2004-08-14, Natural Tunnel, Virginia

After meeting for breakfast at the Moose Cafe, the gang rode to Virginia's Natural Tunnel State Park near Gate City, TN.

We stopped for a break at McDonalds on the way.

There, we met a new GWRRA recruit...

...and his big brother.

Once we arrived, we began the long, perilous journey down to the tunnel, except for Steve and Rosa who walked. Steve mentioned something about the chairlift triggering some sort of overstress alarm.

It sure looks like a long way down!

Cliff on the Lift

We were met by some teddy bears on their way back up.

The view from the bottom. I'm glad we took the chairlift.

Another view of the cliffs.

The entrance to the tunnel. Yep, those are train tracks! About ten trains a day pass through the Natural Tunnel.

We ate our picnic lunches on the boardwalk while we waited for the train,but none came by.

We followed the stream down to another railroad tunnel...

...that didn't look quite so natural. I think it had a little help from jackhammers and dynamite.

Finally, it was time to go back up the hill. That's Russ & Bev cuddling on the chairlift.

Back at the top, we toured the museum and gift shop, and then headed for home.