Kentucky Is the Perfect Place for a Summer Family Vacation!

Summer is just around the corner, and families don’t have to look far afield for a fun-filled vacation in friendly surroundings.

“From houseboating on Lake Cumberland to exploring the many fascinating exhibits along Louisville’s Museum Row, Kentucky is a fabulous place for families to bond while enjoying new and exciting experiences this summer,” said Mike Cooper, commissioner of Kentucky’s Department of Travel & Tourism.

A great way for a family to spend quality time together is a houseboat vacation on one of Kentucky’s jewel-like lakes. From Lake Cumberland in the east to Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake in the west, renting a houseboat provides a relaxing getaway for thousands of families every summer. Cruise the tranquil waters and enjoy jet-skiing, tubing and swimming. Anchor near shore and go exploring or fish from the bank. Houseboats come in all sizes with a range of amenities – just pick one and set sail for family adventure.

Venture to one of Kentucky’s 17 state resort parks and “rough it” while camping, backpacking, hiking and wildlife viewing. Most of the parks with campgrounds are equipped with RV hookups; at the resort parks, lodge rooms and cabin rentals are available if you’d rather get back to nature with more of the comforts of home.

If reliving key moments in Kentucky history is more your family’s style, take them to Kentucky’s state historic parks for memorable encounters with the Bluegrass state’s storied past. Experience one of the largest Civil War battlegrounds in the country at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site about 15 miles west of Danville. While in central Kentucky, you can see what Kentucky’s frontier was like at Old Fort Harrod State Park and Fort Boonesborough State Park, where costumed interpreters portray life in pre-Revolutionary War days.

The place to get close to horses is the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. With nearly one million visitors yearly, the Horse Park is the world’s only theme park dedicated solely to man’s relationship with the horse. Kids love to make the acquaintance of celebrated racehorses who now call the park home. And there’s always something new and interesting at the International Museum of the Horse.

New this summer is the The Hatfield McCoy River Rats in Pike County. From kayaking, canoeing, tubing and paddle boats to guided and unguided river tours, this new facility will provide adventure for anyone who enjoys being outdoors. Depart for your water experience on the river at the headquarters at the Bob Amos Park in Pikeville.

In downtown Louisville, take a stroll along Museum Row near the riverfront. Here you’ll find the Frazier International History Museum, where the arms collection spans centuries starting with medieval England and live interpreters demonstrate sword fights.  Make time for visits to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, where workers craft the bats used by major leaguers and the history of “America’s pastime” comes alive. Youngsters and their parents will also enjoy the Muhammad Ali Center, where interactive exhibits in multiple languages pay tribute to the career and values of the former world champion boxer from Louisville.

Meanwhile, take the kids to Bowling Green in south central Kentucky for Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon, with 40 rides, go-carts and a water park.  Drag racing and stock car racing also provide excitement at Beech Bend Raceway. Auto enthusiasts, young and old, will also enjoy the National Corvette Museum, the world’s only museum dedicated to America’s sports car. Right across the street, tour the GM Corvette Plant, the only place where Corvettes are made.

To start your family’s exploration of any of Kentucky’s summertime attractions, visit www.kytourism.com or call the Department of Travel & Tourism’s toll-free line, 1-800-225-8747.

Related Articles:

1. Summer Vacation in Kentucky: Bring on the Adventure! So, what are you looking for when you sit down...
2. Lake Barkley State Resort Park: Come Celebrate Spring! Lake Barkley State Resort Park is geared up and ready...
3. Spend Your Kentucky Vacation at a Kentucky State Park Cottage It’s that time of year again, when people are beginning...

From the Louisville Zoo:

Louisville Zoo volunteers Emily Goldstein, an 18-year-old University of Louisville freshman; Sam Leist, a 18-year-old Senior at Saint Xavier High School; and Kaitlin O’Bryan, a 15-year-old sophomore at Atherton High School, have made it to the final round in the international Project Polar Bear contest sponsored by Polar Bears International (www.polarbearsinternational.org/project-polar-bear).

The contest challenged teens to find ways to reduce carbon emissions in their home communities. The four finalist teams—from Louisville, Ky.; Tulsa, Okla.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Winnipeg, Canada—will travel on an all-expense paid trip to the San Diego Zoo in California at the end of April where the winning team will be announced.

“Our teens are downright inspiring,” Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak said. “I am so proud of their accomplishment and dedication to the Zoo and our mission of bettering the bond between people and our planet. These teens exemplify conservation leadership and they are working hard to educate others to make a difference. Polar bears illustrate the beauty of the Arctic, and we must do all we can to save them.”

