Hurley, Virginia: Rebels Without A Cause...But With The Cliff

[@southernman5839]

We should be able to respect our past. Everybody else respects theirs. Go Rebel’s !

[@sherryowens2382]

Graduated in 1980 from Hurley High School! I haven't been back in years! But I will always be a REBEL and nothing or no one will EVER take that away!

[@jamesdavis4858]

I was born and raised over in Big Rock. I love those mountains

[@DavidSmith-sb2ix]

My high school was the Rebels, South Hagerstown MD. We used that flag and the mascot was a Confederate cavalry soldier. When the football scored a touchdown a kid in a grey uniform ran up and down the sidelines waving the Confederate battle flag. One year it was a black guy. The tune of the school song was Are you From Dixie. I think they still use it and they are still the Rebels.

[@annettefabiano3578]

Both of your country dialects are a breath of fresh air. I love your playful banter and how you take it in stride. The world has gotten too serious and people are so uptight about everything we say. So much fun to go places and see new things. I love the history of Appalachia. Keep being you and I'll keep watch'n.

[@realappalachia]

Thank ya so much, that comment makes our day ❤️

[@steverdms]

Wow! I haven't been back to Hurley in nearly 25 years due to a nerve disorder that prevents me from traveling. I grew up on Guesses Fork and graduated from Hurley High in 1987. It was great seeing some of those places again in the video. My grandfather's church and our old home place on Guesses Fork was washed away in that flood. Still unbelievable. We saw many floods in the years I grew up, most called historic floods, but none ever got into our home, but this one washed it all away. Absolutely nothing left.

[@realappalachia]

Such a sad situation there, hate to see it

[@jwon5614]

Wouldn’t it be a shame if we all spoke and acted the same!!!!! Like you said -let’s celebrate our differences!! I love the accent and Appalachia! Thank you so much for this channel🥰😀🤗💕

[@authorlydiagreen1862]

I enjoy listening to people with Southern/Country accents I think it’s so adorable.

[@christophermaggard9917]

I was born in Pikeville, Kentucky. I got early extraction, so I don't have a strong accent. My parents had a strong eastern Kentucky accent. They were regarded as uneducated, which was not the case, they were both accountants for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Thank you for making me proud of my Appalachian heritage! Something I was once ashamed of.

[@bradslone2409]

I'm from Pikeville as well.

[@jjdillon2007]

I love Melody's accent. It reminds me of Mingo County, West Virginia, and Eastern KY and Tenn.

[@justinmays9680]

I enjoy listen to both of you the southern draw is part of your life and nothing be shamed up , I'm proud grandson of Appalachia family

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, Justin!

[@richki.24]

I love the dialect ... keep it strong ..

[@johnstevenson9429]

Please don't you EVER be ashamed or change the way you talk. I'm from NJ and would love to talk the way you do. You have to preserve the Appalachian ways. Thank you for all the great videos. I love travelling with you to places I probably won't ever be able to get too

[@realappalachia]

thanks for riding along with us!

[@chubbawubba9801]

Hey you two I will tell you both what my wise Mother told me as youngin about how we are and talk. She told me you are American by birth and southern by the grace of God.

[@pollydavis8686]

I get so homesick seeing those mountains and them not getting the help they need from a disaster.strong people they are.my mother was born and raised in Ellijay,Ga and i loved it there.Hope to retire there.I just adore the both of you and watching the rides.Thank you.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much, Polly! You are so right about these being strong people. We appreciate your kind words so much! - Melody

[@jessemcclanahan9712]

Needless to say y’all knocked it out of the park great video the flag means I March to my own drum not oppression You guys are awesome

[@realappalachia]

Thanks, Jesse!!

[@steph37620]

I grew up in Hurley, I live in Arizona now. Thank you for be video, it’s nice to be able to see home.

[@simplyamandashomesteadsampler]

You should have stopped at the Wooden Horse to eat. Great food! My husband's family likes to eat there after church, my hubby and I do too when we visit. It's time for another mountain trip! LOVE ❤ those mountains! Blessings !

[@realappalachia]

Oh man, I'm regretting we didnt stop now lol

[@TimothiusBelmont]

@@realappalachia They make amazing burgers, and it's nice to get a take-away desert to eat at the nearby park.

