The story of Blind Alfred Reed isn’t commonly known but he left a last impression on this ol’ world with his music. You can read more about him here: realappalachia.com/blind-alfred-r…

Jerry West passed away today at the age of 86. An NBA and West Virginia college and high school legend, his prolific basketball career led to his silhouette being made into the NBA logo. You can read more about his life and career in this article: realappalachia.com/jerry-west-zek… RIP

I’m a sucker for fog and I love this photo of it hanging above this country church. Beautiful scenery in this part of the world.

I absolutely love the look of this church. The Pine Creek Community Log Church sits in the community of Pine Creek in Russell County, Virginia.

Looking down from Pine Mountain in Pineville, Kentucky. Amazing views in several spots.

The infamous welcome sign to Whitesburg, Kentucky that boasts a population of "1,534 friendly people plus 2 grouches." It appears the number of grouches has doubled at some point - a sign of the times. You can see a video of our trip to Whitesburg here: youtu.be/D_1hLamTW6U

Uh oh, another sign

John Hendrix was an interesting character from Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Some would even say he was a prophet. You can read his story here. realappalachia.com/the-prophet-of…

Knoxville, Tennessee on a blistering hot Sunday afternoon. You can see Neyland Stadium to the left of the water. Beautiful view but hot hot hot.

J.D. Vance as Vice President…

Who do you think the Democrats would replace Joe Biden with, if he steps aside?

Great news! The book Sodom & Gomorrah of Today: A History of Keystone, West Virginia is finally available again in print! This book has been out of print since 1912 until now. You can check it out here: amzn.to/4dh0oDc

Nothing thrills my heart more than seeing a fake hillbilly and a phony Appalachian slug it out in a pillow fight. They need to settle this at the next Rough & Rowdy Brawl in Pikeville as true locals would do. Who knew being a hillbilly from Appalachia carried so much cachet?

With apologies to Dickens…it was the driest of summers, it was the wettest of summers…

I’m pretty sure every church I went to growing up had a hymn book just like this one

The scrip system has a long and complicated history in the coalfields of Appalachia. We unravel the mystery of this system in this video "I Owe My Soul To The Company Store": Trapped by Scrip youtu.be/LTQ23H2Cp78

The Pink Motel, a landmark along Tsali Boulevard (US Hwy 441) on the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina. Opened in 1953, the vintage motel was originally owned and operated by Lois Queen Farthing, who decided to theme the establishment around the color pink to be different.

Gilley's Hotel in Bulls Gap, TN, holds a significant place in the town's history as a notable landmark that dates back to the late 19th century. Situated in the small railroad town, the hotel was an important stopover for travelers and a centerpiece of the local community.

The rapidly disappearing service/fillin’ stations like this one in Paw Paw, Virginia, are a reminder of days past.

These four generations of Appalachian women, tied together by love, labor, and the land, embody what it means to be resilient. Through the long days, the hardships, and the victories, they built a legacy of endurance, a tribute to the power of Appalachian women.