While in San Diego, the teens will get a VIP tour of the San Diego Zoo, including a behind-the-scenes stop at Polar Bear Plunge and a trip to Sea World. The grand prize for the winning team will be a trip to see polar bears in the wild in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada—the polar bear capital of the world.

“While we are very excited,” Leist said, “what is important is not the recognition of our achievements, but the fact that the recognition itself means people are beginning to care about the world.”

For the contest, the teens developed a free Energy Use Evaluation Kit for local businesses and organizations that evaluates the business’ energy use and offers easy energy-saving options to implement.

“Our team was able to convince dozens of companies to commit to saving 17 million pounds of CO₂ per year!” Goldstein said. “If three teenagers from Kentucky can do this, think of what could happen if everyone would do their part?”

In addition to the kit, the teens made presentations to local businesses to educate employees on the importance of using less energy and asking them to sign a carbon emissions reduction pledge.

“I was amazed at how many people were saving CO2 but didn’t realize it,” O’Bryan said. “Some things are so easy to do and when we gave them suggestions, they were happily surprised that they were already doing it. It inspired them to do more.”

The teens have a website, www.louisvillezoo.org/projectpolarbear that features information and resources on polar bears and climate change in the form of quizzes, a photo gallery and journal.  At the end of the contest (which ran from June 1 to December 31, 2009), the team reduced more than 17 million pounds a year of CO₂ though pledges.

This is the second year a team of Louisville teens entered Polar Bears International’s Project Polar Bear contest. Last year, the team of Goldstein and Brandie Farkas won the grand prize—a 6-day, 5-night trip to the polar bear capital of the world in Canada to see polar bears in the wild and go dog sledding. (Read more at http://www.louisvillezoo.org/news/press/MR/2009/MR%2009-05-04_polar.htm.)

For detailed information on all four finalist projects in this year’s Polar Bears International’s Project Polar Bear contest, visit http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/programs/project-polar-bear/winners#2009-winners.

*************************

Congratulations to all of the young, conscientious, and compassionate people who aren’t just TRYING to make a difference – they ARE making a difference.  Also, Kudos to the Louisville Zoo.  The success of Louisville teens reflects on the zoo and the education it provides.

Related Articles:

1. Louisville Zoo’s Glacier Run Project Recieves More Funds We’re lucky in Kentucky for many reasons – John Calipari,...
2. Polar Bear Ties and Totes from the Louisville Zoo Want. Want. Want. Want. Want. I haven’t been so overcome...
3. Louisville Zoo’s Scotty the Baby Elephant is a Celebrity! Have you seen the newest issue of People Magazine on...

Unfortunately, the video cuts off before the sweetest part. Each episode of Undercover Boss ends with the big reveal, when employees discover they’ve been working with the boss. The boss in question generally tries to do what they can to make life a little better for these employees. Great stuff.

Willaim Carstanjen bestowed raises, promotions, and he even stepped up employee security. In the case of the jockey valet in the video below, Carstansjen named a memorial race at the track after his much beloved daughter. The grieving father was also invited to come to the winners circle, and bring any family members he chose to and present the winner’s trophy.

And they say there’s nothing good on tv anymore. Horse feathers.

Click HERE to see a video that actually shows the father’s reaction.

Related Articles:

1. Gorgeous Churchill Downs Print Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, USA Photographic Print Buy at AllPosters.com...
2. One of Kentucky’s Greatest Prides: Our Horses! One of the things we Kentuckians are most proud of...
3. LeAnn Rimes will Sing the National Anthem at the Kentucky Derby From the associated press: LOUISVILLE, Ky.   Country music star LeAnn...

If you’re anything like us (us being my family and myself), you love the outdoors so much that you sometimes resent the walls of your house and the windows of your car.  It’s darn near impossible not to feel this way when you live in such a beautiful place, right?   The birds, the squirrels, the trees, the flowers – all that Kentucky and this area have to offer keep outdoorsy people craving more.

Get Out! Outdoor Adventure in the Ohio River Region is right up our alley. If you recognize yourself in the words above, you really have to check out their wonderful online magazine.

From Get Out’s About Page:

The editorial mission of Get Out! Outdoor Adventure in the Ohio River Region is to inform, entertain and inspire all citizens of the Ohio River region to pursue an active, healthy lifestyle through outdoor adventure and to learn more about how to be stewards of our natural environment.

