Natural Tunnel State Park June 23-29, 2024

  

Day 1, Sunday, June 23, 2024

Virginia State Parks Website

Trail Quest

 

Travel Day! We traveled from Danville VA to Duffield VA by taking 

58W to I77 North and then I81 South. 

Take exit 74B toward Kingsport/I-81-ALT S onto US-11W S (Highway 11 W). 

Take ramp onto N John B Dennis Hwy (TN-93 N) toward Hospital.

Continue on Wadlow Gap Hwy

Turn right onto US Highway 23 N (US-23 N).

Natural Tunnel is on the right.

 

After setting up the site we had our Sunday evening camp sandwich.

 

We had purchased one load of firewood and I split it and started a fire.

Day 2, Monday, June 24, 2024

 

We started the day off with a good breakfast of eggs, sausage, blueberry muffins and apple.

 

We drove to Wilderness Road State Park in Ewing Va. 

 

We learned a lot about the Wilderness Road and how settlers used it to travel west through the Cumberland Gap. Here at Wilderness Road there was a settlement called Martin's Fort that was a safe refuge for those traveling the road.

 

After hiking around the settlement, we took to the Wilderness Trail and walked for a couple miles. We also observed the buffalo that graze in the field nearby.

 

After we left Wilderness Road State Park, we drove to Cumberland Gap. We went to the visitor center and watched a video and went through the museum before driving up to the Pinnacle Overlook.

 

 

 

We hiked around the overlook and were just amazed at the wonders of God's creation.

 

After leaving the park, we went to the small town of Cumberland Gap. We visited an Antique Store and then had a break at the Gap Creek Coffee House and Cafe.

 

After getting back to camp, we just sat around and I wrote in my journal. We had Cracker Barrel meatloaf and mac-n-cheese for dinner.

Another picture of our site.

 

We decided to make popcorn this evening instead of making smores.

Day 3, Tuesday, June 25, 2024

 

For breakfast this day we had scrambled eggs, bacon, protein waffles and fruit.

 

Today we visited the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park. 

 

The house is full of artifacts and history about the town of Big Stone Gap and how coal played such a role in the towns' history. 

Here are some pictures of just a few of the items in the museum.

 

 

 

 

 

After the museum, we went to the Big Stone Gap Visitors Center. The folks there were very helpful and had plenty of information about things to do in the area. We rented two electric bikes and rode the trail around the town.

 

Upon returning to camp, we ate supper. We had Sunday Fried Chicken from Cracker Barrel.

 

I worked on my crossword puzzle, and we just relaxed around the fire.

Day 4, Wednesday, June 26, 2024

 

We started the day with breakfast burritos and a nap before heading out to Clinch River State Park.

 

We arrived at the park and started our hike along the Sugar Run Trail. 

 

We stopped for a rest at a shelter built as an Eagle Scout project. This was by the ruins of a cabin that was the first built in this part of Virginia.

 

We also saw a lot of wildlife along this trail. A deer, a milk snake and a box turtle to name a few.

 

After hiking the trail we visited the nearby town of St. Paul Va. Our first stop was the Coffee Station. 

 

Our next stop was the Clinch Life Outfitters, where we met Daniel. He is a wealth of information about the area and is happy to share it. We had to go pick up some groceries and the local spot was Food Country in Duffield VA. 

 

For dinner, we had NY Strip steak and a tossed salad.

 

Some fun around the camp site tonight.

Day 5, Thursday, June 27, 2024

 

Today started with a breakfast of egg, kielbasa sausage, cinnamon rolls and fruit. 

 

We left for Breaks Interstate State Park, the one furthest from our camp. After a visit to the Visitor Center we started our tour with the Tunnel Overlook. 

 

Our next stop is the Stateline Overlook and we were able to see three states from this overlook.

 

Our second stop was the Geological and Ridge Trail. We started the Geological Trail and we were both amazed at the rock formations and the wonder of God's creation.

 

There was climbing and fun.

 

Walking.

 

More Fun.

 

The Ridge Trail was a nice hike after the Geological Trail.

 

 

Next stop was the Towers overlook. Pictures just does not do this place justice.

 

On the drive back we stopped in Big Stone Gap and at supper at Curklins and finished the meal with chocolate cake. 

 

We then made our way to the live outdoor drama, The Tale of the Lonesome Pine. If you are ever in the area, do not miss this show.

Day 6, Friday, June 28, 2024

 

Started this day with a breakfast bowl of eggs, bacon, sausage and veggie tots.

 

Our first stop was the Daniel Boone Interpretive Museum.

 

We spent the rest of the day in our home park, Natural Tunnel State Park. 

We started with a hike down to the tunnel.

 

The chasm that the train tunnel is in was awesome. 

Here is a video of the coal train going into the tunnel.

 

We decided to ride the chairlift back to the top of the tunnel, but we ended up riding it several more times this day.

 

We decided to take the Lover Leap trail to the overlook. 

 

After this walk, we went back down to the tunnel, then the creek. 

 

For dinner, we had chicken tenders, broccoli and tater tots.  Afterward, we went to the campground welcome fire meet and greet. 

Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Big Stone Gap, VA 

During our week stay at Natural Tunnel State Park, we visited Big Stone Gap, Va twice.

Our first visit was after our tour of the Museum and we decided to go to the Visitor Center. 

 

At the Visitor Center we rented two electric bikes and rode the trail that they have around town. We then rode through some of the town and just loved the views.

 

 

We visited the 404 Creamery and ordered some ice cream. This really hit the spot after spending the day in the sun. Everyone in town was telling us we needed to go here, and they were correct, their ice cream is the best.

 

Our next visit was on Thursday on our way back from Break Interstate Park. We stopped to see the Live Drama of Trail of the Lonsome Pine. But first we celebrated our 37th anniversary by eating dinner at Curklins in Big Stone Gap.

 

We both had chicken dishes, and they were both good. The sweet potato fries and pineapples sides were exceptional. We decided on the chocolate cake for dessert and were not disappointed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The outdoor drama is outdoors, go prepared. They have snacks and the RC Cola and Moonpie was hard to beat. I had the opportunity to participate in the drama by sitting on the jury, if you go, I highly suggest you do the same if offered. Drama starts at 7pm and it was over about 10pm. Special note: if you go on Thursday, the tickets are at a discount rate.