[@Abhblake]

My family owns the wooden horse. My pawpaw built it.. It’s great to see positive words on it

[@robbierice7442]

Big respect to Hurley for standing their grounds and not changing the rebel name like most schools. Been to Hurley once watching my nephew play against Hurley in football. Its very unique location but special

[@thomastommy1192]

Awesome video thanks for sharing. I partly grew up on Stright Fork. I think it was that little road to the right as you crossed the bridge to Hurley School. I truly wish you would drive up Stright Fork there. I think they changed the name of that road. I haven't been there since the early 90s. Thanks for sharing your video. Btw, THat was a little 3 or 4 room school house when I was a kid, lol. They called it Blackey School.

[@TakomaChris]

Steep as a horses face - great expression! Love your work

[@realappalachia]

Thank ya, Chris

[@coalminersdaughter]

My hubs works in Hurley about once a wk. Lots of interesting stories in his journeys. My Great Uncle grew up there.

[@claytonwilliamson5848]

"rebel" flag flying = Southern folks proud of our Confederate heritage.

[@oldguyBMX]

Amen.

[@treyanderson325]

There's a school in bokne County, KY that's called the rebels and used to fly dixie flags at games then people made a fuss so they stopped that but kept the mascot in the grey uniform then that was a problem so they changed the color now they want them to change the name. It never ends

[@grizzledmillennial4765]

What is Confederate heritage?

[@southernman5839]

@@grizzledmillennial4765The whole South is our heritage. The North has their own.

[@grizzledmillennial4765]

@@southernman5839 what does that mean? The whole South is your heritage?

[@IAMST1D]

Hey guys really enjoy all the videos . As a child growing up in TN my parents would drag me all over SWVA to primitive Baptist churches . Was just wandering if you guys ever see any of these churches . Slate Creek and Prater Creek were 2 that I definitely remember . Prater was right in the heart of Vansant .

[@debluetailfly]

I remember seeing some 'regular' baptist churches in my travels through Appalachia, and some primitive also.

[@imeldahiggins-wiffle8302]

I've lived in Alaska all my life but was born in Rockingham County VA....our last family reunion was in McDowell County....it was beautiful, especially the drive over...

[@georgiafitzgerald1170]

You are at my holler straight fork where hurley school and the cliff football field is. When I grew up there all my Charles family were born and raised in that holler. Now don't know who lives up in there and everything looks so different these days. When I grew up there houses were in good shape. My grandfather and his father owned most of straight fork. Adam and Polly Charles my grandparents (Charles name is common in hurley). Also descended from Justus ancestors. My grandmother Polly was a Justus, and her mother, youngest daughter and her husband and three small sons were murdered in 1909. Elizabeth Justus, I wrote the book about there murders murder in the mountains.

[@jotarpley8271]

Talk more business like ! Kidding!!! You are wonderful the way you are! I LOVE Melody's accent. She is so much fun!

[@cbelden05]

I love y'all's videos. My sister-in-law is homeschooling her daughter. I sent her one of your videos and told her that when they're studying coal history to check ya'll out. We live in the Ozarks so we can't just go see these places and y'all make this interesting and take us along on the on your trips and explanations makes it very interesting

[@realappalachia]

Man, that’s great! Thank you so much! What an honor. - Melody

[@brendalane4228]

That is a fantastic idea, Carmen Belden! Would be a good idea for all our children to see these videos so they could learn about their local history.

[@ianwhitehead3086]

Started watching when I stumbled across the Pentacostal snake dancing. Got a place you might want to visit. Near Richmond.

[@robinhaupt9119]

Great video, thank you Melody and Shane. I love the accent Melody ❤.

[@Perfectly-Imperfect]

Been there many times...awesome as always!

[@georgeowens7046]

I love traveling through these areas. I'm from Baltimore and live in PA now but my family is from Marion, VA which we visit a few times a year. Whenever I get to Marion, I like to drive to places like Tazewell via the Back of The Dragon and to Burke's Garden. Last year, the Memorial Day parade in Marion featured only one high school marching band which was Honaker HS. We were impressed by the fact that of all the HS bands that where invited to the parade, only Honaker made the trip to Marion. The town was very thankful to those kids for showing up. Thank you for your videos! Well done and very informative!

