Horvath Travels: 2020 Kentucky

It was a downpour of biblical proportions. And, white knuckles and all, it lasted all the way down here. Here being Horse Cave, Kentucky. What? You haven't heard of it? Well, it's right next to Cave City. There. Now you know. Wait. You mean you haven't heard of Cave City, either? Okay, the closest bigger city is Bowling Green (of Bowling Green Massacre fame). More importantly, and the real reason we're here, is the proximity to Mammoth Cave National Park. Our Kentucky travels would also take us over to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park as well, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

We took the self-guided Extended Historic tour of the cave. We were joined by our friends, Andy and Michelle Wolff, who were camping nearby. The cave is as big as advertised, and we learned that it wasn't raining inside (that's supposed to be a joke). It was good to hear about how the cave had been used throughout history and to see how truly extensive it is. There were no stalactites or stalagmites because it's a 'dry' cave. We walked for a total of two miles inside the cave and only saw a small portion of it.

Debbie entering the cave

Exploring the cave

Michelle and Andy Wolff

Further exploration

Talking with a Ranger

Leaving the cave

We once again joined Andy and Michelle for a 5-mile hike on some of the trails near the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center. Some of the trails we trapesed and traversed included the Green River Bluffs Trail, the Echo River Springs Trail, and the River Valley Trail. It was all quite scenic and fun.

Afterward, we went to the Bluegrass Vineyard (yes, we found one) for some Kentucky wine tasting. Then we had to say goodbye to our friends. We would be off to Cumberland Gap the next day.

Michelle and Andy, Me and Debbie on the Green River Bluffs Trail

Scenic View on the Green River Bluffs Trail

Taking a break during the hike. The stairs led to another cave entrance

Green River

Another small cave entrance along the way

It was a scenic three-hour drive across Southern Kentucky to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. The park is famous as the trail through the Appalachian Mountains. It was used by American Indians as well as early European explorers like Daniel Boone, as well as others moving west. It's out of the way, but it's an incredibly beautiful area. It didn't hurt that the day was sunny and warm and the Autumn leaves were at their prettiest.

Lady Adventurer and I hiked a couple famous and iconic trails to get up to Tri-State Peak. Once there, we could stand on the corner of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, and look down at all three. It was only about two and a half miles in total, but the incline and rocky trails made this a difficult hike.

We also drove up to the Pinnacle Overlook. That was even more spectacular.

Whew. What a couple of days. Now it's time for a vacation.