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Kentucky Blog

On the following pages find the newest updates, restaurant reviews, Kentucky events and attractions, and more.

Kentucky Blog: Coming Back to Life Along with the Trees!

April 3, 2022 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Flowering Tree in Bowling Green

Tree Coming Back to Life in the Spring

Hope. It’s one of those words that kind of takes your breath away. It’s been a while since, collectively, we’ve had much reason to hope for better days. Most of us have been affected in one way or another by the pandemic, including this Kentucky blog. Quite frankly, when you’re unable to go anywhere, it’s difficult to post pictures of the day, events, or much of anything else.

As far as the Kentucky restaurant reviews go… well, we either eat at home or the same two or three restaurants. So, that leaves those out too.

However, I truly believe that HOPE is on the horizon. In fact, I believe it’s on the proverbial doorstep!

Ironically, it’s coming at a time when everything around us is coming back to life… waking up from a long, quiet sleep. Trees, like the one pictured above, are waking up and putting on a beautiful show. It’s like they’re also clinging to hope for a beautiful tomorrow…. followed by a beautiful summer.

Fingers crossed and prayers ascending.

My hopes are high for a wonderful summer here in Kentucky. I hope (I mean I really, REALLY hope) the mask mandates are lifted in our state parks – as they have been just about everywhere else. These mandates serve as a reminder of the dark days we just came through. Truth be told, many people avoid places with such mandates (at this point0 because we’re moving toward better, brighter days, with hope held firmly in our hands.

Mind you, I know there are people who are afraid of COVID. Obviously, it isn’t all the way gone yet and many people are quite afraid of catching it and/or giving it to their loved ones. I understand that, completely, and fully support their freedom to wear a mask as long as it makes them feel more safe. Heck, I’d fight for their right to do so! However… mandates? Their time has come and gone and, you are perfectly free to agree or disagree with me on this, I avoid places these days with mandates. They are simply ridiculous at this point.

I have been unable to update this blog for MONTHS (one simply can’t say anything if there isn’t anything to say!) but, like the trees, I am pledging now to start afresh. Updates will now get back on track, Kentucky news and events will be given, and… hold on to your seat… the Twitter page will even come back to life. I just have to dust off the cobwebs first.

~ Joi (“Joy”)

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Kentucky Blog

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

August 21, 2018 by Joi Sigers 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

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Carter Caves State Resort Park events, Fraley Mountain Music Gatherin', Kentucky Events 2018

Time to ‘fess Up!

February 10, 2018 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Maddox

I’ve always prided myself on consistent Kentucky restaurant reviews, Kentucky pictures of the day, events, news, and all things Kentucky on Genuine Kentucky. The blog means a great deal to us, so we try to travel, dine out, and enjoy all that this beautiful state has to offer. Winter, spring, summer, or fall – we always find (and then celebrate!) the beauty, fun, deliciousness, and
educational adventures Kentucky has to offer.

Sometimes, however, something funny happens… and that something is called life.

One of our beautiful daughters had a very rough patch in her pregnancy a few months back and, as a mother, that’s honestly all that mattered to me. My baby and my first grand baby were were in danger, so my every hour was spent either at their sides in the hospital or somewhere praying.

My blogs, laundry, reviews, and travelling could just wait as far as I was concerned! Thank goodness it wasn’t spring or summer, my flower beds would have taken over the entire county.

Both of our precious fighters came out of the woods and are perfectly healthy, beautiful and downright feisty. If they weren’t, I sure as heck wouldn’t be here typing these words.

I simply wanted to give an explanation for why things have fallen off here on Genuine Kentucky.  I realize the Kentucky Events page included Christmas events in January (when I saw that, I literally thought, “Well, at least they weren’t Halloween events..”), I haven’t had a picture of the day in goodness knows how long, and there hasn’t been a new restaurant reviewed in ages. I know there are old restaurant reviews that need to be tweaked and more information added.

There are tons of things to do and I’m excited to get back on track and dive in with the passion I feel for my home state…. and when I’m not holding an 11 pound miracle we formally call Maddox, I will do just that!

We always read words like, “cherish your loved ones” and “family is all that matters” but they’re pretty much just that – WORDS – that is until the day you’re sitting in a hospital, clinic, or bathroom floor (praying) and you realize that family is absolutely everything.

Now… time to get to work!

Filed Under: Blog

National Astronomy Day at Golden Pond Planetarium

April 20, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Golden Pond in the Land Between the Lakes

The only problem we have when we visit the Land Between the Lakes is trying to see and do everything at once! Gotta admit, though, I love the challenge. The Golden Pond Planetarium has something extra special coming up later this month and if you (like my youngest daughter) love astronomy, you’ll definitely want to mark your calendar.

West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers will host a National Astronomy Day event from 10-5pm, Saturday, April 29, 2017, at the Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

National Astronomy Day at Golden Pond (Land Between the Lakes)
“Highlights include “Meet Galileo” – an opportunity to interact with a first-person interpretation of the famous astronomer; “Comet Man” will make an appearance using dry ice to create a comet with help from visitors; and Artist Louise Phillips will be at Astronomy Day to present her artwork Dark Skies at Land Between the Lakes. A dedication ceremony will take place at 11am.

“National Astronomy Day promotes and encourages astronomy as a science and hobby. Land Between the Lakes and the Western Kentucky Amateur Astronomers hope the observance will increase knowledge and awareness of how the earth, moon and sun interact.” Says Jim Phfistner a West Kentucky Amateur Astronomy Club member.

