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Top 10 BBQ Restaurants in Kentucky (Picked by Kentucky 100)

March 25, 2019 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Moonlite Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky

The Kentucky 100 (a new, twice-monthly publication that delivers 100-word stories and short videos to subscribers) asked readers to help pick the top 10 BBQ restaurants and joints in Kentucky.

“We’ll pit Kentucky’s BBQ against the best anywhere,” said Publisher Chad Carlton. “Picking just 10 places wasn’t easy. Our readers and our staff are passionate about great food.”

The list, which you’ll find below, includes two from my hometown, Owensboro… makes me pretty proud!

  1. Brothers BBQ (Campbellsville)
  2. Feast (Louisville)
  3. Heatons BBQ (Princeton)
  4. Ken-Tex BBQ (Shelbyville)
  5. Momma’s Mustard, Pickles & BBQ (Louisville)
  6. Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn (Owensboro)
  7. Old Hickory Bar-B-Que (Owensboro)
  8. Red State BBQ (Lexington)
  9. Split Tree Barbecue (Alvaton)
  10. The Wood Shed (Hopkinsville)

As for my favorite BBQ here in Owensboro, I love Moonlite and Old Hickory pretty evenly. I’m also crazy about Ole South BBQ (outstanding breakfast buffet…. OUTSTANDING). The mutton at Moonlite is my favorite meat on their menu – it’s wonderful, as are their sides. Old Hickory and Ole South have exceptional sides, too.

We’ve got it good here in Owensboro when it comes to BBQ Restaurants – three wonderful ones to choose from.

What is the Kentucky 100? I’ll let them tell you in their own words…

  • The Kentucky 100 is:

    100-word stories about the news, issues and leaders shaping the Commonwealth.

  • 100-second (or less) videos that tell the stories of the Bluegrass State.
  • 100 percent free to readers, delivered by email twice a month.
  • 100 percent thoughtful, engaging and insightful.
  • The Kentucky 100 is part of a national network with a proven model of producing and distributing engaging content. It is produced and powered by C2 Strategic Communications, one of Kentucky’s fastest-growing public relations and engagement firms.

Check them out for yourself: https://thekentucky100.com

Old Hickory Deliciousness:

Old Hickory Sides
Old Hickory Chopped Pork Sandwich and Potato Salad
Old Hickory Pulled Pork Sandwich and Sides
Old Hickory BBQ Chicken and Sides

Filed Under: BBQ, Owensboro Tagged With: Best BBQ in Kentucky, Kentucky BBQ restaurants

Picture of the Day: Lighthouse Landing and Kentucky Lake (Gorgeous Even in Winter!)

March 11, 2019 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Lighthouse Landing and Kentucky Lake, Winter 2019

I haven’t been doing the Picture of the Day for some time now. I’m sure you’ve noticed that this Kentucky Blog is less active in the winter. Mainly because WE’RE less active in winter! Seriously, when I say we don’t go anywhere, I mean we DON’T! GO! ANYWHERE!

I’m kicking it back into gear, here, with a photo from one of our favorite places in the state: The lookout spot at Lighthouse Landing – looking out over gorgeous Kentucky Lake. Grand Rivers and Kentucky Lake are beautiful year-round – as the rest of Kentucky is. It’s simply not as fun to get out and admire it when it’s cold.

Fortunately, the weather experts assure me it will begin getting warmer soon. I cannot wait! Now that the end of winter is within reach, there will be more posts, restaurant reviews, and pictures of the day.

How wonderful is it to see the trees budding out?! I just love everything about this time of year! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Kentucky Lake Winter at Lighthouse Landing
Kentucky Lake Winter at Lighthouse Landing

Filed Under: Grand Rivers, Kentucky Picture of the Day Tagged With: Kentucky picture of the day, Kentucky pictures

St. Patrick’s Day Events Planned at Beautiful John James Audubon State Park

March 14, 2018 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

John James Audubon Museum

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:

John James Audubon State Park Museum and Nature Center
Trails Behind the Audubon Museum and Nature Center
Trails Behind the Audubon Museum and Nature Center
Audubon Museum and Nature Center
John James Audubon State Park Pictures
Bald Eagle Statue at John James Audubon State Park
Trails at James Audubon State Park
Trails at James Audubon State Park
The Worker Statue at John James Audubon State Park
Hummingbird Bird Bath at John James Audubon State Park
Audubon Museum and Nature Center
John James Audubon Museum and Nature Center

Filed Under: Henderson, John James Audubon State Park, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: John James Audubon State Park, St. Patrick's Day Events in Kentucky

Fly Fishing Weekend at Pine Mountain State Resort Park November 11-12, 2017

October 19, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Fly Fishing at Pine Mountain
Fly Fishing at Pine Mountain State Resort Park (Photo Credit: Kentucky State Parks)

One of the most scenic and beautiful parks in the Kentucky State Park system is Pine Mountain State Resort Park. The views redefine breathtaking, so any chance you get to visit this park should be an opportunity you jump at. If you enjoy fishing, the Park will give you an opportunity you’ll especially love in November.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park will host its Fly Fishing Weekend on  November 11-12.

