Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants
Like all days spent at Rough River Lake and its beautiful state park.
The t-shirt above caught my eye and gave us a laugh. I love it when Rough River puts on its sassy pants!
I’ll add the pictures we took to Genuine Kentucky tomorrow morning. As you’d imagine, there are plenty and they’re all beautiful – not because of me, but because of the park.
If you’ve read Genuine Kentucky very long, you know that I am all about the Kentucky State Parks. You have also probably guessed that I have my favorites. I won’t lie… I do!
Granted there are quite a few favorites, but there are some that stand out to me – a select group that I never want to leave and can’t wait to go back. Rough River Dam State Resort Park is most definitely in this select group. Due to its location, it’s one of the quieter state parks – which, in my opinion, only adds to its appeal.
The lake is gorgeous, the people couldn’t be friendlier, and there’s always something to see and do.
They actually have a fun Nifty Fifties Dinner and Show coming up on May 1 – “Be Bop A Lula.” The show will take place in the Conference Center – tickets are $10 per adult. Call the lodge for the time 1-800-325-1713.
The Dinner Buffet is served in the Park’s Grayson’s Landing Restaurant and is available from 4:30 – 8:00. The buffet is not, however, included in the ticket price.
Click through the following link for details: Download the PDF for more information!
Although this event has expired, there is always something to see and do in Kentucky. Visit our Kentucky Events page for up to the minute happenings and be sure to check out our Things to Do in Kentucky page.
Back to back Rough River Dam State Resort Park announcements – I’m on a roll. To be more precise, THEY’RE on a roll… as in Rock and Roll.
Rough River has a few upcoming Dinner and a Show events centered around the “Nifty Fifties” and I know you won’t want to miss out on the fun.
The first Nifty Fifties Dinner & a Show will be on March 21 and the second will be May 2.
Click the picture above or HERE for more information!
Breathtaking. That was the word that kept running around in my brain as I watched (and photographed) the sunset last summer on beautiful Rough River Lake. We were on a boat tour at Rough River Dam State Resort Park as part of the lodge’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Each time I put the camera in my lap, I’d see something else just begging to have its picture taken! It was a fun, beautiful, peaceful, and memorable boat tour and if you ever get a chance to take one of the Lady of the Lake tours at Rough River, jump on the opportunity like a cat on catnip.
For more pictures of Rough River Lake and Rough River Dam State Park from the 50th Anniversary Celebration, click the link.
If you read Genuine Kentucky regularly, you know what a huge fan I am the Kentucky State Parks. Even if this is your first time on Genuine Kentucky, you know now, right? I’d honestly just as soon spend a day, evening, or weekend at a Kentucky State Resort Park as anyplace in the world (aside from home sweet home). So if I ever say anything remotely critical of any of the state parks, know that it is with love and respect. After all, we all love our country, but we’ll still voice our opinions if we disagree with something.
Now that the “I’ve got nothing but love for them” disclaimer is taken care of, I’ll give you a little disappointing news along with my commentary (for what that’s ever worth!).
The Kentucky State Park System recently closed the golf courses at two of the State Resort Parks: Kenlake and Rough River. First of all, know that the decision to close these parks wasn’t made by the individual parks, themselves. The decision was out of their hands.
Second of all, there’s no doubt in my mind that the closings weren’t something the State Park System took lightly. I’m certain the closings were the results of financial issues. We’re all pinching pennies and tightening our belts these days.
I’d be the last person to EVER try to tell anyone else how to do their job. I’d even be less likely to give financial advice! My husband could tell you how outrageous that’d be. I don’t have a financial savvy bone in my body. I can spend money like it’s my job, but save it or budget it?
You’re kidding, right?
I’d simply like to say, as I’m dishing this news out, that this is really disappointing. I’m actually even more disappointed by the Rough River news than the Kenlake. Why? Several reasons.
When we drove onto the Rough River Dam State Park’s property Saturday evening, our jaws dropped when we saw what was once a gorgeous, perfectly manicured golf course. It was obvious, right off the bat, that something was rotten in Denmark. It looked like a scene from one of those zombie movies when the camera scans across abandoned cities and ghost towns! Our jaws dropped and we knew what must have happened.
I thought immediately of the last time we were on the course. A couple was golfing with their young son, teaching him the game and having an absolutely beautiful time. I thought of the other groups of older men and women who were still playing the game they loved. I thought of a husband and wife as they tried to “take the game back up,” having fun and teasing one another.
I remembered just how gorgeous the views of Rough River Dam and the lake were from the golf course. Amid all the images springing to mind, I just thought, “Well. This sucks.”
The golf course was always the first thing you’d see when you pulled into the beautiful park and, boy, did it make a great first impression!
Again, let me say that I GET it. All agencies, businesses, and organizations have to operate within budgets just like the rest of us. It’s a sickening part of life, but sometimes those “ends” just will not meet.
The thing that I hate the most about situations like this is the fact that the wrong people end up on the short end. It’s kind of like when a college football coach violates an NCAA rule. The coach is fired – which makes perfect sense – but then the entire program gets slapped on the hand. Punishments come down as though they’re from God, himself, banning the program from post-season play, taking away “wins,” etc. The innocent, loyal fans and players (present and future) are punished, in effect, for something they had nothing to do with.
The wrong people end up on the short end.
The faces who sprang to mind when I saw the “ghost course” now find themselves on the short end and the same phrase comes to mind now as then, “Well. This sucks.”
I have a real distaste for negativity, so I’ll try to turn things around before I wrap this up. I just refuse to end on a negative note and “This sucks” is pretty negative! So, allow me to say that there are still a gazillion and one things to do at Rough River and Kenlake. After all, let’s face it, the lakes (Rough River Lake and Kentucky Lake) are the big attractions at these parks. Nothing compares to spending a day on the lake fishing, boating, water-skiing, or any other water activities that bring a smile to your face.
There’s also hiking, camping, picnicking, photography, and more. In the case of Rough River, there’s even an adorable miniature golf course. These parks are always cooking up extra special events and activities for people of all ages to enjoy and each park has wonderful people on staff.
I hope you’ll visit these parks as well as the other Kentucky State Parks as often as possible. If these closings don’t serve as reminders of the importance of enjoying and supporting our parks, nothing will.
