Genuine Kentucky

Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants

You are here: Home / Archives for Joi Sigers

2018-2019 Winter Schedule for Kentucky State Resort Parks

by Leave a Comment

Kenlake State Resort Park's Lodge

Kenlake State Resort Park’s Lodge

Spring and Summer aren’t the only times you’ll enjoy a visit to the Kentucky State Parks – they’re just as warm, welcoming, and fun during the fall and winter. In fact, maybe even more so because they’re quieter and less crowded!

The resort parks have different hours during the colder months, so always double check before leaving home. Below is their recently announced schedule for the winter months.

Each of the Kentucky State Park Resort Parks will be open on weekends through the winter months in 2018-2019.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park will be open seven days a week; the other 15 resort parks will have different schedules, with many of them closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Restaurant schedules will also be based on the resort schedules during the winter.

All resort parks have lodges and food services; 15 parks also have cottages. Cottages will be open daily at these parks through the winter.

There will be no changes for full-time staff within the Parks – all will be working their normal hours during the winter. On days the resort parks are not open to the public, staff will be cleaning and repairing park facilities.

Below are the winter dates and schedules for the 17 resort parks. The first day listed is the day of the week available to check in a lodge room, the second day is the check-out day.

Barren River Lake, Dec. 3, 2018-March 2, 2019, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Blue Licks Battlefield, Nov. 12-April 1, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out)

Buckhorn Lake, Nov. 1-March 31, open Friday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Carter Caves, Dec. 27-March 3, open Wednesday (check in) through Monday (check out).

Cumberland Falls, Dec. 16-March 3, open Tuesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Dale Hollow Lake, Nov. 11-March 1, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

General Butler, Dec. 23-March 31, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Greenbo Lake, Nov. 1-March 30, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Jenny Wiley, open daily.

Kenlake, Dec. 9-March 10, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Kentucky Dam Village, Nov. 12-March 1, open Thursday (check in) through Monday (check out).

Lake Barkley, Nov. 25-Feb. 27, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Lake Cumberland, Dec. 1-Feb. 28, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Natural Bridge, open daily.

Pennyrile Forest, Dec. 14-March 3, open Friday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Pine Mountain, Jan. 1-Jan. 31, open Wednesday (check in) through Monday (check out).

Rough River Dam, Nov. 4-April 30, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Many resort parks will host seasonal events such as Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas programs and New Year’s Eve parties.

For more information about Kentucky State Parks or to make reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov

Old Things New (Official Music Video) by Chad Hoard

by Leave a Comment

The wonderful video and song below are from Kentucky’s own Chad Hoard. This is the title track from Chad’s debut album “Old Things New.”

I would be sharing this beautiful and inspiring video with you, anyway, BUT there’s a little extra incentive. Chad is actually married to my husband’s youngest niece. What’s more, another of his nieces co-stars in the video.

Amazing thing is, I never knew Chad sang or that she acted…. but, boy do I know now!

I hope you’ll visit Chad Hoard’s Official Website and read more about this Western Kentucky born and raised musician, song writer, and singer. You can also download the album free on the website.

Snap Apple Night 2018 at The Homeplace Tomorrow Night!

by Leave a Comment

Snap Apple Night at the Homeplace 2017

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this time of year! The crispness in the air, football on tv, the UK Wildcats starting to hit the court, autumn leaves, pumpkins, hot chocolate… love it, love it, love it. So, needless to say, I’m excited that it’s time for Snap Apple Night at the 1850’s Homeplace in the Land Between the Lakes. They put on such a wonderful production – you can tell that (like me!) they’re kids at heart. The decorations, the festivities, the atmosphere… they embrace this season like it deserves to be embraced.

Below are events that’ll be going on tomorrow (October 13). Hope you can make it!

Saturday, October 13

1-3pm | Carving Jack-O-Lanterns
In Ireland, people carved turnips with scary faces to help ward off evil spirits. The tradition migrated to the United States where the pumpkin became the vegetable of choice. Help the Homeplace workers scoop out the insides of turnips and pumpkins and create scary faces on them for Snap Apple Night! Come early since there are a limited number of pumpkins to carve.
{Continued Below….}
Snap Apple Night at the Homeplace
6-8:30pm:  Snap Apple Night
Enjoy an evening in the 1850s where the nights were very dark, and the only light comes from lanterns. Family entertainment was sitting round the hearth listening to stories of long ago. Step back in time, gather around for the old-time tradition of storytelling and listen to award winning storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis www.foxtalesint.com as he shares scary stories around the blazing bonfire.
Between storytelling, get a hot cup of cider and discover your future as we tap into the “other world” and learn your fate through Victorian fortune telling games. Program held rain or shine, so please be prepared for the weather. Great family fun!
  • 6 pm – 1st storytelling scary stories
  • 6:45 pm –- fortune telling games
  • 7:30 pm –2nd Storytelling, Even Scarier Stories
Doors open at 5:30 pm 

Fraley Mountain Music Gatherin’ Sept. 5-8 at Carter Caves State Resort Park

by Leave a Comment

Carter Caves State Resort Park

Carter Caves State Resort Park

When I think of “hidden gems” in the Kentucky State Park System, a few parks come to mind. Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hills is one of the first.  While it is certainly a popular and well-loved park, somehow I think it deserves even more attention than it already receives.

