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Eclipse Viewing and Programs in the Land Between the Lakes

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Camping in the LBL at Sunset

Camping in the LBL at Sunset

The Great American Eclipse is almost here – it seems like just yesterday it was months away. Then again, Christmas is 4 months from today!

The Land Between the Lakes offers year-round events, educational programs, and entertainment for the whole family – so it’s no surprise that they have the eclipse covered as well.

From the Land Between the Lakes:

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area will offer prime viewing locations for the Great American Eclipse on August 21 and “Sun and Moon Days” August 16-23, 2017, a series of programs throughout the 170,00 acre area to celebrate and educate about this amazing natural phenomenon.

“Visitors looking for a prime spot to watch the Great American Eclipse are invited to Land Between the Lakes,” says Customer Service Manager Jeff Laird. “Eye protection, free parking and food vendors will be available at Fenton, near the Eggner’s Ferry Bridge on US68/KY80 in western Kentucky.”

The duration of the total solar eclipse at this location will be two minutes, according to NASA (https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-maps). Other viewing areas in Land Between the Lakes are listed at https://landbetweenthelakes.us/best-2017-eclipse-viewing-areas/.

Eye protection is vitally important during this event and viewing glasses are available now at Friends of Land Between the Lakes gift shops and campground outposts. Sunglasses are not adequate.

“Sun and Moon Days will feature eclipse related programming at three facilities,” according to Laird.

Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory will show TOTALITY (which is already in the weekly schedule), at 11am and 2pm, August 16-23, to teach about eclipses. There will be an eclipse star party at 8:45 pm on August 19 and solar viewing from 10am – 4pm on August 20 and 21. A Pink Floyd laser extravaganza will be offered on August 18 and 19, at 5:30 and 7pm.

The Homeplace 1850s Working Farm will feature Life by the Sun, Moon and Stars, weekdays, 2-3pm, which will show how farm families looked for signs from celestial bodies. The Storytelling event will be August 19 from 6-7:30pm. Talented presenters will weave tales of the eclipses from the past. This special event is not included in the regular admission price. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Doors will open at 5:30pm. View the eclipse from the Homeplace on August 21 and be part of our watermelon social from 10am – 4pm.

Woodlands Nature Station will offer Daytime vs. Nighttime Animals, weekdays at 11:30 am, August 16-23. There will also be Mornings with the Hummingbirds, 10-11am on Thursday, August 17, and Tuesday, August 22. Reservations are required for the Sunset Canoe Trips, planned for August 18 and August 23, from 5:30-8pm; and the Hummingbird Café, planned for Saturday, August 19, 9-10am. Snakes of Land Between the Lakes will be discussed from 11:30am – 12 pm on Sunday, August 20.

For more information, visit https://landbetweenthelakes.us/solar-eclipse-2017/ and https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/.

To find more information about Land Between the Lakes, log on to the official website atwww.landbetweenthelakes.us or call 1.800.525.7077 or 270.924.2000.

Pictures of the Day: Flowers, Flowers, and More Flowers

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Zinnias

Zinnias

One of my favorite hobbies is flower gardening. I absolutely love flowers and the process of growing my own never ceases to fascinate me. How something can begin its life as a tiny seed can become breathtakingly beautiful blows my mind.

I spend more time among my flowers than some people spend with other people! I drink coffee with them in the morning and iced tea in the afternoon and evening (while they’re enjoying their water).

Dew on Marigolds

Dew on Marigolds

Each spring and summer finds dirty, sweaty me nurturing my favorites (zinnias, salvia, marigolds, petunias, mums, pansies, morning glories, 4 O’Clocks, Moon Flowers,  lilies, and begonias) and whatever else has caught my eye. In addition to my herb beds, flowers are a flat out obsession from April straight up to October.

Zinnias

Zinnias

The pictures of the day today are some of my constant companions this summer.

I hang out with a beautiful crowd.

Petunias and Begonias

Petunias and Begonias

If you’re a flower gardener you may have noticed something that never ceases to amaze me – different flowers can behave differently each year. I guess it makes sense that the weather will affect their temperaments and personalities. This year, my zinnias have lost their minds! They are growing so big and beautiful – I literally go outside several times a day just to look at them. The butterflies are enjoying them as much as I am.

My Morning Glories, on the other hand, are being unusually slow. They normally bloom at the same time my Four O’Clocks and Moon Flowers do but this year they’re putting so much energy into their vine that they’re forgetting the blooms. I had a good talk with them this afternoon and I trust they’ll change their ways.

Salvia, Marioglds, and Zinnias

Salvia, Marioglds, and Zinnias

My parents and my dad’s mom were huge flower gardeners – I guess that’s where my obsession comes from. My dad grew the most beautiful roses you’ve ever seen. I don’t grow roses because we have several outside cats who I baby like crazy, so I don’t want the thorns sticking them.

My mom’s favorites were perennials and her perennial bed was gorgeous – she had a concrete bird bath in the middle and a swing nearby. It was one of the most relaxing spots in the world.

