The brochure says, “Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system and a part of the Green River valley and hilly country of south central Kentucky. This is the world's longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles explored. Early guide Stephen Bishop called the cave a "grand, gloomy and peculiar place," but its vast chambers and complex labyrinths have earned its name – Mammoth. The exact date of the discovery of the cave is unknown, however, by some accounts, a hunter, John Houchins, while chasing a made the discovery in 1798, or in 1802. This date omits that the cave was known to the native Americans long before a bear led to its discovery.

Our “spelunking or caving” adventure was not quite as daunting. We took a bus almost to one of the entrances, walked a short distance to the elevator that took us down to a large level area that was fairly well lighted. The tour was Ranger guided and the well described. However, it did not have many stalactites or stalagmites. With exception of a couple of places, the walls were smooth and the openings were very large.

The next day we drove north to Hodgenville to the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln was born in a single room log cabin on his father's (Thomas) Sinking Spring Farm on Sunday, February 12, 1809. Abraham Lincoln's early years on the Kentucky frontier helped to shape his character and prepare the boy who would grow up to become the sixteenth President of the United States to lead the nation through the tragic and turbulent times of the Civil War. His legacy of liberty and equality remains relevant today and has impacted people around the world. On the knoll above the spring, the first memorial was constructed between 1909 and 1911. President Taft dedicated the Memorial Building and enshrined “birth cabin” on November 9, 1911. Returning to Cave City, we got our “gear” ready to head to Pineville, KY and the Cumberland Gap NHP.

The Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west, following the buffalo, the Native American, the longhunter, the pioneer... all traveled this route through the mountains into the wilderness of Kentucky. Modern day explorers and travelers stand in awe at this great gateway and the many miles of trails and scenic features found in the park. There are great views, and photo ops from the Pinnacle Overlook. Leaving Pineville and the Cumberland GAP NHP, we are heading into southwest VA and our focus will turn to seeing and listening to Traditional Appalachian Music.