Participants will learn to fly fish in the beautiful autumn mountains during this two-day workshop. It will include choosing equipment, fly selection, reading a stream, casting, and hooking and landing a fish.

The weekend package includes a Saturday continental breakfast, classroom and casting instruction on Saturday, Saturday night’s lodging, a Sunday streamside lunch, and actual fly fishing on Sunday.

This workshop starts with an 8 a.m. Saturday breakfast, followed by a 9 a.m. classroom experience. After lunch on your own, the class resumes with individual casting instructions. After dinner, participants can watch the film “A River Runs Through It.”

Sunday’s class will include fishing instruction, fishing on your own and a box lunch along Clear Creek.

The package cost is $189 per person or $295 per couple.

For information and reservations, call 606-337-3066 or email Keith Bowling at keith.bowling@ky.gov.

The park has a 30-room lodge, cottages and a full-service restaurant. It also has a golf course and other recreational opportunities for guests. Pine Mountain State Resort Park is located south of Pineville, on U.S. 25E, 10 miles north of Middlesboro.

Click the pictures below to give you an idea of just how spectacular Pine Mountain and Pine Mountain State Resort Park are in Autumn… Stunning!

Pine Mountain State Resort Park
Pine Mountain State Resort Park Lodge
Pine Mountain State Resort Park
Pine Mountain State Resort Park
Pine Mountain Woods behind the Lodge

Filed Under: Autumn Fun, Fishing, News, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville Tagged With: fishing in Kentucky, News, November events Kentucky, Pine Mountain State Resort Park

10 Christmas Gift Ideas at The Hitching Post in Aurora, Kentucky

September 11, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

RC Cola and Moon Pies
I have a confession to make. I think about Christmas year round. In fact, before Christmas day is over, I’m already thinking about what I want to bake, cook, and buy for the next Christmas. Mind you, I’m not saying I’m normal (that’s something I’d never even think about saying) – it just is what it is.

Since we have a large family, it’s actually a good thing that I have Christmas on the brain every day of the year. After all, if I waited until November and December to do all of my Christmas shopping, I’d never make it.

Neither would our bank account.

Right after Christmas, I begin buying Christmas gifts and hiding them away. You know how people are always saying they wish the Christmas Spirit could last all year long?  I’m here to tell you, it CAN.

On a recent trip to Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes, we (as we always do) stopped by The Hitching Post in Aurora. We always take the opportunity to browse around and stock up on jams, Kentucky food, homemade fudge, and bottles of vintage soda pop.

I kept seeing perfect Christmas gifts for my husband, our daughters & sons-in-law, and grandbaby (our first… he’s due in January!). Literally everywhere I turned I saw something that “so and so” just “has to have” and things that “such and such” would “absolutely flip sideways for.”

That’s when the idea for this post came about. I figured if my such and suchs and so and sos would flip sideways, yours will too. Below are just some of the gift ideas I spied on this trip. Trust me, we’ll be going back again soon and I’ll find more.

In other words, there’ll be future posts just like this one…. Christmas on the brain, you know.

The first gift idea of the 10 is the RC and Moon Pies gift set at the top. The “Redneck Six Pack” has 2 RC Colas and 4 Moon Pies. This would, obviously, be a perfect idea for anyone, whether their neck is red or not.  I mean, everyone loves delicious RC and Moon Pies.

Gift ideas number 2-10 are below.

Gift Idea for Teachers

Christmas Gift Idea for Teachers, Principals & Childcare Workers

The adorable Colored Pencil Frame (above) would be ideal for teachers, principals, or anyone who works with children for that matter.

It’s even cuter in person – very well made and affordable.

Grandparent's Sign at the Hitching Post

Gift Idea for Grandparents

As I said, above, we are expecting our first grandbaby in January and we couldn’t be more excited. I cannot wait to get my hands on him and spoil him like any self-respecting grandmother should! The sign, above, would make a wonderful (and downright honest) gift for any grandparent.

 

Gift Idea for Pet Lovers

Gift Idea for Pet Lovers

Whether the pet lovers in your life are owned by cats (like me) or are owned by dogs, the pet lovers sign, above, would make them nod in agreement and maybe even give a few, “AMEN”s – I know I did when I read it.

