RIDE the BLACK WIDOW

November 14, 1779 - Surveyors Walker and Smith got off course while establishing the border between Kentucky and Tennessee in what is now Simpson County, Kentucky and Robertson County, Tennessee. A pronounced dip south creates a triangular shaped portion of land known as the “Simpson County Offset.”

The surveyors lost track of the proper location of the line due to cloudy weather which didn’t allow them to obtain correct astronomical observations. Walker also noted that, “there was some iron ore in that vicinity, which deflected the needle of the compass.” Clearly a mistake, surveyors were sent to the area again in the 1830s to redraw the line. However, they recommended leaving the border where it was and let each state yield its claim to the territory and both states agreed.

The matter was brought up again a couple of decades later by a Robertson County, Tennessee settler named Middleton who claimed that 101 acres of his property protruded into Kentucky and was properly part of Tennessee. Once again, surveyors were dispatched to the area in 1859 to settle the dispute. The surveyors agreed with Middleton and redrew the line around his property leaving a rectangular shaped protrusion northward into Kentucky. Some have suggested that a barrel of whiskey offered by Middleton helped the surveyors find the location of the haphazard border.

In the early 19th century, the land - more than 600 acres - was known as a dueling ground as it was considered a “no-man’s land” between Kentucky and Tennessee and where those who might be charged with illegally dueling could dispute which state in which the duel had taken place.

Look up! Leonid meteor shower peaks this weekend The Leonid meteor shower is expected to peak at around half past midnight, in all time zones, on Saturday.

Ordinarily, when federally threatened or endangered wildlife species are de-listed, it’s an occasion to celebrate. But two Kentucky native species were recently de-listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for a different reason: they’re extinct.

The two species of freshwater mussels - the yellow-blossom pearly mussel and the tubercled blossom pearly mussel - were historically found throughout the Cumberland River basin and Ohio River basin, respectively.

Freshwater mussels are critically important indicators of healthy streams, and clean, reliable water resources that benefit people, outdoor recreation, and wildlife. But nearly half of the mussels native to the US are imperiled due to changes in habitat and water quality issues.

Fortunately, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Center for Mollusk Conservation (CMC) is dedicated to the conservation, restoration, culture, and propagation of Kentucky’s rare and imperiled mussels.

Extinction is forever, but proactive conservation can restore and recover our most vulnerable wildlife resources.

To learn more about the CMC’s efforts, click here: https://bit.ly/3SLEYY9

To support statewide conservation of freshwater mussels, and other vulnerable wildlife, consider becoming a member of Kentucky Wild. Click here to join today to make a difference for tomorrow: https://bit.ly/3q7pt0J

📷 Freshwater mussel biologist Monte McGregor shows off an assemblage of mussels during a stream survey.

🎶'Cause that's the way things happen on the Polar Express!🎶

Tomorrow is the official launch of the 2023 Polar Express Train Ride season here at Big South Fork Scenic Railway!✨Rides will begin tomorrow and go through December 23rd. Tickets are expected to sell out this year, so don't wait and miss the magic! For more information, dates, times, and tickets, visit our website: https://zurl.co/VulA 🎟

Due to extreme wildfire danger, we have issued an emergency order temporarily restricting campfires across the Forest.

The emergency order prohibits igniting or maintaining any fire (including charcoal) outside of developed recreation areas. Within developed campgrounds and picnic areas, campfires will be permitted so long as they are inside Forest Service-installed metal fire rings and pedestal grills.

Learn more https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/dbnf/alerts-notices/?aid=84526

These are now available at The Artisan Shop

New Window Stickers have arrived.

Coming Soon to The Artisan Shop and McCreary Mountain Craft Center !

Hiking Stick Medallions and Window Stickers can be located here!

Seeking the perfect place to shop this holiday season? Look no further than The Artisan Shop, your one-stop destination for all your gift-giving needs! Step into a world of artisanal wonders, where creativity and craftsmanship seamlessly intertwine. From one-of-a-kind gifts to delightful decor, our shop is a treasure trove of handmade magic! 🎁✨

Interested in hosting a meeting or a Christmas party? Please reach out to our Sales Representative for discounted rates and availability December 1st - 20th.

HELP FEED THE HUNGRY

Donate harvested and field-dressed deer to participating Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry Deer Processors (KHFH). KHFH pays for the deer processing cost and then distributes ground, packaged venison burger to food banks and shelters to supply healthy protein through meals served to our neighbors in need.

For more information about KHFH https://kyhuntersforthehungry.info/
Find a Deer Processor: https://bit.ly/3sm2m3H

It's been a busy afternoon working on items and projects associated with RIDE the BLACK WIDOW .
It is now Officially Registered with State!

