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Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants

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Things to Do in Kentucky!

On the following pages you'll find many fun things to do in Kentucky. Whether it's fishing on one of Kentucky's many lakes, exploring caves, visiting a Kentucky State Park, hiking, or golfing a great Kentucky golf course, there are plenty of fun things to do in Kentucky. Just remember to bring your camera! If you're unsure of a date for an event, please leave a comment, e-mail me, or contact me on Twitter (@GenuineKentucky).

Enjoying all Kentucky Has to Offer in Cold and Flu Season…

December 28, 2022 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The Pond Grilled Shrimp and Baked Potato.

Delicious Grilled Shrimp at The Pond in Aurora, Kentucky

If you’re anything like me, you LOVE to get out in all the hustle and bustle around the holidays – whether it’s Christmas shopping, hitting up all the after Christmas sales, or shopping for things that’ll help you with your ambitious New Year’s resolutions and goals.

Not to mention hitting up Starbucks for a Chai Tea Latte as often as possible.

The fact that we’re smack in the middle of a vicious cold and flu season (on top of ever-lurking COVID) is keeping a lot of people at home. I may be in the minority on this opinion – but I think that’s a bit sad. Unless you fall in a particularly vulnerable category (with pre-existing medical conditions), living your life in fear or allowing what “could” happen to dictate your life is, let’s just say, less than you deserve.

It’s a big, beautiful, endlessly fun and exciting world out there and we only get one chance to live this life. Always make the most of it! Having said that, naturally common sense has to (and should!) prevail.

If you have pre-existing medical conditions, be EXTRA cautious. Flu, COVID, and even a cold can be more nasty for those of us with conditions than others. Me? I have bronchial asthma and Celiac, so I am cautious when I go out, as you should be whether you have conditions or not.

I’m so notorious for having hand sanitizers with me that I receive them in gift bags and in my Christmas stocking. I’m very happy to say I’ve gotten my family hooked on them as well. Even my two oldest grandbabies (ages 5 and 3) know to use them anytime we’ve been in a store or restaurant. I’ve taught them to use them effectively and they are more diligent than some adults!

In addition to hand sanitizers (seriously, you should always have a great supply… are you ready for it… on hand. Sorry I could not resist.), here are a few other ideas to stay active and involved but also stay well:

  • Get plenty of rest. The more rested you are, the healthy your immune system will be.
  • Eat right and drink green tea. Eating a healthy diet and drinking green tea also help keep your immune system in top working order. If you don’t like green tea, drink regular tea – it’s also very good for you.
  • Have your vitamin levels checked and talk to your doctor about vitamins and supplements. As I am not a professional, I won’t make any recommendations here but there’s a wealth of information online about zinc, vitamin c, and vitamin d. Each are frightfully important. Please talk to your doctor about what vitamins could help keep you well.
  • Airborne viruses can be nasty (more about just how WELL I know below). If it makes you feel better to wear a facial mask, wear it when you go out. Combined with safe-distancing and frequent use of a good hand gel, this will help put the odds in your favor.
  • Wash grocery carts with the provided towelettes.
  • When it’s cold outside, wear your gloves and continue to wear them in stores. When you come home, throw them in the wash and they’ll be ready to go next time!

I don’t want to, in any way, make light of seasonal illnesses. They’re nasty! Last year, around Halloween I got a cold and didn’t think much about it. Colds happen! But it held on and held on and kept getting worse until it went into all out bronchitis – the worst I’ve ever had. Bronchitis is hideous for anyone but for someone with chronic bronchial asthma, it’s next level and quite frightening. You feel like you’re breathing through a coffee stirring straw and have a nonstop cough, fever, and aches on top of it. Due to the fact a family member was going through an illness and surgery at the time, I didn’t go to the doctor nearly soon enough (I was the last thing on my mind at the time…. silly, I know) and it got really bad. When I did go to the doctor, he was CONVINCED it was pneumonia because of how bad my lungs and cough sounded (plus the high fever). X-rays showed it wasn’t anything that dramatic and a quick test proved it wasn’t COVID – I simply had the worst bronchitis known to man and was thisclose to the hospital.  So when I say I know how scary cold and flu season can be, trust me… I know. With that hideous bout of bronchitis, I even started sleeping with my asthma rescue inhaler under my pillow because I’d often wake up at night unable to get a good breath.

When cold and flu season hit this year, I’d be lying if I didn’t say the memories of that illness weren’t in the back of my mind. Something about coughing for over a month, being short of breath, unable to sleep, aching, and running a temperature for days doesn’t appeal to me. However, I realized that living in fear of what MIGHT happen or what COULD happen rob you of so much – spending time with family, making memories, and enjoying all the beautiful world has to offer.

You just have to be smart, that’s all. So, in conclusion, get out there and see the world, support local businesses, State Parks, restaurants, and stores. Spend time with your family and friends and make memories you’ll be proud and overjoyed to spend the rest of your life with.

Just be sure to keep your hand sanitizers on standby!

~ Joi (“Joy”)

Island View Restaurant at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park

Island View Restaurant at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park

 

Filed Under: Winter in Kentucky

Throwback to 2014 and the Kentucky Ice Storm… Even Then, There was Beauty

December 26, 2022 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Cardinal 2014

Cardinal Riding Out the 2014 Ice Storm

Can you believe it’s been 8 years since the famous 2014 ice storm (well, it was famous here in Kentucky anyway!). While contending with the sub-zero cold, I’ve reminded myself several times that it could be worse. The ice storm knocked out power for so many for days and damaged so many trees and homes.

