The wife and I were talking about the tourism issues here, and she reminded me of a sunday evening back in october, when an out of town couple asked us where they could drive for some nice fall scenery. They mentioned they had been down through the Gatlinburg area, but commented on the traffic problems. So, we told them some of our trips we had taken.
That said, there are some beautiful road trips around us, using Corbin as a base. Vehicle or motorcycle, they are beautiful any time of the year. Sure, there''s some "not so pretty" sights along the way, but, not as many as you think. These can take from an hour, to half a day or more. And they're cheap too. Ten buck worth of gas, maybe stop for a soft drink or ice cream, and then home.
I'll list some, then let others do so. I feel as if I'm doing all the talking sometimes.
1. To cumberland falls and back. Always a beautiful drive.
2. Down hwy 25, but head on to williamsburg. Once you approach williamsburg, turn left on hwy 26, come back through rockholds, and the woodbine area, and back to town.
3. Down hwy 25, turn right to head to the grove marina area. Don't turn at the marina turn though, continue on straight, another few miles, and turn right toward Holly Bay marina. Got over the Laurel Dam. Before you head back through london, drive down to the lower end of the dam. It's really nice there. Then, head back past Holly Bay, and follow the signs to London. A really beautiful drive. You can come back to corbin on the interstate (which I don't recommend) or continue on through the london area, and come back to town on hwy 25.
4. Drive toward Barbourville on hwy 25, pass through B'ville, toward pineville. Watch for the signs, and turn right onto hwy 92 toward williamsburg. This is a really nice drive. And don't be in no hurry here either. Come back into williamsburg, turn right and come back on hwy 25 to corbin, or head down hwy 26 through rockholds.
We should come up with some driving maps to publish, call it "Corbin Road Trips". Even list some nice spots to stop at. Something simple, list the estimated times for the trip. Simple, detailed maps or descriptions.
There's more, I'll let others have a chance before I rant on.
NIBROC FAN wrote: The wife and I were talking about the tourism issues here, and she reminded me of a sunday evening back in october, when an out of town couple asked us where they could drive for some nice fall scenery. They mentioned they had been down through the Gatlinburg area, but commented on the traffic problems. So, we told them some of our trips we had taken.
That said, there are some beautiful road trips around us, using Corbin as a base. Vehicle or motorcycle, they are beautiful any time of the year. Sure, there''s some "not so pretty" sights along the way, but, not as many as you think. These can take from an hour, to half a day or more. And they're cheap too. Ten buck worth of gas, maybe stop for a soft drink or ice cream, and then home.
I'll list some, then let others do so. I feel as if I'm doing all the talking sometimes.
1. To cumberland falls and back. Always a beautiful drive.
2. Down hwy 25, but head on to williamsburg. Once you approach williamsburg, turn left on hwy 26, come back through rockholds, and the woodbine area, and back to town.
3. Down hwy 25, turn right to head to the grove marina area. Don't turn at the marina turn though, continue on straight, another few miles, and turn right toward Holly Bay marina. Got over the Laurel Dam. Before you head back through london, drive down to the lower end of the dam. It's really nice there. Then, head back past Holly Bay, and follow the signs to London. A really beautiful drive. You can come back to corbin on the interstate (which I don't recommend) or continue on through the london area, and come back to town on hwy 25.
4. Drive toward Barbourville on hwy 25, pass through B'ville, toward pineville. Watch for the signs, and turn right onto hwy 92 toward williamsburg. This is a really nice drive. And don't be in no hurry here either. Come back into williamsburg, turn right and come back on hwy 25 to corbin, or head down hwy 26 through rockholds.
We should come up with some driving maps to publish, call it "Corbin Road Trips". Even list some nice spots to stop at. Something simple, list the estimated times for the trip. Simple, detailed maps or descriptions.
There's more, I'll let others have a chance before I rant on.
Another good road trip in the area but make a day of it. Drive north on Hwy 25 to Livingston. Turn right onto Hwy 490 for a couple of miles. Hwy 490 will turn right and cross a bridge. Go straight at this point and you will be on Hwy 89. Continue on 89 all the way to McKee. This stretch goes along the Rockcastle River and is absolutely beautiful, especially in the spring and fall. When you get to McKee turn right onto Hwy 421 and go less than a half mile. Turn left onto Hwy 89 at the Jackson County courthouse. You will immediately see Opal's Restaurant on the corner behind the courthouse. STOP for lunch. The food is very good and the locals are extremely friendly. After lunch, leave McKee on Hwy 290. This is a gorgous drive, mostly through The National Forest. When this road ends at Hwy 30 turn right and continue about twenty miles into north London at the parkway. Turn right and return to Corbin via Hwy 25 through downtown London or by way of I-75. I think it is one of the better day trips around.
Corbin attracts many motorcycle enthusiasts and there are many great trips out of Corbin to a number of beautiful areas. This is a growing segment of the market and helps our tourism activities very much. Corbin is a friendly place for people to visit.
That's why I like this website. We find out a lot about this area from each other. I appreciate those who post their comments, ideas, and information because that is what a Democracy is all about---information and freedom of communication.
Thanks for suggestions on places to visit that are shown on this website. The Tourism section is very helpful Congratulations on providing travelers through the are good information.
Head to the falls, and when you get to the bridge that spans the river, keep going. This is a beautiful drive. It ends up on hwy 27. When you get to hwy 27 then;
Turn left, toward whitley city. Continue on until you get to Pine Knot, and you'll see the big pedistrian walking bridge. There's a traffic light there. Turn left on hwy 92, that takes you in to the walmart in williamsburg. The mountain is kind of curvey, but they're fixing the road and it'll be finished soon. Still, it's a nice drive.
Or, turn right on 27, that takes you into Burnside and somerset. Then keep going to the bypass, or on into somerset to the hwy 80 turn, and come back into london that way. Another fine drive.
You can also go south on 27, continue through Pine Knot, on into Winfield and Oneida, and then to Huntsville. Turn left, you'll see the I-75 sign, and it takes up all the way to the interstate, the exit on top of the mountain with the Perkins restaurant and the big fireworks shops. Then, head back to Jellico, get off there, and hit 25 back into williamsburg and corbin.
This is a half day trip, but well worth it in the fall.
We've tried several of these routes in the last couple of months, and they are really nice drives. We'll do them again in the summer.
This is one type of thing that could be promoted to motorcycle groups for their rides. Many groups travel to an area as a club, stay in local hotels, eat in the restaurants, buy gas at our stations, and then ride for a couple of days and then go home.
