Celebrating Black History Month - Van Lear, KY meets Tuskegee Airman

Visit anywhere in eastern Kentucky and you will find stories and myths that have been around for decades.  Stories of mountain people facing and overcoming numerous adversities, tragedy, and even some folklore that seems a little farfetched.  If you search far enough, sometimes there are stories that are hidden or forgotten that captures the mind and imagination.

One day earlier this month, Sue Thomas, Park Program Services Supervisor for Buckhorn Lake SRP, called me asking about information on a story I had never heard of.  "Trinity, have you ever heard of the crash of a Tuskegee Airman in Van Lear, Kentucky?" Sue claimed.  This piqued my interest tremendously, being that this happened only a short drive from Jenny Wiley State Resort Park and war history has always caught my attention.  Sue, her sister Tammy, and I began researching this story about eastern Kentucky that ties into February's Black History Month.  Below is a link to what we found, bringing to light the wonderful story of Harry T. Stewart Jr., a national hero who was welcomed by an eastern Kentucky community.

Tuskegee Airman crashes in Van Lear, Kentucky 1948

Harry T. Stewart Jr.

P 47 Thunderbolt

Tuskegee Airmen

Pine Mountain State Resort Park

Yesterday (February 21) I traveled to the eastern part of Kentucky and took this scenic view at Pine Mountain State Resort Park.  This is the view you can get from staying in one of the lodge rooms.





Hope you enjoy the spectacular beauty.  For additional information or to book your reservation at this park, please visit this LINK.

A Spring to Remember With Spotted Salamanders

Spotted Salamander from Pike County KY

I have been a sucker for creepy crawlies since I was a youngster. As far back as I can remember I was out and about, wading in streams, creeks and ponds and flipping over logs and rocks in search of snakes, frogs, salamanders and similar quarry. I would catch them and bring them home to keep and observe, much to the dismay of my mother. Even though she lacked the fondness for reptiles and amphibians, there was never a time that I brought something home to keep that she told me no. She fostered that interest and kept it alive in me. The only agreement that we had to make was that she wanted all of the cages in plain view where she could see everything and not be surprised when opening a dresser or closet.

One of the first salamanders that I can ever remember keeping was a Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). Given to me by friend and biologist Dan Dourson, to me this was one of the coolest salamanders that I had ever seen! They are a large salamander and can grow up to ten inches in length. They are a member of the Mole Salamander group, and members of this group derive their name from the fact that majority of their lives are spent in burrows underground. In fact, they spend so much time underground that the only time that they emerge is on rainy nights during the breeding season to breed.

Future Sportsman's Weekend

Join us Saturday, March 23 at Rough River Dam State Resort Park for a fun-filled event dedicated to getting youngsters interested in and actively involved in hunting, fishing, and the Great Outdoors!  Saturday is filled with hands-on activities including basic archery instruction, Explore Bowhunting activities, casting and fishing, target shooting, and educational programming by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  In addition, Grayson's Landing Restaurant will feature a Buffalo and Wild Game Buffet on Saturday evening with seatings at 4:30, 6:00, and 7:30 PM Central (reservations recommended).

Activities will begin at 9:00 a.m. CENTRAL on Saturday and continue into the evening.  Registration for activities and programs is only $10 per participant and overnight packages are available for $135 plus tax and include Saturday night lodging for two, Buffalo Dinner for two Saturday evening, breakfast for two on Sunday morning, and registration for all activities.

While all age groups are welcome, children must be a minimum age of 8 to participate in archery shooting and most activities are aimed at ages 6-12.  For more information about this exciting event or for inquiries about the Buffalo and Wild Game Buffet contact the park at 270-257-2311 or 1-800-325-1713.

White Nose Syndrome found at Carter Caves and Kingdom Come State Parks

"I knew eventually this deadly disease would make it to our Kentucky State Parks.  It is with sadness that I share this article below.  This could be one of the largest ecological disasters that we will see in quite some time."  Ron Vanover

For a better understanding about White Nose Syndrome, view the video below.

Article below from Carrie Stambaugh, The Ashland Independent

OLIVE HILL — The fatal bat disease White-Nose Syndrome has spread to Carter Caves State Resort Park.

Officials confirmed Thursday that bats collected from three caves inside the park were infected with the deadly fungal disease that has been spreading rapidly across the U.S. since its discovery in 2006, killing millions of the insect-eating mammals. Nearly 40,000 endangered Indiana Bats hibernate annually in Carter Caves, representing half of those in Kentucky, park officials say.

Bats at Kingdom Come State Park Nature Preserve in Letcher County at Mammoth Cave National Park also tested positive for the disease in January. The disease has now spread across the commonwealth, having been found in 10 counties at 25 different sites.

Carter Caves Park Naturalist Coy Ainsley called the news terrible. “We knew it was coming, but that doesn’t make it any easier,” he said.

Winter Offers a Unique View of Breaks Geology

What you see pictured is a photo of "The Breaks Canyon" at Breaks Interstate Park. This is wonderful representation of the power of water. Over a time of 180 million years, water from the Russell Fork River etched out the sandstone and formed the gorge (which is the largest gorge east of the Mississippi River) that is now visible at the park. That water is still doing its work, and continues to cut away at the underlying rock, deepening the gorge.

Wintertime is often the best time of year to examine and explore geology. Leaves and other foliage that is present in the other seasons will obstruct the view of cliffs, rock formations, etc. Winter is also the peak time that people use to discover natural arches because a lack of foliage clears the forests and makes it possible to see skylight through the arches. Coming to our park in the winter gives you the opportunity to see much more of what makes the sheer cliffs of the gorge so spectacular.

So if time allows, take a day or an afternoon to visit the park and see all of the natural beauty and geologic wonder that makes our park so unique.