[@realappalachia]

That’s great to hear because Honaker is Melody’s old high school. We love traveling them too.

[@brendalane4228]

Please do a video of Whitewood. All my family are from Whitewood and I lived there until I was about 8 years old before moving to Lake Park in Richlands. After that, I spent all my summers with my Aunts and Cousins in Whitewood. My best memories of growing up (I am now 67 years old) were in Whitewood with my twin sister!! Thanks Melody and Shane for all these great videos!!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, Brenda!! We very much appreciate you and your support. We got several in the works already but we will make it to Whitewood! - Melody

[@brendalane4228]

@@realappalachia thanks so much Guys!!

[@denisestrickland2976]

I love it! Virginia Battle is associated with “Southern Pride”. I pray they never take that away from Hurley. Great video 👍

[@Alexander-wq7qo]

Proud of what, thats a loser’s flag

[@virginiawallhangers1743]

My home rebel born rebel bred rebel til I’m dead

[@sphjr1]

Howdy from Central Indiana

[@anitaclue9868]

Another great video. Thank you!

[@2771jojo]

My great grandparents were Mary Justice, and Tom Justus.

[@aaronnash8840]

Aaron from the UK - and I love your videos. Keep making then.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, Aaron!

[@AnnC....]

Enjoyed your video, Thank you

[@farmingfromabove2234]

I am from Pennsylvainia and this year I have traveled to Hurley 3 times with MDS Mennonite Disaster Services. We will continue to come and help these peoplw get back on their feet.

[@realappalachia]

Awesome, your assistance is greatly appreciated

[@talldude5841]

Re watching this, I looked closer to that football field. It is one of a kind in the USA for sure. The Cliff. So cool.

[@realappalachia]

Definitely so! They’re proud of it! - Melody

[@Abhblake]

Played many games there.. we always had it rocking

[@chris2fur401]

You can go across Paw Paw mountain and end up in Phelps, Ky.

[@larrycounce4509]

My grandmother was a Hurley from the flatwoods of Tennessee. She was half Native from her mother's side.

[@Abhblake]

I Went to school there.. Rebel pride is unlike any other school iv ever saw.

[@TimothiusBelmont]

I also remember the flood last year. I was driving back from Niagra Falls, NY, a 9 hour road trip and took the back roads from WV into Hurley and with all the flooding and closed roads I hardly recognized where I was. Finally I found the mine I worked at and was able to get my bearings to make the final leg of my journey home. The devastation was incredible. There's still a desiccated car someone pulled out of the creek by the side of the road. Heard tale that some poor lady lost her life, had to be pulled up out of the roof of her house.

[@realappalachia]

That must have been pretty wild to be there right after and not even recognize your surroundings. It was so bad all these months later so I can just imagine. Our hearts really go out to them. - Melody

[@buzsalmon]

Hey Melody and Shane! How ya'll are this fine day! I like the Rebels and their flags! Gonna watch now but hope ya'll had fun!

[@squirlsworld]

You guys are amazing

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much

[@TimothiusBelmont]

I drove over Elkins Branch into Hurley many, many times working at a mine there. So fascinating to see my daily commute in a KZbin video.

[@emilyelisabeth8866]

yesssss anarchy only means no rulers...and i am not a slave...every interaction should be voluntary...and property rights are at the center of importance...great vid y'all 🖤

[@judypierce7028]

WOW! Hurley looks much like a town in WVirginia. Looks like a great place to visit. I really enjoyed this video. Stay safe in your travels.

[@rodneyshuffler5810]

I really enjoy your stuff, it would be awesome to meet you guys when my wife and I take our motorcycle trip this summer.. we will be up that way. Lazy Anarchist..... that's too funny.

[@realappalachia]

Hopefully we'll be able to get out and meet some folks this year. Hope you have safe travels. I think there could be a lazy anarchist movement lol

[@emilyelisabeth8866]

we could have a lazy anarchy meetup! lol all the actual anarchists i know are very cool...principled free market anarchists 🖤

[@debbieepperly3821]

I was hoping y'all would find the Dollar General where there was so much damage. As I said in my comment on the previous Hurley video, the people standing at the door of the DG already had water up to their ankles & the woman videoing showed the parking lot getting torn up by water gushing down the road and she also showed a house across what used to be the road sliding. The force of the water & seeing all the damage there was so awful. Then when y'all showed all that in the first video it was heartbreaking! How is it that this country can send billions of dollars out to help people in other countries, but our own people are denied help & the homelessness is getting worse??!! Just so not right, but like y'all I have no trust in government either. Y'all please stay safe out there! God bless y'all!

