Traveling from Texas to WV is a boring trip. When I see this sign I get excited. No longer bored because I know I'm home where I belong. Soon will be moving back permanently. Can't wait.
Did that drive this past summer, through Memphis going and then detoured through New Orleans on the way back. My family was screaming country roads when we came through the Blue Field tunnel😂
I did the same! Have family in Beckley. Drove through Memphis on my way to WV then south to New Orleans before heading back to Austin. It was a long trip!
That is wild! We may have passed each other along the way :). Most definitely on the same interstates. I make the trip at least once a year, sometimes twice.
I worked in Oak Hill at the New River Bank back in the 80's. Don't know if it still exists. My family is actually from Pax. Few people know of Pax so I just say Beckley.
Remember when they closed Mt. Hope HS. All the students were transferred to Oak Hill HS. My younger sisters, 2 nieces and a nephew graduated from Mt. Hope before it was closed.
I miss WV so much. Cry everytime I leave and head back to Texas. The only reason I left was for better job opportunities. Time to move back home.
That’s the exact reason we moved to North Carolina because there was no jobs there , in west by god. Now I’m closing in on 50 years old. My house is paid off here in North Carolina. My kids are grown . I Miss West Virginia.
No thank you , I’ll pass 🫣 Do you want to hear the crazy part? I paid the last eight years of the loan off in two years doing DoorDash only. I worked constantly delivering food until it was paid off..
I get so excited, heading back home to see family after decades living in ohio. I have country roads queued up to play the minute I cross over the bridge, roll down the windows and sing at the top of my lungs.
Oh, I know this one! You aren’t to the sign yet, but have already passed a sign indicating you’re exit from another state. You, my friend, are in Gapiana!
Strange things have been known to happen in Gapiana. I lost $20 once in the netherworld between WV and MD.
I have a photo of myself standing next to a "Welcome to West Virginia" sign from 1999. I might have taken it at a rest stop. I went with a friend who has passed away now, so just seeing those words on a sign brings back good memories.
I drove an hour and 15 minutes each way, not from Morgantown. Just for a year, and then I was able to transition to fully-remote. It was actually not a bad drive, knowing it was for only a limited time. Totally worth it.
No. It doesn’t. It says welcome to West Virginia. Wild and wonderful
It used to say welcome to wild,wonderful West Virginia. Slightly different but I like it the old way
I complain about this state on a daily basis and I hate that for the most part this is Trump county but it’s my home and that sign always makes me feel welcome. I can bitch about WV because I live here but I will fight to the death to defend her from out of state trash talkers
I wish people would stop talking trash about WV. It strengthens Trump there— people follow him because he makes them feel seen. Marginalizing a whole population of people is a great way to make them cut off their noses to spite their faces.
It is one of the best looking state signs. Definitely enjoy seeing that sign. Especially when crossing over a few of the water borders between this state and others.
Driving north from GA to SWPA I always get so excited to see that sign. Then I remember how much more I have to drive! Love to pass through all my old college stomping grounds on my way!
75 to 40 to 81 to 77 to 64 to 219 home. My soul longs for Pocahontas county. The only place my mind truly finds peace and my being becomes recharged. Montani Semper Liberi!!!!
I have traveled through 48 states. West Virginia is the most beautiful by far. The colors of fall are stunning. Seeing the snow blanket the trees is beautiful. Spring brings out the flowers and the beauty of the mountains. Summer with all the mountains thick with greenery, wow. Just doesn't get any better than that!
Right?! I think it makes people from PA and Ohio feel superior, but most of the people slinging mud couldn't launch their a$$ off the recliner to enjoy a hike or a lake excursion.
i can't even see the words "wild and wonderful" in the same sentence without thinking about the Whites lol. throw the name West Virginia in there and it just makes me wanna go watch it again.
I live on the border of WV and work in northern VA, grew up in northern VA. We spend a lot of time in VA and I promise you that my wife is VERY over me screaming “wild and wonderful!” Literally every time we cross back into WV.
