As a man once said...."And now, for the rest of the story"

 This is a continuation of the previous entry. 
This particular area of southwest Virginia/southeast Kentucky is somewhat remote in that given it's rugged terrain and thankfully, the absence of any major interstates close by, masses of people do not travel here.  Thus some of the history remains, some of the native culture(s) remains, some of the local communities remain and even some clean mountain water still remains.
These things however are threatened with each days continuous destruction of the mountains of middle-Appalachia, to an unnecessary, and most destructive form of mining known as mountaintop removal, (mtr).
I took this photo from the side of the road going up Black Mountain, from Big Stone Gap VA, shortly after leaving Lake KeoKee and the Jefferson NF. This mtr site is massive, though far from the biggest, and sits on the KY-VA border.

As the highway crossed the state-line at the top of Black Mountain, (4700ft+) and I began my decent into Kentucky along the narrow winding road I realize how close this hike was to poisoned water sources.
My travels took me into Benham KY, about 30+ minutes from the state-line atop  Black Mountain, and to the small community which has embraced it's history as, among other things, a coal mining town.
Two things I'd suggest to visit while in this community is a stay at the School House Inn, and the coal mining museum across the street. Both of which are very easy to find in this small town. 
I wish I did not have to so obviously enter into this topic.  However it is very important that folks from outside the areas affected directly become more aware of the true cost of coal and the roles we do play, and can play in stopping this crime against humanity. (See  ilovemountains.org for further information.)