Deep in the Cumberland Mountain hollows, the sun doesn't negotiate.

It doesn't care about your Senate subcommittee. It doesn't care about your Chamber of Commerce luncheon. It rises when the ridgeline lets it and quits when the limestone says so.

Always has. Always will.

So when the federal government came around twice a year asking mountain people to fiddle with their clocks — to "spring forward" like some kind of obedient wind-up toy — a lot of folks in Kentucky and West Virginia had a word for that.

Actually, two words.

Fast Time.

And they said it the same way you'd say "head lice" or "audit notice."

Here's the thing you have to understand about Appalachian people and clocks. The clock wasn't just a tool hanging crooked on the kitchen wall next to the almanac. It was a moral document. It was testimony.

And you don't mess with testimony.

The theology was simple. If God wanted the sun overhead at one o'clock instead of noon, He'd have put it there. Meddling with the hour wasn't a scheduling adjustment. It was closer to lying under oath. Some folks called it flat-out "false witnessing," which in a Baptist hollow carries about the same weight as a federal indictment.

So the kitchen clock stayed on Standard Time.

God's Time.

Year-round. Non-negotiable. Pass the biscuits.

Before the Uniform Time Act of 1966 brought its heavy, standardizing boot down on all of this, the coalfields were a beautiful, gorgeous mess.

Drive twenty miles. Cross three time zones. Easy.

The Post Office ran on Federal Time. The school ran on State Time. Your mother's kitchen ran on Sun Time, and if you showed up late to either supper or Sunday service, there was no time zone on earth that would save you.

A miner might crawl out of a "God's Time" hollow every morning and punch a clock in a "Fast Time" camp eight miles away. He existed in two temporal realities simultaneously, like some kind of coal-dusted quantum physicist who just wanted his lunch pail and a quiet ride home.

It sounds chaotic.

It was.

But it was their chaos. A stubborn, localized, independent chaos that said: we decide when noon is around here.

That's not ignorance.

That's sovereignty.

The argument happening in Washington right now — permanent Daylight Saving Time, permanent Standard Time, pick a lane, America — is the same argument those hollow-dwellers were having with the federal government seventy years ago.

Dressed up fancier, maybe. Better hair. Worse ideas.

Because here's the truth those mountain people understood in their bones, the kind of truth you absorb from planting seasons and creek floods and watching your grandfather read the sky like a newspaper:

You cannot save time.

That word — saving — is a lie we told ourselves so the thing would sound sensible. You're not saving daylight. You're just moving the label. The daylight doesn't care. The sun punches its own clock.

All you're really choosing is whose rhythm runs your life.

As a child, I knew a lady who kept two clocks in her kitchen. One for "regular time." One for when the rest of the world got confused and started calling one o'clock twelve.

She didn't think of it as resistance.

It just was.

Same as the ridge was there. Same as the creek ran downhill.

Some things, she figured, weren't up for a vote.

Pass the biscuits.

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🗺 In The Kitchen With Kay
Gospel singer Sister Kay Himes Knuckles shares favorite recipes
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My daddy worked hauling coal from the coal mines, while taking care of the farm as well.  

Farm life was quite interesting to say the least. 

My parents raised their own beef and pork, chicken and eggs. 

Each morning a chore of milking the cows, which I was never able to do, couldn’t get the right squeeze I suppose.

Mommy and daddy raised big gardens, lots of canning and food preservation was an annual family chore. 

Tobacco crops were a source of income that my parents counted on, but, whew what work that was from start to finish. 

If you ever worked a tobacco crop you know what I’m talking about.

Enjoy the recipe for an Orange Juice cake. This is not my original recipe:

Until next time ~  

Sister Kay Himes Knuckles

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

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🗺 KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS
Visit all 423 Appalachian counties, one week at a time
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Powell County sits in the heart of eastern Kentucky, where the hills start rising and the pace of life slows down just enough to notice the scenery. Founded in 1852 and named for Governor Lazarus W. Powell, the county is anchored by the town of Stanton and framed by some of the most rugged landscape in the Commonwealth. This is gateway country to the Red River Gorge and the Daniel Boone National Forest, places where sandstone cliffs, deep hollows, and winding creeks have shaped both the land and the people who call it home.

For visitors, Powell County is an outdoor playground. Rock climbers from around the world come to test themselves on the Gorge’s famous cliffs, hikers wander miles of forest trails, and paddlers slip quietly down the Red River beneath towering rock formations. But beyond the scenery, there is a small-town rhythm here that still feels authentic. Family-run diners, local festivals, and front-porch conversations remain part of daily life.

Powell County also carries a strong Appalachian heritage. Timber, farming, and hard work built the community, and that history still echoes through its towns and hollows. Today the county blends that deep-rooted tradition with a growing tourism economy centered on the Gorge. It is a place where adventure meets Appalachian hospitality.

If Powell County had a front porch view for the whole world to admire, it would be the Red River Gorge.

This stunning section of the Daniel Boone National Forest is famous for its sandstone cliffs, natural arches, and deep forest hollows. Hikers, photographers, and nature lovers come here year-round to wander the trails and take in the scenery.

The Gorge is also one of the most celebrated rock-climbing destinations in North America. On any given weekend you will find climbers from all over the world hanging from ropes on the cliffs above the Red River.

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Natural Bridge State Resort Park is the county’s signature landmark.

The massive sandstone arch that gives the park its name stretches roughly 78 feet long and towers above the surrounding forest. Visitors can hike to the top of the bridge, ride the skylift, or explore miles of trails winding through cliffs and ridges.

The park has been drawing travelers to Powell County for more than a century and remains one of Kentucky’s most visited natural attractions.

