Big Bone Lick State Park

Yes - there is such a place, but I am in KY - right?

Up northern KY about 20 minutes from Cinci there is a state park with this name. It is 6 miles off I-71 so we decided to go. Little did we know we weren't the only ones going to this park this weekend.

At the Big Bone Lick State Park - there was a Salt Lick Festival going on. I know the Azalea Corn Festival, the Strawberry Festival, and other ones - but come on - a Salt Lick festival - with parking dudes and cops?

Mom and I just drove by, took a picture, and turned around. I guess even people in really small towns need something to do on the weekends!

General Butler State Park

I will probably go back to this state park - but for now Mom and I just did a drive through on an absolutely gorgeous day.

This park is a resort park about an hour from the Ville. It has a lake, bball courts, tennis courts, hiking, cabins, conference center, falling leaves, etc. It was a nice curvy drive back to the conference center itself. It has an observation point as well which is very pretty looking down over what I would assume to be Kentucky River - but who knows?

Lake Malone State Park

After a full day of services at Cypress, I only had time to hit one state park this weekend. But, it was a pretty, quiet walk and adventuresome to say the least.Lake Malone is south of Central City off the WK Pkwy. It is well marked on how to get there and once inside it is also well-marked. I like that about a state park.

I'm thankful for the Boy Scouts who put up all these orange reflectors...but that is later. The trail runs right by Lake Malone. I loved the peaceful shore-lapping sounds of this lake, occasional motor of a boat or squeal of delight by a kid. The hike was a little more than a bargained for.

I was in flip-flops and dress pants, if that tells you anything. I'm glad I didn't change the pants because crossing through a field getting lost would have torn up my legs. And all I had to do was wash my feet when I got home. The terrain was very rocky (with giant rock walls in the woods beside the lake). Then there were times when it was very root-y - which means I had to jump over them or slide off them. It was fun though - about 1.5 miles in all.

At one point the trail ended and it said camping area - .5 miles across field. Well, that was all well and good - but the field was only foot-traveled about halfway through. So, I ended up there and headed back the way I came. I wasn't that adventurous. I'm thankful for the orange markers!

Peaceful drive, peaceful state park - not many people (I think I saw 2 other cars, but most people were on the lake).

Pennyrile Forest State Park (Princeton and KY Dam State Park too)

I am so thankful for cell phones and Mom who has internet at home! I kept going through these small towns in Central KY and wanted to stop...

So...I first went to Princeton, KY where they were having a carnival type thing. It was fun just to walk through - but so thankful that I live in a bigger city - I love these things - but don't want to be all that I look forward to all year.

Then I got off the WKParkway and made my way through Dawson Springs (home of Steve Beshear, the governor) to the Pennyrile Forest State Park. For things to do - this is definitely my favorite so far. I was only able (time wise and shoe wise) to his 2 of the smaller trails, but they have so many ranging from .10 miles to over 13. Great hiking and nature on the hikes. There was a lake, cliffs to look over (a wedding was going on, pretty setting), a pool, cottages, golf, etc. Definitely want to go back there sometime! The last picture is of the sandstone bluffs on the Indian trail that I thought were pretty.

The KY Dam Village State Park was fun to look at. It is in the Land Between the Lakes section of KY - so many state parks in this area. I just had time to get out and take some pictures. Again - water, one of my favorite things! That is the first picture posted.

Daniel Boone Inspired Travel

Two more state parks in Kentucky, marked off my list. Both of these were more historic in nature.

Boone Station, the Daniel Boone settlement in Athens, KY, was my first stop. Met at my car by the park keep named Luther, who is 62 and has been there since 1991, I looked around at its beauty. There is only a few picnic tables and two barns on this property of more than 600 acres. And trees of course. Mr. Luther told me all about it and gave me a back way to get to my next state park (which he works during the winter that Boone Station is closed.

I loved this one because all I could hear was nature and sometimes the tractor that Mr. Luther rode. That was it. You can bring your own lunch and have a picnic, enjoy the quiet, and hardly see another person. There was one other couple who started the tree-lined trail before me.

This State Historic Site was settled by Boone in 1779 because he thought Boonesboro was getting too populated. So, he came west about 10 miles and got 600 acres, put up lean-tos, and camped there until spring - then he built his dwelling places. It is in Athens, KY, off 75 at Exit 104. just about 70 minutes from Louisville. Go east about 2 miles, turn left where you see the sign. When you dead end, take a right. Its easy and peaceful.

Then I took a back road up to the original Ft. Boonesboro during the Civil War. This is speculation and there are "discussions" on which fort is the real one. But, this one runs right along the Kentucky River, and it is gorgeous. So calm. Then I found the Ft. Boonesboro State Park. Has one little trail that heads up to the fort, mini-golf, a huge pool with slide, picnic areas, etc. This would be a great park for families with small kids.

Ft. Boonesboro is off exit 94 on 75, go east and follow signs. Maybe 90 minutes from door to door.

My next one I think will be White Hall near Lexington on the 16th. But, who knows, it may be another one - stay tuned.

Taylorsville Lake and Tom Sawyer

Here's the beginning of a new adventure!

Taylorsville Lake State Park: Only 40 minutes from Seminary. Pretty drive (once you get off the interstate). Reminds me of Marion and Lake County in FL. The lake is well marked of course. But, nothing else is. The lady at the campground registration wasn't that helpful. So, I walked about 20 feet and turned around. This would have been a good park to have someone else with to just explore off beaten paths...

Tom Sawyer: This one is in Louisville Metro. It wasn't as quite, but it was well-marked. It had everything from cornhole playgrounds, regular playgrounds, ball parks, soccer fields, a guy in an acrobatic plane, and a nature trail. I enjoyed that one.

Here are some pictures. Don't know which one is next - maybe some in Lexington since I'm going there in mid-August.