Blue Ridge Country March/April 2024 - 15

out of the hillside, enabling trains to negotiate this
narrow passage.
On city sidewalks for a few blocks, the trail goes
near downtown businesses, restaurants, public art
and the city's first legal moonshine distillery, Kentucky
Mist (open during evening hours).
Penny Vaccaro walked by as we were taking a selfie
and welcomed us to " this little slice of heaven " as she
referred to Whitesburg.
" I grew up in Louisiana, moved here a few years
ago and simply love it. The people are so friendly and
I've used the trail to train for a half-marathon. "
We met Clay Christian, Letcher County tourism
director, as we crossed the river for the final time.
Talking about the area, he said he grew up in eastern
Kentucky, graduated college and, along with a friend,
enjoyed living in China for several years operating
a successful American-style restaurant. Yet, when it
came to raising a family, he knew it was time to return
home to " the best place I've known. "
The trail enters an old railroad tunnel that ChrisCLOCKWISE
FROM TOP LEFT:
Three-dimensional public art graces
downtown Whitesburg.
The old train tunnel has become a
highlight of the trail.
The trail's covered bridge was
dedicated in 2021.
tian explains was cut out of the mountain in the
1910s. " After the trains left, the tunnel was made
inaccessible, but we recently reopened it and paved
the treadway as a trail highlight. " I couldn't help but
think about how an entire hospital complex now exists
on top of the mountain we were walking through.
Beyond the tunnel, the trail leaves the rail bed to
follow a horseshoe bend in the river and double back
on itself through Riverside Park. Families barbequing
while attending a children's sporting event invited us
to join them, reinforcing Penny Vaccaro's assessment
of the friendliness of the area's residents.
Leonard has written 20 books on the outdoors and travel.
Find out more at www.habitualhiker.com.
A MOST
CONVENIENT
LOCATION
Restored in 2021, the 1924
Sears and Roebuck Salyer
House (airbnb.com) was
our lodging for the night.
With six suites, each with
private bath, the home has
a full kitchen with common
sitting areas and overlooks
Whitesburg, about a twominute
walk to downtown
and the trail.
THE WALK: A level 4.2mile
roundtrip (or 2.6mile
one way) walk along
Whitesburg, Kentucky's
paved Tanglewood Trail.
GETTING THERE: From
the US 119/KY 15 intersection
east of Whitesburg,
drive westward on KY
15 for 2.3 miles, turn
right onto Hazard Road,
continue another .4 mile,
turn right onto Parks
Street and start walking
from the parking lot near
the school. (If you have
two cars for a shuttle,
leave one car at the trail's
eastern end by driving .6
mile from the US 119/KY
15 intersection, turning
right onto Hospital Road
and parking in Riverside
Park.)
MORE INFORMATION:
Letcher County Tourism
(discoverletcher.com) can
provide additional trail
details.
MARCH/APRIL 2024 15
http://www.discoverletcher.com http://www.habitualhiker.com http://www.airbnb.com
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2024

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