Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
I began the morning at Twin Falls Resort State Park, then toured the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine with a retired mine inspector. He spoke about the work, the dangers, and even the rats that warned miners of bad air. From Beckley to Helen and Itmann, the Coal Heritage Trail traces stories of coal, community, and endurance—ending with quiet reflection in an abandoned company store.
Blue Heron Mine / Trail
I stayed a few days at Bear Creek Horse Camp in the Big South Fork National Recreation Area, then hiked the Blue Heron Loop Trail. The 6.5-mile path winds past sandstone cliffs, coal seams, and the re-created mining camp of Blue Heron. It was a day of quiet forest, unexpected encounters, and a glimpse into Kentucky’s coal-mining past.