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So yesterday I was bored out of my mind and decided to take a trip north into some parts of Virginia that I've only read about. I left Chilhowie and went up through Saltville, hit route 80 somewhere in Washington County and then headed north passing through Honaker, Council, and Haysi and then swung back around to Vansant and Grundy and then back down through Richlands and home. I didn't head home on Route 80 though, I was still dizzy from the first time. I ended up going back on 58 through Lebanon and Abingdon. Route 80 in Washington County was so curvy, the signs pointing left and right up the mountain were sometimes pointed right at you. I've always heard stories growing up about how Grundy was once a booming and bustling place. The downtowns of Haysi and Honaker shed light of better times once upon a time. Now most of the buildings are vacated and run down but a small part of the historic downtowns are still being used. Especially in Haysi. I always try to stop in shops and buy local in a personal attempt to give back to these communities, including my own here in Smyth County. I figure every little bit helps, even if its just a local map or a historical brochure. What I saw in Grundy, other than what the town had been through to be moved across the river, was a bit discouraging. I had heard that the Appalachian Colleges that were built in Grundy were in an attempt to boom the local economy. I have no idea whether or not it has since I have nothing to compare it to. They haven't really been around long enough for the census to reflect any numbers. So to you Grundy guys, if I had made my trip 10, 20, and 30 years ago, what would I have seen differently? Is Grundy on its way back? Or down? Judging by school enrollments, I would likely say down but those numbers are not always indicative of the economy. And now since we have a nationwide economical crisis, every community is suffering, but I'm talking overall this decade. I'm just curious about the place, it has a lot of rich history. Another question, which may elicit obvious answers from the Grundy lot, is what else do you think the place needs to reemerge and gain back some of the lost population? (Not at all trying to make this a political thread)