New Window Stickers have arrived.

Don’t forget to come check out these free programs coming up this weekend! 🌌🔭🪲🕷️

Join us on November 10th for a Saturn & Galaxy Presentation followed by a Telescope Viewing of the Night Sky with NASA Ambassador Dan Price, and on November 11th for a Live Insect Program with Entomologist Seth Spinner. You will receive 10% off of lodging if you mention you are coming for either program!

Join Ranger Jordan H on Saturday, November 11 for an easy, 2.7-mile hike to enjoy beautiful fall colors and the rustic rock formations at Split Bow Arch. Visitors should wear proper footwear and meet at the Bear Creek Parking Lot at 1 pm ET for a special Veterans Day hike. Plan for at least a 2 hour hike. Please bring sunscreen, water, and snacks for a comfortable hike!
Grab some additional points before turning in your GO BIG Challenge 2023 booklet. Participation is worth 5 points! https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/big-south-fork-go-big-challenge.htm
For more information, please contact Bandy Creek Visitor Center at 423-286-7275.

Photo Credit: NPS/Bill Fultz

New to our trails and need a guide? We can help with that! Take a guided tour or tours on the trail options offered below! This is a great way to get familiar with the trails and wildlife in the area! For scheduled tours please have 2 or more people going. To schedule a tour please email [email protected] 🥾

Trunk or Treat?! Come join us down at the falls for some Halloween fun! 🎃👻🍬

Join a ranger on Saturday evening at 8:00 pm ET for a 1-hour tour of the Blue Heron Outdoor Museum by the light of a lantern and a full moon!

The story of the hardworking miners and their longsuffering families lives on at the Blue Heron Outdoor Museum. Blue Heron, or Mine 18, tells the story of the people who lived and worked for the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company. While the Stearns Company was busy changing the landscape and selling the earth by the pound, the seclusion of this place colored the lives of the people who called this place home. It is their story that we wish to tell.

Don't miss this fun and engaging program as you earn 5 points toward your GO BIG 2023 Challenge.

Photo Credit: NPS Photo

In case of rain, the program will be cancelled. Call 423-286-7275 for program updates.

Big South Fork GO BIG Challenge - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is proud to introduce its eighth GO BIG Challenge designed to engage the public in health and fitness while enjoying everything our national park has to offer. The GO BIG 2023 Challenge is a year-long, self-paced, all-inclusive event that encourages vi...

Come join us on November 10th for a Saturn & Galaxy Presentation and Telescope Viewing of the Night Sky with NASA Ambassador Dan Price, and on November 11th for a Live Inspect Program with Entomologist Seth Spinner. You will receive 10% off of lodging if you mention you are coming for either program!

It's been a week now since the big day. We’ve cleaned up and dropped off the keys at Group Camp. Things are starting to wind down for us and we’re finally feeling caught up enough to share some of our thoughts on the 2023 edition of NB100.

Where to begin? We’ve been putting on No Business for seven years now and as great as each one has been, it just seems to continue getting better and better. This year was no different. Probably the best place to start is by saying THANK YOU!

To every runner, past and present, thank you for coming along with us on this incredible journey and sharing your experiences at No Business with others. We’ve enjoyed getting to know so many of you on a personal level. The friendships that have been created out of this race, the accomplishments, the struggles, all of the unforgettable memories, it’s difficult to put into words what they mean to us. We cherish these moments and you so much for choosing to run No Business. Thank you for inspiring us!

To the land management agencies and support organizations, Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, U.S. Forest Service-Daniel Boone National Forest, Pickett State Forest, Scott State Forest, Fentress County Emergency Communications, the HAM radio clubs, McCreary Tourism, Twin Lakes, The Highland Connection, Good Times Event Services thank you for all that you do to help keep runners safe out there. All the behind the scenes support you provide might go unseen but you’re not forgotten. From clearing the trails to setting up WiFi services, monitoring communications, and providing race timing, please know that what you do is so vital to this race and we appreciate all that you do to support it.

To our sponsors, thank you for believing in us. We have amazing sponsors who want to ensure that we are successful. More importantly, they are committed to you and this crazy sport we love. They help us bring excitement and legitimacy to our event and in turn we hope you will support these organizations. In particular, thank you to our presenting sponsor HOKA and Cassy Campanella for being one of our biggest advocates.

Thank you to all our amazing sponsors! Cumberland Transit, Sword Performance, Hüma Chia Energy Gel, Salty Britches, Jarfly Brewing Company, rnnr, Trail Sisters.