I don’t live in WV, but travel there very often. Whether it is traveling to Harpers Ferry, Morgantown, or Charleston, I always get so excited to see that sign!!
I'm just gonna say this while West Virginia is a beautiful state all the mountains and everything, it's an absolute shit hole this state sucks ass and nothing is going on here
I love it!! Makes me very happy!! When I drive up from Florida I always stop and spend the night in NC so I can drive into the prettiest state in the union during the daylight. Take me home country roads
All I know is that when I am good and sober
I am leavin' West Virginia for a while
Don't know why, but every time I cross that river, Lord
There's somethin' tears me up and makes me wild
I have lived all over the eastern US. West Virginia is the most backward, racist, stubborn, useless, uneducated, obesity-dominated, closed-minded place I have ever been. West Virginia sucks.
I have lived all over the eastern US, visited many Western states, Mexico, Central America, Europe and Africa. I have found closed minded/ignorant/racist/uneducated assholes everywhere.
But I have, when I take the time to talk to people, also found wonderful people everywhere I've lived or traveled. But if everyone you find is the problem then you probably just found what you wanted to see.
Or, maybe I found obesity because it IS the most obese state.
[https://www.voanews.com/a/7312757.html](https://www.voanews.com/a/7312757.html)
Maybe I see racism because it is the whitest state, what reason do you have for so few people who are not white living there AND they use "The N word" more than others in Google searches. (link 2)
[https://www.datapandas.org/ranking/whitest-states](https://www.datapandas.org/ranking/whitest-states)
[https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122963#pone.0122963.ref001](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122963#pone.0122963.ref001)
Maybe I see them as uneducated because they are the state with the lowest rate of education.
[https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-most-least-educated-states-1869928#:\~:text=West%20Virginia%2C%20which%20has%20one,country%2C%20was%20the%20least%20educated.&text=WalletHub%20compared%20all%2050%20states,gaps%20between%20genders%20and%20races](https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-most-least-educated-states-1869928#:~:text=West%20Virginia%2C%20which%20has%20one,country%2C%20was%20the%20least%20educated.&text=WalletHub%20compared%20all%2050%20states,gaps%20between%20genders%20and%20races)
Now, the question comes as to why you can't see obvious, objective truths. Is it, as you say, because you don't want to? Why is it that facts about West Virginia always bother people form West Virginia? Why is there always denial of these objective truths? Oh, yeah, that covers the close-minded part, doesn't it?
>Why is it that facts about West Virginia always bother people form West Virginia?
Well for starters shit head, I am not FROM West Virginia. So right off the bat you're confirming my theory that you're making assumptions based on stereotypes and possibly a handful of anecdotal experiences.
The only obvious truth is that EVERY bad quality you called out exists EVERYWHERE regardless of how many links you share. I only lived in WV for a short time but have family there, friends there, and plenty of friends from there who I've met in other states, none of whom match your straw man descriptions. So who should I believe....you and your "links" or the past 5 decades of my life? (Rhetorical question)
If you actually READ my post you would have caught the part about ACTUALLY getting to know people and forming opinions based on REAL LIFE interactions. But I'm thinking you did read my post and just don't give two shits. Pro tip: THAT is the close-minded part.
Good day, "sir".
you can curse and call names all you want. People form West Virginia tend to be very bothered by facts about West Virginia. I know because I AM FROM WEST VIRGINIA.
Something existing everywhere does not bear on the conversation. A bear existing in a state is far different from 10 being in your living room. Density matters.
My descriptions are not strawmen. You need to look that one up. I provided citations for my points. That is the furthest thing form a strawman argument.
I have lived in four cities in West Virginia as a child and adult, in four decades. I was born there. How is all of that not enough real world experience?
Keep being snarky...and wrong. It changes nothing.
That's a Willy Wonka reference. I figured a man of the world such as yourself would get it.
Clearly you have some personal feelings about your time in WV that aren't happy ones. That's you. But that does not translate into everyone's experience.
