Philippi, West Virginia, USA

The Philippi covered bridge (pronounced with a -pee at the end) spans the Tygart River. It is a rare double-barreled, two-lane bridge, a three-lane bridge if you count the outside pedestrian walkway. If you visit, be sure to take in the local museum where you will find a collection of human mummies from the late 1800s. [2021]

Huntington, West Virginia, USA

The giraffe seems to be another town's spirit animal, this one all decked out in pink and green. What characteristics do the town and the giraffe share? Maybe Huntington promotes non-conformity: This giraffe seems to be non-conforming in both how it dresses and where it is located. [2022]

Hinton, West Virginia, USA

The turkey came to Europe from America, but no one in Europe knew that. The meaty bird (compare with quail) just showed up. Even though it was after 1492, Europeans still assumed anything new came from the eastern Mediterranean and beyond. In this case they decided the new addition to their diet came from Turkey and named it accordingly. [2014]

Ronceverte, West Virginia, USA

Beautiful begonia! But, what's overhead? A former bridge that has had its pavement removed. That's good for the begonia, which now gets more light and does a better job of inspiring pride in the community (along with the flag, of course). [2021]

Lost City, West Virginia, USA

The number of Post Offices peaked in 1901 at 76,945. Rural free delivery, changes in demographics, and new transportation patterns all contributed to the steadily declining numbers. In 2010, there were 27,077 independent Post Offices in the United States. Here in Lost City, the postmistress has just locked up for the day. [2021]

Beckley, West Virginia, USA

All creatures wild and wonderful, all creatures great and small: The party is over, and the guests seem to have retreated to the outdoors to relax and get some fresh air. Let's hope that pair on the porch hasn't had too much punch. [2022]

Beckley, West Virginia, USA

All creatures wild and wonderful, all creatures great and small: It looks like the party is continuing for several more days. It also looks like some of the guests have time-traveled pretty far to be with you today. [2022]

Beckley, West Virginia, USA

All creatures wild and wonderful, all creatures great and small: They have come to celebrate your birthday today! One creature for each year, including a baby just like your little brother. But, they tell me more will be coming to usher you into the future. [2022]

Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, USA

Berkeley Springs is one of the great arts towns of the Appalachians. So, a colorful mural is an appropriate addition to the downtown landscape. Right across the street are the springs themselves. They have been attracting visitors since colonial times. [2021]

Huntington, West Virginia, USA

They are called power boxes. Their job is to give access to the underground cables that provide electricity to a passel of homes or businesses. Usually, they are as drab as can be, but starting sometime this century, they came to be noticed by mayors and muralists for their artistic potential. What's the purpose of this one? To amplify the power of place. [2022]

Lansing, West Virginia, USA

You know how Americans are! We just couldn't sit by and let Africa, with its Nile, claim to have the oldest river in the world. In North America, we excel in superlatives, so the title had to be ours. Meet: the New River, which we (some?) claim to be the oldest in the world. So, the New River is an old river, but the new bridge isn't anything like the old bridge. [2021]

South Charleston, West Virginia, USA

February is all about the number two, and 2/22 is a palindrome too! No one should have to tolerate a flat roof. Do something with it! Let it help you sell paint and contribute to your branding efforts. Be sure to see yesterday's post. [2010]

Philippi, West Virginia, USA

February is all about the number two, and 2/22 is a palindrome too! Two arms, two legs, and too yellow. But, don't we all wish we had somebody like him to receive the mail? With that car, he should be able to drive those bills right in to the dining room table. Be sure to see tomorrow's post. [2014]

White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, USA

Today marks the anniversary of the event that drew America into World War II. Eighty years ago, the Japanese Empire bombed the naval base at Pearl Harbor. Years later, White Sulphur Springs, like many home towns, underwrote a Roads of Honor program: a series banners-cum-encomia that turned the town's utility poles into a veterans' parade. [2021]

Hinton, West Virginia, USA

November expires today. The plates on this pickup expired June 30, 1949. Welcome to a time warp, where you can plop down in The Market and become part of a national historic landmark. That's because, decades ago, Hinton's entire downtown was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. [2021]

Lansing, West Virginia, USA

Beams, bents, and bracings must all be inspected annually on the New River Gorge Bridge. When the crossing was completed, it became the longest steel-arch bridge in the world. In only six more years, one of the engineering wonders of the 20th century will celebrate its 50th anniversary. [2021]

Lansing, West Virginia, USA

A troop of bridge monkeys shows up once a year to inspect the New River Gorge Bridge. Looks like fun, doesn't it? Even more fun out there on the girders than on the maintenance walkway that crosses the canyon from one abutment to the other. When the bridge was completed in 1977 it reduced travel time across the gorge from 40 minutes to 1. [2021]

Lansing, West Virginia, USA

Roaring over his head are cars and trucks on Highway 19. Roaring under his feet is the New River, which has cut an impressive canyon into the Appalachian Plateau. Who is he? An engineer on a once-a-year inspection of the bridge. You met two of his companions last month. [2021]

Lansing, West Virginia, USA

Odds and Evens, Ones and Twos, Singles and Doubles, Which one be You? Here are two glowing bridge inspectors just arriving for work high above the New River. The setting: the newest National Park in the U.S., where the New River Gorge is crossed by a famous steel-arch bridge. Happy BASE Day, bridge jumpers! Come back next month to see more. [2021]

Kingwood, West Virginia, USA

Odds and Evens, Ones and Twos, Singles and Doubles, Which one be You? Here is one llama who seems to be going it alone even though llamas are pack animals. The setting: a private zoo in the mountains of West Virginia. Actually, this llama has plenty of companions. They are just off tending to visitors. [2021]