Gribblenation

Connecting Interstate 79 to the West Virginia Turnpike near Beckley, Corridor L runs nearly 70 through the heart of West Virginia.  It may be the state's most important route as it is the most direct route for residents and transplants of Western Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario to the South, but it also opened up this once isolated area to tourism and adventure seekers everywhere. Corridor L is a product of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) that is part of the Appalachian Regional Commission.  The Appalachian Development of 1965 put into motion the formation of the ADHS and the funding for the eventual construction of Corridor L.  Construction on Corridor L would begin in 1969 and the route would be completed in 1978. (1) A one mile spur of Corridor L connecting to the West Virginia Turnpike would open in 1980.  From the West Virginia Turnpike north to US 60 - Corridor L was built as four lanes divided.  From US 60 to Interstate 79, the hig...

Back in January of 2017 I was looking to make a day trip out to Yosemite for the winter but California State Route 41 and the Wawona Road were under R2 chain restrictions.  Given that I was driving a two wheel drive car at the time I headed out from the Central Valley early in the morning and took California State Route 140 through the Merced River Canyon to Yosemite Valley via the El Portal Road. Present California State Route 140 ("CA 140") is a 102 mile east/west State Highway which originates at Interstate 5 near Gustine.  CA 140 east of Merced enters the Sierra Nevada Mountains where it terminates at the El Portal Entrance to Yosemite National Park.  Yosemite National Park presently signs CA 140 on the El Portal Road to the junction with the Big Oak Flat Road in Yosemite Valley. Part 1; the history of El Portal Road and the Yosemite All-Year Highway El Portal Road from El Portal east into Yosemite Valley partially follows a portion of the Old Coulterville R...