Yahoo Falls Hike, Kentucky--Part II

Be sure and check out yesterday's post in order to see Part I (click HERE) from our hike to Yahoo Falls.   Today I will share some of the area around the falls... As I said yesterday,  due to the drought this past Summer and Fall,  there was almost no water coming over the falls.. The picture above shows the waterfall when we were there this time, on September 25, 2010.  This waterfall is about 113 feet tall --and is usually about 8-10 feet wide.  If you look closely,  you can see a tiny bit of water!!!!! ha...... Below are more.

I am on one side looking at the big bowl surrounding this waterfall.  You can see the waterfall on the left side... The trail leads behind the falls.   I was taking George's picture--and all of those other people (whom we did not know) posed also!!!!! ha ha ... George is on the right.

George took this one of me hiking up the trail toward where he was --behind the falls.  The steps going down on the right lead down to the bottom of the falls.  In Summer --people love to swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls.  This time,  there was almost no water down there.

This bowl (overhang) is amazing. Can you see the water?   George is standing almost under where the waterfall is.    IF there was alot of water,  he would definitely be WET standing where he was!!!!  (Those people across the way are still posing for my picture!!!!! Tee Hee!!!)

As we followed the trail around behind the falls,  there were lots of rocks to climb up --when headed up the hill on the other side.   This bowl in the gorge is truly an awesome place to visit.

Here's one final picture of Yahoo Falls---taken by George from the far side.   You can see the brink of the falls here.  When we hiked out---we crossed back over the creek at the brink.  We did not go back up all of those steps!!!!! ha ha

When we go back to Yahoo Falls,  hopefully there will be much more water coming over the falls.  We'll show you the difference then!!!!!!   BUT--as I have said,  this is a fabulous hike  (only about 1.5 miles total) into the gorge,  and we really do recommend it --any time of year, even if there's not much water at the falls.

I have mentioned that George and I have visited about 430 different waterfalls since 2001.  There are some huge ones like Niagara or even Cumberland Falls.  AND--there are the small ones like Yahoo --where the setting is phenomenal.  Do we have favorites???  Probably not--since all are unique and gorgeous--each in its own way!

Hugs,

On another note,  my wonderful friend RUTH lost her husband yesterday.   Jake lost his battle with cancer.   Ruth and Jake have been great friends of George and me --and we are grieving so much at his loss.  May God bless Ruth and the family during this time of sorrow.  IF you have time,  stop by Ruth's blog  (click on her name above) and send some of your love to her.  Thank You.

Yahoo Falls Hike, Kentucky--Part I

After leaving Cumberland Gap and Cumberland Falls,  while on our way home,  we stopped for a nice hike at one of our favorite places,  Yahoo Falls (not far from Whitley City, KY).  This is in the Big South Fork National Recreation Area.

We have been here several times --at different times of the year.  We knew that, due to the drought this year,  there wouldn't be much water coming over the falls.. But--the hike to the falls and the area itself is fabulous --as you will see from our pictures.

The above picture shows the trail which leads us by some huge rock croppings as we go down into the gorge.  All of these pictures were taken on September 25, 2010.  Below are more.

There are two ways to hike into the gorge... You can do what we did (see picture above) by going down the steps they have built.   OR--you can go around the gorge and enter on the other side...  We chose to go down the steps ---and then we hiked back out by going around the other way.  There is an arch you can also hike to --but we didn't do that this time.

Look at some of the huge rocks and boulders in this area...  This is a fabulous hike even in the hot summer --since you can cool off in this shady, secluded area.  There are rocks to sit on along the way---so that you can take in the beauty all around you.

Here's another picture of the trail we hiked... Since it was September,  there wasn't much Autumn color yet --but the ferns were still as green as can be!!!!!  It would be nice to see this area when the Fall colors are showing off!!!!

Of course, I had to sit and relax a bit also ---just wishing I could stay there  forever.. What a gorgeous place!!!!!

Finally,  here is one more picture of the trail we hiked.  The trail is in good shape --and really is a fun hike to take.  AND--if you are ever near Highway 27 in southern Kentucky,  this hike is not far from there...  We highly recommend it.

Tomorrow,  I'll show you the waterfall itself --and the big bowl surrounding it.

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, KY--Part II

If you missed yesterday's post on Part I at Cumberland Falls, click HERE.  Today I'm sharing more pictures from that gorgeous area.  First,  I must admit to you that we specifically went there to SEE a MOONBOW... Heard of that?????   It is like a rainbow --but is at NIGHT.   The mist of Cumberland Falls creates the magic of a moonbow,  only visible on a clear night during a full moon.  The full moon causes the moonbow.   Cumberland Falls is one of only a very few places in the entire world where one can see a Moonbow.  Isn't that exciting?

