A Trip down the AA Highway

Fall is one of my favorite seasons.  And, Kentucky has a lot to offer in beautiful, scenic places.  Recently, I traveled the AA Highway from Grayson to Alexandria.  The colors were creating a myriad of spectacular views.  I know a lot of times we think of areas like the Red River Gorge, Pine Mountain, Cumberland Falls, when it comes to fall colors.  However, this AA Highway is a great place to view fall colors.  And, there are about five state parks in the vicinity....Kincaid Lake, Blue Licks, Carter Caves, Grayson Lake, and Greenbo.  Stay at one of these parks and enjoy the scenic beauty.

Moreover, there are quite a few covered bridges along the route that add to the beauty of this region.  I highly recommend this travel trip from Alexandria to Grayson.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

A Fall Ride along the Dawkins Line Rail Trail

Photo by Joann Harvey of Prestonsburg, Ky

Spectacular fall beauty can now be found along the Dawkins Line Rail Trail.  This 18 mile trail begins in Hagerhill, Ky (Johnson County) and presently ends in Royalton (Magoffin County) with future development to extend another 18 miles to Evanston (Breathitt County).  For additional information on biking, horseback riding, or hiking along this trail, please visit THIS LINK  You can also find directions and a trail map.

The Battle of Perryville Re-eanctment

150th Anniversary Photo by Ron Vanover

Kentucky Department of Parks News Release

Sept. 18, 2013 by Gil Lawson, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kurt Holman or Joni House, 859-332-8631

Battle of Perryville State Historic Site Commemorates 1862 Battle

PERRYVILLE, Ky. – Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site will commemorate the anniversary of the largest Civil War battle in Kentucky during the weekend of Oct. 5-6.

The weekend will include military demonstrations at 2 p.m. both days. The weekend also includes numerous speakers, living history interpreters, interaction with the soldiers in camp life demonstrations, antique and period vendors, and food vendors. There will be a special program on the “Life of the Soldier,” focusing on camp life.

The park’s museum will also have artifacts on display, as well as an exhibit called the “Hard Hand of War,” which will feature the artifacts of Dr. Robert McMeens, the regimental surgeon of the 3^rd Ohio Infantry. He literally worked himself to death and died Oct. 28, 1862, in Perryville. The museum will display his personal effects, including his surgical instruments, which have not been in Perryville since 1862.

Admission for this event is $5 per person; children 10 and under are free.

Spirit Hunters of Central Kentucky (as seen on the Travel Channel's “Ghost Adventures”) will conduct a paranormal investigation on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m. Call the park at 859-332-8631 for tickets. The cost is $20 per person; not recommended for children under 12.

The Battle of Perryville on Oct., 8, 1862, was the largest and bloodiest engagement of the American Civil War fought within Kentucky’s borders. Thousands of soldiers were engaged in a desperate battle that left nearly 7,500 men killed and wounded.  The significance of the battle was considerable and not only affected the state, but also the nation.  The engagement was a Confederate victory; however, Southern forces were unable to maintain a military presence in the state and eventually withdrew into Tennessee.  The initial battlefield victory ultimately turned into a tactical loss as Union forces occupied the state thereafter.

Perryville Battlefield is 45 miles southwest of Lexington. Take U.S. 68 West to U.S. 150 West. For more information about Perryville and the events on Oct. 5-6, visit THIS LINK.. For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit HERE.

Caterpillar Weekend at Natural Bridge State Resort Park

  

Hickory-horned Devil Caterpillar

Annual Caterpillar Weekend

August 23-24 

Natural Bridge State Resort Park

SLADE, KY. – Natural Bridge State Resort Park will host its 2^nd annual child-friendly Caterpillar Weekend the weekend of Aug. 23-24.

This weekend will be a unique opportunity for families to discover the diverse world of caterpillars, butterflies, and maybe even moths!  Caterpillar Weekend is a wonderful weekend for children (and adults who are kids at heart), families of all sizes, and nature lovers of all ages to participate in guided caterpillar walks, special presentations filled with fantastic photographs, face-painting, and a butterfly expedition.

Onsite registration for Caterpillar Weekend will be available throughout the weekend approximately 30 minutes prior to each activity.  The evening presentations will be held in the Magnolia Room of the Hemlock Lodge while the morning activities on Saturday will meet inside of the Hemlock Lodge Lobby.  The onsite registration fee is $10 per adult and $5 per child (ages 15 & under).  Please note that parents or guardians must accompany children at all times.

