CUMBERLAND GAP HISTORICAL NATIONAL PARK

We made it - Cumberland Gap is a big National Park campground, but not many electric sites and we got one!

The original Wilderness Road

This is the famous Cumberland Gap..."The story of the first doorway to the west is commemorated  at the national park, located where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet. Carved  by wind and water, Cumberland Gap forms a major break in the formidable Appalachian Mountain chain. First used by large game animals in their migratory journeys, followed by Native Americans, the  Cumberland Gap was the first and best avenue for the settlement of the interior of this nation. From  1775 to 1810, the Gap's heyday, between 200,000 and 300,000 men, women, and children from all  walks of life, crossed the Gap into "Kentuckee."


Tri State Peak & Roy

Standing in 3 states

 We walked in the footsteps of Dr. Walker, Daniel Boone and 250,000 settlers on the Wilderness Road trail, stood at Cumberland Gap then hiked up to Tri - State Peak and stood in all three states. Drove up to Pinnacle Point and viewed Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia.


Cumberland Gap

Looking at Tri-State Peak 

WILDERNESS ROAD STATE PARK
We had a leisurely day looking round this park - a replica of Martin's Station, an 18th century frontier settlement, we were transported  back in time to 1775 when it was the last outpost of civilization on Boone's Trace, which eventually became known as the Wilderness Road. Folk in period costume - a blacksmith who made  me a nail, the gunsmith who explained the intracacies of making and firing one of the guns and a lady who  tended the gardens, fed the animals, cooked and actually lived in the Fort, while working there during the  summer - that's certainly going back to basics!
A Fun Day - rounded off by a free concert in the Amphitheater by "Wild Blue Yonder" playing Bluegrass  and American Folk.

Wilderness Road State Park

Blacksmiths

Roy in shooting mode

Our last day saw us hiking up to Skyline Cave which had a sign saying closed due to White Nose disease risk  to bats, but we didn't want to go right in so I just sneaked in the entrance for a photo!
We then went up on to the Ridge trail of the Cumberland Mountains and I had already said to Roy I didn't want to do the whole loop of ten and half miles but it was so pretty on the ridge trail with my beautiful mountain laurel in bloom, I recklessly said lets do it! It was a lovely hike, took 5 hours and its the longest hike I've done since I reached 64 - but we wont overdo it - once a year is enough for that distance!
We had a fantastic Memorial Day weekend - another place to re-visit.

Fiery Pinks

We drove all day up through Kentucky to get to Cincinnati and the trailer company. Stopped for lunch - where else but Kentucky Fried Chicken!
We were booked in for first thing Tuesday to get all the jobs done that have happened since we bought  it last August. Not a good day's drive - got a big nail in truck tyre and developed more sqeaking from the  trailer - not that I'm complaining but it didn't help that it was 30oC!

So today we spent mooching around waiting for the jobs to be done on the trailer - and they are - well almost sorted. So we are back on the road tomorrow heading towards Michigan and meeting some friends for lunch. 
Slight change of plan - - we spent last night at the RV center in their park - there was a part coming in a week and they were going to post it to us but we were woken up this morning at 8am as the part had arrived and they wanted our trailer in the shed asap. Up and out in 10 minutes and out for breakfast! Moving north tomorrow although I do wish this band of storms/tornadoes would stop following us.

Our new Rig???? - I dont think so!