Oddly enough, while my dad loved flowers and gardening, he somehow hated marigolds! Since they’re a personal favorite, he always kidded me when I’d include them in my flower beds. He’d grin and say, “Ohhhh, you’re not putting those out are you?”  And I’d say, “Absolutely! In fact, I think I’ll put more than usual out this year!”

He has been overseeing rose gardens in Heaven for years, now, but each summer when I plant my marigolds I think of him and I can’t help but smile.

Marigold

Hummingbird Month at the Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

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Hummingbirds at The Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)

If you’ve ever been to Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes, you know why I say that… as a bird and animal lover… it’s one of my favorite places in the world. The bird-watching (and photographing, of course) can’t be beat. As my husband could attest, I could and do spend hours watching the beautiful birds while looking for just the right picture.

Hummingbirds are just one of the beautiful birds that have the good sense to flock to the Nature Station. They know a great buffet when they see it! August is Hummingbird Month at Woodlands and if you’re anything like me, you won’t want to miss a single thing… or feather. Notice that reservations are required for nearly half of the programs.

Special Hummingbird Programs:

  • Throughout August: Nature Station Hummingbird Photo Contest
  • Friday, August 4, 6-8pm: Dinner with the Hummingbirds (reservations required)
  • Saturday & Sunday, August 5 & 6: Hummingbird Festival
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10am: Morning with the Hummingbirds
  • Wednesdays, August 2, 9, & 30 at 11:30am: Hummingbirds of the World
  • Saturday, August 12 at 9:30am: Hummingbird Photography Workshop (reservations required)
  • Saturday, August 26 at 9am: EXCLUSIVE: Early Morning Photo Session (reservations required)
  • Saturday, August 19 at 9am: Hummingbird Café (reservations required)
  • Sunday, August 13: Knee-high Naturalists – Hummingbirds

 

First Day of Summer Picture of the Day: Sailboat on Kentucky Lake

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Sailboat on Kentucky Lake

Sailboat on Beautiful Kentucky Lake

While I’m excited that it’s the first day of summer, did it or did it not seem like only yesterday we were watching college basketball? Time flies so fast we’ll be watching it and saying, “Doesn’t it feel like only yesterday was the first day of summer.”

That’s right… we’ve all turned into our grandparents! Funny thing is, however, the older I get the more I realize just how right they were about a LOT of things.

I hope you’ll get out and enjoy our beautiful state as often as possible this summer. There’s no need to go out of state for vacations – we have so much to offer right here in the Bluegrass! Plus, it’s cooler than the underside of the pillow to keep your money in your own state.

Enjoy this sunshine! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

19th Annual Pickin’ Party Old-time Music Festival at The Homeplace

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The Homeplace LBL

It’s that time of year again! The Homeplace 1850s Working Farm will host their Pickin’ Party Old-Time Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 10 and 11, 2017, from 10 am to 5:30 pm at Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Festival and farm admission is $7 ages 13 and up, $5 ages 5-12, and free for ages 4 and under.

“Hear some of the best string bands and old time musicians and singers in the south,” says Cindy Earls, Lead Interpreter at the Homeplace 1850s Farm. “We have local performer, songwriter and folklorist Nathan Blake Lynn; and fiddler Josh Coffey to serve as master of ceremonies for this festival in the hollow. We also ask that everyone thank our sponsors–Kentucky Machine and Engineering in Cadiz, KY, and Murray State’s WKMS, who help make this event possible.”

Old-time music is a tradition of our ancestors in this part of the country, brought with them from the old world, then changed to reflect their new world. Old-time music is our connection to the past; we can hear the voices of our forefathers telling stories of hardships and sorrows, as well as celebrations and joys.

This year’s lineup includes crowd favorites as well as newcomers:

  • Phillip Steinmetz and His Sunny Tennesseans
  • Mark Dvorak
  • Common Thread
  • The Dixie Volunteers
  • Wheel House Rousters
  • All Strung Out

Mandolin builder Mike Holmes also works his craft all weekend and offers his handmade mandolins for sale. In the event of rain, the Pickin’ Party moves to the indoor theater.

Afternoons on the farm also feature children’s 1850s play time, weaving, blacksmithing, meet our oxen and knitting in public. Visitors are encouraged to bring their knitting needles and knit while listening to music straight from the past.

Bring lawn chairs or ground blankets to relax under the cool shade trees while enjoying old-time music. The festival offers open mic opportunities for local musicians and attendees. Festival food is available for purchase at the farm.

Visitors may bring their instruments for jamming and open mic sessions on both days at the Homeplace.

Land Between the Lakes provides several options for overnight accommodations for those wishing to stay on the recreation area. See more information about our local communities – https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/visit/community.
To find more information about Land Between the Lakes, log on to the official website at www.landbetweenthelakes.us or call 1-800-LBL-7077 or 270-924-2000.

See Also: Top 10 Things I Love About The Homeplace in the Land Between the Lakes

"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")

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