GO! is a web magazine by and for people in the region who participate in outdoor adventure activities such as hiking, cycling, paddling, climbing, skiing, backpacking, wildlife watching, photography and so on.

2010 GO! Readers’ Choice Awards

Kentucky was beautifully represented in Go!’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

• Cumberland Falls, Kentucky was chosen Best Overall Destination
• Louisville, Kentucky was chosen Best Adventure Town
• E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Kentucky was chosen Best Urban Park
• Pine Mountain Trail, Kentucky was chosen Best Backpacking Trail
• Mammoth Cave was chosen Best Cave

Congratulations to all of the people involved in keeping these remarkable places remarkable.  We have a lot to be grateful for and proud of here in Kentucky and a lot of work goes into our landmarks, parks, and tourist attractions.  It’s not much, but I for one want to offer a HUGE thank you to all of the workers.  You all rawk, man!

Read more about the Readers’ Choice Awards.  Each destination sounds like a place worth spending some quality time, if you ask me!

Image Credit: The beautiful picture of the Magical Moonbow of Cumberland Fall’s State Resort Park is courtesy of http://www.parks.ky.gov.

Related Articles:

1. 2007 Moonbow Dates 2007 Moonbow Dates January 1st – 5th, 31st February 1st...
2. Kentucky State Parks Genuine Kentucky is absolutely infatuated with Kentucky’s State Parks.  We...
3. Summer Vacation in Kentucky: Bring on the Adventure! So, what are you looking for when you sit down...

One of the most popular and beautiful Classical ballets of all time, “Swan Lake” – along with its incredible score by Tchaikovsky – have left audiences breathless for years.   The costumes, the music, the sets, the performances…  in a word, Magical.

The Louisville Ballet will conclude its 2009-10 season with performances of Swan Lake on Friday, April 9 at 8 pm and Saturday, April 10 at 2 pm and 8 pm in Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center.

Tickets start as low as $25 and are available at the Kentucky Center.

Related Articles:

1. Cirque du Soleil Saltimbanco Will Be In Louisville Kentucky on March 14 This is all kinds of exciting. It’s buy the tickets...
2. World’s Largest Halloween Party Will Be at The Louisville Zoo On October 4-5, 9-12, 16-19 and 23-26, 2008, Meijer presents...
3. The 2008 Ryder Cup Will Be Decided in Louisville, Kentucky at Valhalla Golf Club Kenny Perry Contemplates his Next Shot Louisville, Kentucky is just...

What a super cool idea for all of you mad hatters!  Kentucky Derby hats is one of Kentucky’s most beautiful and popular traditions, dating back over 100 years!

Now, thanks to Dee’s in Louisville, you can wax creative and create your very own, highly unique and original Kentucky Derby hat.  By taking a “Derby Hat Decorating Class” at Dee’s Crafts in Louisville, Kentucky, you can ensure that your hat turns out exactly how you want it to.

Dee’s own designers will help participants create awe-inspiring and head-turning hats for Oaks, Derby, Easter, and other special spring occasions.

Apparently these hat decorating classes were so popular last year that the Shelbyville Road store (5045 Shelbyville Road) is holding three classes this month. Future hat designers can choose from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 13th, or 6 to 8 p.m. March 17th or March 24th.

There will be unadorned hats in many shapes and sizes to choose from or you can bring one of your own. The decorations, of course, must be purchased at Dee’s and will include a gorgeous selection of feathers, ribbon, and flowers.

The fee is $20, plus the cost of materials. Class size is limited, so call to register asap. Call (502) 896-6755.

Dee’s is at 5045 Shelbyville Road – Louisville, Kentucky.

Related Articles:

1. Celebrate the Kentucky Derby in Style   If you’re like most people, your excitement’s building for...
2. LeAnn Rimes will Sing the National Anthem at the Kentucky Derby From the associated press: LOUISVILLE, Ky.   Country music star LeAnn...
3. Bobby Flay Is the Official Host of the Kentucky Derby Party Uber Popular Food Network chef and Restraunt owner Bobby Flay...

It’s a girl!

The first baby gorilla born in North America this year was at the Louisville Zoo.  The adorable bouncing baby is a girl.

She was born February 6, 2010, to Louisville Zoo’s 20-year-old western lowland gorilla Mia Moja. While the baby continues to cling tightly to mom nearly all the time, ZooKeepers have been able to get several close looks to determine and verify the baby is a girl.

