Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, July 22, 2013

Visits to the PINNACLE at Cumberland Gap, TN/VA/KY

A view of KENTUCKY from the Pinnacle
George and I love visiting the PINNACLE at Cumberland Gap,  TN/VA/KY ---and managed to go there twice during our Anniversary trip (June 19-23, 2013).   The Pinnacle is an overlook on top of the mountain above Cumberland Gap.   You can drive to the parking area and then walk the rest of the way up there.

The first four photos were taken during the afternoon of June 19.  The remaining photos were taken that night --as we watched the sun go down in the west... The park closes at dark---so once it starts REALLY getting dark,  we have to high-tail it outta there!!!!!! OR else, they'd lock the gates and we'd be stuck inside all night!!!!!  (Maybe that wouldn't be a bad idea though... ha ha )

Be sure to click on the pictures for enlargements... Hope you enjoy seeing some of our views from the Pinnacle.




A view of VIRGINIA from the Pinnacle





A view of TENNESSEE from the Pinnacle




Here is a photo I took of George as we hiked to the PINNACLE.  This is a neat trail --and even people in wheel chairs can come up here (since it is paved).





Another view of KENTUCKY as the sun was beginning to go down in the west
We went back that evening after dinner to get some good sky pictures as the sun went down.




Sunset from the Pinnacle
Shame on those trees for being in the way of 'my' sunset.... BUT--we're going back there in October ---and I should be able to see the sunset from the Pinnacle then.




Oh those glorious clouds as the sun was setting





Pretty clouds and an almost-full-moon!
This was on June 19--and the Super Moon (Fullmoon) was on the 23rd...  So--you can tell that we not only enjoyed seeing those gorgeous colorful clouds --but we also enjoyed the moon that evening... Neat, huh?




A view of KENTUCKY after SUNSET
This is the 3rd photo  from this spot I have showed you on this post... Amazing how different things look when the sky is different!!!  (That is Fern Lake showing off its reflections.)




As we left the parking area (at 'almost' dark)----we stopped on the other side of the mountain.   George took this picture of me standing up on top of a rock getting ready to take pictures.




Looking down at the city lights of Pineville, KY
I love seeing the lights of cities at both sunrise and sunset.... Even though there is a ridge between us,  you can see some of the city lights of the town of Pineville, KY.




I'll close this post with one more photo showing how beautiful the clouds were that evening  (June 19, 2013) from the PINNACLE after sunset....

Hope you enjoyed seeing more of our photos from our Anniversary trip... We enjoy taking photos and then sharing them.

Have a fabulous day.

Hugs,

50 comments:

Twilight Man said...

All your photos are beautiful and so heavenly, making me to think that heavens might really look like that. I would be able to sit for hours and gaze at the scenery. Thank you for sharing these awesome photos!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Betsy

Wonderful set of photographs and the clouds after sunset are truly stunning. it must have been wonderful to walk up to the top and see all that scenery. Awesome. Margaret

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, lovely views of the mountains and looking down at the city. Beautiful scenery and photos. Have a happy day!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What fantastic photos of beautiful countryside and two happy hikers.

Thanks for sharing your trip ~ FlowerLady

The Furry Gnome said...

Looks like an interesting place, and some really nice photos!

linda m said...

I love the pictures. Makes me feel like I am right there with you. That is such a beautiful spot and your photos are incredible.

diane b said...

Beautiful scenery from there and 3 states to boot. The golden hour shots are magic, love the one with the moon ( and you two as well)

Out on the prairie said...

It has changed a bit in the decade since I was last there.I spent an entire day exploring the area.

Shug said...

A splendid view all around. How wonderful it must have been to go back there on your anniversary trip...not once, but twice! What I enjoy about your travels is that we all get to see parts of the Country that we wouldn't normally see...via your gorgeous photos! It's exciting!!
Y'all have a great Mon-day and stay cool...it's gonna be Hot here.
hugs,
shug

My Maine Blog said...

Breathtaking views and how I love the mountains in Tennessee. Hope soon to be back there. I've only driven through but would love to spend time walking those trails. Thank you for sharing such beautiful photographs Betsy...I really enjoyed them...it almost felt like I was there. Hugs

MJ said...

OH GOLLY, the view is A W E S O M E!!!!!! I cannot believe that sky.... WOW... I am so lucky to be able to share in the beauty that you are posting. THANK YOU! Very nice!!

Hugs..

MJ

MadSnapper said...

my favorite is the City Lights of Pineville, and those beautiful skies

Jeevan said...

Marvelous photos on the views behold! Love those glorious clouds and city view. Seems an amazing place to get three state views! Wish we had such (wheel chairs enable) hikes here as well...

Dar said...

How exciting to see such wonders of our world. You know how to capture a gorgeous sunset and mountain ridges. It must have been cool that high.
And how wonderful you and George are looking. Fantastic.
Happy belated Anniversary.
Life is good as God

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

It looks like you can see forever from up there. You got some great shots.

