Item #5 on our bucket list was go to The Pinnacle.

In late March (on Easter Day 2011) after a visit go see the kids’ Granny, Pap, Uncle Jesse & Aunt Lisa in Sharps Chapel – the boys & I decided to strike out on a 56 mile one way trip to see The Pinnacle overlook.

We enjoyed the ride as we passed through Union County (blah) to get to their Granny’s house, then Claborne county (very familiar ground for us), lovely & beautiful Harrogate, and then into Bell County, KY to the city of Middlesboro. 

Before we went to The Pinnacle  we drove around historic downtown Middlesboro, Ky. We stopped by the outdoor – open  to the public – Coal Museum, and took in a history lesson.
Did you know Middlesboro, KY was the location of a metorite crash?  Yep. The city of Middlesboro was built inside a huge chunck hole. 

I thought to myself, that sure explained a lot! Could this explain why coal in Middlesboro was & is so richly and readily available? 

Anyway, we also saw Middlesboro’s one & only war memorial dedicated to ALL soldiers everywhere from ALL wars.

Then we headed back south, toward the visitor center to see The Pinnacle. Driving up the mountain was a slow, curve after curve experience. By the time we made it to the top (elevation 2440′), we had reached our destination.

We walked up to the overlook area where 3 states could be seen in one fisheye view by all who dare drive up that mountain. Virginia to the left (rather flat looking), Tennessee straight ahead (mountainous Harrogate & parts of Claborne Co), and good ole Kentucky to the right (sitting in a deep bowl).
If we looked straight down, we could see the township of Cumberland Gap, the old mill, and the tiny specs of businesses & homes. Also, this was a good view of the mile long tunnel cut through the mountain from TN to KY. It was & is a majestic view! The mountains, the life below, and the serenity of clean air was amazing. I could breath. It was so nice. The sun began to set, so I snapped some photos before we headed back to the car.

The boys began reflecting & spoke of a few things. Nicky thought he met his douple-ganger. There was a man there with his family wearing the EXACT same outfit as him. Exactly the same from head to ankles, but different shoes. This guy had the same hair color, walking gate, and was the size as Nicky. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Nicky so enthralled, excited, and memorized. 🙂 That was great!!

Cole mentioned how many signs  Virginia & Kentucky had posted within inches of each other, claiming their property at the Pinnacle. I reminded him we saw that very same thing when we visited the Cumberland Gap township also. It is rather comical.

what’s funny is that these signs have conversation without saying a word.

This tree property of VA.
This tree (7″ away) property of KY.
My sidewalk. NO, my sidewalk! Fine, my rock! No, MY rock.

Any way, it’s certainly a good drive to get there, but well worth the trip. I saw 9 different state license plates on the vehicles parked near our car, so it’s GOT to be a tourist attraction listed somewhere, LOL.