June 2007 Road Trip
Virginia-West Virginia-Kentucky
Day 3

These photos are from the third day of a three-day road trip through Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, driving from Staunton, Va. to Beattyville, Ky. by way of Lexington, Goshen and Warm Springs, Va.; and Marlinton, Richwood, Craigsville, Muddlety, Birch River, Cowen, Webster Springs and Flatwoods, WV. Photos are mostly of the VA/WV 39 and WV 55 corridors. To view the full-sized photos, click on one of the thumbnails on this page. You will then be presented with navigation controls to view the images on individual Web pages as a slide show.

PICT0663
Looking east on US 250 at Staunton, the I-64 sign has a state name and the I-81 signs do not.
PICT0664
Here, no state name in the I-64 sign.
PICT0665
Overheads on I-81 south at the I-64 exit.
PICT0666
The exit sign has the route shield inside.
PICT0667
Overhead for the VA 262 southern exit on I-81 south.
PICT0668
The VA 262 exit.
PICT0669
Exiting VA 262 onto US 11.
PICT0670
Signs for north and south US 11 at the end of the ramp from northbound VA 262.
PICT0671
This sign is for southbound US 11 traffic. VA 262 ends at the interstate.
PICT0673
Heading south out of Staunton on US 11.
PICT0674
Like much of rural US 11 in this area, a lot of the route is three lanes.
PICT0676
South of Mint Springs.
PICT0677
Interesting sign assembly south of Mint Springs, with a US 11 cutout and a small (18 x 18) US 11 sign.
PICT0678
Approaching I-64 and I-81 near the southern terminus of US 340.
PICT0679
Even though the rightmost I-81 sign has a smaller font, there is no state name like the leftmost I-64 sign.
PICT0680
Approaching the southern terminus of US 340.
PICT0681
At the turn to US 340.
PICT0682
Truck turnaround signage just south of US 340 on US 11.
PICT0683
"To I-81" signs are well posted along US 11. This one gives a mileage total.
PICT0684
South of Greenville, US 11 expands to four lanes and is such for most of the distance on southward to Lexington.
PICT0685
The western terminus of VA 56.
PICT0687
Heading toward Lexington, US 11 travels through rolling valley farmland.
PICT0688
A shot of the four-lane US 11.
PICT0689
This font appears suspiciously like Clearview. On southbound US 11 at the I-81 Lexington exit.
PICT0690
Getting closer to Lexington.
PICT0691
Approaching the eastern terminus of the multistate VA 39.
PICT0692
At the terminus for VA 39. This route connects US 11 at Lexington, Va. to US 60 at Gauley Bridge, W.Va., traveling through some very scenic mountainous countryside.
PICT0693
State name signs for I-64 along with an I-81 shield and a Bike Route 76 sign on US 11 south.
PICT0694
Beyond I-64, US 11 heads for downtown Lexington.
PICT0695
Overheads for the split of US 11 and the business route.
PICT0696
These signs can be found on southbound US 11 just beyond the business route's split.
PICT0697
"Unisign" for Business US 11 in Lexington.
PICT0698
Business US 11 splits the campus of Virginia Military Institute. This bridge spans the route as it travels through VMI.
PICT0699
"Unisign" for US 60 on Business 11.
PICT0700
"Unisign" for US 60 and US 11.
PICT0701
This is back on northbound US 11, just beyond the US 60 intersection.
PICT0702
At the terminus of VA 39 from the prospective of northbound US 11.
PICT0703
The first VA 39 sign.
PICT0704
These cutouts are located on a service road near the intersection of VA 39 and US 11. The "To" banner is a bit oversized for these smaller cutouts. In the background is the signage on southbound US 11 at the entrance to westbound I-64.
PICT0705
At the southern terminus of US 252 outside of Lexington.
PICT0706
The terminus itself is a "Y."
PICT0709
Looking at VA 39 as it travels through the community of Rockbridge Baths.
PICT0710
Rick Mast, the NASCAR driver, is Rockbridge Baths' most famous son and he has a street named after him. there.
PICT0711
Another street sign for Rick Mast Loop.