Visitors can view free, full-dome, digital surround sound planetarium shows at 10 and 11am, 12, 1, 2, 3, and 4pm. A Star Party will take place at the observatory located just behind the visitor center after dark, if weather permits.

{Information continued below….}

National Astronomy Day at Golden Pond (Land Between the Lakes)
“The planetarium offers a variety of shows and provides an exciting way for our visitors to learn more about astronomy,” says Rob Milner, Planetarium Manager. “This year we are debuting a new eclipse show called TOTALITY. We will open the observatory for people to safely view the sun through our solar telescope. Entertaining and educational programs will be available for all ages.”

Astronomy club members will talk about how you can enjoy the total solar eclipse and give out free solar viewing glasses. Visitors will receive tips on observing the night sky, buying a first telescope and safely viewing the sun during the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017.

Be sure to visit the gift shop while at the Planetarium – you’ll probably see me there, trying to decide which stuffed animals and coffee mugs I “… simply MUST have.”

For more information visit: https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/calendar/astronomy-day-2017/
See the Astronomy Day brochure: https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2017.GPAstronomyDay.2.pdf

Filed Under: Blog, Golden Pond Planetarium, LBL, News, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: Land Between the Lakes events 2017, The Planetarium 2017 events

Trail of Tears Weekend Planned at Pennyrile Forest May 12-13, 2017

April 5, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Trail Through the Forest

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park is one of the friendliest parks in the Kentucky State Park System. From one year to the next (to the next, to the next), it just proves itself to BE as charming as it LOOKS.

The restaurant (Clifty Creek) in the lodge is also one of the best in the system. Seems friendly people make the best cooks.

There’s an upcoming historical event at this beautiful park that will interest my fellow history buffs.

Learn about the route of the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears in western Kentucky during Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park’s Trail of Tears Weekend May 12-13.

The event, co-sponsored by the Friends of Pennyrile, will feature a bus tour of the trail in Caldwell, Crittenden and Livingston counties. The bus will take participants to Mantle Rock Nature Preserve, which is an important point on Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

The Trail of Tears was a series of forced removals of the Cherokee living east of the Mississippi to what is now Oklahoma.

Guests can attend an introductory program on Friday evening and a historical and musical program on Saturday evening by Laura Hunt Angel.

Space is limited to 50 people.

The fee is $45 and includes the bus tour, a boxed lunch, evening programs and a tour guide. The park is also offering a 10 percent lodging discount. Call 800-325-1711.

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 in the wooded lodge area and on the lake’s shores. The restaurant seats 200, including a private dining room for up to 80. The park also offers hiking trails, fishing, basketball, tennis, camping and horse campsites that are available year-round.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park

Filed Under: Blog, Events, Kentucky History, News, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: hiking in Kentucky, Kentucky events, Kentucky historical events, Pennyrile Forest State Park Events

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"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")

Flowering Tree in Bowling Green
Fraley Music Festival
Maddox

Kentucky News and Events

  • Enjoying all Kentucky Has to Offer in Cold and Flu Season…
  • Throwback to 2014 and the Kentucky Ice Storm… Even Then, There was Beauty
  • The Pond at Kentucky Lake: Always a Relaxing and Wonderful Place to Dine
  • Genuine Kentucky… Recovering from a Whirlwind of Changes!
  • Hot Dog Days of Summer at the Kentucky Legend Cafe in Owensboro (Located in the Convention Center)
  • Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory: Activities for Astronomy Day (May 7, 2022)
  • Kentucky Legend Café: Delicious Place to Enjoy Lunch in Owensboro, Kentucky
  • A Sensational Spring Break at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes April 2-10, 2022

Kentucky State Parks

We have a special passion for Kentucky State Parks, so you'll find many articles and reviews centered around the beautiful state parks in Kentucky.

A personal goal is to visit, photograph, and enjoy each and every one of our state parks and eat at each of the state resort parks. Make no mistake about it, we're well on our way!

Bird Watching in Kentucky!

One of our greatest passions is birds and bird watching is an absolute favorite pastime. If you love our feathered friends and want to learn more about bird watching and attracting birds to your own backyard, be sure to check out our section dedicated entirely to Kentucky birds.

Kentucky Restaurants and Reviews

Kentucky Restaurant Reviews

Where are the best Kentucky restaurants?! Find out in our Kentucky Restaurant Reviews.

Also See: Best Fried Catfish in Kentucky
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Kentucky Events

The pandemic has crushed many activities, events, and normalcy – not just in Kentucky, but all around the world. As we creep back toward normal, I want desperately to highlight any and all events going on around Kentucky. Please E-mail me any information you’d like shared about your Kentucky event! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Kentucky Pictures

Kentucky Pictures
Check out the beautiful Pictures of Kentucky in our photo albums!

Advertising & Reviews

If you are interested in advertising on Genuine Kentucky, please contact us: e-mail Joi Sigers.

Also, if you have a resort, condo, golf course, restaurant, or even a cup of coffee (LOVE coffee!) you'd like for us to review, please contact us at joi@genuinekentucky.com.

Genuine Kentucky Disclaimer

We do not work for any Kentucky service or organization. We are simply proud to have been born and raised in the greatest state in the country and are thrilled to call it home. This site serves as our tribute to Kentucky and its warm and wonderful people. Our mission is to bring more travelers to Kentucky and keep more Kentuckians home! See our Privacy Policy.
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