We live in Middle Tennessee. In February we traveled across the entire border state of North Carolina delivering our Marine son his vehicle to Cherry Point Air Base. Missouri and Arkansas were a Memorial Day Weekend border states visit to friends. June was a ride into Mississippi while visiting Shiloh National Battlefield. Somewhere along these adventures, we decided to set a goal! Venture into all 8 border states before year end.
Next stop: Kentucky. Reserving a cabin at Pickett State Park we headed out after work on Thursday evening for a three-day weekend. It was pitch black when we arrived; a dark sky community indeed. Pickett is in Jamestown, TN, only a few miles from the Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork Recreation Area. The sound of the night skies insects was deafening and the curves in the road were sharp. We found the key to our reserved cabin door by an outside light. Settling in for the night we turned out the cabin light... and literally could not see our hand in front of our face.
After obtaining a map from the park office the next morning, we chose a 2.5-mile loop lake trail to hike. Lots of woods, and only one other couple with their dog on the trail. After a light lunch at the cabin, we drove to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The Bandy Creek Visitor Center Ranger advised us on choosing a trail and some other sites to see over the weekend. Leatherwood Ford and the East Rim Overlook were recommended stops before heading toward the Kentucky state line to Daniel Boone National Forest. Gravel roads and a few signs took us to a backcountry campground and Hemlock Grove Recreation Area with horseshoe pits and huge grills. Signs of bear activity as recently as last week. There are beautiful views in the state of Kentucky.
Back to Pickett for a visit to the Indian Rock House and Hazard Cave where the Rhododendron are plentiful and the rock formations amazing. I would love to see this place when the Rhododendron are blooming.
Saturday morning after a hefty breakfast, we loaded our hydration packs and headed for the Twin Arches. A day hike which included the upper and lower loop. From the trail-head off Divide Road the upper loop trail travels to the Twin Arches. These double sandstone arches are considered the largest natural bridge in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee. The North Arch has a 93 feet span and is 62 feet high. The South Arch spans 135 feet and is 103 feet high.
Continuing on the lower loop, a 4-mile trip took us by a series of rock houses, cliffs, Jake's Place and Charit Creek Lodge, then ascending back up to the Twin Arches. A full day, we took our time in the humidity. Never seeing another human except at the Twin Arches, we enjoyed what looked like a terrarium at times.
Charit Creek Lodge is a rustic back country lodge accessible by hiking, biking or horseback. They offer private cabins equipped with a wood burning stove, screened porch and open air porch with rocking chairs. We saw a bear trap there, not in use. They have very welcoming staff there, off the grid indeed and a definite place to return.
After a great day of hiking, we ate dinner at the cabin then found a Dairy Queen in Jamestown. Before dark, we located an observation place and watched the stars come out on a blanket in the gravel parking lot. Amazing how big the sky is, especially in a dark sky community. This area seems rural, not a lot of people. The temperatures may have influenced that.
Sunday morning we woke late and enjoyed listening to rain on the cabin tin roof. Made for a lazy morning and great way to end the weekend. This is a wonderful place to discover and there's lots more to do here. Just another place to revisit someday.
