Day 3: Romney, WV to Webster Springs, WV
May 30, 2024
237 Miles
Leaving the Koolwink Motel in Romney, WV, we stopped at the Romney Brew Station for early morning coffee. After weaving through beautiful country roads, almost out of a movie, we went to Green Bank Observatory - a special place worth visiting. After visiting the museum, I went to the gift shop and purchased an alien keychain for NCRoadToad, clipping it to his backpack where I believe it hangs to this day. Further down the road, we entered a beautiful river area, bridge, and Cass Scenic Railroad for lunch. A special place.
After a few planned lunch stops being closed, we continued onto the WV-150 Highland Scenic Highway - a real treat for riders.
As we flowed through nice twisties and exciting backroads, I realized very quickly - I’m in for something special!
Closing out the day in Webster Springs at the Mineral Springs Motel, we walked the town, found a nice little family owned diner (cheap, super cheap), visited the sulfer springs fountain and veterans memorial. After dinner, we talked to the owner of the motel - a man whose face was scared with a lifelong injury but who shined bright, overcame life-long adversity, and was a brilliant guide to our experience there.
This is the beauty of the road - meeting people like him. We talked about the formation of the town, how it was divided between the haves & the have nots, the train that brought weary travelers in on doctor recommended visits from Philly, how his mother & father (on different sides of the traintracks) met and fell in love, how the great floods have changed the rivers, how logs were floated down the river during high water levels, about Webster Springs decline and beginning of their rebirth in the early 20th century. A really special conversation.
