Breaks Interstate Park

Today we drove northeast toward the Kentucky Virginia line to Breaks Interstate Park.  It was about an hour and 45 minute drive from Pennington.  None of us had visited the Breaks, or if so, had little memory of it, so we had to get oriented to things when we arrived.  We got a map and selected some trails to hike.  Most of the hikes are short, and don't stray too far from campgrounds, picnic shelters or the park road.  So we didn't have to gear up and carry a load with us like we usually do.  We first hiked about a mile and a half along Lake Trail.  It went downhill from the visitor center and along the lake.  We explored in both directions and walked across the earthen dam to a fairly new small water park area.  After we hiked back to the visitor center and took some pics of some historic elements, we picnicked at the site of the Appalachian Heritage Festival.  Here, they were making molasses, grinding cornmeal, woodworking, and such.  The younger ones enjoyed learning about these skills more than I would have expected.  After we all looked around the festival and finished our lunch, we went toward Loop and Overlook trails.  Here we had multiple views of the gorge that is the signature feature of the park.  We could see the steep face of the mountain cut by Russell Fork of the Big Sandy River.  We could see the river and hear its roar, and even could spot of few kayakers.  A train track ran along the river also, with several tunnels visible as well.  At our final stop, we watched some brave souls zipline along the mountain adjacent to the gorge.  It was a nice day; we have plans to return.