[@Bokescreek]

Great work again, friends. I really enjoy your videos.

[@sherrystacy6204]

My home town..

[@oldguyBMX]

Hurley seems to be a real deal town! So many people are uneducated about the confederate flag. There's so much hatred in this world people simply just can't see past the hatred!!!

[@chrishall5556]

Because the way it's used. You blame people for thinking that

[@TimothiusBelmont]

There was a USA Today article that came out, almost seven years ago, about a black student at Hurley High who has a confederate flag tattoo on his arm. Amazing stuff.

[@dixiestrong]

"Ole times there is not forgotten "

[@LarrySmith-xb2qk]

Great video . But you would have really liked it in the 50s and 60s .i can still remember growing up there .

[@charliepc56]

My grandparents "on my dad's side" lived in Hurley in the 1950s and 60s. They moved back to Grundy in 1965. Grandpa ran the Poolroom in Hurley. My uncle played football and basketball as a Hurley Rebel. I loved Hurley. Spent several Christmas' there. They lived in three different houses in town, the first was in the old Hurley Hospital building. Smiley Ratliff was the Football coach when my uncle played. I'm not sure, but I think Smiley organized the first team there. There was a Smith lady who ran the Store in the center of town. Are you related to her? I love Hurley and drive over there sometimes, and it's like going home.😀

[@petegregory517]

Most small town post offices have a couple hours in a.m. and a few hours p.m. for being open. Employees are part time. My wife is former letter carrier.

[@cumulusvapes7]

I actually just found a property out there for sale and was curious.. as to what it was like there and watched and wouldnt you know it, you drove RIGHT PAST the place! Lol ,How cool! For sure you got a thumbs up and comment! Super good to not get a realtors "View and perspective" (they can talk, after i already know.. )learned about ways in etc.. to good!

[@realappalachia]

That’s awesome, we are glad you got something from the video.

[@megzdubv2950]

Amen 🙏🏻 do not forget that special dialect my friends. It’s a special way of speaking that not to many of us cousins & grandkids up north get to hear anymore. In fact I just got finished watching Christmas in Appalachia and couldn’t help but correct Mr Fancy Pants’ calling the Hollers the ‘Hollows’. 😝 that’s just me though

[@buzsalmon]

Never be ashamed of how you talk! Or where you were born! My cousin was Major General George Pickett. I am happy to tell you that! Shane will know but do you know Melody? Who he was?

[@MillerMeteor74]

Maybe someone else already said it, but that 5 at the beginning of the video is an advisory speed for the curve. Sometimes those speeds are far below what is still safe. That may be the lowest I've seen. The lowest real speed limit I've seen, outside of parking lots, is 20. I'm watching this because we have some family friends who used to live in Hurley, or within the area that is covered by the Hurley post office anyway. When you were talking about accents, it reminded me of one of the members of the car club I'm in, or I used to be in. 20+ years ago I was more active in it, and knew a lot of people. One time I was on the phone with one of the members, and he lived way down south, like Alabama or something. I don't quite remember now. But his accent was so thick I actually couldn't understand him. Maybe if we were face to face in the same room I might have been able to understand, or at least a little bit. Our family friends lived in Hurley for quite a while, but now they live in Duck, WV, wherever that is. Anyway, great video.

[@geniotorres2520]

As a bilingual guy myself, have to say I’m in love with you guys accent and certain pronunciations!!! LOVE THEM!!! Also Shane, I have a crush on u baby 😘

[@realappalachia]

I dont swing in that direction but more power to ya my dude lol

[@Possum276]

Dotson iga is a grocery store with a rooms you can rent at the top I’m not for sure if it was really anything else

[@debluetailfly]

I knew some Dotsons in the hills of Arkansaw that had a country store, I mean WAY back in the hills! Can't help but wonder if they came from the same ancestors.

