April 30, 2007
Today we decided to stay put and plan a bit of where to go and what to do next. It was a lovely day, not too hot nor too cold. We read, looked at maps and brochures. We took a short walk in the park and also returned to view the falls again.
A ranger was giving a talk on snakes in the museum area. Actually, he had planned to give a talk at the amphitheater, but no one came. He had a live snake whose name I have, of course, forgotten. It wasn't poisonous and he was offering to let anyone hold it. We declined.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Kentucky trip, day 13
April 28, 2007
We left for Stearns shortly after 8 AM. It took about 45 minutes to get there. We looked around a little and I went into a restaurant to ask directions to the Blue Heron Mine and town. The little waitress didn't have a clue, but gave me directions she got from the cook. She didn't know when the museum opened. "On train days it opens at 9, but the tran don't run today, so I don know."
Mine #18, Blue Heron Mine
We went to the depot and discovered the train was running and would leave at 11. The train ticket , $11.50 included the $5.00 price of the museum. Robert wasn't thrilled about going on the train, but was willing if I wanted to go. We bought tickets and went to the museum which turned out to be a gem. We spent the hour plus there and then returned to the depot and listened to some poor Bluegrass music until train time.
We spent 45 minutes each way on the train, which I enjoyed, no navigating required. The #18 mine was interesting and some of the ghost sites. But all in all the museum was the best.
In the evening we drove north to Renfro for a 9:00 PM show of Bluegrass and country music. But, it turned out to be poor overly amplified country. Not at all what I had hoped for.
We left for Stearns shortly after 8 AM. It took about 45 minutes to get there. We looked around a little and I went into a restaurant to ask directions to the Blue Heron Mine and town. The little waitress didn't have a clue, but gave me directions she got from the cook. She didn't know when the museum opened. "On train days it opens at 9, but the tran don't run today, so I don know."
Mine #18, Blue Heron Mine
We went to the depot and discovered the train was running and would leave at 11. The train ticket , $11.50 included the $5.00 price of the museum. Robert wasn't thrilled about going on the train, but was willing if I wanted to go. We bought tickets and went to the museum which turned out to be a gem. We spent the hour plus there and then returned to the depot and listened to some poor Bluegrass music until train time.
We spent 45 minutes each way on the train, which I enjoyed, no navigating required. The #18 mine was interesting and some of the ghost sites. But all in all the museum was the best.
In the evening we drove north to Renfro for a 9:00 PM show of Bluegrass and country music. But, it turned out to be poor overly amplified country. Not at all what I had hoped for.
Kentucky trip, day 12
April 27, 2007 day 11
Tunnel en route to Cumberland Falls
This morning we headed for a campground west of Stearns, Stearns is in south east Kentucky, in the Appalachia country.
On the way I spotted Cumberland Falls State Park. It's east and a little north of Stearns. Since we want to go to both Stearns and the Cumberland Gap this seemed a better choice. En route we came to a tunnel which was quite something. It was a single lane
through and you hoped no one was coming from the other direction. Fortunately the tunnel isn't very long, but I felt I could reach out the window and touch the edge of the tunnel.
After arriving at the Cumberland Falls State Park we settled in, had supper and drove over to the falls. They are quite spectacular. Tomorrow we'll go to Stearns.
Cumberland Falls
Tunnel en route to Cumberland Falls
This morning we headed for a campground west of Stearns, Stearns is in south east Kentucky, in the Appalachia country.On the way I spotted Cumberland Falls State Park. It's east and a little north of Stearns. Since we want to go to both Stearns and the Cumberland Gap this seemed a better choice. En route we came to a tunnel which was quite something. It was a single lane
through and you hoped no one was coming from the other direction. Fortunately the tunnel isn't very long, but I felt I could reach out the window and touch the edge of the tunnel.
After arriving at the Cumberland Falls State Park we settled in, had supper and drove over to the falls. They are quite spectacular. Tomorrow we'll go to Stearns.
Cumberland Falls
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Kentucky trip, day 14
April 29, 2007
We drove to the Cumberland Gap National Historic Site today. They had an excellent movie about Daniel Boone and the gap. Not clear how accurate it was, but technically excellent.
We looked at the exhibits and the craft store and then drove to the Pinnacle overlook. From there we had a view of KY, VA and TN and, of course, the Gap. We had a picnic lunch and then drove back to the craft store. I bought a few craft items.
After returning to the campground we did our laundry. We finally had dinner after the laundry was done, at 8 PM. But, at least all of our clothes are clean for the moment.
After supper we looked at maps; Robert discovered the files I had made before we left which included a number of canoeing sites. We'll head for one of them tomorrow.
We drove to the Cumberland Gap National Historic Site today. They had an excellent movie about Daniel Boone and the gap. Not clear how accurate it was, but technically excellent.
We looked at the exhibits and the craft store and then drove to the Pinnacle overlook. From there we had a view of KY, VA and TN and, of course, the Gap. We had a picnic lunch and then drove back to the craft store. I bought a few craft items.
After returning to the campground we did our laundry. We finally had dinner after the laundry was done, at 8 PM. But, at least all of our clothes are clean for the moment.
After supper we looked at maps; Robert discovered the files I had made before we left which included a number of canoeing sites. We'll head for one of them tomorrow.
Kentucky trip, day 11
April 26, 2007 Clear Creek Campground
Tiny wild iris poking through the leaves
Camped at Clear Creek Campground south of Salt Lick, KY in the Daniel Boone Nat'l Forest. We drove around looking for put-in places for the canoe, without finding any. It is very pretty here, but no walking trails, at least none that we have found.
Kentucky trip, days 9 and 10
April 24, 25 2007 Elkhorn Campground between Louisville and Lexington
We are camped at Elkhorn Creek Campground on N. Scruggs Lane near Georgetown, between Louisville and Lexington. We spent one day shopping in Georgetown. We had planned to tour the Toyota plant near Georgetown, but I called last week to make a reservation and they were booked up for the next two weeks. I called the Corvette factory near Bowling Green to make reservations there for 4. I had told Joy and Walt (Robert's cousin Joy and husband, Walt) we could tour that plant. I did get reservations at $5.00 each. Not expensive, but the Toyota tour is free.
The Kentucky bluegrass is really something. Everywhere we go there is this lush green carpet of grass. The horses and cows really have it easy in this State.
Kentucky trip, day 8
April 23, 2007
We stopped at Abraham Lincoln Historic Park, the birthplace of Abe. They had a huge structure, something like the Lincoln Memorial in DC. In side of which was a reproduction of a log cabin as Abe would have known it. It was interesting in that the cabin was not built as log cabins were built in New England. These had been squared so were long rectangles and each had as much caulking between each log as the size of the log.
The perpetual spring which had drawn the early settlers here is still going strong and the lovely mossy edges were covered with ferns. I bet it was a cool haven on a hot summer's day.
We went on to My Kentucky Home campground in Bardstown, KY.
We stopped at Abraham Lincoln Historic Park, the birthplace of Abe. They had a huge structure, something like the Lincoln Memorial in DC. In side of which was a reproduction of a log cabin as Abe would have known it. It was interesting in that the cabin was not built as log cabins were built in New England. These had been squared so were long rectangles and each had as much caulking between each log as the size of the log.
The perpetual spring which had drawn the early settlers here is still going strong and the lovely mossy edges were covered with ferns. I bet it was a cool haven on a hot summer's day.
We went on to My Kentucky Home campground in Bardstown, KY.
Kentucky trip, day 7
April 22, 2007 Rough River Campground
We arrived in the area this morning, south and east of Owensboro and parked the RV. We took the car and drove around the area. The camping area we had picked out, from the map was closed. But, it didn't really matter. The water is very low and mucky. Not fun canoeing. We'll stay here only one night.
We arrived in the area this morning, south and east of Owensboro and parked the RV. We took the car and drove around the area. The camping area we had picked out, from the map was closed. But, it didn't really matter. The water is very low and mucky. Not fun canoeing. We'll stay here only one night.
Kentucky trip, day 6
April 21, 2007 Diamond Lake Resort Park, W. Louisville, KY.
