2017 Big Truck across the Midwest, Day 4

Day 4 got off to a rainy start, but we were not to be denied.  Until we got to the visitors center, which apparently is only staffed when someone feels like coming in. That does not happen before noon, regardless of what the posted hours claim.

Nevertheless, we headed down to the river's edge and watched Jordan strike her new favorite pose. It has gradually replaced the Borat overenthusiastic thumbs up from previous years. 

Can't wait to see what replaces this one.

Word on the street (and this giant sign) is that if you come here during a full moon on a clear night, you will see a moonbow across the falls. Sounds cool, but we were in no danger of seeing this phenomenon. The forecast basically called for a Sharknado the next 3 days.

Even though it was a steady drizzle, we decided to press on and check out the falls from a distance. Mostly because we had to, because the main viewing platform was fenced off and closed for construction.

The view was pretty impressive, but once you looked down all you saw were mountains of trash. I didn't have the heart to take a picture of it. Yet. More on that later.

Once we went a little further downstream to a lookout known as "Lovers Leap" (how many lovers leap off things? Seems every major high point has this feature. Seems a bit rash), you really got a sense for the scale of the falls & river canyon.

In a relatively surprising turn, this part actually allowed you to walk out past the end of the fenced walkway and find your own path along the shoreline.

We got to wander quite a bit, and since there had been a huge storm the previous night, there were fresh washouts on the shore, creating a cool mixture of the black rock/sand from the canyon walls with the beach sand.

Next up we got to climb on giant rocks. It would seem that Jordan would be happy doing this from sunup to sundown. There are worse things I suppose.

The view from atop said giant rock was pretty amazing. The drizzle was enough to keep away the hordes, so it almost felt like our own private park.

More rocks.

After some more wandering and a rainy lunch, we decided to scout out our next day's activity, hiking the trail to Eagle Falls.

Ok - I've held off as long as I can. Kentucky residents (Kentuckians? Kentucks? Tucksters?), what is your issue with trash/garbage/littering? This is one of the more beautiful places you can imagine, and I'm sure some of the trash can be blamed on the recent storm surge and things washing over the falls.

What is unlikely is that Big Gulp containers, candy wrappers, and all manner of cigarette packs wash up from the river onto the tables and benches all throughout the park. You can almost recreate someone's path, it's almost like Kentucky has reversed the 'Leave no Trace' policy an implemented a 'Let 'em know you were there' policy. If so, it is remarkably effective. It was making us all nearly physically angry walking around and just seeing trash lying everywhere. If you think I am exaggerating, google 'Cumberland Falls trash' or read a few reviews on Tripadvisor.

Pontificating over.

On to more important things, like Silly String.

As we closed our our night, since I had to punt on my planned ride at Sheltowee Trace & had done all the research already, Kimberly & I were able to watch the latest episode of Game of Thrones (I know, I'll save you the trouble...)

I won't spoil it for you. Instead you can watch this and know basically all you need to know about the show.

Day 5 - hopefully will get to ride the trail as well as hike Eagle Falls.