Vacationing in Kentucky

[eok]

I went to Gatlinburg circa 1960 when I was a little kid, and all I remember is a Dog N Suds fast food place where I got the biggest hamburger I ever had as of then. That was before McDonalds came to my town. In my town, we got hamburgers for 5 cents at Blue Circle, but they were very small. Dog N Suds in Gatlinburg was incredibly expensive, even for such a big burger. Something like 25 or 50 cents.

I also remember going camping with a group, on a mountain near Gatlinburg, probably a year or two later. I don't remember if it was Scouts or what. We had a big cabin whose floor was a raised platform, about 6 feet or so off the ground, and without outer walls. Just a raised platform with a roof above it. I saw a bear from there, not very big but very surprising, because I had never seen a bear from that perspective before, just wandering the woods at night foraging. I was so excited, bringing it to everyone's attention, that I scared it away.

[bdoon]

Thank you very much for this comprehensive reply.

We have been to Galveston ...the town is very pleasant but comparing it to Hatteras Island, Florida Beaches and Cape Co, Mass, Galveston seashore was more like a dirty lake.... no waves, brown (though warm) water, lake-like beach (no dunes, no wildlife). Hopefully South Padre Island is better.

[Huckleberry Knob]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

My reply was to imply that Cumberland falls, while amazing and a possible "destination", there aren't many additional places to visit unless you plan on hiking. I've hiked portions of the Cumberland trail in that area covering over miles but for typical tourist activities, even sightseeing the falls, one day is about it.

I'm certainly not endorsing Gatlinburg but with the Smokey mountains, Fontana dam, Dragon's tail (twisty road), and chairlift to other hiking, it has more activities for a multi-day visit.

Motorcycle riding from Kentucky to Gatlinburg and around that area is an amazing experience.

I know this is an old post but there is a lot to do around Cumberland Falls.

This adventure resort offers whitewater rafting on that river and the nearby Big South Fork. They offer other stuff as well. https://www.ky-rafting.com/

The tallest waterfall in the state, Yahoo Falls, is nearby and it is a short walk. The trail has a rock shelter and a natural arch, Yahoo Arch.

Natural Arch of Kentucky is nearby, a short walk.

There are several overlooks of the Big South Fork . One overlook, Bear Creek, has an natural arch a short walk away, Split Bow Arch. You can take a train into the abandoned Blue Heron mining community on the river. https://bsfsry.com/

Twin Arches and Picket CCC State Park in Tennessee are not far away. Picket has two cool large rock shelters.

[CraigCreek]

The scenic railway from Stearns to Blue Heron, which is operated by the National Park Service, is great fun! Not sure it operates during the winter, and of course the pandemic may have temporarily halted it, but the trip is especially lovely in late-spring/early summer when the rosebay rhododendron is in bloom, and in the fall when the colors are spectacular. The portion of the tracks approaching Blue Heron, which is located beside the river, runs by a rocky tumbling stream and is very pretty. There's also a good local history museum adjacent to the train terminal. You can purchase box lunches to take with you on the train, which stops for around an hour or so in Blue Heron before the return trip.