PICT0712
Looking ahead at Goshen Pass on VA 39.
PICT0713
This is the terminus of Alternate Va 39 in Goshen.
PICT0714
Approaching the intersection of VA 39 and VA 42.
PICT0715
At the intersection.
PICT0716
Heading west on VA 39 at the northern terminus of VA 39 alternate.
PICT0717
At Alt 39.
PICT0718
Heading west out of Goshen, no mention of the destinations of VA 39.
PICT0719
Approaching Millboro Springs.
PICT0720
Approaching the departure of VA 42.
PICT0721
VA 42 turns toward Clifton Forge. The Clearview font sign shown on Day 1 of the trip can be seen here.
PICT0722
Marlinton, Va. shows up as a destination on VA 39.
PICT0723
Further down VA 39.
PICT0724
Secondary 629 leads toward Covington and US 60.
PICT0725
Cutouts for VA 39 between Millboro Springs and Warm Springs.
PICT0726
This is one of the displays at the Dan Ingalls Overlook, on VA 39 at the top of Warm Springs Mountain.
PICT0727
Another view of the display.
PICT0728
Looking out east into the mountains on a foggy, hazy morning.
PICT0729
Another display.
PICT0730
This shows VA 39 descending the east side of Warm Springs Mountain.
PICT0731
Another display at the overlook.
PICT0732
And yet another one.
PICT0733
Looking out to the mountain ranges in the east.
PICT0735
Descending on VA 39 toward US 220.
PICT0736
At the intersection of VA 39 and US 220.
PICT0737
VA 39 has only a short run on US 220 before it splits away.
PICT0738
Marlinton is the next town for VA 39. It's in West Virginia.
PICT0739
At the split of VA 39 and US 220.
PICT0740
West VA 39 sign atop a Clearview mileage sign just past US 220.
PICT0741
Cutouts located just west of US 220.
PICT0742
A closeup shot of the cutouts.
PICT0743
VA 39 leaves the Jackson River valley and climbs westward.
PICT0744
A tree-lined canopy.
PICT0745
At the top of Back Creek Mountain on VA 39.
PICT0746
Getting closer to West Virginia.
PICT0747
A shot of the mountains along VA 39 approaching the West Virginia state line.
PICT0748
VA 39 begins its climb to the state line and the Eastern Continental Divide.
PICT0749
More curves as VA 39 nears the state line.
PICT0750
A tell-tale sign we're getting ready to leave the Old Dominion.
PICT0751
Entering West Virginia.
PICT0752
Immediately upon entering West Virginia, WV 39 intersects WV 92.
PICT0753
WV 92 is the main route from I-64 to the ski resorts in this region of West Virginia.
PICT0754
WV 92 and WV 39 join for a few miles.
PICT0755
WV 39 and WV 92.
PICT0756
Minnehaha Springs is where WV 39 and WV 92 split. It's an easy drive to Marlinton.
PICT0757
Typical view of WV 39 and WV 92.
PICT0758
Older WV 39 and WV 92 signs just outside Minnehaha Springs.
PICT0759
Another typical view of WV 39.
PICT0760
Approaching the split of WV 39 and WV 92.
PICT0761
Green Bank is listed as the destination for WV 92 and has been such since White Sulphur Springs.
PICT0762
At the split.
PICT0764
Huntersville is the southern terminus of WV 28.
PICT0765
Beyond WV 28, Mill Point is where WV 39 and WV 55 split from US 219, south of Marlinton.
PICT0766
Approaching US 219 and WV 55 in Marlinton.
PICT0767
These signs have been replaced since 2003.
PICT0768
These signs, however, haven't. The post was bent when I last passed through here and it's still bent.
PICT0769
Heading out of Marlinton.
PICT0770
Still climbing out of Marlinton.
PICT0771
Typical view of the crooked, curvy, hilly US 219 not too far north of the WV 39 and WV 55 split.
PICT0772
Advance signage for the split.
PICT0773
Approaching the split.
PICT0774
At the split.
PICT0775
Heading west on WV 39/55 toward Richwood.
PICT0776
It's an easy, scenic drive to Richwood.
