Biker Rags

DAY RIDE TO CUMBERLAND FALLS

Jeff checks the route.
Jeff checks the route.

 

 

On Tuesday, June 17th, we took a Day Ride. Our destination was Cumberland Falls State Park in south east Kentucky.

 

Jeff talks about getting ready for our ride in this short video:

We left our home in North Knoxville at 9:45am. We had blue skies and a warm day ahead.

We rode north on Clinton Highway taking us through Clinton and north into Lake City. In Lake City, we stopped at Weigel’s for fuel and a quick snack.

We got snacks for now and later in the trip.
We got snacks for now and later in the trip.

From Lake City, we rode north on 25W through Caryville and on into LaFollette. We stayed on 25W riding north toward Jellico. We stopped along the way to try and capture the beauty of the rising rock formations.

Pamo looking up at the rock wall along 25W.
Pamo looking up at the rock wall along 25W.
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Close up of the massive rock wall.

25W took us right into Jellico and from there we continued on 25W into Williamsburg. About 15 miles north of Williamsburg, we took state route 90 which took us right into the Daniel Boone National Forest and on to The Cumberland Falls State Park. (You can find out even more information on the park by clicking HERE.)

Cumberland Falls State Park
Cumberland Falls State Park

There is a large parking area just off the falls area. We parked here and began our exploration. The following photos and videos tell the story of our visit:

Another park visitor kindly took our photo at the top of the falls.
Another park visitor kindly took our photo at the top of the falls.
View opposite the falls. This was from the top of the falls.
View opposite the falls. This was from the top of the falls.
We walked down to the lower viewing area.
We walked down to the lower viewing area.
And down some more.
And down some more.
The walk was worth the gorgeous view of the falls!
The walk was worth the gorgeous view of the falls!

We talk about what we’re seeing in this short video:

Here is just a quick look at the falls:

We walked to yet another viewing area.
We walked to yet another viewing area.
Another view of the falls.
Another view of the falls.
Long view of the falls.
Long view of the falls.
Then we walked down further to the beach area.
Then we walked down to a much lower view.
We arrived down on the beach.
We arrived down on the beach.
View of the falls from the beach.
View of the falls from the beach.

After walking around for about an hour, we headed back to the bikes to continue on our way.

Preparing to leave out from Cumberland Falls Park.
Preparing to leave out from Cumberland Falls Park.

After our visit at the Falls, we got back on 90 and then back to 25W. At 25W, we rode north about 20 miles and on into Corbin.

Right in downtown Corbin, we stopped to eat at The Dixie Cafe.

The Dixie Cafe is located in downtown Corbin, Kentucky.
The Dixie Cafe is located in downtown Corbin, Kentucky.
The interior has a fun fifties diner feel.
The interior has a fun fifties diner feel. Our waitress was fantastic!
And the food was delicious! Absolutely FANTASTIC food.
And the food was delicious! Absolutely FANTASTIC food.
BEST 3 layer chocolate cake in the entire universe... right at The Dixie Cafe!
BEST 3 layer chocolate cake in the entire universe… right at The Dixie Cafe!

After lunch we walked around downtown Corbin.

Walking around downtown Corbin.
Walking around downtown Corbin.

We then rode into North Corbin to visit the Kentucky Fried Chicken Museum- the original Sanders Cafe where the Colonel started his restaurant.

The Sanders Cafe Museum with attached modern day Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The Sanders Cafe Museum with attached modern day Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Informational plaque.
Informational plaque.
Opposite side of the plaque.
Opposite side of the plaque.
Dining room of the old Sanders Cafe.
Dining room of the old Sanders Cafe.
View of the Sanders kitchen.
View of the Sanders kitchen.
View of old restaurant breakfast nook.
Original Sanders Cafe dining furniture from the 1940’s.
View of Sanders model motel room.
View of Sanders model motel room.
Jeff walking from the old section into the new Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Jeff walking from the old section into the new Kentucky Fried Chicken.
More history inside the new section.
More history inside the new section.
See this Colonel Sanders Halloween mask from 1969? Pamo wore on just like it in 1969 for Halloween! She was seven years old. It was fun thing to remember.
See this Colonel Sanders Halloween mask from 1969? Pamo wore one just like it in 1969 for Halloween! She was seven years old.
Pamo relives her former Halloween memory with the Colonel.
Pamo relives her former Halloween memory with the Colonel.

Jeff talks about our trip so far in this short video:

After leaving the museum, we took 25E south to Barbourville. We rode downtown and stopped briefly.

Downtown Barbourville.
Downtown Barbourville.
Downtown Barbourville.
Downtown Barbourville.

We then continued on 25E and stopped briefly for a cold soda. We made this short video during our stop:

We then continued on 25E to Pineville and onto Middlesboro. We rode through the Cumberland Gap tunnel to Harrogate.

We then rode south to Tazewell and took 33 south through Maynardville. We stopped briefly at the marina for a quick break.

The marina.
The marina.
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Longer view of the marina.
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Jeff says it’s been a GREAT day!

After our break at the marina, we continued on 33 south into Knoxville.

We left our home at 9:45am and returned at 6:15pm. Our total ride was 221 miles.

We wrap up the day with this video:

You can see our entire list of Day Rides HERE.