Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Kentucky

Fried Catfish Sandwich at Pennyrile Park

Michael and I recently ate at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park. We dined in the lodge’s dining room, the Clifty Creek Restaurant. The name, alone, should prepare you for the incredible view afforded by the many large windows!

More about the view in a minute. Let’s eat first.

My catfish (Yes, in fact, I do order catfish just about everywhere I go) sandwich was out of this world. You can’t go wrong with either the onion rings or fries as a side – they’re both delicious. The catfish was the star of the show, however – it was so big it spilled out the sides of my bread. I SO love it when that happens.

The tarter sauce was excellent as well. Tarter sauce is like coleslaw – when you eat out, you have to approach with caution. It seems like it’s either spectacular or down right disgusting (word to those restaurants with yellow coleslaw – knock it off, you’re making me ill).

The tarter sauce served with my mammoth catfish was perfect – that’s all, just perfect. However, the catfish was seasoned so well that I only put tarter sauce on half of the sandwich. We catfish lovers know that that’s the true sign of great catfish – if it needs no tarter sauce.

Michael normally orders hamburgers or cheeseburgers when we eat at the Kentucky State Resort Parks because they’re uncommonly delicious. However, I detected a little sandwich envy in his eyes when he saw my beautiful catfish sandwich.

As delicious as the food was, I have to say that the view from the restaurant is what will stick with me the most. As a web publisher/writer, I work with words all day, everyday. They’re my co-workers, my livelihood, and my constant companions. However, there are times when they simply abandon me.

This was one of those times. The view is so breathtaking that words simply won’t show up – they aren’t sure what to say. They know that nothing they say could make the experience any better…. so why even try?

The water was shiny and rippling with the breeze. The many (many, many, many, many) trees were breathtakingly symbolic of what makes Kentucky Kentucky. A native Kentuckian (which I am) simply takes in a view like this and thinks, “THIS is why it’s so hard to be humble when you’re from Kentucky!”

The view would be spectacular any time of the year, but on this particular autumn day, it was extra colorful as the trees were dressed in their colorful attire.

Every now and then a leaf would ride down to the ground courtesy of a gentle breeze and I forgot all about my meal. Yes, even the catfish.

Many times, when I’m admiring nature, I’ll “picture” what it must look like during the other seasons. I can only imagine how incredible a snowy, wintry day must look from this view. No doubt summer and spring would leave me searching for words as well.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park is one of the most beautiful State Parks we have here in Kentucky. It isn’t one you hear the MOST about, but it is one you should go the MOST out of your way to see. If you are a parent or grandparent and you want to instill a love of and wonder for our beautiful state in the younger generation, please take them to Kentucky State Parks. Eat in the dining rooms, shop in the gift shops, chat with the workers (most are exceptionally friendly and warm), take lots of pictures, and simply bask in the beauty that is Kentucky.

When words fail to show up, just enjoy in silence.

By all means, make your way to Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park as soon as possible. It’s “genuinely Kentucky” and breathtakingly so.

More Pennyrile State Resort Park on Genuine Kentucky:

Pennyrile State Resort Park
20781 Pennyrile Lodge Road
Dawson Springs, KY 42408-9212
Telephone: 270-797-3421
Toll Free: 800-325-1711
Park Manager: Peter Bowles