Happy First Day of Spring, Kentucky: Even if Winter Hasn’t Gotten the Memo Yet….
Beautiful Green Turtle Bay in Grand Rivers
As I’m typing this, snow is falling outside of my window. While it’s beautiful (I’ve always loved snow), I’m READY for spring! Hard to believe today is actually the first day of spring, isn’t it? Winter seems to be having a hard time believing it, too.
I have no doubt that in just two weeks, we’ll have forgotten all about this snow and will only be focusing on tulips, flower beds, baseball, and strawberry sundaes (or whatever flavor YOU choose!).
The beautiful picture above was taken a few years ago at Green Turtle Bay in Grand Rivers – I’m guessing it doesn’t look quite like this today…. but it will!
Enjoy the peaceful day and hang in there. Beautiful weather is just around the corner. I cannot… CANNOT… wait to get out there and start enjoying and photographing the beauty that is Kentucky.
St. Patrick’s Day Events Planned at Beautiful John James Audubon State Park
The Gorgeous John James Audubon Museum
One of the most beautiful Kentucky State Parks can be found in Henderson, Kentucky. John James Audubon State Park (and its on-site museum) are absolutely gorgeous. You could easily spend the entire day there and only complain that you’d ran out of time. Many restaurants are well within driving distance – in fact, they’re just minutes from the park and couldn’t be easier to find. They’re all on one road!
That’s the wonderful thing about small to medium sized towns in Kentucky, everything is within reach. More about the restaurants in a minute, I want to share with you some fun St. Patrick’s Day events the park has planned.
From the Kentucky State Parks:
Wear something green and get in free on St. Patrick’s Day at the John James Audubon State Park museum.
The park in Henderson is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 with specials for visitors at the museum, gift shop, and golf course.
Guests who wear green on Saturday receive free museum admission. They can also enjoy “Shamrock baked goods” at the gift shop and receive 20 percent off anything green in the store and 10 percent off any other item in the store. Wear green at the golf course and play 18-holes for the price of 9 (standard cart fees apply); and receive 20 percent off anything green in the pro shop store.
The museum and gift shop are open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 17. The golf course is open from 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
John James Audubon State Park is the site where Audubon studied and painted birds from 1810-1819. The park is equipped with cottages and offers many recreational opportunities, including a nine-hole golf course, six miles of hiking trails, fishing and more. It also has a museum and nature center that interprets Audubon’s life through a collection of his paintings and memorabilia. For more information, visit www.parks.ky.gov or call the park at 270-826-2247.
Now, back to those restaurants! The following are restaurants in Henderson that are within minutes of the park. As you’ll see, you can easily find breakfast, lunch, and/or supper. Trust me, if you explore the wonderful trails or golf course at Audubon, you’ll work up an appetite!
- Applebee’s
- Denny’s
- McDonalds
- Taco John’s
- KFC
- Burger King
- Arby’s
- Taco Bell
- Rally’s
- Subway
- Mr. B’s Pizza & Wings
- Pizza Hut
- Grandy’s
These are just a few that come to mind – Henderson has a lot of other restaurants as well. A quick Google search will find you whatever your heart (or stomach!) desires.
More Pictures of John James Audubon State Park, its wonderful trails and BEAUTIFUL Museum:
2018 Easter Buffets at Kentucky State Resort Parks
Kenlake State Resort Park’s Lodge
As I’m typing this information about Easter Buffets at Kentucky State Parks, I am seriously (I mean SERIOUSLY) wishing I was sitting in one of the Park’s restaurants with my husband enjoying a cup of their wonderful coffee. Their coffee is the stuff legends are made of.
I am unable to eat very often at the restaurants any longer because, for health reasons, I have to eat gluten-free. Unfortunately (as of now), the restaurants do not offer gluten-free menus or information. I have, however, gotten their hamburgers (off bun, of course) and had ZERO problems. I’ve also eaten salads off of their salad buffets.
I really, really, really hope that sometime in the near future the wonderful Parks will offer more in the way of gluten-free options and information because, quite frankly, I miss dining with them!
The 2018 Easter Buffet
Kentucky State Parks will be serving the annual Easter buffet April 1 at 15 resort park restaurants.
The menu includes beef carved on the line, baked country ham and local favorites. The meal will also include fresh fruit, a cheese bar, garden vegetables, salad and desserts.
The price for adults is $19.50, and children (12 and under) are $9.50, not including tax. The price does not include a beverage. The buffet will be served starting at noon with various ending times.
Buckhorn Lake and Kenlake state resort parks will not be serving the Easter buffet. All other resort parks will host the buffet.
Several parks are planning egg hunts and other activities for guests. For more information, or to make lodging reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov.
NOTE: When you get a chance to support our State Parks in any way, shape or form, please do so. Eat at their restaurants, shop in their gift shops, and partake in all they have to offer. I want them to be available for our children and grand-children for years and years to come!
Cumberland Falls Offers Campout at the Fire Tower
Dupont Lodge at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Enjoy an evening camping with a great view on four special camping trips this year at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
The park is offering guests an opportunity to spend part of the evening in Pinnacle Knob fire tower with a spectacular view of the night sky and the Cumberland Plateau. The dates of the “Campout at the Fire Tower” are March 10, Sept. 29, Oct. 13, and Nov. 3.
Your camp will be on the ground near the tower, which is no longer used for spotting fires. When the sun comes up, you’ll break camp for a short hike back to the park lodge for breakfast.
The park provides a sleeping bag and pad, tent, pack and astronomy equipment. Participants will leave after dinner and return the next morning for breakfast at the park lodge. The cost is $35 per person and includes a snack and breakfast.
Registration is required. Call Steve Gilbert at 606-528-4121 or email steve.gilbert@ky.gov.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park has a lodge, Riverview Restaurant, cottages, campground, hiking trails, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, other recreational activities and a great view of Cumberland Falls.
Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower