Notes on the Rubber Side Down

Rollin' eZine

Volume 1, Number 11

March 2001

Atlanta, Int'l M/C Show

Atlanta, Photo Page 1

Atlanta, Photo Page 2

B2, Those Spots

Ratchet Sparks It Up

Biker Betty into Canada

Skert's Reason to Ride

Opening Day at T.W.O.

Larry Buck Tunnel Tour

Editorial, Flat Market?!

Nat'l Events    Mailbag

SpaceCoast Calendar

Funnies      Shorts

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Virginia's Natural Tunnel State Park - Not for Acrophobics!

by Larry Buck

This state park was one of the bonus locations in last year's "Feast in the East" rally.  I did not go to it during the rally, but I had some time on my hands the following week and decided to take a trip to the park.

The natural tunnel is more than 850 feet long and as high as a 10-story building (100 feet).  It was naturally carved through a limestone ridge more than a million years ago in the early glacial period when groundwater bearing carbonic acid percolated through crevices and slowly dissolved surrounding limestone and dolomite bedrock.

Then, what is now Stock Creek was probably diverted underground to continue carving the tunnel slowly over many centuries.  The walls of the tunnel show evidence of prehistoric life, and many fossils can be found in the creek bed and on tunnel walls.  William Jennings Bryan called it the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Other scenic features include a wide chasm between steep stone walls surrounded by several pinnacles or "chimneys."

Once inside the park, the tunnel is reached by the Natural Tunnel chairlift.  It carries you 536 feet and 230 feet down to the floor of the tunnel's natural amphitheater……..

Whoopie!  Once there one path leads to the tunnel proper and a side trail leads over a wooden bridge to a replica of the Carter family's cabin.  Yes, it’s the same Carter family as in June Carter Cash, Johnny Cash's wife.  Carter is a very common name in this area of Virginia and Tennessee.

Nearby attractions are the Clinch River for float and canoe trips and the Cumberland Gap National Park.

The Honda Hoot is being held in Knoxville this year, and is 140 miles to the south on I-81.

If you will be in the "Tri Cities" area of Virginia/Tennessee (Bristol, Johnson City, Kingsport) its just a short ride to the park.  Take I-181 north, out of  Kingsport, TN to Gate City, VA (about 20 miles) then North on VA Rte. 23 for 10 miles and turn right on Rte. 871.  The park is 1 mile to the east.

  Enjoy!

Larry Buck

FL-AAD, COG 3451, GTOC, IBA
BOCA RATON, FL

[Larry is Florida Area Director of COG (Concours Owner's Group) and an active Long-Distance Rider -Ed.]