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Bird Lovers: You’ll Want to Be at Lake Barkley State Resort Park on May 11, 2013

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Birding on Barkley

Bird Soaring through the Sky

If you love birds as much as we do, this is definitely something you’ll want to experience.  Lake Barkley State Resort Park and Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area will hold “Birding on Barkley” on May 11, 2013.

Guests will be able to experience the peak of songbird migration as birding guides offer identification and viewing tips and help search out prothonotaries, parulas, and pewees. Many warblers venture along Lake Barkley at this time, so visitors need to keep your binoculars ready.

Discover birding hotspots around Lake Barkley and Land Between The Lakes by joining us on one or both of our hotspot tours. Tours are $10 per person and depart at 8 a.m. to explore the northern end of Land Between The Lakes, and 1 p.m. to explore the southern end. Tour sizes will be limited to allow the best viewing opportunities, so make your reservations early by calling 270-924-2020.

Families and individuals can enjoy other entertainment and lodging opportunities at  Lake Barkley State Resort Park.  This beautiful park is the largest state resort park in Kentucky and features a lodge, cottages, the Windows on the Water Restaurant, a seasonal campground, 18-hole golf course, fitness center with indoor pool, marina, fishing, tennis courts, hiking trails, gift shop, and recreational and nature programming.

The Windows on the Water Restaurant is outstanding. We, as you’d expect, visit a lot of the Kentucky State Resort Parks and ALWAYS dine in their restaurants. The restaurant at Lake Barkley State Resort Park is one of the best in the system. I’ve never left the restaurant with anything but a smile on my face!

The park is located at 3500 State Park Road in Cadiz. From Interstate 24, take the Highway 68 exit west toward Cadiz.

For more information and to make your reservations contact Mary Schmidt, mary.schmidt@ky.gov, or call the lodge at call 1-800-325-1708.  Whatever you do, be sure you enjoy at least one meal at the Windows on the Water restaurant.

View Lake Barkley State Resort Park Pictures in our photo album.

Filed Under: Blog, Kentucky Birds, Lake Barkley SRP, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: , , , , ,

Belew’s Dairy Bar is Open for Business 2013

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Some of the Best Burgers (and Ice Cream!) at Kentucky Lake

Belew's Dairy Bar (Aurora, Ky)

I’m in love with the picture above – or, more to the point, with the Belew’s Dairy Bar sign, itself. There’s a great vintage vibe to it that makes you think about the generations of men and women who’ve looked up at this sign before enjoying a killer hamburger, fries, and ice cream  (the best ice cream you could ever hope to eat in fact). I’m sure men love to imagine the different generations of cars that pulled into the parking lot, while women will get a kick out of thinking about the different fashions and hairstyles that were on display.

I also like to imagine how many people went to Belew’s on first dates and how many of them now return – with kids, or even grand kids, in tow.

I have a special place in my heart for places like Belew’s Dairy Bar and love to see them keep pieces of history alive and well – just like this great sign.

Belew’s Dairy Bar is now open for the season, which is GREAT news for anyone with plans to visit Kentucky Lake, the Land Between the Lakes, or Lake Barkley.  Take time out from sight seeing and playing on the water for a lunch you’ll be talking about for months! Just be sure you don’t forget ice cream or a milkshake.

That’d fall somewhere between a sin and a crime.

Belew’s Dairy Bar is located at US Highway 62 East, Aurora, KY.   See my Belew’s Dairy Bar Review for more.

Filed Under: Aurora, Blog, Kentucky Picture of the Day, Springtime in Kentucky, Summertime in Kentucky Tagged With: , , ,

Red Hatter’s Pre-Derby Celebration is Just Around the Corner

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Lake Barkley State Resort Park's 4th Annual Event

Lake Barkley State Resort Park Lodge

Any reason to visit Lake Barkley State Resort Park is a golden thing.  This is one of Kentucky’s finest state parks and the setting is breathtakingly beautiful. The Kentucky Derby will be here before you know it, so that means one thing – it’s time for the 4th Annual Red Hatter’s Pre-Derby Celebration at Lake Barkley!

Grab the gals and head to Lake Barkley for a Red hatter’s pre-derby celebration. On April 25th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Red Hatter’s are invited to join Lake Barkley State Resort Park in celebrating the upcoming derby.

Come dressed in your finest Red Hatter’s derby outfits and get ready to pick a winner while having a great time! At this pre-derby celebration Red Hatter’s will enjoy lunch, tea, and an afternoon at the races. The cost for this event is $12, and reservations are required. Mint Juleps will also be available for purchase. Prizes will be awarded for the top winners and best hat.

Families and individuals can enjoy other entertainment and lodging opportunities at the park. Lake Barkley State Resort Park is the largest state resort park in Kentucky and features a lodge, cottages, the Windows on the Water Restaurant, a seasonal campground, 18-hole golf course, fitness center with indoor pool, marina, fishing, tennis courts, hiking trails, gift shop, and recreational and nature programming. The park is located at 3500 State Park Road in Cadiz. From I-24, take the Highway 68 exit west toward Cadiz.

For more information and to make your reservations contact Mary Schmidt at mary.schmidt@ky.gov or call the lodge at call 1-800-325-1708

See more pictures of Lake Barkley State Resort Park. The lodge is such a beauty!

Filed Under: Blog, Kentucky Derby, Lake Barkley, Lake Barkley SRP, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: , ,

Rail City Dulcimer Festival at Greenbo Lake

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Thursday - Saturday: April 4 - 6. 2013

There are a few things that are outrageously popular with Kentuckians: Greenbo Lake State Resort Park

  • Basketball
  • Bluegrass Music
  • Dulcimer Festivals

I’m often asked about upcoming Dulcimer Festivals, so I’m delighted to be able to tell our readers about one that’s just around the corner.

The Rail City Dulcimer Society is hosting its 3rd Annual Dulcimer Festival at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park April 4-6, 2013.

The festival will start at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 4. Free dulcimer workshops will begin every hour from 9 a.m. until noon April 5-6 in the park lodge. There will be dulcimer music starting at 1 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday in the lodge lobby.

This event is free and open to the public.

Overnight lodging is available. Call 1-800-325-0083 for information and reservations. The campground will also be open.

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park is on KY 1, 18 miles north of Interstate 64 from the Grayson exit, or 8 miles south of U.S. 23, the Country Music Highway, on KY 1. Greenbo Lake features the Jesse Stuart Lodge, with 36 rooms, convention center and Anglers’ Cove Restaurant. The park has a 225-acre lake for boating and fishing, tennis courts, and 25 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The campground is open April 1 through Oct. 31. Greenbo’s amphitheater features musical concerts and plays during the summer and fall.

Filed Under: Blog, Entertainment, Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: , ,

Easter Buffet and Easter Egg Hunt at Rough River Dam State Park

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How Do Baked Ham, Choice Beef, and Dessert Sound???

Black Eyed Susans at Rough River Dam State Resort Park

Rough River State Resort Park is hosting their Easter buffet and Eggstravaganza hunt this weekend.  Trust me, if Rough River is hosting a shindig… you need to be there.  These people specialize in shindigs.

Saturday (March 30, 2013)

Grab the kids and enjoy the great weather that has finally arrived with the Friends of Rough River’s Easter Eggstravaganza.  Registration is at 1:30 p.m. and the Easter egg hunt will follow at 2:00 p.m.

There will be over 3,000 eggs hidden for the kiddies to find!

Sunday (March 32, 2013)

Sunday Rough River will host their annual Easter buffet from noon to 8 p.m.

An Easter Buffet will actually be held at each of the Kentucky State Parks.

The Easter Buffet Includes:

  • Cheese Bar
  • Choice Beef Carved On the Line
  • Chef’s Choice Local Vegetable
  • Baked Kentucky Ham
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Golden Fried Catfish and Hush Puppies
  • Assorted Salads and Relishes
  • Variety of Desserts

Read more about the Kentucky State Parks’ Easter Buffet for more mouth-watering information.

Filed Under: Blog, Holidays in Kentucky, Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: , , ,

Photography Weekend April 19-21, 2013 At Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park

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One of Kentucky's Most Beautiful Parks Makes Photography, Literally, a SNAP!

