September 25 - “Hikin’ with ol’ Dan’l”

Our first real hike of the journey came when we left our hotel and drove over to Cumberland Gap National Park. Yep, we hiked the Cumberland Gap with ol’ Dan’l Boone and the gang. Even had a peak-nik at the highest point. The views from that high point were pretty amazing, too. But the most impressive part was when we undertook the “easy” 1.2-mile hike.  So of course we left the hiking boots in the car. “As, how hard could it be,” we said. “It’s just a little over a mile,” we said. Not an easy hike at all. Fun. Beautiful. But not easy. Why not? Because it was straight up. But here’s the exciting part, the reason I wanted to do this particular hike. It led us to the point where the three states converge. With some minor contortions I managed to get myself into all three states at once - Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. How’s that for an accomplishment?

 

When we left the park, we went through three different states in about ten minutes: Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Crazy road system. After climbing Powell Mountain (in the car), we snaked our way through such booming metropolises as: Jonesville, Duffield, Gate City, Bloomingdale, Kingsport, and Bristol. Then we picked up an interstate out of nowhere and zipped our way across the state to the Booker T. Washington National Monument to grab the sticker there. It was located just outside of Roanoke, so we reserved a hotel in the big city for the evening. But it took us 45 extra minutes to get to the site, itself. Sure didn’t look that far on the map. We pulled up at ten minutes before closing time, but the Ranger was really helpful. She obviously loved her job. She was talking from the minute I walked in to the minute Chris walked out. Then she followed us outside and offered to take a picture of us under the sign. Whew. Glad to have that one behind us. And now … further east and further north.  Well, after a good night’s sleep. 

 

After snaking our way back through more country roads, we finally arrived at our hotel.  But first … some supper.  We were both quite hungry, and as luck would have it, we passed an Italian food restaurant named Mama Maria’s just around the corner from the hotel.  We decided to give it a try, and a good choice it was.  The place was packed, and judging from their conversation, many of them were locals – always a good sign.  Papa was roaming around, bussing tables and welcoming customers – just generally doing what he could. His son Dominic – the new generation – spoke to him often in what was surely a gentle rebuke in Italian. That in itself was heart-warming.  The food was excellent.  Of course, for me, it is hard to mess up manicotti. And Chris had spaghetti with one massive meatball on top. 

 

Full day.  I managed to stay awake for the whole Astros game, though.  exciting stuff.  11-10 comeback win in the ninth for the good guys.  Even got to watch it on MLB.com on my phone.  Free game of the day. 

 

Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

 

Father, thank you for the unique experiences of being in so many states in such beautiful surroundings. You did really good in your creation out here. Amen.