Visiting The Moonbow of Cumberland Falls - 36°50′27″N 84°19′58″W
Near Corbin, Kentucky is a nice little park that I frequently visit, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. While the family and I have visited the park several times in the last few years, we had yet to see one of the most unique and famous aspects of the park, the Moonbow. A moonbow is much like a rainbow, except the light is not directly from the sun, but instead coming from the moon's reflection of that light.
You can read more about Moonbows here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonbow
Shortly after 9:00pm the family and I meandered down to the falls area below the DuPont Lodge. We were told that the best time to see a moonbow was between 9:30 and 11:00pm, so we were a little early. However, it allowed us to find our little space there aside the falls and set the camera with whatever settings were necessary to take a picture in such low light conditions.
As the clouds slowly gave way to the moon around 10, a silver arch appeared over the falls, a streak that looks like a rainbow in shape and essence, but instead of a spectrum of colors, it was white to silver in color. As clouds came in and out the Moonbow left and revisited, each time provided a different and spectacular view. As the night wore on, faint colors began to show toward the bottom of the rainbow near the river and the moonbow again impressed.
The wife and kids were also in awe of the beauty, with as with all children, they were soon doing other things as my wife and I discussed how cool it was to sit there beneath this wonderful entertainment nature provides us. I took many a picture that night, with varied settings, and a few came out better than expected. I will post some below. Remember, I took these pictures at around 10:30pm!
I encourage everyone that can to visit during a Moonbow. The photographs, discussions, and poetic lines cannot do the experience justice. Kentucky State Parks truly have something that is internationally unique and deserves a place on the bucket list.
You can read more about Moonbows here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonbow
Shortly after 9:00pm the family and I meandered down to the falls area below the DuPont Lodge. We were told that the best time to see a moonbow was between 9:30 and 11:00pm, so we were a little early. However, it allowed us to find our little space there aside the falls and set the camera with whatever settings were necessary to take a picture in such low light conditions.
As the clouds slowly gave way to the moon around 10, a silver arch appeared over the falls, a streak that looks like a rainbow in shape and essence, but instead of a spectrum of colors, it was white to silver in color. As clouds came in and out the Moonbow left and revisited, each time provided a different and spectacular view. As the night wore on, faint colors began to show toward the bottom of the rainbow near the river and the moonbow again impressed.
The wife and kids were also in awe of the beauty, with as with all children, they were soon doing other things as my wife and I discussed how cool it was to sit there beneath this wonderful entertainment nature provides us. I took many a picture that night, with varied settings, and a few came out better than expected. I will post some below. Remember, I took these pictures at around 10:30pm!
I encourage everyone that can to visit during a Moonbow. The photographs, discussions, and poetic lines cannot do the experience justice. Kentucky State Parks truly have something that is internationally unique and deserves a place on the bucket list.
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Great blog...draws you into the park...creates a great outdoor experience...virtually!
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