My husband, Michael, and I frequently make trips to Kentucky Lake.  You can’t help but fall in love with the area. The beautiful lake, Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, friendly people, fun shopping, antiques, a gazillion and one photo opportunities, and wonderful food.

What’s not to love?!

A favorite spot, and one we joyfully hit each time, is The Hitching Post and Old Country Store in Aurora.  It has been a favorite destination for years – even before the new owners.  However, with the re-opening of the wonderful old country store, this is a not-to-be-missed step back in time.  An extra treat is the hot dot vendor in the front parking lot. These fresh and unique Chicago-style hot dogs make you think you’re in Heaven while you’re eating them – then you spend all day thinking about them… wanting to go back!  They’re THAT good.

• High quality hot dogs (too good to even be called hot dogs actually)
• High quality buns (too good to be called buns)
• Extremely friendly owners (artisans of the American classic!)

The Hitching Post has been a favorite with tourists, frequent quests, and Kentucky locals since 1941. It’s a beautiful Kentucky Lake tradition, you simply can’t have one without the other. Many years have passed and millions of feet have walked through the front doors but it’s still THE best place for Kentucky souvenirs, novelties, Kentucky food specialties, toys, T-Shirts, jewelry, crafts, fudge, honey, jams, jellies, bar-b-que sauces, soap, cookbooks, hats, home decor, garden decor, old fashioned candy, and on and on and on.  The past few Christmases I’ve gotten a few wonderful, completely unexpected and original gifts for family members at The Hitching Post.  Of course, I also buy just-because treats for my daughters frequently – something they absolutely love.

My favorite section of The Hitching Post (besides the front counter where I could stay and visit with the owner and workers for days) is the Kentucky food specialties wall.  I think we’ve tried just about all of the sauces, jams, and jellies and have loved each greatly.  The unique flavors positively cannot be found in stores and they take homemade buttermilk biscuits and cornbread to a whole new level.

A favorite appetizer in our home is simple and involves one of these jellies.  I place a block of cream cheese on a platter and smother it with Red Pepper Jelly (the kind from The Hitching Post tastes just like the Red Pepper Jelly my mom used to make up and give as gifts every Christmas).  I serve it with Ritz crackers and watch as it magically disappears.

On this particular trip, we got the excellent Yoder’s Homestyle  Blueberry Jam – from Crab Orchard, Kentucky.  It has an appointment with buttermilk biscuits.

You can find some of their food items on The Hitching Post’s website, including Pappy’s outstanding Bar-b-que sauce.  Pappy can dish it out, as hot as you want it!  Click HERE to browse the selection of Pappy’s BBQ sauces as well as an EXCELLENT Hot & Spicy Mustard that was made to be served with pretzel sticks.  It makes an ideal game-day snack.  

After eating our amazing hot dogs and drinking our cans of soda (normally my husband drinks ice cold sarsaparilla from inside The Hitching Post but he branched out today), we sat on the front porch and played a classic “boxing” game my husband remembered from his childhood.  The boxers looked like crosses between Howie Long and Transformers.  My Howie Transformer cleaned my husband’s clock!

You can also play checkers on the big,  shady, beautiful front porch, or just sit, relax and take in the ambiance – which is golden by the way.

You’ll want to stroll around the property – which is such a delicious step-back-in-time.  It’s also a photographer’s dream come true!  There’s an authentic moonshine still, antique buggies, old blacksmith and wagon shop, antiques, and a life-size paper mache horse that has long been a favorite site for photographs.  He’s incredibly life-like and has, literally, stood the test of time.

The Country Store

A new favorite spot is the renovated, overhauled Country Store.  It blows my mind straight out of my head.  It’s a store, make no mistake about it, and antique lovers will get weak in the knees.  However, it’s like an adorable, charming, amazing museum – again, a step back in time, to a simpler time.