A naming contest for the baby is being planned and I’ll post more about the contest when I get more information.

Below is an excerpt from the Louisville Zoo’s press release:

“I’m excited, either way—boy or girl,” Gorilla Forest Keeper Michelle Wise said. “On the night the baby was born, Mia Moja made a big fluffy nest out of hay and a soft, pink blanket and settled herself and the baby into it. I think maybe she was giving us a hint at the time with the pink blanket!”

This is the second gorilla ever born in the Zoo’s 41-year history. (The first was male Azizi born to Makari on December 4, 2003, a year after Gorilla Forest opened in May of 2002.) The father is 22-year-old silverback Mshindi. It is Mshindi’s first offspring and Mia Moja’s second. She proved herself a good mother with the birth and subsequent raising of Olympia, who was born in 1996 at Zoo Atlanta and still resides there.

Mia Moja and baby are continuing to bond and baby is staying awake longer, looking around and being very observant with her big, brown eyes.

Since there are only 354 western lowland gorillas in 52 zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, each birth is a celebration of life and a step toward preserving the species.

“We hope the community will come and see the precious baby,” Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak said. “This remarkable baby girl is engaging and inspiring—a true ambassador for her relatives in the remnant wild. Because of her, we hope visitors will be motivated to learn more about conservation and preservation, which are at the core of our mission to better the bond between people and our planet.”

Western lowland gorillas are a critically endangered species and the wild population has declined rapidly over the past decade. According to the World Wildlife Fund, there are approximately 100,000 western lowland gorillas in the wild. However, there is no truly accurate census as these elusive apes inhabit some of Africa’s densest and most remote rainforests.

Mia Moja became pregnant as part of a recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP), a collaborative effort of North American zoos designed to encourage a healthy gorilla population in captivity and to ensure that the population remains viable, genetically-diverse and self-sustaining.

Female western lowland gorilla Kweli (pronounced “quay lee”) is also housed with the baby, Mia Moja and Mshindi. She arrived at the Louisville Zoo in 2008 from Cincinnati.

This birth brings the total gorilla population at the Louisville Zoo to 12. For more information on the Louisville Zoo’s gorillas in Gorilla Forest, visit www.louisvillezoo.org/collection/exhibits/gforest/gf-meet.htm.

Even during cold weather, visitors can view the gorillas inside Gorilla Forest’s comfortable, climate-controlled sanctuary. But note, in Gorilla Forest the animals rotate through the exhibit spaces on a daily basis so baby, mom Mia Moja, father Mshindi and Kweli will not always be visible.

Starting Monday, March 1, the Zoo will be operating on its spring and summer schedule. You will be able enter the Zoo daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (exit by 6 p.m.) For more information, visit www.louisvillezoo.org.

GORILLA BIRTH INFORMATION

* A gorilla’s gestation period is about 8-1/2 months
* Labor can range anywhere from 20 minutes to 2.5 hours
* Gorilla babies usually weigh at least 4 pounds and are about the size of human babies
* Nursing usually occurs in the first 24 hours
* The baby will begin eating solids at 2 months of age
* The mother may first put her baby down for extended times at 3 months of age
* The baby may begin weaning as early as 4 months of age
* A baby begins to crawl away from mom and starts exploring at 4-5 months of age

Related Articles:

1. The Louisville Zoo Mourns the Loss of Frank, A Very Special Silverback Gorilla The great looking guy you see above was a very...
2. Happy Birthday, Timmy! Happy Birthday, you living doll! The gorgeous western lowland gorilla...
3. The Louisville Zoo Gets Top Honors Please click for the larger version. Forgive the city of...

Mark your calendars: Pre-historic creatures are set to invade the Louisville Zoo in March 2010.

A new adventure will be stomping into the city of Louisville and heading straight for the Louisville Zoo in March. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we’re very lucky here in Kentucky for a great number of reasons and one of them is the outstanding Louisville Zoo. There’s always something extra-special going on at this amazing zoo. Just check out what’s coming in a few months!

From the Louisville Zoo:
Precautions are being taken as the Zoo prepares Dinosaurs Alive!, a temporary dwelling for a herd of 16 robotic dinosaurs never before seen at the Zoo—including the giant Brachiosaurus, the menacing Tyrannosaurus rex, the fierce Deinonychus whose name means “Terrible Claw,” and the Cryolophosaurus which is often referred to as the “Elvisaurus” because the large crest atop its skull resembles the iconic hair of Elvis Presley.