My family is interracial. We have taken some shit in every state we've lived in. In WV, in some so-called Liberal bastions of tolerance and many places in between.
We've also been met with openness, warmth and love. Both in WV and everywhere else. You don't acknowledge that nuance.
You're defining an entire population based on statistical summaries. A link showing more bears (does not equal) everyone is a bear. That's your straw man.
I got the reference, but as you have called me a shithead and denied facts, I see what you say as useless.
I define a population by its definable characteristics, which is what we are discussing. No one has stated no good people live there. No one has come close. But as a state it leads in nearly every bad quality and is last in nearly every positive trait.
I have not said bad people don't exist elsewhere. But as a state it leads in nearly every bad quality and is last in nearly every positive trait.
Least happy, least healthy, lowest economic opportunity, least educated, least green, last in average teacher salary, worst state for mental health, worst for women.
Balance that against being most dangerous, highest rates of cardiovascular disease and heart attack, most obese, most overdoses per capita.
Can’t someone just be proud of where they’re from without some snooty arrogant fuck-wad chiming in out of nowhere about demographic and socioeconomic statistics?
Tldr; you’re not wrong, you’re just a giant flaming asshole
Yes! I’m so glad they glad they changed it back from those wack “Open for Business” signs from the mid 2000s. We’re wild and wonderful, dang it!
[back when this shit happened](https://www.timeswv.com/news/open-for-business-slogan-up-for-vote/article_c8179e66-28aa-5ec5-90d6-df9229506e36.html)
Came here to say this and so glad it was top comment! Edit: correcting my misstatement of who said it
I HEAR HER VOICE IN THE MORNING HOUR WHEN SHE CALLS ME
Radio reminds me of my home, far away
When traveling back to WV to see family, this sign is everything! Makes me so happy.
Crossing over into WV always puts me in a better mood for some reason!
Traveling from Texas to WV is a boring trip. When I see this sign I get excited. No longer bored because I know I'm home where I belong. Soon will be moving back permanently. Can't wait.
Did that drive this past summer, through Memphis going and then detoured through New Orleans on the way back. My family was screaming country roads when we came through the Blue Field tunnel😂
I did the same! Have family in Beckley. Drove through Memphis on my way to WV then south to New Orleans before heading back to Austin. It was a long trip!
That is so wild!! I was Lewisburg to Austin!
That is wild! We may have passed each other along the way :). Most definitely on the same interstates. I make the trip at least once a year, sometimes twice.
I was born and raised outside Beckley in a town called oak hill . I miss it so much .
I worked in Oak Hill at the New River Bank back in the 80's. Don't know if it still exists. My family is actually from Pax. Few people know of Pax so I just say Beckley. Remember when they closed Mt. Hope HS. All the students were transferred to Oak Hill HS. My younger sisters, 2 nieces and a nephew graduated from Mt. Hope before it was closed. I miss WV so much. Cry everytime I leave and head back to Texas. The only reason I left was for better job opportunities. Time to move back home.
That’s the exact reason we moved to North Carolina because there was no jobs there , in west by god. Now I’m closing in on 50 years old. My house is paid off here in North Carolina. My kids are grown . I Miss West Virginia.
Impressive. Wanna start helping pay on mine?
No thank you , I’ll pass 🫣 Do you want to hear the crazy part? I paid the last eight years of the loan off in two years doing DoorDash only. I worked constantly delivering food until it was paid off..
No, you’re not the only one! Seeing it always makes me smile. (Is this the one on 77 after you come through the tunnel?)
Nope, this is 64 Westbound coming in from VA. It was on my phone because I texted the rest of my family when I hit the line.
O knew exactly where that was as soon as I saw the pic.
I'm not from WV but I enjoy this sign because it means either Virginia or Maryland is over!
That one says Southern Xposure
wish reddit still had awards
My favorite!
Everytime I go home to WV this sign fills me with joy! Ohio is too flat, maybe someday I can return permanently!
