pictures.

[@rocket3795]

It's WV I love it thanks for the share you both did an amazing job discussin it

[@twinlamps]

Classic southern WV coal country isn't it? Mountain on one side of the road. Creek on the other. Little low bridge across at each house. Looks amazing with the fall colors coming in.

[@realappalachia]

Yes, very typical

[@michaellajiness4189]

Beautiful country, I must say. Visit the upper peninsula of Michigan. It is quite desolate, especially in the western half of the state homes will be 40 to 50 miles apart.

[@jenniferbailey4461]

I love seeing videos of McDowell co I've never been there but my dad and his family lived there my dad was born in panther he always wanted me to go down with him to meet family before he passed but we didn't make it I sure do regret it I would love to meet his family down that way my dad was a Bailey would love some info

[@wanderlustjake]

It would be interesting if you could go back to Panther in the spring and talk to someone from there about decoration day and "dinner on the grounds". We have family from there and had heard stories about them. Be a good follow up to your video on Melody's family cemetery.

[@lisahall151]

The good ole days, loved Dinner on the Ground, Decoration, I was blessed to grow up in BullCreek, WV. Born&Bred, Amen❤

[@The.ender.man.king.1pr0]

Love your videos which I just recently discovered. I love seeing different parts of America that's not often shown. My dad was a cross country truck driver and I often got to go out with him for weeks at a time in the summer and I ended up getting to go to every state in America besides 2. I recall West Virginia and Kentucky. I thought the landscape was simply gorgeous, but it's certainly very remote in parts of it.

[@danalynch8889]

I enjoy when you do videos of hollars. I wish you would do half hour of more videos. I have viewed all the driving West Virginia videos on youtube.

[@elizabethsherman8237]

Very intersting we live in southeast Virginia now originally from NY state. Never been in west Virginia ever. Very quiet simple life indeed. I'm sure the people that live there are very happy. Thanks for the video.

[@timkeagy4094]

I have family in rural areas like this one. One would not know the road exists unless they lived on it. I remember visiting as a kid and I always loved it. People were always very friendly. It is nice and quiet. Surrounded by nature. Would hardly see a car, unless a local was driving by.

[@maryjancsar3767]

Sometimes the markers are where people passed over.Somtimes they can indicate a graveyard/site from the past grown over

[@garybryant1260]

I am from West Virginia, born and raised. Your videos are great, however, they do not address the unemployment. Politics, favoritism, and nepotism dominates jobs, and obtaining employment is impossible.

[@rickterry8991]

Want to say ty also for the old pictures you showed. These ole holler boys could play some football at Iaeger high school. Tougher than nails. We very rarely beat them. The school also put out a great basketball player Alara I think was his name played four years at wvu

[@Jemalacane0]

That's gorgeous territory and it's not that much boonies. You're on a paved road. The accents are nice.

[@jules9628]

Always had old timers tell that panther spelled that way but older people say “painter”, because there are/were panthers around. Rare if ever to see them anymore just like a few other wild cats.

[@judypierce7028]

It would be great if you would explore the area around Charleston such as Logan County where Devil Anse Hatfield is buried. Talk about interesting! That is interesting! The cemetery is suppose to be haunted.

[@realappalachia]

I've been to that cemetery a couple of times.

[@charleswells5266]

Those high school kids have a long way to travel since they moved the school from Iaeger to Bradshaw. When they were really going good they had company stores. Panther and bull creek is extreme even for McDowell county.🎥😎

[@coreyowens4201]

Very true brother I'm from Iager.....

[@charleswells5266]

@@coreyowens4201Iaeger🐻1969🎓

[@ritakinder4452]

I love the winding roads.. I live in WV.. Beautiful State.

[@teresajustice9702]

And also Panther Park is nice we have a pool and they r trails and it’s a nice place to ride bikes or walk. But we r about 45 mins from the grocery store. Just wanted to comment 😊

[@nikkimiller7292]

there is a blue church and a mining tipple on the upper side of longpole. panther park has many hiking trails and nice picnic areas. the reason for the flowers are because there is a child buried on their hill, it’s not just there for looks. it’s really not a hard life here, we adjust and we love it. nice video though.

[@realappalachia]

thanks for the info, Nikki

[@rogernewcomb2272]

I grew up in panther,graduated from Iaeger high school and one week later went into the military. I rarely ever go back because most of my loved ones are gone and the loneliness is unbearable.