Through the magic of incredible, futuristic technology, the mammoth, life-like animatronic creatures that roar, snarl and move will offer a full-blown dino-reality experience to visitors as they travel back in time along a lush, winding pathway where these enormous primeval creatures lurk at every turn. There, guests will encounter adult dinosaurs, youngsters and even a nest with eggs and hatchlings.

The robotic dinosaurs are built on steel frames by Billings Productions of McKinney, Texas, and high-tech electronics and air pistons power the dinosaurs’ menacing claws and gnashing teeth while a booming sound system gives them their distinctive roars and chirps. One of the animatronic creatures can even be operated by visitors using a remote control box.

In addition, kids can excavate dinosaur fossils at a paleontologist dig site using brushes and sifters to search for clues about the lives of dinosaurs.

“Guests of all ages will be transported back in time as the world’s largest and most advanced collection of high-tech, life-size animatronic dinosaurs come to life here in Louisville,” Zoo Director John Walczak said. “This Dinosaur exhibit will be a fun and educational learning adventure for the entire family. We’ve lost many animals from this planet over the course of history, and unfortunately animals are still becoming extinct today. Conservation and preservation are at the heart of the Zoo’s mission and it is our hope that visitors will come away from this exhibit both excited and more aware of the need to conserve animal species living today.”

In a revenue-sharing partnership with Billings Productions, Dinosaurs Alive!, is similar to other new attraction partnerships at the Zoo like Sky Trail High Adventure Course and the 4-D Ride Theater.

Dinosaurs Alive! will open mid to late March and will continue through the end of September. A special attraction fee of $5 applies for non-members in addition to regular Zoo admission and $4 for Louisville Zoo members. Children age 2 and under are free. Groups of 15 or more may call (502) 238-5348 in advance for group discounts.

Shopasaurus—a new gift shop at the exhibit’s exit—will be fully stocked with “dinorrific” toys, games and souvenirs to help visitors take home a reminder of their amazing experience.

***

The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

*** Get up-to-date information about the Zoo’s upcoming Glacier Run exhibit by checking out our new Glacier Run blog. You can also show your love for the Louisville Zoo by becoming a fan on Facebook.

Related Articles:

1. Louisville Zoo’s Glacier Run Project Recieves More Funds We’re lucky in Kentucky for many reasons – John Calipari,...
2. Cirque du Soleil Saltimbanco Will Be In Louisville Kentucky on March 14 This is all kinds of exciting. It’s buy the tickets...
3. It’s a Girl! The Newest Member of the Louisville Zoo’s Family It’s a girl! The first baby gorilla born in North...

One of the things we Kentuckians are most proud of is celebrated in the slideshow above – our beautiful horses.  Enjoy the beauty of  an adorable colt at the beginning of the slideshow, followed by horses grazing on beautiful horse farms from Frankfort Pike and Paris, Kentucky.  Then the slideshow moves on to the greatest horse race in the world, The Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs!  Finally, we appropriately end on a statue of the legendary Man O’ War, born at the Nursery Stud in Lexington, Kentucky, shortly before midnight on March 29, 1917.

Maybe the little beauty at the start of the slideshow is dreaming of becoming the next great legend!

The gorgeous, gorgeous pictures used in this slideshow are courtesy of Kentucky Tourism.com.

Related Articles:

1. Undercover Boss at Churchill Downs – Great Stuff! On the most recent episode of CBS’s Undercover Boss, William...
2. Celebrate the Kentucky Derby in Style   If you’re like most people, your excitement’s building for...
3. LeAnn Rimes will Sing the National Anthem at the Kentucky Derby From the associated press: LOUISVILLE, Ky.   Country music star LeAnn...

At any rate, love the campaign or hate the campaign – few will ignore the campaign.

Pip Pullen, an accounts director for the Louisville-based marketing and advertising firm that worked on the campaign, said the ads have received “an incredibly positive response.”

“Except,” he said, “some members of the Metro Council took umbrage.” Well, that’s what council members do, they take umbrage. In fact, they’re considering changing the job description from Council Member to Umbrage Taker.

True story.

Related Articles:

1. University of Louisville Earns High Recognition for Community Involvement Well played, University of Louisville. No, I’m not talking about...
2. Polar Bear Ties and Totes from the Louisville Zoo Want. Want. Want. Want. Want. I haven’t been so overcome...
3. World’s Largest Halloween Party Will Be at The Louisville Zoo On October 4-5, 9-12, 16-19 and 23-26, 2008, Meijer presents...