Back when I lived in Hazard, Ky., there was a residential area known as "Big Bottom." In fact my paper route went through there. Strange name? Not really. Hazard is located on the North Fork of the Kentucky River in a mountainous area. The only flat land of any size is on the flood plain along the river. These areas are called "bottoms" and they are choice farmland because the soil is rich and moist. Just upstream from downtown Hazard, there was a large area of bottom land. It somehow became known as "Big Bottom." As the town grew, houses were built there and the neighborhood took on the same name. Some of the homes built there were really nice houses and it became the "in" place for well-to-do citizens.

As I mentioned, my paper route went through there and by the time I threw that last paper, I was about a mile from town. However, there was a short cut. Big Bottom was located on the inside of a bend in the river so by road or river it was about a mile, but by railroad track the distance was considerably less. The problem was that the railroad went through a curved tunnel. The curve made it impossible to see all the way through and it was dark -- really dark -- in there. Each day, I was faced with the decision of going back along the road or going through the tunnel. Usually, the road won, but sometime if I was in a hurry, I used the tunnel.

It worked like this; I put my ear to the rail and listened for trains. If nothing was coming, I would hurry into the tunnel, turning often to look back at the light. Near the middle, there was an area where you could see light at both ends. Then I could see only the light ahead and I usually broke into a run. The walking surface was rough and rocky. The rocks were often wet and slippery and to make it worse, I was pushing a bicycle. (too rough to ride) At the end of the tunnel, I continued through the lumber yard and across the bridge to Main Street and my father's store. I always swore I'd never do it again, but I did.
Howard