• Before grocery carts
• Before intercoms
• Before dvds
• Before technology took over the world

You walk in and you’re instantly transported back to “the good old days.”  The beauty is, you can take some of the good old days home with you.  My husband and I collect old books.  I specialize in old cookbooks (many of you know I have a food blog and cooking and recipes are an obsession with me).  I also LOVE old antique kitchen gadgets, dishes, and cooking tools.  I’m just in Paradise in the Country Store!

Another obsession of mine is coffee.  How I keep from smelling like coffee is beyond me (I guess my Avon perfumes cover it up).  My eyes popped out of my head and my pulse began to race when I saw their coffee beans near the front.  They even have a Hitching Post Blend.  I love it!

Su (the wonderfully friendly owner) has put an unbelievable amount of time, money and effort (and even more love) into renovating The Old Country Store. Honestly, it’s mind-boggling. If you could see BEFORE and AFTER pictures, you’d wonder where this woman hides her Wonder Woman cape. I stopped looking for it after a few visits, I figure if she wants her cape to be found, it’ll be found.

You know me well enough to know that I get around my beloved Kentucky. My daughter and I were looking through Kentucky brochures a few days ago, because she and her boyfriend were wanting to see something new, and I was amazed at the number of places she and I had already seen. She kept saying, “We’ve been there, but he hasn’t..” Something else struck me – why would anyone ever leave Kentucky for a vacation?!?!

Before I climb up on my stump and begin preaching about Kentucky, let me just say, I’ve seen a lot of Kentucky! I can honestly say that, not counting home (of course), there’s no place I’d rather be than in Aurora, Kentucky enjoying a step back in time at The Hitching Post & Old Country Store. There’s no place quite like it and I know you’ll feel it’s magic just as surely as we do.

The Hitching Post & Old Country Store
16474 US Hwy 68 East
Aurora, Kentucky 42028
www.hitchingpost.us

Hours:
Summer hours (Memorial day – Labor day):
Closed Mondays
Tuesday – Saturday  9:00 – 6:00
Sunday 10:00 – 4:00

Find more pictures of The Hitching Post & Old Country Store in our Aurora, Kentucky Photo Album

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First of all, I apologize for being absent for nearly a week. The outrageous storms here in Kentucky left us without internet service for nearly a week. The storms have left their mark on many parts of Kentucky, including the beautiful Land Between the Lakes region.

Tennessee Valley Authority and the Corps of Engineers are predicting the lake level for Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake to rapidly rise to 372 feet by May 2nd (13 feet over summer pool). The current lake level is 363.5 feet and is predicted to rise to 368 feet by Saturday. This will greatly impact LBL’s boat ramps, campsites (campgrounds, backcountry areas, and self-service areas), trails, and roads. Efforts are underway to barricade and close all impacted areas.

Visitors to Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) are encouraged to check the Alerts & Notices page on our website at www.lbl.org or to “Call Before You Haul,” 270-924-2000, for current information, closure lists, and details due to the recent storm damage and the predicted rise in lake levels.
Use caution on all roads and lakeside areas in LBL due to possible flooding from rising lake levels and overly saturated soil conditions. LBL staff warns visitors who use the trails, roads, camping areas, and boat ramps to be extremely cautious and observe all closures for your safety.

In addition, everyone is urged to use caution when crossing creeks, streams, or any areas with standing or flowing water. All low lying areas should be avoided whenever possible. Gravel roads have the potential to washout during these heavy rain events. Please use extreme caution when traveling on LBL’s gravel roads.

Wranglers Campground and Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle Area will remain closed until further notice due to this week’s storm damage.

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The people at Lighthouse Landing in Grand Rivers, Kentucky have a passion for Kentucky Lake like none other. They’re also nature lovers which makes them more than a little okay in my book. I admire their commitment to the environment and love of nature as much as I admire the beautiful resort they’ve built on beautiful Kentucky Lake.

Lighthouse Landing is a very picturesque and relaxing resort and marina – one of the most lovely resorts Kentucky has to offer.

