Hike to the TRI-STATE PEAK, in KY/VA/TN

Us standing in 3 states (KY/TN/VA)

As I mentioned in a previous post (click HERE),   we took a short trip to the Kentucky/Tennessee/Virginia area  northeast of where we live,  to celebrate our ANNIVERSARY.   On this trip,  we did ALOT of hiking in those areas.

Today I'll share with you one of our favorite hikes,,  to the TRI-STATE PEAK area,  where we could put our feet in all three states at one time (KY/TN/VA).  That was SO NEAT....   The picture above is of us standing at the exact spot where all three states come together.  

This is one of the markers showing where we were while standing in the three states.

And this shows were we hiked way up into the mountain in order to get to that peak.  (Be sure and enlarge the photos for better views.)

The trail was in GREAT shape --which I always appreciate... But--it was a fairly long hike --at least where we went..   AND--it was a VERY warm day... George and I both said that the SHADY trail helped!!!!

I loved seeing the wildflowers along the way.

We parked at the Thomas Walker Parking Lot --and were supposed to hike up to the Saddle of the Gap  and then turn on the Tri-State Peak Trail.  BUT--we missed the Saddle of the Gap and hiked even farther on the Wilderness Road Trail toward the Iron Furnace.

When we got to a beautiful cascade at Gap Creek  (which flows down to the Iron Furnace) --we knew that we had gone too far.  However,  we were thrilled to see all of this water in the cascade headed down the mountain.

The picture above shows me on the bridge over going over Gap Creek.  We were glad we made this 'side-trip' --just to see the waterfall/cascade!!!!!

Here's a picture of Gap Creek as it heads down the mountain toward the Iron Furnace.

And here's one more photo of George on the bridge above Gap Creek.

We turned around and headed back up toward the Saddle of the Gap (which is the point where the Wilderness Trail passes through the mountain pass).  We were hiking on the Wilderness Trail which is the exact route where Daniel Boone led a group of pioneers west in 1769 from North Carolina to Kentucky.  We loved the history in this area.

George is standing beside the old sign (which says Historic Cumberland Gap)---at what is known as the SADDLE of the GAP.

Before getting on the Tri-State Peak Trail,  we passed a big marker designating this Daniel Boone's Trail.  I am standing at this marker. 

Here's another picture of the trail.  I do recommend this hike to anyone who enjoys hiking, especially on a good trail ---and a SHADY one (on a hot day)!!!!

We finally made it to the PEAK..... What a great place --and a good place for a picnic lunch!!!!  There were a group of what I call  "Ditch Lilies" up there---and I got this picture of a butterfly enjoying some lunch at one of the lilies.

After taking our photo standing in all three states at one time,  we then took our pictures in EACH of the three states.   Here we are in the great state of VIRGINIA,  the state where I was born and raised!!!

Next,  we are in the terrific state of KENTUCKY ---and even had a view of the Kentucky valley and mountains while there.

Finally,  this is my favorite photo that day of us.... We are in the tremendous state of TENNESSEE,  our home state!!!!!

See how happy we were to be there!!!!!  We knew that the long hike back to the car was all down-hill!!!!  That's the way I like it!!!! ha

Hope you enjoyed our TRI-STATE PEAK hike....  If you want to know more about The Cumberland Gap area,  click HERE.    Have a fabulous weekend and we'll see you on Monday.

Hugs,

Emoticons

Day with Grandchildren at Fall Creek Falls State Park, TN

On Friday,  7/12/13,  George and I had a special day at Fall Creek Falls State Park here in Tennessee with a couple of our Tennessee Grandchildren.  We saw lots of waterfalls and did quite a bit of hiking... We had a perfect day --with mild temperatures and low humidity...

At 5 p.m.  we met the parents (son Jeff and daughter-in-law Dawn) in Dayton  (at Jacob Myers Restaurant by the River) for dinner.   After dinner,  George and I came home and the grandchildren went home with Jeff and Dawn for the weekend.  They celebrated our Granddaughter's  15th birthday on Saturday (her birthday was July 7)...   SO---everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Today,  I'll share some photos from that special day at Fall Creek Falls with these two wonderful young people.  Above is a picture of the four of us standing in front of the Cascades...  (We could even feel the spray from that wild water.) 

Here's a photo of the CANE CREEK CASCADES  with LOTS of water.  We have had so much rain this spring/summer so far that the waterfalls were REALLY flowing on the day we were there...   Loved it!!!!   You can see the swinging bridge above the cascades if you look closely.. Now--check out the next picture!!!

Here is a photo I took of the kids on that swinging bridge... I have been across that wobbly bridge before ---but opted to stand at the brink of the falls and take photographs on that day!!!!! ha... See them up there????

George was busy taking his own photos (using his special filter) of the rushing water, while the kids played on the Swinging Bridge.   Here is one of his 'silky' water photos taken that day.

George took this photo of GRAMMY with the 2 grandchildren at the brink of the Cascades...

The kids really got up close and personal with the CASCADES....  Bet they got pretty wet!!!!

We also visited CANE CREEK FALLS --and enjoyed seeing a RAINBOW over the falls.

This is what CANE CREEK FALLS looks like after we hiked to an overlook on the other side of the canyon.  George took this fabulous photo of this waterfall.... Neat,  isn't it?

George took this photo of Grammy with the grandchildren from the overlook above CANE CREEK FALLS and ROCKHOUSE FALLS.    In this photo,  you can see ROCKHOUSE FALLS on the left. 

Here is a picture of these wonderful young people when we were on our trail.  Our Grandson is into Music, and will be in the high school band again this year.  As a Senior,  he is thinking about colleges now...  The G randdaughter (as you can tell from her shirt) plays rugby on her high school team.

Here's an adorable photo of our 'Monkey'---as she climbed the trees in the area near our path...

On our hike,  we crossed over a couple of creeks on little bridges.  Here is a photo of the kids standing on one of the bridges.  As many times as George and I have been to Fall Creek Falls,  we have NEVER seen this much water in these creeks... Amazing!

Here is a photo of the 'main' waterfall at Fall Creek Falls State Park,   appropriately  named FALL CREEK FALLS.  This waterfall is 256 feet high --and had more water on this day than I think we have EVER seen.  Amazing!  The little waterfall next to Fall Creek Falls is called COON CREEK FALLS.

After our hike,  we drove along the bluffs to see the hawks and buzzards...  Look what else we saw!!!  That Mama Deer wasn't paying a bit of attention to that little fawn.  This little guy almost walked up to our car!!!!  (Thanks to our Granddaughter for spotting this little Bambi!)

We stopped at Buzzard's Roost  and I snapped a photo of George --with the grands...

Look at those beautiful TENNESSEE MOUNTAINS!!!

We could have sat there on those rocks for HOURS and just admired all of the beauty around us...  Oh how glorious it is to be out in nature!!!!

After a wonderful day together,  we met their parents for dinner.... Here's a picture of son Jeff and beautiful daughter-in-law, Dawn,  at the dinner table.

We had a wonderful day --and hope to do it again in early Fall!!!!!  And to our Granddaughter:  We hope you had a wonderful birthday this year!!!!

Have a great Wednesday.   Check out a pretty photo on  My Photo Blog today.  Click HERE.

Hugs,

Emoticons