Natural Tunnel SP and Cumberland Gap

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Natural Tunnel State Park and Cumberland Gap

Sun June 1

So the morning of June 1st we had to pack up in the pouring rain and thus didn’t quite get breakfast. Rollie and I had already made coffee, but we stopped at a corner store for granola bars, and headed out for Cumberland Gap. The drive was lovely - Virginia rolling hills, farmsteads, small towns. I was able to use the air card easily and make edits to a newsletter while we drove. At the gap we followed the signs and found the Historic Cumberland display/center, which had a good display explaining about the gap and its history. The journal entries from various travelers of the time, and the sound effects that played once you stepped into the pavilion were very evocative. There was also a topographical display showing how it was really the best way over the Appalachians. One of the things that impressed settlers was how the path was already smooth and wide - apparently because it was used by migrating buffalo. The Cherokee and Shawnee used it, and eventually Daniel Boone explored it and began to guide settlers through it into western parts of “Kaintuck,” and farther west.

We then took the brief hike up to the “saddle” of the gap, near which was also the 3 corners monument where the states of Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky come together. The meadow was full of yellow tickseed flowers - very lovely. Also notable was the sound of the 17-year locusts in the woods. After our hike we made wraps in the parking lot and ate them in the car as we headed on down I-81. When we passed a sign for Natural Tunnel State Park, we were just looking for a place to wash our strawberries, but when we got there and read about a chairlift ride down to the tunnel, Miles wanted to do it, so we decided to go see what it was all about. The tunnel is high and wide enough that train tracks were built thought it, and trains still run through it.

Our little side trips meant we pulled into Mammoth Cave campground just at dark. We went to search the “reservations only” camping loops for our site, couldn’t actually find one with our confirmation # on it, picked one that seemed private and less muddy than others, and began pitching our sopping wet tent.

We had to towel off every inch of the floor and even the walls. We were all a little tetchy but finally I got dinner started (salmon cakes and packaged curried kidney beans for Rollie. And some red wine. Fell into bed ready to check out Mammoth Cave the next day.

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Photos

Wildflowers at Cumberland Gap Saddle
Meadow of tickseed @ Cumberland Gap

Lookout @ Cumberland Gap
Miles, Amelia and Rollie

Comments

[Alyssa]

It's great that you guys are allowing for these sidetrips! Wish I could have done the chairlift through the tunnel - good call Miles. Sorry to hear that the weather isn't cooperating. The pictures show clear skys so they must be sneaker storms. Asheville's afternoon showers are like clockwork. At least they cool everything off for a couple of hours.

[inkwellpatina]

side trips
We've had quite a few - mostly due to your Dad - good to hear from you!