It’s such a beautiful, special, and relaxing place! If you’ve never been (or have and simply looking for a great reason to return), here’s the perfect opportunity.

Press Release from the Kentucky State Parks:

Carter Caves will host the annual Fraley Mountain Music Gatherin’ from Sept. 5-8, 2018.

The festival that began as a family reunion honors old-time music and eastern Kentucky traditions as well as the late master fiddler J.P. Fraley. Musicians will be jamming in parking lots and sharing music around the campfires of Carter Caves State Resort Park. Musical instruments such as dulcimer, fiddle and guitar are used to tell stories about life long ago in the eastern Kentucky foothills.

The music at the Fraley Festival has not been confined to any one type. Folk, old-time, western, western swing, early country, and others are played on a regular basis at the festival. There are all sorts of musical configurations, from family bands or husband and wife duets, to people playing on stage who just met each other a few minutes ago in the parking lot.

Wednesday night is a free “jamming in the round” session at the Recreation Shelter House in the campground.  Concerts will be held in the Park Amphitheatre on Thursday evening, Friday afternoon and evening, and Saturday afternoon and evening.  Concert fees range from $4-$10.  A $25 weekend pass is available which admits you to all the concerts and jam sessions.

For more information visit the event website at www.fraleyfestival.com

Carter Caves State Resort Park features a lodge, vacation cottages, RV campsites and primitive campsites. The lodge restaurant offers a variety of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. There’s also hiking, mini-golf, fishing, horseback riding and swimming. The park is located in northeastern Kentucky, 4 miles off Interstate 64 between Grayson and Olive Hill (exit 161).

Fraley Music Festival

Bottom Photo Credit: Kentucky State Parks

Upcoming August Events at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

by 2 Comments

Hummingbirds at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

Saturday, August 11

9:30am-12pm | Hummingbird Photography Workshop

Hands-on workshop with instructors who’ll show photos on the big screen in the Nature Station’s theater as they lead a discussion on the qualities of the photos, share tips on how to improve them through photographic technique, composition, and editing and more. Includes Nature Station admission. Participants are encouraged to bring photos they have already taken on an external hardware device. Bring a lunch and stay in the afternoon to take your own photographs. $15 per person. Limited space. Registration and deposit required.

11am-2pm | Hummingbird Kids’ Craft
Join our naturalists as you learn how to make a super simple and fun bird nest, complete with your own crafty versions of baby hummingbirds!

2-2:30pm | Knee-high Naturalists: Hummingbirds
Join us for a story, a craft, and a memorable nature experience witnessing dozens of hummingbirds as they buzz around the Nature Station’s gardens and feeders. This program is specially designed to make hummingbirds fun for preschoolers.

Sunday, August 12

2-2:30pm | Knee-high Naturalists: Hummingbirds
Come discover hummingbirds with your young naturalist! Join us for a story, a craft, and a memorable nature experience witnessing dozens of hummingbirds as they buzz around the Nature Station’s gardens and feeders. This program is specially designed for preschoolers.

Monday, August 13

3:30-3:50pm | Monday Funday: Deer and Turkey Playtime
Watch as our animals react to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

Tuesday, August 14

10-11am | Morning with the Hummingbirds
Mornings are one of the best times to view Nature Station’s hummingbirds as they feed at our freshly filled feeders. Let’s step outside into the gardens and watch them in their morning feeding frenzy.

Wednesday, August 15

11:30am-12:15pm | Hummingbirds of the World
Join us for this presentation to discover some of the world’s most interesting hummingbirds such as the Marvelous Spatuletail, Bee Hummingbird, Streamertail, and Sword-billed Hummingbird.

Thursday, August 16

10-11am | Morning with the Hummingbirds
Mornings are one of the best times to view Nature Station’s hummingbirds as they feed at our freshly filled feeders. Let’s step outside into the gardens and watch them in their morning feeding frenzy. Then, join us for an indoor presentation to learn about hummingbird’s natural history and how to help them during their migration.

Friday, August 17

3:30-3:50pm | Feed the Animals Fridays: Opossum
Come help feed Nature Station’s resident opossum during her chow time! We’ll let you sneak into the opossum’s enclosure while she’s not there and hide treats for her to find.

Saturday, August 18

9-10am | Hummingbird Café
Join us under the shade in our garden and enjoy some coffee (hot or iced), juice, and breakfast goodies while the hummingbirds have a feeding frenzy of their own! Relax in our scenic wildflower gardens. $10 per person, includes same day NS admission. Reservation required. Call 270.924.2020 to reserve your space.

2:30-3pm | Dive Into the Hive

Discover what all the buzz is about! You’re invited to bee a part of the hive! Come along on Honeybee Awareness Day as we play bee games, join a hive, and discover what each bee does for the hive! This is a perfect activity for children of all ages.

Sunday, August 19

2:30-3pm | Creature Feature: Bobcat
Did you know that about 200 bobcats live right here in Land Between The Lakes? Find out how these masters of stealth survive so well without being seen.

Hummingbird at Woodlands Nature Station

"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

Fraley Music Festival
Maddox
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Trail Through the Forest