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park

 Some things just seem to go together -  like buttermilk biscuits and butter, chocolate chip cookies and milk, pancakes and syrup (yes, as a matter of fact, I am hungry, why do you ask?).  Kentucky State Parks and cameras are another match made in Heaven. Visiting one of these parks without your camera would be like approaching a cheesecake without a fork.

Another food analogy. Sigh. This girl has got to get something to eat.

One of our state’s most scenic  parks, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, will host its Photography Weekend April 19-21, 2013 and I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to work magic with a camera.  God’s done all the hard work – all we have to do is point and click!

The contest boundaries are the boundaries of the park and Pennyrile State Forest. Photographs may be taken anywhere within the state park and state forest. The categories of the contest vary, but they will always have a nature emphasis such as wildlife, landscape and water.

Participants turn in one photo per category and should bring their own camera. Registration is $35. Register at least one week before the event and get a $5 discount. Children 16 and under pay just $10. The park offers a 10 percent discount on lodging available. New this year: Participants can register online at: https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Parks/photography

Contestants may begin taking photos as soon as they check in on Friday.  Check-in begins at 2 p.m. Participants will be divided into three divisions: master, intermediate, and point-and-shoot.  Participants in the master division have sold their works before; those in the intermediate division have a SLR camera, but are hobby photographers; and point-and-shoot participants use cameras that do not have detachable lenses. Children may compete in any of the three divisions.
This year’s speaker and judge will be Lori Kincaid. She is an internationally recognized nature photographer specializing in landscapes and flora of the Southern Appalachians. Her photography has been exhibited in national and regional venues, including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and featured in regional, national, and international publications and events. To see a sample of her work please visit www.kincaidphoto.com

Evening programs will be held at 8 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. The Friday night program will be an introduction to the competition. The Saturday night program will be “Landscape and Close-up Photography: From Mastering the Craft to Making the Art by Lori Kincaid.” The weekend will end at approximately noon Sunday after the awards ceremony and slide show of the weekend’s photographs.

The resort is 20 miles northwest of Hopkinsville, on KY 109 North. From the Western Kentucky Parkway, exit at Dawson Springs and take KY 109 South.

Named for the tiny pennyroyal plant found in the woodlands surrounding this resort, Pennyrile Forest is the perfect back-to-nature hideaway. The rustic wood and stone Pennyrile Lodge, with 24 rooms, sits serenely on a high cliff overlooking Pennyrile Lake. Open year-round, the park has 12 cottages located in the wooded lodge area and on the shores of Pennyrile Lake. The restaurant seats 200, including a private dining room for up to 80. The campground has facilities for tent, RV, and horse campers. The campground features utility hookups, a dump station, and one central service building with showers, restrooms and a laundry. The park also has an 18-hole golf course with a pro shop, riding carts, pull carts and rental clubs. The course is open year-round, weather permitting. The park also offers hiking trails, fishing and boating, mini-golf, basketball and tennis.

Filed Under: Blog, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: , ,

Junior Ranger Day and Spring Break Week at Woodlands Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)

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There's A LOT Going On from March 30 to April 5, 2013 .... for Kids of All Ages!

Beautiful Owl at the Woodlands Nature Station

One of the Nature Station’s Beautiful Residents

If you’re looking for activities to enjoy with the kids during spring break, the Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area has a few wonderful options: Junior Ranger Day on March 30, 2013, and Spring Break Week  March 31-April 5, 2013 at the Woodlands Nature Station.