WELL---for us,  the ONLY cloudy night of that entire week was the night we just happened to be there.   We took our cameras and tripods down to the waterfall --hoping that the skies would clear. But they did not!!!!!  We were disappointed ---but know that we will go back and try again sometime when there is another full moon.

Above is a beautiful picture from the brink of the falls... There are several lookout areas near the falls---and of course,  we had to check them all out.  Below are more pictures!

This one was taken from another overlook.   This is a beautiful waterfall --and ALWAYS has water coming over the falls (which is nice)...

WOW--isn't this incredible????   We found this beauty when we went back to the falls the next morning...  It's not a moonbow --but is a rainbow...  The moonbow looks just like this --but is at night...  I was THRILLED to even see this one... Thanks be to God!

A double rainbow just for YOU!!!!!   Is this not just wonderful?????   I'm ready to go back RIGHT NOW--even if there is no full moon yet this month... ha

WOOOOOOO---  Look at that rock formation... What does it look like to you????  I think it's a big alligator right there in the Cumberland River....  Ya think??????

Finally,  a sweet lady took a picture of the two of us at the lower overlook at the waterfall.

Hope you enjoyed my two sets of pictures from Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.  We WILL go back---and one day,  we'll get pictures of that Moonbow!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend.  We didn't get to work on the leaves in the yard yesterday since we had had some rain the night before--and it was much too wet.  Hopefully,  we will 'tackle' them this weekend...  Wanna come and help?????

OH--and it's COLD in Tennessee --and only going to get colder (in the 20's) ... Bye Bye, Roses for 2010.... Sigh!!!!!!  See you Monday!!!

Hugs,

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, KY

On our recent trip to the Cumberland Gap, TN area, after we toured that area, we headed west to visit Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. This beautiful state park is located in the Daniel Boone National Forest. We stayed in Dupont Lodge (pictured above) and had a delicious seafood buffet in the 125-seat Riverview Restaurant.

Here is a picture of the Cumberland River ---above the falls. Since we were there on September 25, there weren't many Autumn colors in that area yet. But it was still a beautiful state park.

Here is a picture of Cumberland Falls... Known as the "Niagara of the South", the waterfall forms a 125-foot wide curtain that plunges 7 stories into a boulder-strewn gorge below. Isn't it beautiful????

Here is George standing at one of the overlooks at Cumberland Falls.

We are now looking down-river from the falls. Cumberland River winds its way through the park, and there are so many things available for people to do while there (white-water rafting, fishing, nature trails, horse stables, swimming, and planned recreation opportunities). Besides the 51-room lodge, there are cabins available for rent, along with camping.

You know how much I love waterfalls.... Even though we had seen this one before, I never tire of seeing it again -and again. If you enjoy being outdoors and if you love seeing a beautiful waterfall, you will love being at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. It is located in southeastern Kentucky just west of Interstate 75.

You won't want to miss tomorrow's blog for a couple of fabulous pictures we took at Cumberland Falls.... SO---come back soon. Okay???????

Have a wonderful Thursday. We'll be out blowing, raking, and mowing leaves in our yard this weekend. Wanna come and join us????????

Hugs,

Pine Mountain State Park, Kentucky

Continuing with our recent trip to Kentucky,   we spent the night at the beautiful lodge at Pine Mountain State Park (not far from Cumberland Gap).   If you have missed any of my posts from this area,  you can go to my sidebar,  scroll down to Labels,  and click on Cumberland Gap Area.  


Today,  I will share with you a few pictures taken from Pine Mountain ---plus a hike we took nearby that area.   Above is a picture of the foggy valley below Pine Mountain --taken from our room,  early in the morning.  Below are more.

This picture was taken from the lodge restaurant where we had dinner  the evening we got there..  Even though the photo was taken through the glass window,   you can see many of the mountain ranges.  Isn't that a beautiful view?   (And--our dinner was delicious also.)

Here is the same view from the restaurant taken the next morning while we enjoyed our breakfast.  I loved this picture simply because I love seeing the fog BELOW us --in the valley... Awesome,  isn't it? (Sorry about the reflections or smudges on the window.)

These next three pictures are taken at the overlook at the NARROWS.   We read about this hike/overlook in the Pine Mountain information packet. It looked like a great hike ---so we decided to try it.  HA----ended up being one of the WORST trails we have EVER been on... We should have turned around ----but we kept thinking that it would get better.  


First of all,  the trail was overgrown ---so it soon became obvious that nobody had maintained this area in awhile.  The trail was VERY steep ---and as if that in itself wasn't bad enough,  that steep trail consisted of very loose rocks  --which made it hard to stand up.... It truly was dangerous ---but we kept on plugging---UP UP UP...  