[@erinikeuchi6447]

Love this channel. Never been to ever. What kind of trees are those as you drive? Bet they have some awesome food around there.

[@bubbaboo2945]

I lived there when I was younger in greenbrier hollow Panther West Virginia..Cline

[@edmorgan960]

Beautiful. We used to always being our son to play on the swings at the park at Panther when we'd come to visit our family in Iaeger. Good memories!

[@plantdiva8472]

New subscriber and I really loved going through Panther with you! I am 61 and have not travelled much, so I enjoy these type videos! When I was a little girl, I had an aunt who owned a huge farm in upstate PA mountains, I loved it! Thanks for sharing! :)

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed the drive, thanks for subscribing!

[@2771jojo]

My grandmother's house was a three room tarpaper shack up against the hillside. No indoor plumbing or electricity. Had to go out to the roadside to get a bucket of coal for the stove. Pump water from the well, and there was an old country store up the road, we used to walk to for a bottle of pop. It was a hard life, but it wasn't all bad. From Panther, to Mohawk, to Wharton, I have family throughout that region.

[@realappalachia]

wow, sounds like your grandmother lived rough but I bet she was happier than 99% of the people today

[@donaldjanson5086]

A very special place and you help me with the yearn to find the home my beloved grampa was building to retire in. It was in Jackson County N.C, and he loved it so much, having plans to show me how wonderful mountain life was. He was a successful business owner but apon the loss of his only son, my dad, just couldn't stay up here in New England, and planned his return. He didn't get to see it finished, but it was his dream. Now, 50 years later, its my dream to. A porch with 3 chairs awaits grampa, dad, and me

[@realappalachia]

that sounds like a fantastic dream to me

[@joedaly2362]

One thing that is apparent is that your black top roads do not suffer from frost nor freeze. The roads look to be cohesive and sound. .

[@ashleycasey]

Hey! Thank you so much! My Grandfather Bailey was from there. It’s pretty much the same as it was when I visited as a child. BFE, yep, we drove through a little creek to get to my Grandfather’s cousin house 😅

[@realappalachia]

That's so awesome, glad you got to relive some memories

[@ashleycasey]

@@realappalachia I have some photos of the mine when it was operational (handed down to me) that I’ll scan and email to you. I have no idea where it is located but the photos are very neat. If I find any other photos that I think you’d like I’ll send those as well. 😊

[@adm2077]

Ohio has some similarities to this area especially south east Ohio.

[@larrym.johnson9219]

Maybe Death in the family, or maybe an accident along the road and their memorializing that's spot, they do that with crosses and it's most always three. Thanks for download. PS. Before the interstate went through West Virginia, It started and I think in the 1960s through the do the 1980s curvy roads like that were the main, in most of West Virginia, my uncle lived in a house on the side of the mountain, my mother would always back home to Weston and came with my step father they Where looking for my uncle's house had no luck so we went to my grandma's farm, and called my uncle, and I think he had to come and show my mother his sister the way and my step father the way I stayed with my Grandma and they went with my uncle.pps.you guys sounded a little scared? Did someone spook you? or maybe it was my Imagination? God bless and thanks for the video.

[@melodieharrison4708]

A real Hollar is one where you start out on a dirt road turns into a path then you have to walk the rest of the way Pocahontas tipple hollar

[@freddiemoretti8456]

Enjoyed the ride through West Virginia, we had our honeymoon weekend in Harper's Ferry. Did you see railroad tracks or where the train station was? I didn't see any in your video. Cheers...Freddie

[@realappalachia]

We didnt make it as far as the Railroad tracks bc we started running out of daylight

[@jefferyb304]

My grandmother was born and buried in Shortpole Hollow. You turn right after crossing the railroad at the bridge seen at the end of this video. She drove a school bus in what what is known as the lower end of Longpole Hollow, Shortpole Hollow, and Zach's Branch. (Which is now known as Northside River Road). Northiside River and the road I think you all were on run rather concurrent along the Tug Fork River. She drove a full size conventional school bus on these roads, among others, for approximately 20 years.

[@larklark5339]

Great videos love the drive

[@audramatney1148]

My grandmother still living in Richlands va she is 103 probably the oldest person in tazewell County thanks again for video

[@realappalachia]

wow, quite a life lived. I am from Richlands myself so it is great to know someone there is alive of that age.

[@kathytorres3297]

Audra that is wonderful! I live in Claypool Hill and I think that is awesome! Give her my best!!