Eastern Kentucky
We left Cumberland Gap and headed northwest on a brief (60 mile) detour. We were that close to Corbin, Ky so we figured what the heck.
Corbin ,Ky – birth place of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Town where Col. Sanders started it all. First restaurant has been replaced with a more modern combo walk-up and restaurant. There is a small museum dedicated to the beginnings of the chain. If you are in the area and passing through Corbin (not likely) you could stop in. No need to go out of your way. But, we can say we have been where it all started.
Back east to US 23. Nice four lane divided highway and national scenic byway that runs up the length of eastern Kentucky.
I could drive through this all day.
Never Know what you’ll find.
This road is called the “Country Music Highway” in honor of the many (well over 50) country music legends who have emerged from the ancient Appalachian hills and hollows the road traverses.
We spent the night in a state park only a couple of miles from ‘Butcher Hollow’ – birth place and early home of Loretta Lynn. Had thought to visit her home but Butcher Hollow is REALLY back country and road is not at all suitable for motorhome.
Highway 23 meets Interstate 64. East and soon we were in West Virginia.
First impression; granted we still have a few states to visit (7-8) but my vote for the WORST roads in a state goes to West Virginia. That included Alaska with its frost heaves. I have literally driven the carbus on washed out dirt roads that were better than what I have seen so far of West Virginia interstates. Much of the roads are a series of patches and patched patches and those patches are not made to match the level of the road. Constant bumps and dips. Not fun at all. Made especially worse because we had just left Kentucky which has some of the universally best roads we have been on. Even the dinky back country state and county roads in Kentucky are smooth, well laid out, and easy and comfortable to drive. We still have much to see and do in West Virginia so hopefully the roads will be better.
To night we are camped in a church camp/rv park 2 1/2 miles down a narrow country road from anywhere. It is an excellent road however. Narrow, but appears to be newly paved with no flaws.
View from our camp spot.
This is a cicada. The trees and forest plants are full of them. They make a low pitched chirping sound that makes for a constant background din that never stops and gets more intense with certain weather conditions (warm and moist which we are starting to see). We remember them from our years in Kansas.
Trip map to date.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=12x4dHvzJbvb0UcaUtz2NjLNihZE
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