Hello everyone! Now that I have traveled through all five states of Central Appalachia, I have been able to immerse myself in the wildly diverse culture in this part of the country. Every state has been different in its landscape, infrastructure, and culture. However, there were a few things that remained constant throughout my travels.
The people of Appalachia are not representative of the negative stereotypes and stigmas that are commonly shared in regions outside of the mountains. All of the homeowners I have met have shared incredible qualities that have made me much more critical of the people who tarnish their reputation without ever giving them a chance.
However, the people of Appalachia are different. They have many differing characteristics from those who live in the areas of America that I am familiar with. They aren’t greedy, they don’t ask for much, and are very appreciative of what is given to them. Though, they are quite generous in their giving. Despite the economic challenges many Appalachian communities face, the people of the region have a strong tradition of generosity and local philanthropy. Whether they’re offering us their home-cooked lunches, snacks, drinks, or just giving us a good conversation, I have felt overwhelmed by their altruism. Appalachians are very social, and treat their guests as family. I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable returning to homeowners’ residences and knocking on their door. They give hugs to strangers, are eager to hear your stories, and will do their best to keep you around to talk your ear off about their grandbabies. Even when you’ve just met a homeowner for the first time, there’s no doubt you’ll learn about what they’re fixin’ to do, what they reckon, or their complaints on the broken warsher.
Another thing that remained constant through my travel has been the beauty of the landscape. No matter what state I’m in, I’ve been lucky enough to take time to soak in the scenery around me. While toughing out the heat in North Carolina, I found relief wading through the rivers that run next to nearly every roadway. In Tennessee, I shivered in the mornings, understanding the namesake of Shady Valley, and was mesmerised by the contrast of the valley and the surrounding mountains. In Kentucky, I felt the constant thrill of a rollercoaster, with the hollers being nearly vertical. West Virginia showed me the sun setting behind the mountains, against the skyline of an urban Charleston. In Virginia, I felt on top of the world, with the byways taking me to the top of the sharp ridges.
Throughout the summer, I always know I have something to look forward to. It doesn’t matter if I am on the road traveling from state to state, or on the way to a home for the first time. At any time, all it takes is a look out the window, or a simple introduction.
See you next week,
Jaxson Gage
Story Gathering Intern
