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!

Raid at Martin’s Station

A new country is being born.  White settlers have multiplied and spread across a wild frontier filled with new and sometimes unknown dangers.  Joseph Martin lead an expedition to the  area of Powell’s Valley in Virginia, a race against other settlers, to secure land.  After beating the other party by two weeks and building a fort, Indians attacked sending everyone back whence they came.  Early the next year, Martin returned to rebuild what’s now Martin’s Station.

This last stop, before settlers reached Kentucky, became a small yet  important part of American History.

Join the ‘raid’ this weekend just 6 1/2 miles north of Cumberland Gap in Virginia. Click below  for more information.

Which side are you on?

After stormy weather the night before, the day proved to be breathtaking today.  Cumberland Gap was the backdrop for the “War Between The States” and they held the annual reenactment there this weekend.  Many thanks to the people who travel and put on the show to keep alive the history of the area.  Here are a few pics to show not only the history embed deep in the Cumberland Mountains, but also the beauty.

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.

Winter again?

Ahh so the Dogwoods are in full bloom! Everything is blooming even my lilacs!  So it’s been warm, cold then warm again. Today brought the Rain! Serious rain.  With this mixture everyone is under Tornado Warnings.  Our prayers are with everyone to keep safe and hopefully have little to no damage. Our hearts go out to those in Mississippi that lost their lives to the tornado there and their families.

Now if you’re brave enough to weather the storm, which hopefully will be over early tomorrow,  you may want to check out the Civil War Reenactment in Cumberland Gap, Tn.  A pdf schedule is here. So get out early for the church service and demonstrations will be at 12pm. Hope you enjoy! To learn more about Cumberland Gap, Tn visit their website Town of Cumberland Gap. Check the tidbits for some interesting information.