Appalachian Legends: From Breaks to Buther Holler

Day 1

Following meal and rest stops at your expense as needed, you arrive in Breaks, VA for a three-night stay at the Breaks Interstate Park Lodging (276-865-4413). In-room amenities include a mini refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker and hairdryer. Enjoy an orientation drive of the park known as the "Grand Canyon of the South" to become more familiar with your beautiful and tranquil surroundings. Dinner this evening is included at the Lodge and accompanied by live music. The rest of the night is yours to relax and unwind.

Day 2

Breakfast is included at the lodge. Today you take a deep dive into the Appalachian heritage, beginning with a visit to the Ralph Stanley Museum. The museum is a monument to Ralph Edmond Stanley, an American bluegrass musician known for his distinctive singing and banjo playing. Enjoy an interactive musical journey through Stanley's career and the history of the traditional mountain music right here where it all started. Next, lunch is included with live bluegrass music to enjoy as you eat. Early afternoon, you depart for a tour and tasting at Kentucky Mist Distillery. Kentucky Mist's history can be traced back to days of the American Prohibition when distilling corn liquor and bootlegging in the Appalachian Mountains was a way of life, but illegal by government standards. Henry Holbrook, grandfather to distillery owner Colin Fultz was imprisoned for bootlegging, but that didn't stop him. He began bootlegging again after 17 years in prison and then died in 1986. Colin decided to turn the Holbrook family tradition into a legal business in 2015, thus Kentucky Mist was founded. The distillery produces whiskey, Ole Henry Barreled Corn of course, as well as flavored moonshine made with whole fruit and vodka. Your next stop is the beautiful Pine Mountain Overlook, offering an excellent opportunity to enjoy the region's fall foliage and take more group photos. Afterwards, become immersed in local history by visiting historic filming locations from the classic movie Coal Miner's Daughter, including the old post office, general store, and church. Dinner this evening will be at a local favorite restaurant and followed by return to the Breaks for the remainder of the night to turn in or reflect on that day's events with fellow passengers.

Day 3

Following breakfast included at the lodge, you depart for Pikeville, Kentucky where upon arrival you visit the Pikeville Overlook for a beautiful view and history about the area. Late morning, you arrive at Wright Brothers Distillery for a tour and tasting. Standing on shoulder of work completed by coal miners in Eastern Kentucky over a century ago, Brothers Wright has built a brand that is steeped in history, a brand that is tough and a brand that is not afraid to take risks. Learn about that brand and what it takes to produce coal mine aged Kentucky Bourbon. Next, you will have free time to explore the Hillbilly Days Festival featuring live music on three stages, an artisan village with local flare and food vendors for you to purchase lunch on your own. This internationally known annual event serves as a fundraiser to benefit the Shriners' Children's Hospital in Lexington, KY. Held in downtown Pikeville, this is one festival you've got to see to believe! After time to enjoy the festival, you return to the lodge for some downtime before your day culminates with an Elk Tour and dinner. Board a park shuttle for a journey to the Virginia Elk Restoration Zone, where visitors are transported to the original release site to view the thriving elk herd-a remarkable conservation success story across Kentucky and Virginia. Elk were successfully reintroduced to the area beginning in 1997, when 1,500 Rocky Mountain Elk were restored in Eastern Kentucky. Through the efforts of multiple agencies, non-profits and individuals, elk restoration has flourished, and the herds now inhabit rehabilitated coal mine sites and forests around the Breaks. A dinner box is included for this special wildlife viewing adventure before we return to the lodge. You then return to the Lodge for the rest of the night.

Day 4

Wake to breakfast included at the lodge before you pack up and depart for a tour of Butcher Holler, the childhood home of Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gale. You arrive at Webb's General Store and are broken into smaller groups to be taken to see Butcher Holler. The home is nestled between two fog shrouded mountains up a "Holler". Webbs General Store is over 100 years old and is still owned by a relative of Loretta Lynn. The Webb store was portrayed in the movies "Coal Miners' Daughter", "Let It Be War" and "Fifth Hollar". You have one more stop for lunch on your own and at your expense at Hillbilly Hotdogs. A quirky, themed hot dog restaurant in Lesage, West Virginia, Hillbilly Hotdogs is known for its unique menu, eccentric atmosphere, and unique additions like a "Weddin' Chapel". It is something that you have to see to believe! Now, the time has finally come to return home with amazing memories of beautiful scenery, fascinating history and the sounds of mountains music alive in your heart.

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ALL WOLF'S TOURS - TIMES AND ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE**

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner