August 4

We are getting down to our last two stops.    First one is Fayetteville West Virginia.  There we found the New River Gorge and Bridge.  This bridge was built in 1977, solving many travel issues in the area turning 40-minute drive into less than a minute.  It removed the need to navigate down narrow mountain roads across an ancient river.  When it comes to road construction, mountains pose a challenge.  At New River Gorge, the challenge transformed into a work of structural art.  The New River Gorge Bridge is the longest steel span in the western hemisphere, it is also the third highest bridge in the United States.  It was impressive to see so we snapped a few pictures. 

Did some internet surfing to see what else the area had to offer and found the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. We were totally on board checking it out but not before I had a question for google... what state mines the most coal?  Just assumed it was West Virginia but we were way off, it is Wyoming.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine complex offers a in depth look at the legacy of the coal industry in West Virginia.  We were taken on a underground tour led by a experienced coal miner.  1500 feet into the mountainside to experience the history of low seam coal mining from the hand-loading days into the modern era.  Besides the mine and the mine museum there were out building from the early days when the mine company’s built housing for the miners, company store, church and more.  Glad we found this place we definitely learned a lot about coal mining and the many heart ships that came with it during the early days.

August 6

We are headed for where we started our world wind trip, Concord NC to see daughter number 2 and family before we make our final leg to Mt Pleasant SC.  It was nice just to relax and spend time with family and share some of our adventures.

August 9

It was very surreal driving our final 227 miles back to where it all began. We made it home to the yellow house that keeps us safe and happy. 

Recap

75 days on the road

18 states

10,850 total miles

7051 of the miles towing the trailer

600 gallons of diesel

15 National Parks (many state parks and museums)

7 bourbon distilleries

4 trips to Camping World

1 hospital

Since being home, we have been asked what the best part of our trip was, so hard to say.  We did so much, met all sorts of people and experienced numerous new things. What we do know, is that we would love to do it again.  Who knows, maybe we can visit the other 32 states.