[@John-em8jn]

I Love ALL of OUR accents in America ! I live in NYC I Don't have a heavy accent because my Mother was a teacher but I do say War-der instead of Water and we call Houston street House-Ton street.

[@realappalachia]

I agree 100%, love the different accents

[@Novasterling]

Amen

[@kimberwhalen6141]

Me too I worry we will lose our words and accent and I try to keep my family tradition we go late September make applebutter . And we plant garden I grew up that way. Only we had horses and cows and chickens. But I can't have that in city

[@kimberwhalen6141]

When you head to NC got to banner elk and and all those little towns in Western NC

[@jb6305]

Ah! I think the comment you referenced about your accents may have been mine! I am fascinated by them. I live in Lexington, KY now but am originally from the north, so the Appalachian accents stick out to me! Melody”s seems different than many of the eastern KY accents that I’ve heard living around here. I have been told I have a Chicago accent. I guess we all have accents, lol. It is all very interesting. The prominent display of the rebel flag is interesting to me too. Do you know of many other schools that still display it like Hurley?

[@realappalachia]

Hey J B! I think it was too! We always get a kick out of that because we say ourselves we don’t sound anything alike. I’ve actually been told by some people in my hometown I talk proper which I always thought was funny. But it is really interesting and I want to do a video on that. So much goes into an accent and I love it. That we know of, Hurley is the only school left still displaying the rebel flag. There’s at least 1 other team still with “The Rebel” mascot but I believe they just display a man with a sword. - Melody

[@treyanderson325]

I can relate. My family is from grundy, va and Elkhorn city, KY but I grew up in boone county, KY. Walton to be exact and when I'm in Northern ky my whole life I'm called hillbilly, rebel, etc. But when I go home all my cousins get a kick outta whistling yankee doodle when I walk in. I used to let it bother me but now I'm proud of where I come from

[@coxwayland5841]

I have family there clint and Sonya Hurley ❤.

[@sandy89107]

Sorry I cannot donate. I am just above financial ruin myself, but I hope that if ppl can, they will. 😻

[@stephenespy1183]

Hey; Melody you have nothin to be ashamed bout your way of talk. I like it. One thin though. One of y'all's video you said Creek. Bein Country say Crick. Ifin ya want. Great job u 2 on the Videos! Hills an Hollers....🏞️🌲🌲🌄

[@Possum276]

Smiley did have a lot of money, and he did alot of good with it. He donated alot to Hurley in his will I do believe. Says for the reason that Weight room is named after him, cause his money bought it, the weight room before that was a bunch of old worn down equipment in the room right next to the gym which was very cramped. His money paid for a very nice custom equipment with our logos and all very beautiful weight room. He also is the reason Hurley always has the best uniforms in the state of va, I don’t know the number but he donated alot to the athletic program of Hurley High

[@garylark9409]

Was Maude Smith grocery in Hurley

[@drusmith3480]

I remember reading about the Hurley High School Rebels football team in the newspaper when everyone was making a fuss about the rebel flag. Cool video, Shane and Melody.❤

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

I love Melody`s accent.

[@randomvintagefilm273]

Does "mountain justice" still exist in Appalachia? I mean they don't have a lot of law enforcement to cover all those counties

[@realappalachia]

Not really, I think that has been more hype than reality for quite a while

[@John-uv7zp]

Hell yea ....DONT TREAD ON US

[@shannonandsheila1403]

Their used to be another cliff up there if im remembering right that they had stuff painted all over it

[@mikeanderson7165]

Howdy y’all just so you know I sure do love y’all’s videos. Hehehehehehe y’all crack me up keep them coming I kept watching 🇺🇸

[@realappalachia]

Thanks, Mike!

[@greatmusicfan57]

Never change your accent Melody. You speak beautifully.💕🌹 There's a lot of disappearing accents. The Chicago accent is been toned down. Believe or not even that thick New York accent is disappearing too. Only the older people speak real NEW YORKESE like you see in movies. I love accents, especially the Appalachian accent.💕My son Graduated from a high school in Florida that used the Rebels as their mascot because of the name of the school. They are now something else, no more Rebels. He was NOT Happy to hear this. He is serving 8n the Military. I let him know the bad news.