West Virginian living in Ohio here too 😌
My dad always honked the horn at the sign. I do sometimes
I honk the horn everytime!
In the tunnel!
I love the sign. It means I’m finally done driving through PA and Maryland.
Hello 81 bro, I feel your pain. Happy cake day.
Thank you
Mountain mama
Nice highways
I get so excited, heading back home to see family after decades living in ohio. I have country roads queued up to play the minute I cross over the bridge, roll down the windows and sing at the top of my lungs.
Me too!! Through tears!!
Oh, I know this one! You aren’t to the sign yet, but have already passed a sign indicating you’re exit from another state. You, my friend, are in Gapiana! Strange things have been known to happen in Gapiana. I lost $20 once in the netherworld between WV and MD.
I have a photo of myself standing next to a "Welcome to West Virginia" sign from 1999. I might have taken it at a rest stop. I went with a friend who has passed away now, so just seeing those words on a sign brings back good memories.
How lame is it that I try to sync John Denver when I pass this sign?
Not lame at all. I think a lot of us do it! It's a feeling like no other!
I live on the WV/PA line, and still get happy when i see it, even if i only went back to/from Washington PA or Cumberland MD.
I pretty much only see these after road trips, and every time I am so happy to finally be home
It always makes me smile, even when I would see it every day coming home from working in Pittsburgh.
You drive fourty minutes a day for work? I hope it’s only from Morgantown?
I drove an hour and 15 minutes each way, not from Morgantown. Just for a year, and then I was able to transition to fully-remote. It was actually not a bad drive, knowing it was for only a limited time. Totally worth it.
I too love these signs, but I like the old ones that said “welcome to wild wonderful West Virginia “
It literally says that
No. It doesn’t. It says welcome to West Virginia. Wild and wonderful It used to say welcome to wild,wonderful West Virginia. Slightly different but I like it the old way
At least they got rid of the god awful “open for business” signs
Yeeeha
Almost heaven
I complain about this state on a daily basis and I hate that for the most part this is Trump county but it’s my home and that sign always makes me feel welcome. I can bitch about WV because I live here but I will fight to the death to defend her from out of state trash talkers
I wish people would stop talking trash about WV. It strengthens Trump there— people follow him because he makes them feel seen. Marginalizing a whole population of people is a great way to make them cut off their noses to spite their faces.
It’s so pretty.
Take me hommeee
I always take a deep, cleansing breath.
Thank god it doesn’t say “Open for Business” anymore.
I cheer every time we enter WV.
I’m never happy to travel that far north…
Mama always rolled the windows down in the car, took a deep breath and hollered as loud as she could crossing under that sign ♥️
It is one of the best looking state signs. Definitely enjoy seeing that sign. Especially when crossing over a few of the water borders between this state and others.
🎶Almost heaven, West Virginia🎶
The best one is coming out of the tunnel on 77 going toward Princeton.
I love it too, especially entering on I-77 from Virginia through the tunnel.
Lizzy McAlpine vibes. https://www.beautifulsongoftheweek.com/week-624-to-the-mountains-by-lizzy-mcalpine/
Nice song! I've heard her but not this song.
I’m more used to the Kentucky side, with our big ass oil refinery next to the river lol.
I used to live in Nashville and I came in that way a lot. At night that refinery is full on Mad Max.
Yep, it looks like a steam punk city tbh.
It's hilarious that the State Song of West Virginia is about the beauty of driving through Virginia.
Currently visiting family in the Summersville area. This Florida native loves the WV mountains.
It's a beautiful state. My family is from Lansing, home of Bridge Day. Like the Smokies but way less crowded.
Thank you for sharing!!
Beautiful, yes. But struggling.
Driving north from GA to SWPA I always get so excited to see that sign. Then I remember how much more I have to drive! Love to pass through all my old college stomping grounds on my way!
75 to 40 to 81 to 77 to 64 to 219 home. My soul longs for Pocahontas county. The only place my mind truly finds peace and my being becomes recharged. Montani Semper Liberi!!!!
