Cumberland Gap is the kind of place an artist would use as a retreat to find inspiration and tranquility . We strolled the town , which is surrounded on all sides by Cumberland Gap National Historic Park , and hiked up to Tri- State Peak , where Tennessee , Virginia , and Kentucky meet . Although the hike was short , it was steep enough to renew our appreciation for our favorite mode of transportation , and we gained respect for the people who used this path to traverse the Appalachians long before the invention of motorized travel .
We slept well that night and woke up to a delicious and filling breakfast served at the long dining table on the inn ’ s main floor . After pleasant chats with other visitors over coffee , we were on the road again , this time heading south .
DAY 2 : CARVING A TRAIL
The road toward Tazewell offered gorgeous morning views across the mountains , which its gentle curves and good visibility allow riders to take full advantage of .
We continued through Bean Station and White Pine before taking an exploratory journey in search of the Rankin coaling tower . A remnant of the time when trains were powered by steam , this tower is one of few remaining .
We climbed the steep one- lane Rankin Hill Road and then dropped down toward Douglas Lake . We followed the lake north until the road
Top : En route to find the Rankin coaling tower , Jake ’ s Ryker Rally got to play in some gravel . Above : This was as close as Jake could get to the tower . Below : Norris Dam was the first major project of the Tennessee Valley Authority .
turned to rough gravel , on which I didn ’ t feel confident testing my nonexistent off- road skills on the Honda Rebel 1100T DCT cruiser . Jake was happy to continue on his Can- Am Ryker Rally for a mile or so while I guzzled water beside the railroad tracks . I was
content to take a break for the first five minutes . After 10 , I started missing the breeze through my mesh jacket . After 15 , I became worried .
Apparently knowing the exact amount of time I ’ m willing to wait before embarking on a search- and- rescue attempt , Jake
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