[@realappalachia]

Oh yes, great accents are a dying breed…just like Rebel mascots

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Stars and bars 😁

[@viking7560]

I think if I were study something just for the fun of it: it would be American dialects. I was in the Army and heard dialects from all over and have always been fascinated by them. I am partial to our many variations. For example, growing up in WV I could nearly always could tell dialects from south of Charleston or north of Charleston. Folks from the northern panhandle often sound a lot like Pittsburghers.

[@realappalachia]

It really is fascinating

[@bertvosburg558]

The rebel started this country during the American revolution. Always good when you're not too trusting of others, especially your government and especially right now.

[@appalachianqueen8369]

Smiley Ratliff coached football at Hurley High School.

[@christophertaft229]

We got nailed here in woodhull ny on aug 20th 2021 we had 4 feet on the first floor, destroyed our town got denied fema, we had one dead also

[@realappalachia]

That’s terrible, sorry to hear you had to endure that

[@justincompton5227]

I have property 1/8 mile to the left of the high school. I come from the Wolfords.

[@John-uv7zp]

Got to love those mountains roads ...love watching yalls videos .....we all take pride in our towns and communities..so what I'f you have a confederate flag only people that have a problem with it are uneducated and only care about themselves...it's culture heritage to the rest of us

[@debluetailfly]

Glad you have some understanding about the flag, John! So few understand!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you!

[@ronc7743]

I'm willing to bet the rebel flag had something to do with the FEMA funding refusal. My high school in Richmond was the Freeman Rebels, but it's since been changed.

[@Itssassafras]

As a fourth generation Virginian, I am rendered speechless.

[@petitjeanriverhomestead]

I went through Paris Arkansas yesterday and got footage of some of the company row houses from back when it was a coal mining town.

[@debluetailfly]

Few people are aware of the coal industry in AR. Not near as big as KY/WV. A lower grade coal also. Think it is high sulphur content.

[@Julie-ms9ss]

That is the coolest football field. I guess the home team and visitors both sit together on the same bleachers ?

[@realappalachia]

Sure do, Julie! That wasn’t always a good thing from my remembrance of my cheering days. We all take our sports seriously! Haha - Melody

[@petegregory517]

Biggest compliment I ever received was from a guy in TN that thought I (s. central PA) was a local. All but had to show him my license. I have the mix of Appalachian/PA Dutch speech. My English sentence structure is horrible. I actually see people look at me that seem to have that “what the **** is he saying?” look. But, too old to care.

[@walterlangston4484]

the cliff is A odd looking foot ball field but cool to see'

[@realappalachia]

It is definitely different

[@debluetailfly]

The football field where I went to school in AR was dug out of the side of a hill, but not this big of a mountain. Part of what they dug out provided fill for the other end of the field. They almost left a cliff, but graded it just enough to be a tough climb up a very steep slope.

[@georgiafitzgerald1170]

Expected you all to go up through guesses fork to see all the damage from the flood

[@realappalachia]

We did that in the video right before this one

[@georgiafitzgerald1170]

@@realappalachia ok

[@talldude5841]

Another classic from you both. Nice job about explaining the name the Rebels, and explaining the flag. That flag don't fly here anymore where I live in Ohio. Have to admit I don't miss it at all. I can see why that place floods. Hope all is well there.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you!

[@swaggdinero8000]

Yall should come see Moncove lake in gap Mills Wv. It is 15 min from 5 other national parks including Greenbrier...I'm about 15 20 mins from the Greenbrier Hotel and the gated community where the "stars" live. When I worked up there they told me Emmitt Smith Jack Nicholson LeAnn Rimes Britney Spears is some of the names that I can think of right off top of my head. They are Immaculate homes.

[@realappalachia]

Sounds like a great place to check out

[@swaggdinero8000]

@@realappalachia it is it's beautiful up here. It is known for great trout fishing. They had a hatchery across the mountain in White Sulphur Springs. I'm going to get a picture of the lake Frozen and send it to you it is beautiful.

[@realappalachia]

@@swaggdinero8000 that sounds great, thank you

[@2771jojo]

Blacky is where my mother was born.

[@RobertChristian-e2e]

I watch a lot of stuff on West Virginia but I never see anybody do anything about premiere West Virginia

[@Jemalacane0]

In my state, yellow speed limit signs are advisory. White ones are regulatory.