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Locals sometimes call it the “Gateway to the Gorge.”

The Nada Tunnel is a narrow, one-lane passage carved through solid rock in the early 1900s by a logging company. Today it serves as the dramatic entrance to Red River Gorge for many travelers.

Driving through the dim, rough-hewn tunnel feels like stepping into another world, and once you come out the other side you are deep in some of Kentucky’s wildest country.

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Stanton is the small but lively heart of Powell County. It serves as the main hub for visitors heading into the Gorge and Natural Bridge area.

The town hosts festivals, local gatherings, and the everyday business of county life. While it may not be large, Stanton reflects the character of the region, with friendly storefronts, family restaurants, and a steady flow of hikers, climbers, and travelers passing through.

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Not the airport gift shop kind. Meadowgreen Appalachian Music Park has been offering live bluegrass music to Powell County and beyond since 1974.

Fifty-plus years of Saturday nights. No light show. No fog machine. Just people who actually know how to play.

Miguel’s Pizza sits just outside the Red River Gorge and has become something of a legend among climbers and travelers.

What started as a simple roadside pizza stop has turned into one of the most recognizable gathering spots in the area. The pizzas are built to order, the atmosphere is casual, and the place is usually buzzing with hikers, climbers, and locals swapping stories about the day’s adventures.

It is the kind of place where muddy boots and big appetites are always welcome.

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Red River Rockhouse has built a reputation for creative, locally sourced food in a laid-back mountain setting.

Located along the scenic road through the Gorge, the restaurant blends Appalachian comfort cooking with fresh ingredients and a little culinary flair. You might find tacos, burgers, or hearty breakfast plates, all served in a rustic building surrounded by cliffs and forest.

It is a favorite stop for visitors who want something a little different from the usual roadside fare.

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Breakfast, burgers, and blue-plate comfort food done the way it’s been done for years. Lynn’s is where you go for biscuits and gravy in the morning or a plate lunch that sticks with you through the afternoon.

It feels like the whole county rotates through there before noon.

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Locally loved and known for hearty portions, Big Daddy’s delivers pizzas piled high, wings, subs, and comfort food classics. It’s a good call when the family can’t agree on what they want. There is something for everybody.

You won’t leave hungry. That’s a promise.

The Red River Gorge is the crown jewel of Powell County and one of Kentucky’s most breathtaking natural landscapes.

Towering sandstone cliffs, more than a hundred natural arches, and miles of forest trails make it a dream destination for hikers, photographers, and outdoor adventurers. The area is part of the Daniel Boone National Forest and offers everything from quiet nature walks to challenging rock climbs.

Even a simple drive through the Gorge reveals dramatic rock formations and sweeping views that feel far removed from the modern world.

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Natural Bridge State Resort Park is one of Kentucky’s most famous natural landmarks.

The massive sandstone arch that gives the park its name stretches high above the forest and can be reached by hiking trail or by taking the skylift partway up the mountain. From the top, visitors are rewarded with wide views of the surrounding Appalachian hills.

The park also offers lodging, scenic trails, picnic areas, and seasonal programs that make it a perfect stop for families and travelers exploring the region.

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The Nada Tunnel is one of the most memorable drives in eastern Kentucky.

Carved through solid rock in the early 1900s for logging operations, the tunnel is narrow, dark, and just wide enough for one lane of traffic. It serves as the dramatic entrance to the Red River Gorge for many visitors. When you emerge from the tunnel on the other side, the landscape opens up into some of the most rugged and beautiful country in the state.

For many travelers, passing through the tunnel marks the moment the adventure truly begins.

Lazarus Whitehead Powell is one of the most historically significant figures connected to Powell County.

Born in 1812, Powell went on to become the 19th Governor of Kentucky and later served as a United States Senator.

He was known for his strong stance in favor of preserving the Union during the turbulent years leading up to the Civil War. When Powell County was created in 1852, it was named in his honor, a lasting tribute to his influence on Kentucky’s political history.

His legacy reflects the deep ties between local leadership and state government during the nineteenth century.

Miguel Ventura may not be a traditional historical figure, but he is widely recognized by anyone familiar with the Red River Gorge climbing community.

Ventura founded Miguel’s Pizza, which has grown into an iconic gathering place for climbers from around the world. Over the years, his restaurant has become more than just a place to eat. It serves as a hub for outdoor adventurers sharing stories, planning climbs, and building the unique culture that surrounds the Gorge.

Through Miguel’s Pizza, Ventura helped put Powell County firmly on the map for the international climbing community.

If there is one thing to know about Powell County, it is that the county serves as the main gateway to the Red River Gorge, one of the most remarkable natural areas in the eastern United States.

Travelers heading to the Gorge almost always pass through Powell County, particularly the town of Stanton, before winding their way into the cliffs, forests, and river valleys that make the area famous. Because of this, the county has become a hub for hikers, climbers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts from across the country and around the world.

What makes the Gorge special is its combination of dramatic scenery and easy access. Within a short drive visitors can explore towering sandstone arches, hike along cliffside trails, paddle quiet stretches of the Red River, or simply enjoy the view from a scenic overlook. Powell County’s restaurants, cabins, outfitters, and small businesses support this steady flow of visitors while still maintaining the laid-back Appalachian character that defines the community.

In short, Powell County is where many adventures in the Red River Gorge begin. For countless travelers, passing through its hills and small towns marks the moment they leave the ordinary world behind and step into some of Kentucky’s wildest country.

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📰 THE BACK PAGE
The caboose of The Wayne Train
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From The Newnan Times-Herald, Newnan, Ga., March 12, 1987