March 28-29: Great Friends at the Cumberland Gap

Its always worth the visit:

A couple we've only known 'virtually'  invited us to visit them in the small town that they live in near the Cumberland Gap where Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia Meet.  Such fun!  They took us hiking to the  actual spot where the states all meet, to and around the visitor's center and introduced us to local restaurants. So two things

(1). We had so much fun meeting these folks in person!  

(2) We visited another national park:  Cumberland National Historical Area that we never would have even been aware of.  Incredible views, 

We enjoyed their town of Harrogate, TN, the park itself,  its history, and everything else. And especially the hiking!  And the drive to the Pinnacle -- huge overview of Cumberland Gap, and the meals, and the company......  

This is the route of our first hike with Russ and Sheila -- 2.4 miles out and back from the town of Harrogate, TN to the actual point where KY, VA, and TN meet.   

Russ and Shelia Smith, hosts extraordinaire!   Russ took most of these pictures!

  

An interesting tree:  Inside the opening in the trunk is another branch;  Growing around rocks.  Totally cool   Lisa, my botanist friend -- if you read this-- any comments: 

Retirement Lesson:  It is always worth the trip.  We have wonderful  friends in our lives!  

WOYAYA!   On to Charleston, WV for a volksmarch and then to Berkeley Springs for the mineral hot springs.