Is there a pot of gold at the end of a moonbow?

One afternoon while visiting relatives in Corbin, Kentucky, we decided to have lunch at the Dupont Lodge at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.  From most tables you have a lovely view of the Cumberland River and outside the windows are feeders to attract the resident birds and delight the diners. The food was plentiful and enjoyable.  I had catfish and the usual array of buffet vegetables, salad fixings, green beans, mashed potatoes and some yummy hush puppies. One person in our group ordered a Kentucky favorite – A Hot Brown (a hot turkey and bacon sandwich with a Mornay sauce.)  The Lodge is a local favorite and on the day I was there I met neighbors of my hosts, saw couples and families with children on vacation and some motorcycle riders out for the day.

Since it was a lovely summer day, in the low 80’s, we spent about 30 minutes sitting out on the patio of the lodge.  The lodge is at the top of the mountain, overlooking the river, and you feel like you are in the trees.   Actually, it is nestled on the side of the mountain. so you look down on the tops of trees and all the way down to the river.  It was a little dizzying.

From the lodge, it’s a short drive down to the actual falls.  There had been a lot of rain in the last weeks so the river was muddy and high.  The falls are 125 feet wide and fall about 68 feet.  What makes this particular falls stand out in a crowd is when there is a clear night and a full moon you can see a moonbow over the river.  A moonbow is a rainbow generated by moon light.  Cumberland Falls is the only place in North America where you can see one.   We followed the trails to view the top of the falls and then walked down the path to the cool misty spot where the falls thunder into the river.   You used to be able to get even closer to the falls, but over the years they have restricted some areas for safety reasons.

I didn’t take advantage of all the Park’s opportunities that day.  You can go horseback riding (the horses were saddled up and ready to go when we drove by) or enjoy the 17 miles of trails.  An Olympic size swimming pool is open to the public. From May through October, you can sign up for whitewater rafting or you can always find a quiet place to fish. You can stay at the renovated lodge (constructed by the W.P.A. and the C.C.C. in the early 40's), in one of the Woodland cabins (I’ve done this before and it was very enjoyable) or at the campground.
  
I think State Parks are hidden gems.  Which one is special to you? 
  
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is at 7351 Highway 90, Corbin, Kentucky 40701-8814.  Note:  The Park is located in a “limited dry county” meaning that liquor sales are prohibited in many areas.