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The Elk and Bison Prairie: Winter Is a Wonderful Time to Visit

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Elk in the Elk and Bison Prairie January 2017
As I said in a previous post, there is no bad time to visit the Elk and Bison Prairie in the Land Between the Lakes. While you automatically think of Spring and Summer as wonderful times to visit (and they are!), winter and autumn are also perfect opportunities to see wildlife, as these pictures prove.

Bison in the Elk and Bison Prairie 2017
You are often able to get SO close to the elk and bison – affording you beautiful pictures and, more importantly, memories that’ll last a lifetime.

Just be sure you put your camera or iPhone down every now and then and simply enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of this one-of-a-kind place.

The past few (read: 6-8) times we’ve been to the Elk & Bison Prairie, the credit card machine at the gate has been broken – so be sure to have $5 with you in cash.  It’s just $5 per car and you can drive around the prairie as often as you like.

Elk in the Elk and Bison Prairie January 2017
Click through the gallery below for more Elk & Bison Prairie Pictures. Of course, to TRULY appreciate this amazing prairie and its gorgeous residents, plan a visit to the Land Between the Lakes and Elk & Bison Prairie as soon as possible.

These animals are just amazing. The Elk on this visit just seemed to pose for me. See the big guy in the last picture in the gallery below? He had been giving me all kinds of great pictures looking forward, then all of a sudden he struck a “profile” pose and I snapped away.

A photographer loves it when their models work it!

Beautiful Elk from the Elk & Bison Prairie: There’s NO Wrong Time to Visit the Land Between the Lakes

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Elk and Bison Prairie January 2017
Nearly a week ago, Michael and I had what I call a “perfect day.” That means eating catfish, the Land Between the Lakes, and at least two Kentucky State Park visits for those of you who may be new here. I had not been to the Elk & Bison Prairie in the LBL for about a month and I was suffering horrifying withdrawals.

When it comes to the catfish eating portion of the “perfect day,” we switch up – sometimes we eat at the wonderful Willow Pond Restaurant (in Aurora… not Eddyville, never Eddyville – shhhh, it’s not good – like, at all) and sometimes we eat at Catfish Kitchen. I was in the mood for fried catfish this time and Catfish Kitchen is the only restaurant I know of that serves gluten-free fried catfish, so the decision was easy.

The next time, I’ll be ready for grilled or blackened catfish and Willow Pond will play a role in the perfection.

I’ll add more pictures from our recent trip, as well as pics of our visit to Catfish Kitchen, in upcoming posts. I need my husband (*hint hint nudge nudge) to send me his Bison pictures – a huge group walked right by HIS side of the car! – but I was anxious to share this beauty with you. What a precious, beautiful face!

Is it any wonder I could happily visit the Elk & Bison Prairie everyday of my life?

Elk and Bison Prairie in the Land Between the Lakes

Happy 38th Anniversary Homeplace 1850s Farm!

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The Homeplace in the Land Between the Lakes
As I said in my last post, about the Nature Station, my favorite time to visit the Land Between the Lakes attractions is right about now – late summer and autumn. Smaller crowds and cooler weather simply make it easier to enjoy these very special places.

The wonderful Homeplace 1850s Working Farm and Living History Museum celebrates its 38th Anniversary from Saturday-Monday, October 8, 9, and 10.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy programs demonstrating 1850 farm life, including a quilting bee, woodstove cooking, and more. General admission to the Homeplace is $5 ages 13 and up, $3 ages 5-12, and free for ages 4 and under.

“Celebrate with us and enjoy some of the most popular programs we’ve offered at the Homeplace over the past 38 years,” said Cindy Earls, Homeplace Lead Interpreter. “Programs this weekend are perfect for everyone, including home educators.”

Visitors may benefit from Fun Cards, which offer 10 regular admissions for $35, or Discount Packages. Details can be found at www.landbetweenthelakes.us/visit/passes/. Fourth grade students can also go to https://everykidinapark.gov/, get their Every Kid in a Park pass, and get in for free! For more information call 931-232-6457.

Saturday, October 8

  • 10am-12pm    “Aww, Shucks!”:  Celebrating Corn
  • 1-3pm            All About Tobacco

Sunday, October 9

  • 10am-3pm      A Quilting Bee
  • 2-3pm            “Beasts of Burden”:  The Mighty Ox in 1850

Monday, October 10

  • 10am-12pm    Dinner Time on the Farm

Autumn at The Homeplace

Also See:

The One-of-a-Kind 1850s Homeplace in the LBL

Top 10 Things I Love About the Homeplace 

Outdoor Kids Festival at Woodlands Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)

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Deer at the Nature Station
I am positively obsessed with the Nature Station (and all of the Land Between the Lakes, actually). I watch my calendar like a hawk each spring, waiting for opening day. I love every visit – during the spring, summer, and autumn – but, if we’re being absolutely honest, my favorite time to visit the Nature Station is right about now – during the end of summer and first of fall.

There are a few reasons…

  • cooler temperatures mean you can spend more time looking around and enjoying the beautiful outdoors
  • smaller crowds
  • this is one of my favorite times of year, so combine it with one of my favorite areas… win/win!

The Outdoor Kids Festival at Woodlands Nature Station will be from  Saturday and Sunday (10 am – 5 pm), October 8th and 9th.

What better way to spend Columbus Day Weekend than with your family, learning about the great outdoors and the beautiful animals and birds that call it home. Nature Station admission is $5 ages 13 and up, $3 ages 5-12, and free for ages 4 and under.