We did a little e-mail from the Holiday Inn next door to the park, but it wasn't very satisfactory since the computer was having memory problems.
We are now camped at Diamond Lake Resort near W. Louisville (which you'll never find on a map if you look anywhere near Louisville, KY). It is just east of St. Joseph, Kentucky and way south and west of Owensboro, KY.
This is like camping in an amusement park. The kids are having a great time. The 2 little girls next door are driving their "John Deere pick-up truck" every minute the battery is working. We also watched the "Naskarts." This is quite a place for families. It has fishing ponds, race tracks, toy train, etc. and all for $21.00 per night. The race cars, fishing and train cost more though!
We spent the last two days in Henderson at the Nat'l Audubon Park. I learned a lot about Audubon that I hadn't known before. He had a rough life, went into bankruptcy at least once. His wife, Lucy,out lived both John J. and his sons and was in poverty. She sold all his pictures to survive, but let the copper plates be destroyed.
Diamond Lake Resort Park, fishing lake
We did a little e-mail from the Holiday Inn next door to the park, but it wasn't very satisfactory since the computer was having memory problems.We are now camped at Diamond Lake Resort near W. Louisville (which you'll never find on a map if you look anywhere near Louisville, KY). It is just east of St. Joseph, Kentucky and way south and west of Owensboro, KY.
This is like camping in an amusement park. The kids are having a great time. The 2 little girls next door are driving their "John Deere pick-up truck" every minute the battery is working. We also watched the "Naskarts." This is quite a place for families. It has fishing ponds, race tracks, toy train, etc. and all for $21.00 per night. The race cars, fishing and train cost more though!
Kentucky trip, day 4
April 19, 2007 John J. Audubon State Park
John J. Audubon house and Museum
We've made it to Kentucky! We arrived here at the John J. Audubon State Park and Museum. We have visited the Museum, but will spend more time there tomorrow. The "hikes" are pretty short. We took two and walked less than a mile. It is a State Park, but set in the middle of the city of Henderson, KY.
After dinner last evening, about 9:30 PM I was getting ready for bed. Frankly, I was bushed.. well, really tired. The local gendarme showed up and told us we had to leave. I argued a little; no signs saying camping wasn't allowed; no one else is here; who are we bothering? Of course, the answer was we were bothering him because he runs the concession at the other part of the lake and wanted us in his campground. His camp ground was empty and a junk
heap with a port-a-potty for the "rest rooms!" He also was the one that said there was no way to turn around at this old lake so we know he is also a liar. BUT he had a badge and a cop car so we headed out and south towards our next destination; he waited in his car until we were leaving!
Thinking we'd find some place to pull off, soon we didn't attach the Saturn, so I was driving it and Robert was driving the RV. Finally, in desperation, Robert pulled into the parking lot of a Tire store. I pulled in between two parked cars and Robert backed the RV into a slot between
a couple of trucks. Without turning on any lights we got ready for bed and crashed. Having set the alarm clock for 6 AM, we were up and out of there within minutes. On down route 4, looking for a place for breakfast. No luck for miles and miles. No way to pull off and the side streets were dirt roads that we dared not to go down for fear it'd be 20 miles before we could turn around.
Finally, at a power station next to the road there was a little place to pull into. It was noisy and busy, but we did manage to have breakfast.
The leaves are coming out on the trees, the dog wood and azaleas are in blossom. The birds are acting like spring birds so I guess spring is here. It is cool, but not too uncomfortable. The wind has been blowing non-stop since we left home, but this evening it seems to have finally died down.
John J. Audubon house and Museum
We've made it to Kentucky! We arrived here at the John J. Audubon State Park and Museum. We have visited the Museum, but will spend more time there tomorrow. The "hikes" are pretty short. We took two and walked less than a mile. It is a State Park, but set in the middle of the city of Henderson, KY.After dinner last evening, about 9:30 PM I was getting ready for bed. Frankly, I was bushed.. well, really tired. The local gendarme showed up and told us we had to leave. I argued a little; no signs saying camping wasn't allowed; no one else is here; who are we bothering? Of course, the answer was we were bothering him because he runs the concession at the other part of the lake and wanted us in his campground. His camp ground was empty and a junk
heap with a port-a-potty for the "rest rooms!" He also was the one that said there was no way to turn around at this old lake so we know he is also a liar. BUT he had a badge and a cop car so we headed out and south towards our next destination; he waited in his car until we were leaving!