PICT0777
At the intersection of WV 150, the Highland Scenic Highway.
PICT0778
Despite the signage, the Highland Scenic Highway also continues straight.
PICT0779
West WV 39 and 55 signs with the Highland Scenic Highway logo.
PICT0780
Getting closer to Richwood.
PICT0781
This is a typical view of WV 39/55 heading toward Richwood.
PICT0784
Beyond Richwood, WV 39 joins WV 20 going south and WV 55 joins it going north.
PICT0785
Signage approaching the split of WV 39 and WV 55.
PICT0786
Destinations for WV 20, WV 39 and WV 55.
PICT0787
Signage at the intersection.
PICT0788
Heading north on WV 20 and taking WV 55 along.
PICT0789
Craigsville is where WV 20 and WV 55 split.
PICT0790
This old bridge across the Gauley River on WV 20/55 was recently replaced. The gentleman shown in the photo said the state was still deciding whether to tear the old bridge down or keep it for a tourist attraction.
PICT0791
This photo shows that the bridge had an open metal grate floor with several solid metal patches.
PICT0792
Another shot of the bridge.
PICT0793
This shot shows how extensively the bridge deck had been patched.
PICT0794
This photo shows the mouth of the Cherry River at the Gauley River with some old bridge piers visible.
PICT0795
Approaching the split of WV 55 and WV 20 at Craigsville.
PICT0796
Destinations for WV 55 and WV 20.
PICT0797
Signate at the split.
PICT0798
Muddlety is the terminus of WV 55 at US 19. WV 41 goes to Summersville.
PICT0799
Approaching the northern terminus of WV 41.
PICT0800
This exit sign is on northbound US 19 approaching WV 82.
PICT0801
On the Robert C. Byrd Appalachian Highway System, there is the Robert C. Byrd Interchange.
PICT0802
Exiting US 19 at Birch River.
PICT0803
These signs are on the county route paralleling US 19 in Birch River.
PICT0804
The western terminus of WV 82 lies just to the left at US 19.
PICT0805
Heading east on WV 82. This is about the closest thing to a Virginia route marker and mileage sign combination as you will find in West Virginia.
PICT0806
When the Road Sign Math site goes back online, this one is a submission.
PICT0807
This one is, too.
PICT0808
Approaching the end of WV 82.
PICT0809
At the end of WV 82.
PICT0810
Approaching the intersection with WV 15 in Webster Springs on WV 20.
PICT0811
WV 20 makes a left turn.
PICT0812
Crossing the Elk River on WV 20 in a light rain.
PICT0813
This used to be the terminus of WV 15 before it was extended westward to reach Flatwoods and WV 4, near US 19 and I-79.
PICT0814
Heading out of Webster Springs on WV 15/20.
PICT0815
At the WV 15/WV 20 split at Diana, it's a long way to anywhere on WV 20 north.
PICT0816
This is where WV 15 east joins WV 20 south.
PICT0817
Heading north on WV 20 at the WV 15 split.
PICT0818
WV 15 splits from WV 20.
PICT0819
Flatwoods is where US 19 and WV 4 meet I-79.
PICT0820
Typical view of WV 15 heading toward Flatwoods.
PICT0821
This is the first hint of I-79 along WV 15.
PICT0822
Approaching the end of WV 15, between Flatwoods and Sutton.
PICT0823
The end of WV 15.
PICT0824
This is on I-79 south. It, too, would be a Road Sign Math winner.
PICT0825
New Clearview sign on I-64 westbound, erected in conjunction with a project to reconstruct the exit.
PICT0826
Another new Clearview sign.
PICT0827
Traffic on I-64 is down to one lane in each direction because of the project. Over in the eastbound lanes, that traffic has gotten on I-64 at the exit just beyond the hill in the background.
PICT0828
One-mile Clearview sign.
PICT0829
This new sign is obscured by trees. Very poor placement.
PICT0830
US 60, KY 1 and KY 7 signage in Grayson.
PICT0831
This old KY 650 sign is still in existence on KY 7 southbound, just outside Sandy Hook.

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