Registration discounts are available to families who pre-register by calling the Naturalist Office of Natural Bridge prior to Aug. 23.  

A detailed agenda will be available upon registration.  For more information about Caterpillar Weekend, or to receive your agenda in advance, contact Tyler Morgan HERE or call 1-800-325-1710. 

Natural Bridge State Resort Park is home to one of the larger and most famous natural arches in Kentucky and is surrounded by breathtaking topography and unique flora and fauna within the Daniel Boone National Forest.  Natural Bridge offers lodging, dining, cottages, and campground accommodations.  Hiking trails and other recreational opportunities are available.  For more information call 1-800-325-1710 or visit THIS LINK.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park is 52 miles southeast of Lexington and 2 miles off the Mountain Parkway at Slade, exit 33.

The Personal Benefits of Parks - Michael J. Bradley

Since I was born and reared about six miles from the "Falls," this article brought back some childhood memories of my days at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.  Even though it is not intentional, I think sometimes we take park opportunities like this for granted.  I hope you will find this article refreshing and perhaps it will energize you to plan and visit one of our special Kentucky State Parks in the not-too-distant future.

Visit this link on "The Personal Benefits of Parks" by Michael J. Bradley

Dawkins Line Rail Trail Officially Opens

One of 24 trestles along the first 18 miles of the Dawkins Line

RICEVILLE, Ky. —  Governor Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear, along with trail enthusiasts and local officials, opened the first 18-mile section of the Dawkins Line Rail Trail today, June 15, 2013. The former railroad line is the newest adventure tourism attraction in Eastern Kentucky for hikers, horseback riders and cyclists.

“We want the Dawkins Line Rail Trail to attract tourists and help develop the local tourism economy,” Gov. Beshear said. “I know people are excited about the future of this trail and what it can do for this region.”

The Governor and First Lady joined with other officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony near Riceville in Johnson County, where an unimproved trailhead will be located.

Governor and Mrs. Beshear riding the Dawkins Line.

The first 18-mile leg of the trail, from Hagerhill in Johnson County to Royalton in Magoffin County, features 24 trestles and 662-foot Gun Creek Tunnel. Another trailhead is located at Royalton in Magoffin County.

“The natural beauty and rolling hillsides are perfect for hiking, cycling and horseback riding,” said Mrs. Beshear. “There’s a great demand for new trails and I believe the Dawkins Line will become very popular very soon.”

Work on the rail trail – the largest in the state -- was carried out by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. The trail will be managed by the Kentucky Department of Parks.

Parks Commissioner Elaine N. Walker getting
ready to take a ride on the Dawkins Line.

The Finance and Administration Cabinet issued a contract to BOCA Enterprises of Hagerhill for construction of the first phase and work was completed this month.

Gun Creek Tunnel (662 feet long)

State funding for the 36-mile former rail line was initially provided by the 2006 General Assembly. The purchase of the property from the R.J. Corman Railroad Group was finalized in the spring of 2011. The trail name comes from the Dawkins Lumber Company, which developed the rail line in the early 1900s for timber harvesting and transportation.

The Dawkins Line is modeled after another successful rails-to-trails project in southwest Virginia -- the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail. The trail in Virginia attracts over 200,000 visitors a year and has led to new businesses with a positive economic impact.

The Dawkins Line is for horseback riders, bicyclists, and hikers.

The 18-mile section currently has two unimproved trailheads; one near Riceville at Swamp Branch and the second at Royalton. Both have parking areas. The Dawkins Line Rail Trail is open during daylight hours and motorized vehicles are prohibited.

The second phase of the Dawkins Line Rail Trail is in the planning stages.  More information about the Dawkins Line Rail Trail is available at THIS WEBSITE. 

Article From The Herald Dispatch, Ashland, Ky

Photographs from Carter Caves Wildflower Weekend

During the weekend of April 19, Carter Caves State Resort Park hosted its second annual Wildflower Weekend.  The event included featured speakers, canoe excursions, van tours, guided hikes, invasive species eradication, and cave tours.  Pictures are worth a thousand words.  Hope you enjoy the wildflower pictures.

Rue Anemone

Wild Blue Violet

Wild Ginger Flower

Blue Phlox

Blue Phlox