Thinking we'd find some place to pull off, soon we didn't attach the Saturn, so I was driving it and Robert was driving the RV. Finally, in desperation, Robert pulled into the parking lot of a Tire store. I pulled in between two parked cars and Robert backed the RV into a slot between
a couple of trucks. Without turning on any lights we got ready for bed and crashed. Having set the alarm clock for 6 AM, we were up and out of there within minutes. On down route 4, looking for a place for breakfast. No luck for miles and miles. No way to pull off and the side streets were dirt roads that we dared not to go down for fear it'd be 20 miles before we could turn around.
Finally, at a power station next to the road there was a little place to pull into. It was noisy and busy, but we did manage to have breakfast.
The leaves are coming out on the trees, the dog wood and azaleas are in blossom. The birds are acting like spring birds so I guess spring is here. It is cool, but not too uncomfortable. The wind has been blowing non-stop since we left home, but this evening it seems to have finally died down.
Kentucky trip, day 3
April 18,2007 At Gillespie Lake, Gillespie, Illinois.
This morning we were slow getting started. We've been pushing too hard. I am really feeling stressed. I have decided to x out the agenda. We'll just have to take it slower and get there when we get there.
We had lunch at a little town, a German town. It wasn't the greatest place, but we took a short walk after lunch and then went on our way.
On our way today, we stopped at a Ferry crossing to see if it would be a way for us to get across the river. It turned out that the ramp to the ferry was too steep; our overhang would have scraped badly or hung up completely. It was interesting to watch. The tug boat that pushed the ferry was on a hinge so that going one way it would be on one side of the flatbed ferry and to come back it would swing around to the other side.
About 4 PM Robert spotted a sign to "Beaver Dam Lake St. Park." We turned around and headed for the park. Sadly, without an Illinois map there was no way to find it because there were no more signs. I had maps for Arkansas and Oklahoma which we probably won't need and no maps for Illinois and Indiana which we do need. We wandered around on back roads for a while and finally came out where we had left the highway, near Gillespie. I spotted a sign for Gillespie Lake and we were off again. At the lake the campground, somehow was really depressing. Perhaps, the port-a-potty in lieu of a "shower house" had something to do with that. It did seem to have electricity. There were no campers. Lots of trees both standing and fallen. Not a pretty sight. We went to the office and asked if we could park in the parking lot over looking the lake. It was light and bright and no trees to fall on us and a view of the lake. The folks in the office said we couldn't camp there; it was against the law.. They also said that we shouldn't go down the "Old Lake" road which we had spotted. They were so adamant about that it made Robert feel obligated to test it out. We left the RV and walked to the "Old Lake" and discovered there were plenty of turn around places. We decided to park there and spend the night. And that is where we are.
A few signs of spring coming along today.. Occasionally a tree had green showing. Many have signs that the leaves had come out only to have been nipped by frost and had to start over again.
Day two of Kentucky trip
April 17, 2007 Long Branch Lake State Park near Macon, MO.
We drove 328 miles today. US36 in Missouri is a mess. Much of the way we could only go 45-50 miles an hour. Consequently, both of us our beat this evening.
York, Kansas Court house
At lunch time we were in Troy, Kansas. I took a picture of their magnificent court house. We
stopped at their very tiny library; only one room,
but they had a half dozen computers, all of which were busy. One of the librarians took
pity on us and let us use her computer to check our e-mail. We're sort of up to date in that department, but didn't really have time to digest it all.
I've been surprised at how little like spring it looks around here. We are spending the night just west of Macon, Missouri at Long Branch Lake State Park. There are no leaves on the trees, not even a glow of green, nor any spring flowers in the woods.
It just looks like winter. However, the temperature is not at all like winter. It was in the 60s most of the day and by the time we stopped for the night it was in the 80s.
Long Branch State Park, our camp site.