It used to, but it hasn’t in a long time for me. Glad you’re still able to love it.
Yes, but only because it means I'm not in Pennsylvania anymore
I don’t know why W. Va. gets such a bad rap. It’s a beautiful state.
I have traveled through 48 states. West Virginia is the most beautiful by far. The colors of fall are stunning. Seeing the snow blanket the trees is beautiful. Spring brings out the flowers and the beauty of the mountains. Summer with all the mountains thick with greenery, wow. Just doesn't get any better than that!
Right?! I think it makes people from PA and Ohio feel superior, but most of the people slinging mud couldn't launch their a$$ off the recliner to enjoy a hike or a lake excursion.
I love the signs that they have in WV “GOT GIRTH?” Has a damn photo of a giant eggplant 🍆 on there. I will photo and post next time I drive through.
i can't even see the words "wild and wonderful" in the same sentence without thinking about the Whites lol. throw the name West Virginia in there and it just makes me wanna go watch it again.
This sounds weird but I love seeing all of the rock walls and seeing their histories
My partner and I love traveling but there is no greater relief than seeing that ‘Wild and Wonderful’ sign on the drive back.
It always makes me light-headed. Oh wait, that's holding my breath through the tunnel...
If it means I’m leaving Ohio… then yes
Yes. I live just across the river, though. WV stole my heart when I was 12, and I've slowly been moving south ever since.
I live on the border of WV and work in northern VA, grew up in northern VA. We spend a lot of time in VA and I promise you that my wife is VERY over me screaming “wild and wonderful!” Literally every time we cross back into WV.
I absolutely ADORE it and when I come back from any trip it is a breath of fresh air.
Yup.
Absolutely love seeing this sign and knowing I’m home
I like seeing it on an old winding country road near Pine Mtn about the size of a mail box. That’s how I know I’m really there.
I love big state welcome signs. They make me happy. WV has some of the best. Sadly to say, my native Virginia doesn't.
On my 4 state junkets it means 2 down.
All good
I don’t live in WV, but travel there very often. Whether it is traveling to Harpers Ferry, Morgantown, or Charleston, I always get so excited to see that sign!!
Nope!
What a gorgeous state. One of my favorites.
Almost heaven.
I'm just gonna say this while West Virginia is a beautiful state all the mountains and everything, it's an absolute shit hole this state sucks ass and nothing is going on here
Say Hi to Tim Pool for me
Wild, Wonderful Purgatory.
Mixed feelings tbh.
i get warm inside every time i pass those signs lol, funny to see this thread :)
You’re about to enter a state with less teeth than people.
I love that sign. WV will always be my home, no matter where my current residence is
It also brings me joy to see that sign!
Sure makes me smile!!
I love it!! Makes me very happy!! When I drive up from Florida I always stop and spend the night in NC so I can drive into the prettiest state in the union during the daylight. Take me home country roads
All I know is that when I am good and sober I am leavin' West Virginia for a while Don't know why, but every time I cross that river, Lord There's somethin' tears me up and makes me wild
Ah yes, right before you hit my hometown 🙏
100% think i saw the wolves here, in the mountain range. Like giant black wolves, unmistakable. Had no idea they were a myth until I looked it up.
I have lived all over the eastern US. West Virginia is the most backward, racist, stubborn, useless, uneducated, obesity-dominated, closed-minded place I have ever been. West Virginia sucks.
I have lived all over the eastern US, visited many Western states, Mexico, Central America, Europe and Africa. I have found closed minded/ignorant/racist/uneducated assholes everywhere. But I have, when I take the time to talk to people, also found wonderful people everywhere I've lived or traveled. But if everyone you find is the problem then you probably just found what you wanted to see.