Happiness is a Kentucky State of Mind

Gift Idea for Proud Kentuckians

Okay, this one probably applies to all of us. This beautiful “Happiness is a State of Mind” (with our beloved Kentucky in the middle) sign would make a wonderful gift for all Kentuckians. Whether they are still blessed to live here in the Bluegrass OR they’re Kentuckians who now have to call somewhere else “home.” Then again, even when we Kentuckians have to live in another state, only one comes to mind when we hear the word “home.” When we temporarily lived in Florida, whenever I’d hear the word “home” – I didn’t think of the beaches, dolphins, and pelicans, I thought of the hills, horses, and cardinals.

There really is NO place like home.

Gift Ideas for Kentucky Fishermen and Women

Gift Ideas for Fishermen and Women

The picture above is just a fraction of the great gift ideas for people who love fishing (or hunting, for that matter). There are countless books, trinkets, signs, and fun gifts for people who spend a lot of time fishing and even more time thinking about fishing.

 

Elmwood Inn Tea

Elmwood Inn Fine Teas for Tea Lovers

A few Christmases ago, my husband gave me a glorious gift basket that included a container of Elmwood Inn Fine Tea bags (like the ones pictured above). I’ve been obsessed with this beautiful tea since. People who aren’t tea lovers (what do you people even drink??) might not believe it, but there is a HUGE difference in different teas. You can taste the quality in really special tea and Elmwood Inn Fine Teas is a perfect, perfect, perfect example. A container or two of this wonderful tea in a bag with a lovely teacup would be a gift any tea drinker would love.

If that wasn’t a sufficient enough hint for my family, I’m losing my touch.

Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt

Gift Ideas for Cooks

It takes a cook to know what cooks want… what they really, really want… so you’re in good hands with me. I cook, therefore I am. Does that sum it up enough? I am as passionate about cooking as Garfield the cat is about napping and I always find SO many wonderful foods, spices, seasonings at The Hitching Post as well as the Old Country Store right beside it. Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt and Pepper are absolutely delicious on and in just about anything.  The flavor and aroma is out of this world and I know they also make Bourbon Smoked Sugar but honestly can’t remember if I saw it at The Hitching Post or not.

Another favorite that I have trouble living without is something called Taste Elevated Sweet and Tangy Mustard Seeds (badly pictured below… my old phone sucked at taking pictures). I cannot even tell you how delicious it is. Why I’ve never taken a better picture of it is beyond me, but it is phenomenal – we love it on hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, in egg salad sandwiches, on deviled eggs, on crackers…. one of the best ways to enjoy it, however, is with pretzels. This delicious spread/dip is one of those things you have to try to believe how delicious it is.

It’d make a great gift idea for any foodie or cook, but be sure to grab yourself a jar while you’re at it.

Trust me.

 

Taste Elevated Sweet and Tangy Mustard Seeds

The Hitching Post also has a lot of Christmas ornaments and decorations throughout the store as well. I’d imagine that they’ll even have more as we get closer to Christmas. I mean, even I realize it’s still a few months away.

Journals

Writers, Students, Note-Takers, and Planners

The adorable journals pictured above are extra, extra special. I wanted just about every single one – except for the retirement journal… I mean, retire from what? You could find a perfect journal for just about anyone on your list. Seriously, these are super cute.

Funny Sign at the Hitching Post

Gift Ideas for People Who Love to Laugh!

Last… but far from least… you’ll find endless gifts for people who love to laugh. If you ask me, it’s downright dangerous to take life too seriously and the people at The Hitching Post seem to really get that. I mean they seem to really, really, really get that!

The sign above and the “Mug Shots” below are just a few of the hilarious gift ideas. You will, literally, find yourself surrounded with hundreds of great gift ideas.

Mug Shots

Until the next 10, I have supper to cook and Christmas to think about…

~ Joi (“Joy”)

P.S. Did I mention we’re expecting a grandbaby???

 

Filed Under: 2017 Christmas Gift Guide, Christmas in Kentucky, Kentucky Food, Kentucky Lake, The Hitching Post Tagged With: Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas in Kentucky, Hitching Post Aurora

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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")

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

Kentucky News and Events

  • Kentucky State Park Campgrounds Preparing to Open March 13
  • 1850 Christmas at the Homeplace: Are You Ready to Meet Santa?!
  • Kentucky State Parks Offering Discounts to Current Military, Retirees, Veterans
  • Salt Festival at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site October 18-20, 2019
  • Wolf Week at Woodlands Nature Station October 5 -11!
  • Civil War Days Weekend at Columbus-Belmont State Park (Oct. 11-13)
  • Homeplace Pickin’ Party at Land Between the Lakes 2019
  • Top 10 BBQ Restaurants in Kentucky (Picked by Kentucky 100)

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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If you have a Kentucky Blog - or you're simply a Kentuckian who blogs! - you might want to consider adding your blog to a new KY Blogs Database. It's run by "one of us," as in a fellow Kentuckian! Click the link to check it out. I've added Genuine Kentucky and will be adding my other blogs as well.

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