If you are interested in learning to sail, Lighthouse Landing can make the dream come true for you. They offer a very popular Sailing School in an unbelievably beautiful setting. The dates for the 2010 Sailing School lessons are below.

June 24-27
July 8-11, 15-18
July 29-Aug 1
Aug 12-15
Sept. 16-19
Oct. 14-17, 21-24

Visit Lighthouse Landing’s website for more information.

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Kentucky Lake is famous for its beauty and celebrated for its fishing.  Lady bass anglers from all over the world will take their chances when Women’s Professional Bass Fishing comes to Kentucky on May 6th and 7th, 2010.

The Kentucky Lake event is open to all interested ladies with two divisions; a Professional and Co-Angler division. Local sponsors include Sportsmen’s Edge Triton Boat dealership, Necessity Jigs, Moors Resort and Marina and Ray Barga and Associates, Inc.

What a golden opportunity to take women’s professional fishing to the next level.

For additional information about the Women’s Invitational Trail Tournament on Kentucky Lake, contact Cheryl Bowden at cbowden1212@tx.rr.com.

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Many people officially start thinking about Spring and Summer with the Bassmaster Classic.  For me, it’s official when Baseball’s preseason begins!  Maybe that’s because I do more eating fish than Darryl Worley will be playing Feb. 19 (today) at the Bassmaster Classic prior to the opening-day weigh-in in Birmingham.

ESPN put together a great article/interview with Darryl Worley in which he talks about  fishing on Kentucky Lake, the Grand Ole Opry, and giving back.  Darryl Worley is our kind of people and he’ll definitely make you want to visit his hometown of Savannah, Tennessee AND get out on Kentucky Lake for a little fishing.  Read the interview by clicking the following link: Darryl Worley and the Bassmaster Classic:  Kentucky Lake, Fishing, and Giving Back

Be sure to watch the Bassmaster Classic on ESPN.

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Green Turtle Bay Resort & Marina Condos (Click for a larger view!)

Happy birthday, gorgeous!  Green Turtle Bay is 25 years old this month (April, 2009). To celebrate, they are offering a 10% discount on any reservation for Condos to customers whose birthday is also in April.

They will give you a 10% discount birthday present when you show them your valid driver’s license with proof of your April birthday.  Sadly, this affects me in no way whatsoever, since my birthday is four months away, but I certainly want to wish them a heartfelt happy birthday.

If you’ve never seen Green Turtle Bay Resort & Marina in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, you really should make an effort to do so. They celebrate the water way of life with every breath they take. The area is beautiful, the staff is incredibly friendly, and I’m sure I’ve told you about Docker’s Bayside Grill once or twice.  Two words: Onion Rings.

There are over seventy town house condominiums available with gorgeous views of Green Turtle Bay and Lake Barkley.  You can rent one for a day or a week or buy one for a lifetime of weekends filled with water, fishing, boating, tennis, golf, and onion rings.   Just let me dangle my feet in the cool lake water in between trips to Docke’rs Bayside Grill and I’ll be happy.

From Green Turtle Bay’s Web Site:

Green Turtle Bay Resort offers one, two, three, and four bedroom luxury condominium units. Each unit is individually owned and tastefully appointed in a variety of styles, with each bedroom featuring its own private bath. All units have a fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, and gas grill; most feature fireplaces and pull out sofas. Units are complete with linens, towels and complimentary coffee.

Click HERE for more information right away.  The most memorable summer of your life is waiting!

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Aurora has a different “vibe,” yet I enjoy it every bit as much as I do Grand Rivers.  Aurora, Kentucky seems to delight in being very laid back. This community is home to my favorite Willow Pond Restaurant, one of my all-time favorite BBQ Restaurants (Aurora BBQ – Home of the Winking Pig!), the Dinner Bell, and one of my favorite spots to unload cash that’s weighing down my purse – The Hitching Post Gifts and Country Store. I’ve never…never… gone into this charmingly fun store without exiting with loot that I can’t wait to take home.

