Clinch Mt. and Cumberland Gap

We left JC just before 7:00am yesterday and arrived at the Clinch Mountain overlook at 8:45am with Carolyn driving all the way. Although misty, the view was superb in all directions, not only from Clinch Mt., but also from Cumberland Gap Pinnacle. People have dramatically changed the area since last I visited, and in Kentucky could be seen the remnants of strip mines left by the coal companies and never—or at best just partially—reclaimed, leaving gigantic scars across the mountains. It has become a common and deplorable practice in the coal fields of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

I slept poorly Thursday night, and it did not help my eye problems one bit; by 2:00 pm I was nearly blind for all intents and purposes. We had many visitors at the picnic site near Middlesboro in Kentucky, and they pounced almost before the table cloth was spread. Four gray squirrels, a chipmunk, and a flock of small birds including tits and chickadees came calling for handouts. Fortunately Carolyn brought two loaves of French bread for our meal, because the critters ate most of one. We forgot to bring the new bag of charcoal, thus Carolyn had a rough time (for her; I laughed a lot) getting the bricks to light, but finally both grills were going. The one with the pots of water for the veggies would not get hot enough, so I suggested she find some small limbs to place with the coals so flames would reach them, and soon they were boiling. It was a fine meal, but due to my eye problem, we decided to make our way back home when we had finished eating. We wanted to stay a few more hours, but all in all, it was a good day.
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