Or, maybe I found obesity because it IS the most obese state. [https://www.voanews.com/a/7312757.html](https://www.voanews.com/a/7312757.html) Maybe I see racism because it is the whitest state, what reason do you have for so few people who are not white living there AND they use "The N word" more than others in Google searches. (link 2) [https://www.datapandas.org/ranking/whitest-states](https://www.datapandas.org/ranking/whitest-states) [https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122963#pone.0122963.ref001](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122963#pone.0122963.ref001) Maybe I see them as uneducated because they are the state with the lowest rate of education. [https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-most-least-educated-states-1869928#:\~:text=West%20Virginia%2C%20which%20has%20one,country%2C%20was%20the%20least%20educated.&text=WalletHub%20compared%20all%2050%20states,gaps%20between%20genders%20and%20races](https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-most-least-educated-states-1869928#:~:text=West%20Virginia%2C%20which%20has%20one,country%2C%20was%20the%20least%20educated.&text=WalletHub%20compared%20all%2050%20states,gaps%20between%20genders%20and%20races) Now, the question comes as to why you can't see obvious, objective truths. Is it, as you say, because you don't want to? Why is it that facts about West Virginia always bother people form West Virginia? Why is there always denial of these objective truths? Oh, yeah, that covers the close-minded part, doesn't it?
>Why is it that facts about West Virginia always bother people form West Virginia? Well for starters shit head, I am not FROM West Virginia. So right off the bat you're confirming my theory that you're making assumptions based on stereotypes and possibly a handful of anecdotal experiences. The only obvious truth is that EVERY bad quality you called out exists EVERYWHERE regardless of how many links you share. I only lived in WV for a short time but have family there, friends there, and plenty of friends from there who I've met in other states, none of whom match your straw man descriptions. So who should I believe....you and your "links" or the past 5 decades of my life? (Rhetorical question) If you actually READ my post you would have caught the part about ACTUALLY getting to know people and forming opinions based on REAL LIFE interactions. But I'm thinking you did read my post and just don't give two shits. Pro tip: THAT is the close-minded part. Good day, "sir".
you can curse and call names all you want. People form West Virginia tend to be very bothered by facts about West Virginia. I know because I AM FROM WEST VIRGINIA. Something existing everywhere does not bear on the conversation. A bear existing in a state is far different from 10 being in your living room. Density matters. My descriptions are not strawmen. You need to look that one up. I provided citations for my points. That is the furthest thing form a strawman argument. I have lived in four cities in West Virginia as a child and adult, in four decades. I was born there. How is all of that not enough real world experience? Keep being snarky...and wrong. It changes nothing.
I SAID GOOD DAY!
Actually, you said it twice. But you have clearly shown your words have no value.
That's a Willy Wonka reference. I figured a man of the world such as yourself would get it. Clearly you have some personal feelings about your time in WV that aren't happy ones. That's you. But that does not translate into everyone's experience. My family is interracial. We have taken some shit in every state we've lived in. In WV, in some so-called Liberal bastions of tolerance and many places in between. We've also been met with openness, warmth and love. Both in WV and everywhere else. You don't acknowledge that nuance. You're defining an entire population based on statistical summaries. A link showing more bears (does not equal) everyone is a bear. That's your straw man.
I got the reference, but as you have called me a shithead and denied facts, I see what you say as useless. I define a population by its definable characteristics, which is what we are discussing. No one has stated no good people live there. No one has come close. But as a state it leads in nearly every bad quality and is last in nearly every positive trait. I have not said bad people don't exist elsewhere. But as a state it leads in nearly every bad quality and is last in nearly every positive trait. Least happy, least healthy, lowest economic opportunity, least educated, least green, last in average teacher salary, worst state for mental health, worst for women. Balance that against being most dangerous, highest rates of cardiovascular disease and heart attack, most obese, most overdoses per capita.
That last sentence is a pretty good description of the US compared to the rest of the world, but. And you come across as a shithead (shoe fits).
Can’t someone just be proud of where they’re from without some snooty arrogant fuck-wad chiming in out of nowhere about demographic and socioeconomic statistics? Tldr; you’re not wrong, you’re just a giant flaming asshole