Cumberland Gap, KFC, and the Appalachians

We drove into the Appalachian Mountains next, stopping at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park to see the first "Gateway to the West".  We went up to the park along a winding mountain road, and imagined all the people who trudged through here on only a dirt path, probably on foot, seeking a new life. 

 

At the park, we watched a video about Daniel Boone and his determination to make it to Kentucky, and how he led people through the Gap, even losing two of his own sons while doing so. 



You can see where Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky meet



Looking down into Powell Valley, where Daniel Boone led everyone through the Gap into Kentucky

 

Look, I'm in two places at one time, Virginia and Kentucky!

 

We drove down the mountain into Corbin, Kentucky, to the Sander's Cafe and Motel.  Although the motel is now gone, the Cafe is still there.  This is where the Colonel started frying up chicken to serve to hungry patrons along the Dixie Highway.  When the big highway was built bypassing his cafe, he went national with his Kentucky Fried Chicken.  We had lunch there and enjoyed the displays.

 

 

the first KFC

the Sanders Cafe original kitchen

 

some vintage menus and photos

Next we went to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, known as the Niagara of the South.  The falls here were very pretty.  We walked out to the falls and stood in the cool mist enjoying the green water spilling over onto the boulders below. 

 We left Kentucky and went to Clinton, Tennessee, to the Museum of Appalachia.  Here we saw some homes, buildings, pictures of people and their stories, a schoolhouse, church, barns, animals, and everything you would expect to find on a homestead in the Appalachians. They even had the original home of Mark Twain.  We saw some interesting homemade items including furniture, baskets, quilts, and musical instruments (including some made from hubcaps and toilet seats). 

There is a cold front moving through with nights in the 30s, and frost in the mornings.  Fall weather is here!