“Families will have a weekend full of fun outdoor activities. These activities may spark a new interest or hobby and help kids and adults enjoy a fun and educational fall break,” says John Pollpeter, Nature Station Lead Naturalist. “Visitors will learn about animal track and tree identification, compass skills, canoeing, cooking on a campfire, and much more.”

Regular visitors may benefit from Fun Cards, which offer 10 regular admissions for $35, or Discount Packages. Details can be found atwww.landbetweenthelakes.us/visit/passes/.

Fourth grade students can go towww.everykidinapark.gov/, get their Every Kid in a Park pass, and get in for free. For more information, call 270-924-2299 or https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/4thGradePass_QA_2016_3_19.pdf.

{Schedule Below…}

Beautiful Skunk at the Nature Station
Saturday, October 8    

  • Throughout the day      Meet Smokey Bear (scheduled appearances)
  • Throughout the day      CSI:  Campsite Scene Investigator
  • 11am-12pm                 Getting Sneaky with Mother Nature
  • 11am-4pm                   Here Fishy, Fishy:  Basic Fishing Skills
  • 1-1:30pm                     Venom!
  • 1:30-3:30                     Make Your Own Animal Tracks Guide
  • 2-2:45pm                     Kid vs. Wild:  Outdoor Survival Skills for Kids
  • 3:30-4:15pm                Critters in the Campground
  • 4:30pm                        Parade of Raptors
  • 4:30-6:30pm                Can U Canoe? Sunset Canoe Trip

($25 per canoe; reservation required; call 270-924-2020)

Sunday, October 9

  • Throughout the day      CSI:  Campsite Scene Investigator
  • 11am-3:30pm               Cooking Over a Campfire Demonstration
  • 11:30am-12pm             For Goodness Snakes
  • 1-3pm                         Make Your Own Tree ID Guide
  • 2-3:30pm                     Help! I’m Lost and I Can’t Get Home:  Basic Compass Skills
  • 3:30-4pm                     Rut and Strut
  • 4:30pm                        Parade of Raptors

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.

Gorgeous owl at the Nature Station

Land Between the Lakes Raspberry Jalapeno Jam: Holy Cats, This is Delicious!

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Land Between the Lakes Raspberry Jalapeno Jam
Before my body decided that gluten and wheat were poison, I was a bread baker extraordinaire.  Almost weekly I’d make homemade sourdough bread, cornbread, buttermilk biscuits, etc. Because our kitchen was like a bakery, we always had at least 6 different jams, jellies, and preserves on hand at all times.

Having to eat gluten free turned my kitchen bakery on its head, but you can still find the same number of jams, jellies, and preserves – after all, gluten free bread, cornbread, and peanut butter sandwiches still call for spreads.

I honestly think I’m even more obsessed with them now than I was then – after all, when fate gives you a list of things you can no longer enjoy, you cling for dear life to the ones that remain!

My favorite jams are raspberry, plum, cherry, strawberry, peach, and blackberry – I guess because I’m obsessed with the fruits they come from. Raspberry and Plum (my two absolute faves) can be tough to find, so whenever I’m standing before a selection of jams and jellies, I look for them first. Finding either is akin to Christmas morning because they are tough to find.

Recently, my husband and I were at the 1850’s Homeplace in the Land Between the Lake for a Civil War presentation.  Each visit to the Homeplace begins the same for me – with a browse through the food and gift shop. I always find at least one thing I positively must have and this particular trip was no exception.

The beautiful little jar of Raspberry Jalapeno Jam jumped off the shelf at me – it was literally the first thing I saw and I grabbed it immediately.

Why waste time, right?

I thought about it the entire ride home – wondering if I’d make cornbread for its grand debut in my kitchen or if it called for gluten free biscuits.

When the next morning came, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer, so I grabbed a slice of Kroger brand Gluten Free 7 Grain Bread* (AMAZING BREAD!), buttered him up and threw some Raspberry Jalapeno jam on top.

It was even better than I was expecting. It was phenomenal! The beautiful sweetness of the raspberries and the perfect amount of heat from the jalapenos made beautiful music together.  There’s an unmistakable jalapeno presence, but it in no way overpowers the jam. This jam couldn’t be more perfect if it had to be.

I’ve kicked myself repeatedly for not grabbing 3, 6, 12, or 103 jars while I was there.

Fortunately we’re frequent visitors to the Land Between the Lakes and I know exactly where I can find another jar. Or 3, 6, 12, or 103.

Next time you’re in the Land Between the Lakes region, search out the Land Between the Lakes jams and (assuming I’ve left any) make sure to grab a jar of the Raspberry Jalapeno Jam. If I’ve left enough, I’m anxious to try it on cornbread sometime this week.

I wish I’d looked at the other flavors as well but I got so excited when I saw the Raspberry Jalapeno Jam I forgot myself. If the other flavors are even half as good as this one, I may have to take a suitcase with me each time I go to the LBL!

Fortunately, they’re very reasonably priced, so I won’t break the bank.

* If you have to/choose to/get to eat gluten free, you will want to try the Kroger brand gluten free sandwich breads – they have white bread and a 7 Grain bread. They’re both delicious and are easily the best gluten free bread you can buy. Unlike most gluten free bread, they’re soft and don’t fall apart when you try to fold or eat them. They’re located in the bread aisle and they are a perfect 10 out of 10.

Land Between the Lakes Raspberry Jalapeno Jam on Gluten Free Bread

"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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