We drove 328 miles today. US36 in Missouri is a mess. Much of the way we could only go 45-50 miles an hour. Consequently, both of us our beat this evening.
York, Kansas Court house
At lunch time we were in Troy, Kansas. I took a picture of their magnificent court house. Westopped at their very tiny library; only one room,
but they had a half dozen computers, all of which were busy. One of the librarians took
pity on us and let us use her computer to check our e-mail. We're sort of up to date in that department, but didn't really have time to digest it all.
I've been surprised at how little like spring it looks around here. We are spending the night just west of Macon, Missouri at Long Branch Lake State Park. There are no leaves on the trees, not even a glow of green, nor any spring flowers in the woods.
It just looks like winter. However, the temperature is not at all like winter. It was in the 60s most of the day and by the time we stopped for the night it was in the 80s.
Long Branch State Park, our camp site.
The start of the Kentucky trip
April 16, 2007
Finally, ready to roll at 8:30 AM. Marti was out and gave
us a thumbs up and "have a good time." At the junction,
a gentle honk and wave from Julie as she went around us
and gave us a royal send off.
We stopped at Cope, CO, I kid you not, COPE, CO. I discovered
I had a cell-phone signal. We are traveling US 36 and they are
few and far between. I had forgotten to make a reservation for
May 3rd at the rendezvous point. We are meeting Robert's cousin,
Joy and husband Walt, just outside of Mammoth Cave National
Park. We'll stay there overnight and scope out the place. It looks
a bit tacky on the Web Site. Each cottage has Disney figures
outside, check the link and you'll see.
www.oakesmotel.com
We decided to have lunch in Cope and while I was getting lunch
Robert discovered a problem with the RV stairs. After lunch
he repaired a faulty wiring joint. The steps actually go up and
down now.
We walked around town a little before we left and discovered
the Sidebottoms's house, a neat bungalow, obviously lovingly
cared for, is for sale. They're moving to Yuma--30 miles north
of Cope; Yuma, Colorado.
We got gas in Cope @ 2.86/gal. The pump said $12.00. Ah, wish it
were so, $112.00 later we were on our way.
Now, stopped at the Huntsinger Memorial Roadside Park.
We've stopped here before. The Oak trees were planted in 1875
so the plaque says. The children of the Huntsingers made
arrangements with the State of Kansas in 1956 to set up this
little park in honor of their parents.
We are west of Mankato, KS and 396 miles from home. Seven
hours of driving and 2 hours stopped. So that is Day one.
We're ready to pack it in.
Finally, ready to roll at 8:30 AM. Marti was out and gave
us a thumbs up and "have a good time." At the junction,
a gentle honk and wave from Julie as she went around us
and gave us a royal send off.
We stopped at Cope, CO, I kid you not, COPE, CO. I discovered
I had a cell-phone signal. We are traveling US 36 and they are
few and far between. I had forgotten to make a reservation for
May 3rd at the rendezvous point. We are meeting Robert's cousin,
Joy and husband Walt, just outside of Mammoth Cave National
Park. We'll stay there overnight and scope out the place. It looks
a bit tacky on the Web Site. Each cottage has Disney figures
outside, check the link and you'll see.
www.oakesmotel.com
We decided to have lunch in Cope and while I was getting lunch
Robert discovered a problem with the RV stairs. After lunch
he repaired a faulty wiring joint. The steps actually go up and
down now.
We walked around town a little before we left and discovered
the Sidebottoms's house, a neat bungalow, obviously lovingly
cared for, is for sale. They're moving to Yuma--30 miles north
of Cope; Yuma, Colorado.
We got gas in Cope @ 2.86/gal. The pump said $12.00. Ah, wish it
were so, $112.00 later we were on our way.
Now, stopped at the Huntsinger Memorial Roadside Park.
We've stopped here before. The Oak trees were planted in 1875
so the plaque says. The children of the Huntsingers made
arrangements with the State of Kansas in 1956 to set up this
little park in honor of their parents.
We are west of Mankato, KS and 396 miles from home. Seven
hours of driving and 2 hours stopped. So that is Day one.
We're ready to pack it in.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