To our amazing host, Pickett Civilian Conservation Corps Memorial State Park and Tennessee State Parks. Thank you to Travis Stover and the entire Pickett staff for making us feel so welcomed. We truly love working with you and introducing people to your park. Hand down the most beautiful state park in Tennessee and it has so much to offer. It’s truly an outdoor enthusiast's playground.

Lastly but most importantly, to every volunteer, thank you for being the heart and soul of this race. This race wouldn’t be what it is without you. Simple put, YOU ARE AMAZING! Every single runner who crossed the finish line and even those who didn’t echoed this sentiment “No Business has by far the best volunteers at any race they have ever been to.” We don’t take that for granted. We are so grateful for your commitment to making No Business something really special. You go the extra mile for runners to make it an unforgettable experience. Believe me, the runners have taken notice and so have we. This No Business family of ours is growing and evolving into the most amazing community and it’s all thanks to you.

Final thoughts…

When we announced the No Business 100 in 2016 we had no idea it would become what it has become today. Our goal from the very beginning was to put on a first class trail running event that would attract runners from across the globe. We had a vision and we certainly had the passion but you just never know with an event of this magnitude. Fifteen aid stations, 5 different land management agencies, 2 states, 2 time zones, remote wilderness, communications challenges, trying to keep up with 100 miles of trail maintenance, flipping the entire course around every year, we could go on and on. Yet in spite of all that, we’ve been able to pull it off and really build something special. Everyone mentioned above is responsible for getting us here. Everyone who has run this race in the past and told their running friends to come do it. Every volunteer who has cooked quesadillas at an aid station, shuttled runners back to Group Camp, marked a section of course, or pinned inspirational messages on runners, whatever it has been, you are the reason the No Business 100 is so unbelievably incredible. We should all be proud of what we have built together. Other communities would be jealous to have something like this in the backyard.

We are just a small grassroots husband and wife organization trying to showcase this beautiful area that we love with the rest of the country. We have 5 kids and full time jobs but our passion is the trail running community. It’s our hope that after experiencing this event, it will bring people back to the area so they can enjoy it with friends and family for years to come. We want to thank you all again for all the love and support you’ve given us and this event. We consider you all our friends and our family. We hope to see you return to No Business year after year to make even more unforgettable memories with us.

With full hearts,

Brian and Shelley Gajus

Everyone is welcome to share your gratitude for the volunteers, support teams, crews, pacers, etc. in the comments below.

Fall is too cold for swimming, but perfect weather for hiking!
Join Ranger Mark for an easy, .8-mile hike to the Gentleman's Swimming Hole this Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 am ET. Visitors will meet at the Laurel Dale Cemetery parking lot before descending into the Clear Fork River Gorge to learn about the history of this amazing place.

Call Bandy Creek Visitor Center at 423-286-7275 for more information.

Bandy Creek Pool Now Open for the 2023 Season!

Bandy Creek pool and wading pool will open for the 2023 season on Friday, May 26, 2023, at 11:00 AM (ET). The hours of operation will be from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays through Labor Day.

Daily use fees are free for 5 years old and under, $2 for 6-12 years old, and $3 for 13 and older. Use the following link for more information:
https://www.nps.gov/biso/learn/news/bandy-creek-pool-now-open-for-the-2023-season.htm

As part of this weekends schedule of events we will be "Running the Rattlesnake" on Friday afternoon!!!

We will be leaving from the Burnside "Meet & Greet" location (Cole Park located at 7929 S Hwy 27, Burnside, KY) at 2pm!!

If you've never done this it's a great trip thru the backroads of the Daniel Boone National Forrest with a stop at the Cumberland Falls State Park!!! It covers 74 miles with 326 curves!!! Make plans to join us!!

Join a park ranger for the first ranger-led hike of the year for an easy 3.5-mile hike on the Middle Creek Loop.

Did you know Big South Fork contains more than 130 naturally occurring sandstone arches within park boundaries? Learn about the amazing rock features and hardwood forests on the Cumberland Plateau and their importance to the ecosystem.

Bring snacks, water, appropriate footwear, and prepare to spend Memorial Day weekend in the great outdoors.

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=DEB0B91F-EB84-8C02-2460F5DBF530454F

Are you ready to get SQUIRRELLY?!?

It's officially Spring Squirrel Season from now until Friday, June 16th!

• Get your license: https://bit.ly/3gpXd1I
• Download the 2023 Spring Hunting Guide: https://bit.ly/3IUnfHq
• Take someone squirrel hunting!

It will be a day you both fondly remember!