As our eyes adjusted to the darkness, I saw what looked like a faint spotlight beam coming up from the bank, directly beside the falls. The wide waters of the Cumberland River plunged 68 feet before us, creating a roar that echoed off the surrounding cliffs and a mist that felt like rainfall. Illuminated only by the moon, the sight was incredible. We switched to the 11 pm trip and used the extra hour to head down to the park’s waterfall overlooks.Īfter descending winding steps that wrapped around massive boulders, we emerged onto a platform with a spectacular view of the falls. We’d reserved a 10 pm raft ride out to the base of the falls, but when we checked in for our trip shortly before ten, the moon was still hiding behind the trees that surrounded the gorge. If there was ever a night to see a moonbow, it was this one. We couldn’t have known when we planned the trip weeks earlier whether the weather would cooperate, but on this count, we were in luck - Not only were the skies clear when we arrived, but a cold front had brought cool, dry air to an ordinarily warm and muggy August. Cumberland Falls is one of two places in the world where you can see a moonbow if conditions are just right the only other moonbow is found at Victoria Falls in Zambia. We had driven to Cumberland Falls State Park to see a moonbow - an ethereal arch of white light produced by the combination of a full moon and rising mist from the falls. Right? I took a deep breath and climbed aboard. On the other hand, I reminded myself, this particular trip was sanctioned and promoted by the state park. Although we were all wearing life vests, the waterfall was truly massive and the silver-tipped waters swirling around its base looked dangerous. Months ago, I had found this rafting trip online and begged to go - Now, I wondered if it was a bad idea. As my husband and two children climbed inside the raft and perched on its edges, my stomach knotted. Just around the river’s bend was the mighty Cumberland Falls, aptly nicknamed The Niagara of the South. We gathered around the raft on a beach lit only by the full moon. One of the world’s rarest wonders is just three hours from Nashville.
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