Kentucky State Parks Looking For Campground Hosts

Would you like to be a campground volunteer? 

by Gil Lawson - FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky State Parks are looking for volunteers to serve as campground hosts during the spring, summer and fall of 2013.

Campground hosts perform a number of duties such as checking in campers, making sure camping areas, picnic areas and bathrooms are clean, answering questions and a variety of other duties. In return, campground hosts receive free camping at the host property during their tenure.

Hosts will be given a criminal background check and should possess a valid driver’s license.

The Kentucky State Parks operate 31 campgrounds across the state from April through October.

If you are interested in applying, visit THIS LINK and look under “Park News” to download an application.

Carter Caves Winter Adventure Weekend

Carter Caves Winter Adventure Weekend (WAW)

Take a ride on the "wild side." Pictured left is Kentucky Parks Commissioner Elaine N. Walker getting ready to zipline.  Also, below is video of the Commissioner enjoying her "zipline ride" at Carter Caves State Resort Park. This temporary zipline was a part of over 300 activities this past weekend. Commissioner Walker commented that, "It was one of the best organized events in our Kentucky State Parks." It was great fun for many guests at this well-attended event. Other activities included cave adventures, .22 caliber shooting, archery, canoe trips, rappelling, recreational tree climbing, birding, winter tree identification, and so much more. Mark you calendars for January 24-26, 2014 for next years event.   For additional information and to view pictures from this year's event, go to this LINK.  For other Kentucky State Park events, visit the PARKS WEBSITE. 

Video compliments of Andy Niekamp. 



Winter Photo Weekend, January 25-27, 2013

Pine Mountain State Resort Park will again provide cold-weather adventure with Winter Photo Weekend set for January 25-27, 2013.  The event features a digital photography competition with divisions for both amateur and accomplished photographers, impressive evening picture shows, and the exceptional photographic work and instruction of Ian Plant, an acclaimed nature photographer whose been photographing our natural world for almost 20 years.  His photos and instructional articles have appeared in a number of books calendars, and magazines, including Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, Practical Photography, Landscape Photography, National Parks, Common Ground, and Blue Ridge Country, among others.  Plant is the author of eight print books, including Chesapeake: Bay of Light (2007) and is one of the lead authors of The Ultimate Guide to Digital Nature Photography (2009).

Herndon J. Evans Lodge at PMSRP

The weekend event is a quest that leads you on a discovery trek to out-of-the-way places where raw nature resides.  Woodlands, waters, weather, and wildlife are all part of the experience and it all takes place at one of the park systems finest natural resorts.  The evenings feature spectacular picture shows offered by our guest professional, and the wonderful dining and cozy accommodations on hand at the rustic lodge round out the experience.

The park’s weekend event plan generally focuses on nature and offers up four competition categories in two divisions.  There’s both an amateur and accomplished class of competition, so participants are competing only against photographers of similar skill.  In the end, the best shots will emerge as winners in the finale show.  Participants always enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that permeates the mountaintop resort in winter.  Even though the photo competition is timed, the event is hassle-free, and devoid of the pressure that so often accompanies similar events.  The emphasis is on interfacing with nature, finding the best locations, and taking your best shots.  Some say the event is a terrific alternative to being cooped up at home watching the snow fly, and many feel the event’s simplicity may be the best thing about it.

Winter Wonder WAW!!

Coy Ainsley, CCSRP

Don't be too afraid of the bearded wonder to the left here. That's Coy, program services supervisor and park naturalist at Carter Caves State Resort Park. Back a couple of years ago, Coy ran into a bit of a problem. After playing host to one of the most successful winter events in the Kentucky State Park system, Coy was faced with the daunting task of completely restructuring the event that had been taking place for nearly 30 years.

This was not by choice mind you, but an attempt to protect the large colony of bats at Carter Caves from the ever increasing threat of White Nose Syndrome, more commonly known as WNS. This fungal threat was discovered in colonies of bats in the northeastern part of the United States approximately 6 years ago. Since that time, there has been over a 90% mortality rate for the caves it was first discovered in. For anyone out there who has been following this plight, you may be aware that it was just discovered at Mammoth Cave January 16, 2013. For additional information about WNS and what we're doing about it here in North America, follow this LINK.

Eagles Among Us

It’s no secret that Kentucky plays host to a variety of animals. At night time you can hear the howl of coyotes off in the distance here at Blue Licks, and almost each and every morning you can spot dozens of turkey scratching for food in the valleys all around. Believe it or not though, I can remember a time when even seeing deer was rare. The first time I ever saw a turkey was at a Kentucky State Park. I couldn’t have been more than 4 or 5 years old, but it had quite an impact on me. I was riding in the car with my father, I don’t recall as to where we were going at the time, but as we came around a corner my father stopped the car. What I saw in the middle of the road still to this day is very vivid to me. It was the largest bird I had ever seen; I thought it was an ostrich. The turkey was in full strut, with its beautiful tail feathers fanning out proudly. Its head was the brightest shade of red and purple I had ever seen. My father and I looked at it in awe for several moments before it strutted off the road and into the woods. Now I’m certain that if asked, my father would never remember that experience, but for me, I can’t recall ever having seen a more amazing turkey since.

Kentucky's Ageless Meal

Where:  Jenny Wiley State Resort Park

When:  Saturday January 26, 2013

Time:  12pm to 8pm

Even though the almighty Anerican Bison (commonly known as buffalo) has been gone from Kentucky for over 150 years, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy this wonderful food source. 

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park offers a buffet style meal with different entree choices that are all prepared from buffalo. Along with this meal, you can enjoy the sounds of Rob McNurlin, a country/western style singer and he plays songs of the old west. 

Also, learn the ways of the Native Americans that called Kentucky home and ranged with the buffalo long ago.  Jeff Hatmaker will be in full native attire as he interprets and brings history to life with dance, tales, and songs. 

Behind the Scenes with our Raptors

At John James Audubon State Park we are fortunate to have education raptors who help us reinforce important wildlife concepts. We do quite a few raptor programs during the course of a year to people of all ages. As a result, we usually can predict the types of questions that visitors are curious about. I thought our reading visitors would like a glimpse into working with one of our top-level predators…our birds of prey.

Pine Mountain's Mixed Deciduous Forest

The mixed deciduous forest is at it’s very best on the south slope of Kentucky’s Pine Mountain.  Within the mixed deciduous, elsewhere known as the Appalachian Cove Forest, it's common to find forest communities that boast a shared dominance of 25 or more species of trees.

Huge Persimmon at Pine Mountain SRP

There are five discernible layers in this complex assemblage – a top canopy of mature trees, a mid-story of trees that are aspiring to the canopy, an under-story of smaller trees and shrubs, a ground layer of showy flowering plants, and a surface layer of mosses and lichens.  The mixed deciduous forest, comprised of deciduous hardwoods, towering evergreens, and myriad herbaceous plants is recognized as the oldest and most intricate forest association in eastern North America.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park is a very special place.  Here, ravine gorges and wooded coves are clothed in a rich robe of vegetation that is more stable, complex, and varied than any other in Kentucky.  Region wide, over 130 species of trees and 1400 different species of flowering herbs have found quiet sanctuary in these forest surroundings that date back thousands of years.