In addition to an endless display of Kentucky memorabilia – from t-shirts, jewelery, and hats to candles, figurines, ornaments, and cookbooks – they carry a remarkable variety of Yoder’s Homestyle jams, jellies, etc. They also have BBQ sauces that’ll send you over the proverbial moon.

On our most recent trip, I got a jar of Yoder’s Homestyle Sweet Potato Butter. Have you ever had Sweet Potato Pie? Well, this Sweet Potato Butter pretty much lives in that delicious neighborhood. So, whether you put it on buttermilk biscuits, cornbread, or toast, you get that same amazing flavor. Frankly, I can’t say enough great things about it. Their Apple Butter is also ridiculously good.  It’s great on toast, served alongside scrambled eggs and bacon.

The next time you’re in the Land Between the Lakes region, make a point of visiting the “down home” friendly people at the Hitching Post Gifts and Country Store in Aurora. If you time your day just right, you can work up an appetite at the Hitching Post, have lunch with the winking pig, explore the beautiful Kentucky Lake area, and then make an appointment with the best hush puppies on earth at the Aurora Willow Pond that evening.

It’ll be a day you won’t forget.  Just be sure to remember the apple butter!

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Look alive, fishermen and fisherwomen! The time is right to grab your poles and cast your troubles away on Kentucky Lake.   According to Commercial Appeal.com, the fish have swam for cover and are ripe for the picking.

I know even less about fishing than I do saving money, so I’ll leave the details entirely to those who know what they’re doing.  My knowledge of fish consists of:

• Fried Catfish is something I must have at least once a week.
• Homemade tarter sauce is always best.
• I make better salmon patties than anyone on earth.
• Cod and lemon were meant to go together.
• Finding Nemo is a darned cute movie.

And there you have it – my fish database.   So, here, I’ll leave you with a link to those who sit on more than just boats, they sit on a great deal of knowledge.  See Added Cover Improves Fishing on Kentucky Lake.

 - Sunday August 24, 2008

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About a week ago I wrote a post extolling the virtues of Docker’s Bayside Grill. You remember, Onion Ring Mecca. (I tried to get hooked up with some during Marina Day, because I’d been thinking about them all week, but they couldn’t “come out and play” – so I settled for chips. That’s okay, I don’t mind when they play hard to get.)

We left home early to make sure we got to Docker’s in time for breakfast this time. Good move. No, great move.

My husband ordered the omelette to absolutely end all omelettes. This thing was an absolute work of art. It was HUGE and when I threatened to kick him under the table, he actually parted with a bite – delicious!

I got a biscuit, gravy, and hasbrowns. The gravy was so amazing I’m not even fit to describe it. It’s next to impossible to get good gravy out, but this gravy couldn’t have been better if it’d been served by Johnny Depp, himself. (Did I mention he’s from Owensboro?) The biscuit was spectacular, too. If you order gravy and biscuits – and I strongly recommend it – be sure to order the “2 biscuits” option because they’re very generous with their gravy, you’ll want plenty of bread to grab every drop.

The hasbrowns were perfect, too. Not over-cooked, not under-cooked – just perfect. I loved that about them and I told them so. Even the coffee was Heavenly!

Make it a point to find yourself in Grand Rivers, Kentucky on your next available morning. Then point your empty stomach in the direction of the gorgeous Green Turtle Bay Resort & Marina. (Take your morning paper with you if you think anything’s fit to read.) When you get to Docker’s Bayside Grill, sit facing the window and the spectacular view it offers, order your breakfast and coffee and get ready for it. “It” being the ridiculously silly smile that’s about to spread across your face.

This silly grin is another reason to sit facing the windows. You don’t want anyone else to see you like that. The windows, however, are so used to that face they think that’s how humans are supposed to look.

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