I finally had to stop since I was very scared (wondering how in the world I was going to get back down that steep trail--with my bad knee)...  George hiked on to the top (which was only a little farther from where I had found a rock and waited...  I was still glad that I hadn't gone any farther!!!


The picture above  taken by George showed the lake below and the State Park Golf Course.   Below are more photos from the Narrows Overlook.

One thing which appealed to us about the Narrows is that this was the 2nd gateway through the mountains  (first one was Cumberland Gap) for the followers of Daniel Boone.   Above is another picture from the overlook ---showing the 'gap' in the mountains where the pioneers were able to come through.

Finally,  here is the sign at the Narrows Overlook.   The Narrows is the locale where the Cumberland River breaches Pine Mountain and the site where pioneers traveling on the Wilderness Road crossed the river on their way to the Bluegrass.


We really wanted to see this 2nd 'gap' ---but do not recommend it to anyone since the trail is in such horrible shape.  George and I have hiked many, many trails and this one was definitely one of the worst.  The Burns Family would be very disappointed to see the condition of this trail in 2010.   Such a shame!

Once we got back to the car (YES---we both made it!!!)  we passed this neat little waterfall  dam --- so we named it the Narrows Dam.   Pretty,  isn't it???  We think this is part of the Cumberland River. 


Hope you enjoyed our photos from the Pine Mountain area... Even though we don't recommend the Narrows trail,  we do recommend the lodge at Pine Mountain State Park. 


Hugs,

P.S  IF the sun comes out today,  we're going to head toward the Smokies to see some Fall Colors...  One thing we won't do --and that is to go to the Smokies on the weekend in October!!!! Ha Ha---too much traffic!!!  

Cumberland Gap, TN --Part II

Today, I continue my tour of Cumberland Gap, TN. George and I visited there last weekend --and we enjoyed our visit very much. Above, you will see a sign for a Bed and Breakfast. Note the name. Below are more pictures.

Did you read the name of the Bed and Breakfast???? It's called "The Olde Mill"---and there's a good reason for that... This used to be an old mill! See the wheel?????

This old log building caught my attention ---but I didn't realize what it was until we read the sign. The sign says that it was the Infantry Regimental Headquarters.

We passed by this old home --and the roof caught my attention. Interesting, don't you think????

Here's a picture of the entire home... Bet this was one of the nicest homes in Cumberland Gap at one time.. Neat, huh?

Well---I've seen lots of Covered Bridges in my life --but don't think I have ever seen a Covered RAILROAD Bridge..... Have you????? WELL----I looked up some information and found out that this used to be a railroad track.. BUT--when they took out the tracks, they added the covering --for bikers and walkers. Neat idea, don't you think????

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I was surprised to see another baby Cardinal (very young --since he was shaking and could not feed himself YET) with his Daddy at our feeders this week. I didn't realize that the birds had babies this late in their breeding season. BUT--it's been a great year for Cardinals, since we have had several broods here this year. So far, this is the only baby I've seen this week. Isn't he a Cutie?

George and I went to Knoxville last night to see our grandson play in the band (he's a drummer) at their football game. That was SO much fun --as you can imagine. Today we will check on George's parents in Hendersonville, TN.

Hope you have a great weekend. I'll blog again on Monday.

Hugs,

Cumberland Gap, TN

When George and I first went to Cumberland Gap last weekend, the first place we stopped was the Visitor Center. That is where we picked up lots of information about the area. Above is a picture taken at the Visitor Center. Below are more.

Here's one more picture from the Visitor Center. I love the little building and of course, the split-rail fence.

We drove to the historical section of Cumberland Gap, the downtown area. We didn't go in this store, but I would have enjoyed visiting the General Store I'm sure.

I loved seeing this beautiful old home... I'm not sure what it is used for now --but it looks like a special place!!!!! I'll ask my special friends NEAL and/or his sister ROSE if they know the history of this home. (Neal and Rose grew up in Cumberland Gap.)

Do you see the rocks sticking out at the top of this mountain---WAY up there???? That's where we were and where the last 3 posts were taken, the PINNACLE.

Another view of the Pinnacle ---taken from below the mountain at Cumberland Gap, TN; Cumberland Gap, known as the "Gateway to the West", now only has about 250 residents ---and is primarily a tourist town. They say that there is a fabulous restaurant there, named Webb's Country Kitchen. There are also craft shops plus an old-fashioned drug store with soda fountain. We ate at the state park --so didn't have lunch in the Gap, but the next time we go, maybe we will eat at Webb's.

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Here's another picture of our migrating visitor, a Red-breasted Grosbeak. Yesterday's post showed a male Grosbeak, so today, I'll show you a female. I'm so glad they are back!!!!! I always look forward to seeing them.

Have a great Thursday.

Hugs,