Mice ate my handwoven towels! I had three towels left from my last batch. The others had all been gifted to the wonderful rangers we work with here at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Ranger Layton, the Volunteer Coordinator, was the only one who hadn’t gotten a towel yet. On the one day we worked …
From July 2023
Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum
The Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate was the final thing we did together when our friends were visiting in June. The week they visited we had lots of hikes planned. But, because it rained most days, we had to adjust our plans a little. Thursday afternoon, their last one …
Campground Programs at Cumberland Gap
Every Saturday night there is a Campground Program at Cumberland Gap Wilderness Trail Campground. These have been a fun addition to our activities over the summer. We have attended two of the programs and led one. Rachel, our Bat Education intern, leads a Night Hike every other week. She does the same walk and talk …
Christian Ministry in the National Parks
When Tom and I were in Death Valley, we went to church with the Christian Ministry in the National Parks. That was over eight years ago. This summer, Tom and I have been able to worship thanks to Christian Ministry in the National Parks. Our first month here at Cumberland Gap we tried to find …
Pine Mountain State Resort Park
On one of our days off, Tom and I explored Pine Mountain State Resort Park, about 10 miles north of Middlesboro, Kentucky. Pine Mountain was the first state park in Kentucky, opening in 1924. The state park benefited from construction projects by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. They built an office building, cabins, …
La Esperanza Restaurant in Middlesboro, Kentucky
When our friends were visiting we all ate lunch at La Esperanza Mexican Restaurant in Middlesboro. We all like to try new restaurants, but Tom and I hadn’t been here long enough to give any recommendations. One day Megan chose to eat at Dutch Treat because she (like Tom) loves grilled cheese sandwiches. But that …
Skylight Cave at Cumberland Gap NHP
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park has over 85 miles of trails. Skylight Cave is a popular destination along those trails. After the Wilderness Road Trail, it is the most hiked trail in the park. But only a small number of people hike anything except the Wilderness Road Trail. A lot of people who come to …
Gap Creek Coffee House in Cumberland Gap
As long as I’m writing about Gap things this week, I might as well hit Gap Creek Coffee House and Café. Tom and I haven’t tried too many new restaurants locally. We only eat out once a week and we really like the sandwiches at Dutch Treat. But we feel like we should try more …
Wilderness Road Trail Leads to Cumberland Gap
Wilderness Road Trail is one of the most popular trails in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. The Wilderness Road refers to the trail widened by Daniel Boone into a road. The road led settlers into Kentucky through the Cumberland Road. Although it has been called a road since 1775, it was usually more of a …
Cumberland Gap, the Town in Tennessee
The closest town to where Tom and I are living is Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. It is a tiny little place, surrounded by Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. If it were a little more touristy, it would remind me of Ohiopyle in the Laurel Highlands. But the town hasn’t bought in to being a tourist destination …