“Come out and enjoy Nature Station’s wildlife programs and outdoor activities. These programs offer family outdoor adventure while providing valuable learning experiences.” Carrie Szwed, Public Programs Coordinator for NS

Programs offered Saturday, March 30, 2013 during Junior Ranger Day include:

  • 11 am “Habitat Safari”
  • 12-2 pm Leaf People Craft (ongoing during that time)
  • 2-3 pm BINGO Nature Hike
  • 3:30 pm “Batty” About Bats

Programs offered Sunday, March 31–Friday, April 5, during Spring Break Week include:

  • Sun.  2:15 pm  The Habits of Rabbits
  • Mon.  2:15 pm   April Fools’ Animals
  • Tue.  11 am     Treasure Hunt Hike
  • Tue.   2:15 pm    Magnificent Metamorphosis
  • Wed.  2:15 pm    “The Lorax” Puppet Show
  • Thu. 2:15 pm   Kids’ Survival Skills
  • Fri.   2:15 pm    The “Real” Angry Birds

Purchase an LBL Fun Card this spring for discounted general admissions to the day-use facilities. Fun Cards with 10 visits are $35 and can be used at The Homeplace, Golden Pond Planetarium, and Nature Station in any combination of visits.

Check out the LBL Calendar of Events to learn about the wonderful programs happening the rest of the year at Woodlands Nature Station and across Land Between The Lakes.

Come Outside and Play at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. Managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Land Between The Lakes provides outdoor recreation, lake access, and environmental education for the public to enjoy. Visitors are encouraged to review the official website at www.lbl.org often for Calendar of Events, updates on programs and policies, safety information, maps, temporary trail and road closures, and additional information, or call 800-LBL-7077 or 270-924-2000. Follow LBL on Twitter @LBLScreechOwl or @LandBtwnLakes.

Filed Under: Blog, Springtime in Kentucky, The Nature Station Tagged With: , ,

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Has A Lot Going On in the Coming Weeks!

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Native American Weekend (March 22 - March 24) and Spring Break Adventure Week (March 31 - April 3)

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Rafting

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park has a lot going on year round, but its defintiely the place to be in the coming weeks.  As I told you about a while back, Cumberland Falls will be hosting Native American Weekend at Cumberland Falls from March 22 to March 24, 2013. Click the link for more information.

The following week, the park will offer you and your family even more opportunities to get out and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings and… dare we hope???… beautiful weather.

March 31 through April 3 is Spring Break Adventure Week at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and they’ve planned a week of great activities.

Cumberland Falls invites you to get the family out and enjoy this nature lover’s paradise with  activities that include rafting, canoeing, archery, nature walks, astronomy, storytelling and more. Some age restrictions do apply.

The press release says, Most events are free, but fees may be charged for some programs and points out that different activities will be offered each day.  The best bet is to call the park at 1-800-325-0063 for a detailed schedule and other details.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park has a lodge (DuPont Lodge) that rivals its surroundings for beauty.

From Kentucky State Park’s Official Website:

The solid hemlock beams and knotty pine paneling complement the massive stone fireplaces in historic DuPont Lodge, one of the most beautiful state park lodges. Fifty-one rooms offer beautiful views and full amenities including interior corridors. All rooms totally renovated in 2006. Relax on the beautiful, large observation deck overlooking the Cumberland River winding thru the hillside. DuPont Lodge provides a spectacular spot for a wedding. Don’t forget about the park’s other accommodations, including Cumberland Falls cabin rentals, cottages and campsites.

Even more things to love about this beautiful park:

  • Riverview Restaurant
  • Cottages
  • Campground
  • Hiking Trails
  • Birdwatching
  • Fishing
  • Horseback Riding
  • Rafting
  • Horseshoes
  • Picnicking
  • And More!

Take your camera, because this truly is one of the most beautiful places in the country.

See Cumberland Falls State Resort Park for more information about the park and to learn about Moonbow, a phenomenon not found anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere!

Filed Under: Blog, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: , ,

Signs of Spring and Summer are Everywhere at Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes

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It's Been Cozy, But..... Laters, Winter!

Daffodils in Land Between the Lakes, March 2013

Saturday, Michael and I took a much-needed trip to Kentucky Lake and the Land Between the Lakes. I say “much needed” because:

  1. We hadn’t been in a while.
  2. These trips almost always involve fried catfish (one of my reasons for living).
  3. Michael, like most people who work Monday – Friday, deals with a steady stream of human beings.  A steady stream of human beings can lead to raised levels of stress. Running away from it all (even if it’s just for a day) can keep you sane…. especially when you escape to such a beautiful and relaxing place.