Small City Scenes said...

What great views of the three states. I love the gorgeous clouds too. You got some excellent pictures. I like seeing the town lights at night.
Again those clouds.............super. MB

Sylvia K said...

What a gorgeous place, Betsy!! The view is awesome! Incredible skies and colors! I would love to visit there! Your photos are the next best thing! Thanks for sharing your great trip!!

Latane Barton said...

Happy Anniversary, you two!!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

those clouds are amazing. i am such a fan. enjoy your week. keep celebrating. Happy Happy Anniversary. ( :

Beth said...

Ah, Betsy...I love those heavenly clouds. I've been out of the blogosphere for a while---I'm glad to see that you and George are still having grand adventures. As always, thanks so much for taking us along. Always a pleasure...

Grandma Bonnie said...

Those were some beautiful views. I like your cloud pictures best. Looks like a little bit of heaven.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Oh, my, Betsy. These are fantastic photos of the mountains. I love the mountains. I also like the beautiful sunset photos, too. I always enjoy visiting your blog. You take wonderful photos.

Arkansas Patti said...

Those views are awesome. Especially liked the clouds with the moon shot included.
I do like the look of those trails. They are senior friendly.

Chatty Crone said...

Two happy campers on the Pinnacle of the mountain and each others love! sandie

Fun60 said...

No wonder you love going there - those views are spectacular. The cloud photos are great as well.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Betsy this looks like a wonderful place to celebrate an anniversary! The views are gorgeous! I know that you can visit many times and always see something new and even more beautiful each time. It is so special to be close to the mountains! We are both very fortunate.

Ruth Hiebert said...

All the pictures are beautiful but I think my favourites are the colourful clouds. The views from the Pinnacle are spectacular.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Those sky pictures are spectacular! I have been to TN (of course!), and KY, but never to VA. On the list of places I want to see. Have a wonderful evening tonight and a nice day tomorrow!

Ann said...

Awesome pictures Betsy. That sure is one amazing view and the sky was gorgeous

Ginny Hartzler said...

The first picture and the after sunset one are my favorites, because you captured the layers upon layers of the beautiful blue mountains!

Donna said...

I love those cloud photos! Beautiful! We enjoyed our jaunt to the park last fall and I got some lovely photos from the overlook. Now that trail is my kind of trail - short and paved, LOL.

happyone said...

Beautiful scenery from so high up and those sunsets are spectacular!! What a great place to hike.

Miss Debbie said...

Gorgeous! God made a beautiful world!!

Catherine said...

Those are some terrific views Betsy!
Wishing you an awesome week!
xo Catherine

Busy Bee Suz said...

Every one of the views are spectacular!

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Those photos are gorgeous. Wonderful views. I think if I went up to the pinnacle I'd use a wheelchair!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

These are just gorgeous, Betsy. What a pretty place. I especially love the one with the colorful clouds and the moon. Very nicely done.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Those views are awesome, Betsy! And what a wonderful place to celebrate an anniversary! I love it when the clouds look like this. I have missed capturing some gorgeous sunsets lately because I'm lazy. Ha! We actually had a little rain yesterday. It was much needed and we could use more. Stay cool and have a great week!

Anonymous said...

What glorious views and gorgeous skies.

Marie said...

Those views are breath-taking!!! I love the sky shot with the almost full moon. All are so pretty!
Hugs to you,
Marie

Linda P said...

19th June - being our wedding anniversary - would be a wonderful and memorable way to celebrate looking at such spectacular scenery, sunset and moon. You are blessed to see such sights and to be able to hike and spend time in the mountains. I'm sure you're looking forward to returning in October when the landscape will be different again. (Love the glow of the sunset on the lake and the fact you can see a distant town and far, far away across several States).

Anonymous said...

From the Pinnacle you can see forever- the mountains and valley scenery is beautiful.

Your shot of the valley lights is gorgeous Betsy.
Hugs

Anonymous said...

Amazing clicks, Betsy! everyone picture looking pretty, colorful and calm.

Ercotravels said...

Wow, Splendid views!
thanks, Betsy! to follow me.

Rohrerbot said...

Those views are definitely worth the hike. Such a brilliant sky full of wonderful natural art:)

Glenda said...

It's great to see that you and George are still traveling and enjoying God's beautiful creations! Beautiful pics as always - especially the cloud photos! I am just checking in while taking an extended blogging break, but I haven't forgotten all of you!

Anonymous said...

Very pretty views. I know you are excited to return in Autumn. Thank you both for sharing these awesome places with us.

DeniseinVA said...

I am always in awe of your photos of the places you and George see. Another wonderful trip to a very beautiful area, thank you Betsy.

Linda G. said...

Gorgeous pictures of the sky and the mountains bathed in sunset colors.

Connie said...

Stunning views, Betsy! Thank you for sharing these lovely photos.