Cumberland Gap
For a few years now, I've had a slow creeping wanderlust come upon me. I don't know where it came from, but I'm increasingly irritated with staying home on my days off and staring at one glowing screen or another.
I am planning a trip to Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. It is about two hours to the west, at the junction of Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky. The gap was the most important pass through the mountains in the pioneer days, Daniel Boone and his men blazed the Wilderness Road through the gap into Kentucky. As the interstates and highways tended to follow the existing roads, the gap remained an important route into the west.
Now, the road has been diverted, under ground, and the gap has been restored (as much as is possible) to it's Pre Daniel Boone appearance. The little town of Cumberland Tennessee is completely surrounded by the park, and makes it's living by tourism, there is a country store, a family restaurant, several bed and breakfasts, and a craft co-op.
There are guided tours thru Gap Cave, a natural limestone cave where Boone camped while he was out hunting and building roads, and there is a shuttle ride from the visitors center to a rebuilt settlement, Hensley settlement, where presumably, there are also tours, and possibly interpreters. Maybe people in costumes showing you how to make candles, or something. The website wasn't specific.
I'm really looking forward to the (hopefully) short hike to Pinnacle Overlook, where you can look out and see all three states. There is also a campfire storytelling on Saturday nights. I'm hoping to go late in May, and I may stay overnight.
The biggest expense would be gas, and a hotel room. I want to pack a lunch the first day, and picnic in the park. If it's just me, I'm gonna grab a cheap motel, in Tazewell TN or Middlesboro KY but if I have company, we can split a B&B. My husband has already bowed out, so maybe I can go with my sister, or my friends Mike and Liz. If I go alone, my feelings won't be hurt. I usually do well on my own.
I am planning a trip to Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. It is about two hours to the west, at the junction of Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky. The gap was the most important pass through the mountains in the pioneer days, Daniel Boone and his men blazed the Wilderness Road through the gap into Kentucky. As the interstates and highways tended to follow the existing roads, the gap remained an important route into the west.
Now, the road has been diverted, under ground, and the gap has been restored (as much as is possible) to it's Pre Daniel Boone appearance. The little town of Cumberland Tennessee is completely surrounded by the park, and makes it's living by tourism, there is a country store, a family restaurant, several bed and breakfasts, and a craft co-op.
There are guided tours thru Gap Cave, a natural limestone cave where Boone camped while he was out hunting and building roads, and there is a shuttle ride from the visitors center to a rebuilt settlement, Hensley settlement, where presumably, there are also tours, and possibly interpreters. Maybe people in costumes showing you how to make candles, or something. The website wasn't specific.
I'm really looking forward to the (hopefully) short hike to Pinnacle Overlook, where you can look out and see all three states. There is also a campfire storytelling on Saturday nights. I'm hoping to go late in May, and I may stay overnight.
The biggest expense would be gas, and a hotel room. I want to pack a lunch the first day, and picnic in the park. If it's just me, I'm gonna grab a cheap motel, in Tazewell TN or Middlesboro KY but if I have company, we can split a B&B. My husband has already bowed out, so maybe I can go with my sister, or my friends Mike and Liz. If I go alone, my feelings won't be hurt. I usually do well on my own.