Are these the “Appellation” Mountains or the “Apple-atchan” Mountains? Traditionally, here in the northern reaches of the geographic region, it’s the former. But call it whatever you want. These are just the foothills anyway. Each year, when I go to my father-in-law's house for Christmas, I take a photo or two of his property. I’ve been doing this since my now-adult daughters were toddlers, and I took them outside at grandpa’s house on Christmas Day to play in the snow—only to find two eviscerated deer dangling from the swing set by their hind hooves, with a puddle of blood and vital organs on the cold ground beneath them. Grandpa’s backyard is an ever-changing display of old appliances, rusted out vehicles, and discarded belongings. One purpose of the annual photos is to show them to my wife (his daughter) as a cautionary tale against hoarding tendencies.
I also like to have a record of how much things have changed here down through the years. My purpose is not to make fun of anyone. The rural poor are still considered fair game for mockers, but I do not mock them. I hail from their ranks, and I’m sensitive to their plight. (You don’t dare throw anything away because it might come in handy someday.) But also, as I’ve done some very limited genealogical work on my side of the family, I’ve found myself wondering, “Hmm, where did these people live? What was their place like? Was it that farm that I vaguely recall from when I was about 6–where I lost one of my church shoes in the crook of an apple tree while climbing it?” And so, if the world of blogger stands into future years, here are some photos of a certain place in Northern Appalachia that’s significant in my children’s lives…and my own.
By the way, I pronounce this region and its hills in the less fashionable northern way, exactly like the word “appellations.” The “Appellation” Mountains, and “Appellatia.” The more fashionable southern pronunciation is “Apple-atchan” Mountains and “Apple-atcha,” which I have to admit, has a better ring to it. The southern pronunciation is more popular because they’re more likely to embrace the word and use it. There’s no correct way of saying it; all pronunciations are just part of the vast cultural richness of the American empire—as multilingualism itself ought to be. I've heard a few other pronunciations as well, including an AI voice that called them the "Apple-latch-EE-ans." So…these photos are more for my own records than anything else. In fact, this whole blog is a selfish endeavor, just a photo-journal of my life and travels, where everyone is welcome, but no one is really expected. I just like to have it all documented and available for future reference.
For photos of a completely insane winter backpacking trip into the Seneca Creek Backcountry of West Virginia, click HERE.
