Old Railroad Tunnel

The view from the Pinnacle overlooking Middlesboro, Kentucky and Harrogate, Tennessee is always changing. The clouds can reach across the mountains like a gloved hand, or be gone entirely, leaving a fabulous blue sky as the backdrop.

Looking down from the Pinnacle are many hidden treasures and it’s amazing what’s there to be seen, but so many visitors miss. Thousands of people drive through the newly built tunnel connecting Kentucky and Tennessee yearly. Some go to the Pinnacle and think that’s all that’s to be seen.

There is an old railroad tunnel that passes from Cumberland Gap into Harrogate.  The temperature inside is wonderfully cool in the summer if you happen to take time to walk through it. Children love the loud echos as they run and jump inside an old railroad tunnel remodeled for hikers to stroll through.  Adults find the walk trail calming and refreshing in the heat of the day. Original bricks line the walls while lights overhead shine the way to the other side. No need to bring your flashlight unless you plan to walk after dark back to your vehicle!

From Cumberland Gap you can find the walking trail up to the first covered bridge and then to the second one (you may have noticed it as you drove under it into Cumberland Gap). Follow them on the paved path to the tunnel. Once you go through the tunnel you can walk into Harrogate and cross another bridge overpass to Lincoln Memorial University, including the Lincoln Museum.

If you aren’t one for walking the distance, bicycles are available for rent in the Cumberland Gap to ride the trails if you’d like.

The trees and flowers are in bloom and traveling season is upon us. Enjoy spring in the Cumberland Mountains with us!

Summer is on the move.

Summer is here,  and with it brings heat.  Just a quick reminder for everyone to stay cool.  If you’re out hiking, take plenty of water with you.

Something else summer heats up besides the weather is traveling. I know I’ve been on the road a lot, and from the traffic I’ve seen many of you have been as well.  So take care out there it’s a crazy world in the fast lane and forgive me for being missing in action, as I may have to be more.

Big update for anyone living north of Knoxville, Tn to St. Paul, Virginia. There’s a huge generator being moved this weekend and if you’re headed to Cumberland Gap, Tn you may run into heavy traffic. There’s a huge area of the road right as you get on the ramp (25 E ) in Harrogate, Tn to 58 of Virginia that’s been sliding out for a few weeks now. They’ve terraced the area and I would think by now fixed it.  This generator they’re moving was scheduled to move before now, but the weather and this section of road has held up it’s delivery. So finally this weekend it’ll be heading north.  For more on the trip there are maps and information on the WBIR website.

The maps are located here and here.

Keep cool.  Stay safe and enjoy the great outdoors!

Kentucky, Tennessee, or Virginia?

Here’s a tidbit of information for those who didn’t know.

The Post Office located in Cumberland Gap, TN is the only post office to change states three times! It was Cumberland Gap, Virginia, Cumberland Gap, Ky and now as you know Cumberland Gap, TN.

Redbud Winter

Redbud Winter. Yep it’s true.  It does exist.

It’s in the Cumberland Mountains already. Thursday and Friday were cold enough to turn the heat back on, but today has warmed up even more than yesterday.  As I load the pictures I’ve taken, I remember how much I loved the older folks talk about the different ‘winters’ each spring.  Always cold, but always beautiful in the colors it awakened.  So here is a quick pic for the color of Redbuds.