So, we may be freezing right now and navigating around in snow, but at least it doesn’t look like Elsa from Frozen just toured the state!

Stay safe, stay well, and stay warm everyone… Spring will be here before you know it.

~ Joi (“Joy”)

Spring at Green Turtle Bay

Spring at Green Turtle Bay

Filed Under: Winter in Kentucky Tagged With: Cardinal in Winter, Kentucky Ice Storm pictures

Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory: Activities for Astronomy Day (May 7, 2022)

April 10, 2022 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Golden Pond Visitor's Center and Planetarium

The Golden Pond Visitor Center Planetarium and Observatory

International Astronomy Day is Saturday, May 7, 2022 and The Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory in the Land Between the Lakes has a special day planned for visitors.

The Planetarium will have activities for the kids, solar viewing, and a special program hosted by The WKAA (West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers): Beginners Tips on How to Choose a Telescope.

Shows on International Astronomy Day (Saturday, May 7) will be free and will be available throughout the day! Astronomy Day will also be the day the grand opening for the new Planetarium projector, SkyExplorer.

The West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers will also be offering free solar viewing in the observatory.

Space science crafts will be provided, along with free posters and stickers.

The 360-degree, surround-sound, 40 foot domed planetarium theater is temperature controlled and has very comfortable high back seats. Surround sound adds SO MUCH to the experience. The new SkyExplorer projection system provides the best rendering capacities and delivers a wonderful, realistic image quality for an immersive experience throughout the domed theater.

Solar viewing will (of course) be weather dependent.

For show schedules and more information, please visit www.landbetweenthelakes.us/planetarium.

 

Filed Under: Events, Golden Pond Planetarium, LBL, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: Kentucky events, Land Between the Lakes 2022 events, LBL, The Planetarium

A Sensational Spring Break at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes April 2-10, 2022

April 3, 2022 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Owl at Woodlands Nature Station

Owl at Woodlands Nature Station

As I said in my last post, everything is coming back to life around Kentucky… everything from Genuine Kentucky to trees and the wonderful Land Between the Lakes are filled with hope and are firmly facing better days ahead!

If you’ve read Genuine Kentucky any, you know how in love I have always been with the Land Between the Lakes. I cherish every minute I spend there and downright miss it when I’m away. That’s why I’m kind of tickled that my first “coming back to life!” event we’re posting on the Kentucky blog involves the Land Between the Lakes and one of my favorite places in the world, Woodlands Nature Station.

From The Friends of the Land Between the Lakes:

Spring has sprung at Land Between the Lakes and the Woodlands Nature Station offers plenty of family friendly activities throughout the month of April to celebrate. Special programs include Spring Break activities, guided hiking and kayaking trips, Homeschool Day, and more.

“A Sensational Spring Break” is April 2-10 with themed programs, crafts, games, and hikes. April is also Homeschool Month at the Nature Station with the 8th annual Homeschool Day on April 29. Educators are encouraged to check the online calendar at landbetweenthelakes.us for homeschool programs and activities.

“With blooms of wildflowers dotting Hematite Lake, wildlife becoming more active, and the many programs and activities offered at the Nature Station, the next few weeks present the perfect opportunity to get outside and have fun!” said Interpretive Naturalist Marissa Lindstrom.

April program highlights at the Nature Station include:

  • A Sensational Spring Break (programs include Bioluminescence Boogie and SLIME!), April 2-10
  • Homeschool Spring Learning Series: Native Bees, April 14
  • Wildflower Wander Hike, April 16
  • Animal Treat Baskets and Sunday Funday: Rabbit Playtime, April 17
  • Earth Day Sunset Kayak Trip, April 22
  • 8th Annual Homeschool Day: Forest FUN-damentals, April 29

The Woodlands Nature Station is in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults ages 18+; $5 for children ages 5-17; and free for children under 4.

Fun animal-themed programs are available daily and included in the cost of admission.

About the Friends of Land Between the Lakes
The Friends of Land Between the Lakes have partnered with the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area of the USDA Forest Service to provide interpretive and informative services along with support services for those visiting the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
More information is available at www.friendsoflbl.org. The Friends are supported through business and personal memberships, gift shop sales and other contributions.

Filed Under: Events, LBL, News, Springtime in Kentucky, The Nature Station Tagged With: Kentucky Events 2022, Land Between the Lake, Land Between the Lake Events 2022

Things to Do in Lexington, Kentucky!

July 28, 2021 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Waveland State Historic Site
Waveland State Historic Site

One of my personal favorite cities in Kentucky is beautiful Lexington. When I was a little girl we lived in Lexington for a little over a year. I loved it then and I still love it. With the pandemic, we haven’t been to Lexington in a while (or anywhere else for that matter!) but I just read an article that makes me very anxious to pay the beautiful city a visit!

30 Best Things to Do in Lexington, Ky. will make you anxious for your own visit as soon as possible. Visit the article and then, more importantly, visit Lexington!

Filed Under: Events, Lexington Tagged With: Lexington, Waveland State Historic Site

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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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