New River Gorge

We had an unforgettable day navigating the wild rapids of the New River Gorge on a 15-mile journey packed with excitement. Along the way, we ran 20 rapids ranging from Class 2 to a thrilling Class 4+, each one delivering a fresh surge of adrenaline. It was an exhilarating, high-energy adventure that will stay with me forever.

 The gorge is a rugged canyon carved through ancient Appalachian rock, with towering cliffs, lush forests, and heart-pounding drops. It is one of the oldest rivers on the continent and is unique in that it flows South to North through the Appalachian Mountains.

Row Row Your Boat

Amy

Thumbs up to the kayakers

Paul and Jim getting lunch

A massive wave slammed into our raft during a Class IV+ rapid, violently tossing Paul and Jim overboard. For a tense moment, chaos surged around us as the river claimed control, turning our thrilling adventure into a heart-pounding ordeal. Thankfully, the quick-thinking and skilled guides sprang into action, pulling both Paul and Jim safely back to the raft.

Paul being pulled into the raft

Paul, Jim, Amy

Our very capable guide who saved the day

We booked our white-water adventure with Cantrell Ultimate Rafting in Fayetteville, WV, and they absolutely delivered. For $120. The staff was incredibly helpful, professional, and made sure every moment was both safe and unforgettable. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for an authentic rafting experience. Bonus: they offer dry camping on-site for just $15 per person—a perfect spot to crash under the stars after a wild day on the water.

The Red River Gorge Underground

 The Red River Gorge Underground, also known as The Gorge Underground, offers a mesmerizing subterranean adventure just outside Slade, Kentucky. Nestled within a century-old limestone mine, this one-of-a-kind attraction invites visitors to explore a hidden, flooded world via guided kayak and stand-up paddleboard tours. Originally developed for limestone extraction over 100 years ago, the mine was gradually transformed as groundwater filled its vast, excavated chambers. After being abandoned in 1985, the site became an unofficial playground for adventurous kayakers—though often with dangerous consequences. At its peak, emergency crews responded to as many as 10 to 12 rescues per month for lost paddlers. In 2015, the property was purchased and transformed into a safe and regulated destination. 

Ready for an adventure 

The guide told us that they use to tell the kayakers the shinny 

material on the ceiling was fools gold. On day a geologist 

on the excursion set them straight, it was a fungus.

Nice calm water to kayak in.

There are large fat trout in the mine

The exit strategy is to roll out of your kayak

You can see from this map of the mine how people could become lost.

Bicentennial Capitol Mall

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is a 19-acre urban park in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, commemorating the state's 200th anniversary of statehood in 1996. Designed to reflect Tennessee's rich history, geography, and culture. 

These columns are from the 

original Tennessee State Capitol building. 

The 95 Carillon Bells at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville, Tennessee, are a striking tribute to the state's rich musical heritage and its 95 counties. Crafted from cast iron and brass, the bells vary in size, with the largest weighing approximately 550 pounds. The bells play a variety of tunes and on the hour they play a full rendition of "The Tennessee Waltz.”

It seems like if it happened in Tennessee it is 

carved into this wall

Grand Ole Opry

 I enjoyed the Loretta Lynn tribute at the Grand Ole Opry. It is a world-famous weekly country music show based in Nashville, Tennessee, and is considered the heart and soul of country music. Founded in 1925, it is the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history and features a mix of legendary performers and rising stars in country, bluegrass, gospel, and Americana. Performing at the Opry is a major milestone in a country artist’s career, and membership is one of the genre's highest honors. 

We were pretty high up there. The TVs really help. 

Crystal Gayle, Loretta's sister 

Loretta's granddaughter, Emmy Russell 

The grand finally. It was a great show.

Ruby Falls Cave

 Ruby Falls is a famous underground waterfall located within Lookout Mountain Cave, near Chattanooga, Tennessee. It lies over 1,120 feet (340 m) beneath the surface of Lookout Mountain and is notable for both its natural beauty and historical significance. In 1928 a local cave enthusiast and chemist named Leo Lambert spearheaded efforts to reopen the cave system for tourism. While drilling an elevator shaft to reach the lower Lookout Mountain Cave, workers accidentally discovered a narrow passage that led to a previously unknown cavern.  Lambert and a small team explored the newly found passage and, after hours of crawling, discovered the spectacular 145-foot underground waterfall. He named it "Ruby Falls" in honor of his wife, Ruby.

Watch you head

As formations like stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone go,

this cave is not very spectacular 

This is the reason you visit this cave

There is an underground river flowing in creating the falls and

the water flows out of the cave underground. 

The falls is bathed in different colored lights

Another great day with friends exploring the wonders of the world 

Rock City

Rock City, TN is famous for its unique rock formations, particularly the massive sandstone formations known as "rock gardens." These natural features were formed millions of years ago, primarily through erosion and weathering. The area features dramatic cliffs, deep crevices, and boulders that look like they’ve been carefully placed, giving the site its distinct, almost mystical appearance.

In the 1920s, entrepreneur Garnet Carter and his wife Frieda began developing the area. Frieda, inspired by European folklore, envisioned a garden among the rock formations, leading to the creation of the Fairyland neighborhood. She spent years designing walking trails and planting over 400 varieties of flora among the boulders, while incorporating whimsical gnome and fairy tale scenes. In 1932, they opened Rock City Gardens to the public, featuring winding trails, native plant gardens, and whimsical fairy tale scenes.  

You can text a post card back home

You can buy a wooden ball for $5 and use it to 

play numerous games around the park

Vibraphone 

Fairyland Caverns, filled with gnome and fairy tale scenes

Little Red Riding Hood 

Guess who?

This tale is about a lost slipper

A few of the numerous fairytales depicted here 

Denise, Amy and Penny 

Picture of one of the trails created by Frieda back in the 1920s

She marked each trail with string to clearly guide visitors along the correct path.

It's a tight fit, but I made it. Denise and Penny

Amy 

The trail below

Great views up here

Denise getting a hug from Moss Beard

More fun with your ball

And round and round it will go

and it was a squeeze

Lovers leap back when

Lovers Leap today

A bit of whimsy  

A water fall cascading from Lovers Point