The Land Between the Lakes is gorgeous, year-round, winter, spring, summer, and fall – but early spring brings with it its own special feelings of excitement and anticipation. I wanted to capture a little bit of these feelings in pictures.

From daffodils blooming in the Land Between the Lakes to boats being primed and prepped for months of life on the lakes at Lighthouse Landing, the entire region’s coming alive and it’s a beautiful thing to see. Grand Rivers was flooded with people (a marathon combined with the always popular Patti’s 1880′s Settlement turned this peaceful little village into a hot spot), so we didn’t make it to Green Turtle Bay, but undoubtedly it’s bustling with excitement as well.

Grab your camera and head off for the wonderful Lakes Region in Kentucky at your earliest convenience.

What can you do in the Lake’s Region? Plenty! Area attractions include:

Whether you’re looking for a week long vacation, a weekend getaway, or simply a “daycation,” Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes are waiting to blow your mind.  Blowing mind’s is what they do best…. that and fried catfish.

Boats at Lighthouse Landing in Grand Rivers, Kentucky Boats at Lighthouse Landing in Grand Rivers, Kentucky Boats at Lighthouse Landing in Grand Rivers, Kentucky Boats at Lighthouse Landing in Grand Rivers, Kentucky Daffodils in Land Between the Lakes Daffodils in the Land Between the Lakes, Spring 2013  Kentucky Lake at Lighthouse Landing Kentucky Lake at Lighthouse Landing Kentucky Lake at Lighthouse Landing Kentucky Lake at Lighthouse Landing

Filed Under: Blog, Grand Rivers, Kentucky Lake, LBL, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: , , , ,

Land Between the Lakes: One of the Most Incredible Places on Earth

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Picture of the Day Plus an Open for Business Welcome!

Bison at the Elk & Bison Prairie

Bison at the Elk & Bison Prairie!

The beauties above are some of the residents of the gorgeous Elk & Bison Prairie in the Land Between the Lakes. When we visit the prairie (which is often, often, often) I’m blown away each time by the beautiful prairie, itself, as well at the majestic animals who call it home. We always see bison and almost always see elk – as in each time. More times than not (partly because my husband is a boss at knowing what time to visit the prairie) we actually drive right to (and park beside) a spot where these big cuties are resting, walking, or rolling in dirt.  You can see in the pictures below just how close they were outside of our car.

Trust me, you’ll always want to have your camera handy!

It feels ironic to be writing this with snow falling outside my window (!!!), but Land Between the Lakes would like you to know that they’re all the way open for business and can’t wait to see your face.

Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area begins its 2013 operations on Friday, March 1, by opening several popular visitor attractions.

The Homeplace, Woodlands Nature Station, and North & South Welcome Stations open their doors March 1, along with Energy Lake, Hillman Ferry and Piney Campgrounds. The Homeplace, Woodlands Nature Station, and North & South Welcome Stations will be open Wednesday through Sunday during March, then open seven days a week beginning April 1.

The Homeplace and Nature Station also have new operating hours of 10am-5pm. North & South Welcome Stations, along with the Golden Pond Visitor Center, are open 9am-5pm with the exception of extended hours, 10am-7pm, on Fridays, May 17-Sep 2.

The Elk & Bison Prairie remains open from dawn until dusk every day, year-round. The Golden Pond Visitor Center and Planetarium, Wranglers Campground, and Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle Area remain open year-round as well.

New for 2013 at Land Between The Lakes is the opening of two new nature viewing sites within the Woodlands Nature Watch Area located east of the Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway, near Nature Station and Taylor Bay.

Bison in the Elk & Bison Prairie, Land Between the Lakes Bison in the Elk & Bison Prairie, Land Between the Lakes Bison in the Elk & Bison Prairie, Land Between the Lakes Bison in the Elk & Bison Prairie, Land Between the Lakes Bison in the Elk & Bison Prairie, Land Between the Lakes Bison in the Elk & Bison Prairie, Land Between the Lakes

Filed Under: Blog, Elk & Bison Prairie, Golden Pond Planetarium, Kentucky Picture of the Day, LBL, Springtime in Kentucky, Summertime in Kentucky, The Homeplace, The Nature Station Tagged With: ,
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