Learn more about Breaks Interstate Park by visiting Breaks Interstate Park's website.

I can be reached by e-mailing me Here.

Disc Golf Anyone?

Winter, spring, summer, or fall ....it is always a great time for a round or two of disc golf.  Lake Cumberland S.R. P. has a challenging 18 hole disc golf course that is great for the beginner as well as the seasoned veteran.

You can bring your own discs,  or you can check them out free at the front desk at Lure Lodge.   We also have specialized disc and bags you can purchase at our gift shop or country store. 

With temperatures in the forties and fifties it is the perfect time to make reservations for one of our Wildwood cottages or lodge rooms and settle in for a few days of disc golf.  Fresh air and sunshine does a body good!

        For more information about our disc golf course and lodging call 1.270.343.3111.

Photography Weekend at Jenny Wiley SRP

February 22-24, 2013


Have you every wanted to try a new hobby or learn a new skill, but didn't know where to go or where to start.  Jenny Wiley State Resort Park offers a wonderful opportunity to learn a new skill and acquire a hobby that will offer years of rewarding experiences.  Most workshops are setup for those who are already well rounded in the field of photography, but not this workshop.  Whether you are an experience photography from the rolled film days, or you have just picked up a camera for the first time this workshop has something for everyone.

Some of the excursions that you will experience during this adventurous weekend will be the opportunity to visit and learn about a working mid 1800's settlement known as the "Mountain Home Place" in Paintsville, Kentucky.  Also, we will take an elk tour where you will have a chance to get up close to one of Kentucky's most majestic species of wildlife.  We will discuss the history of the elk restoration project and the unique characteristics that this precious natural resource has brought back to eastern Kentucky.  We will dive into many areas of photography with seminars, a historical interpretive program about Floyd County and the life of Jenny Wiley, sunrise and sunset opportunities, and time to speak with three professional photographers that has made photography not only a lifelong hobby, but a career.

Photography is a great way for individuals to get out and explore many different subject matters.  It is also a great way for families to spend time together and create handheld memories that will last for generations to come.  We invite you to contact us about this wonderful weekend and make your reservations today.  Our photography expedition is set for February 22 - 24, contact us at 1-800-325-0142.

Photography Weekend Workshop Photo Gallery

Facebook Event Page 

MOUNTAIN EAGLES: Soaring Birds Return

The Mountain Eagles are back!  They are Turkey Vultures, of course, and the park’s Mountain View Restaurant annually provides premiere, window-seat viewing of a large gathering of the great soaring birds from mid February through the end of March.

Turkey Vultures

This year, they arrived on February 12th and over the next month and a half, park visitors will enjoy spectacular views of their avian aerobatics.  At Pine Mountain in late winter, a vortex of a couple hundred vultures is observed morning & evening during their period of communal roosting.  By the time March arrives, a menagerie of magnificent soaring birds will dominate the skies.  The birds roost in the crowns of giant, old growth trees nestled in the heart of the park's celebrated Hemlock Garden.

In recent years, the event has been embraced as a natural tradition and the annual occurrence provides excellent opportunities to photograph these lesser celebrated birds of prey, in significant numbers, as they pinwheel and pirouette in casual soaring and aerial play.

Paddling Season is Near!

Four inches of snow one day, nearly 70 degrees the next.....Welcome to Kentucky. I don't know whether to have my adventures in the snow or break out the boat in preparation for Spring. I will say I am thankful not to be up in the northeast right now as they get bombarded by several feet of snow. While sitting out on my deck last night, there was definitely a feeling in the air of Spring. We'll see how long that last though.

It does shift my thinking towards the upcoming paddling season here at Blue Licks. While we've had a canoeing program here at the park for over 10 years now, we've become an increasingly popular destination for paddling over the past two seasons. Blue Licks was even named one of the top 25 canoeing destination in Kentucky according to Reserve America. Last season, aside from 2 trips, every scheduled trip went out. We're in the process right now of expanding upon our program here the park. We're hoping that by May we'll have in place not only our standard 2 1/2 hour trip available to the public, but also 2 or 3 other trips to offer to our visitors.

Exhibit Area

“Audubon  Museums, Traveling Exhibit”
75^th  Anniversary exhibit

January 28 ~February 10

As our first exhibit in the series of the “75^th Anniversary exhibits," Audubon Museum welcomes home the traveling exhibit. The exhibit has traveled across the United States for the past seven years, serving approximately 24 museums. Audubon Museum is proud to showcase these unique artifacts by exhibiting them to the public, January 28^th at the annual Friends of Audubon luncheon through February 10.

Susan Towles exhibit 

75^th Anniversary exhibit

January 28 ~April 17 

This exhibit is a brief history of Susan Towle's life and accomplishments during her years in Henderson, Kentucky.  Towels played a huge role in how the John James Audubon collection came about and the efforts to build a museum to house it.  

For further information contact: Alan Gehret, Curator or Kim McGrew-Liggett, Arts Administrator at the JJA Museum (270) 827-1893.  Visit the Park WEBLINK for additional information on cottage rentals and other park amenities.

Oil Painting Weekend at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park

Lisa Peek and Martha Davis pose with their finished paintings

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park has hosted Oil Painting Weekend for over five years. In that time approximately 124 paintings have been created. 

If you've always wanted to learn how to paint, this is the weekend event for you! Learn the wet-on-wet method, made famous by Bob Ross, of oil painting by creating your very own 16x20 landscape painting. Our instructor, Bonita Mallory, will demonstrate her talents Friday night then instruct the class on Saturday and Sunday.

Fees are: $65 for one class & Friday night program or $120 for two classes & the Friday night program. All materials are include in the fees. 

All the participants have to do is show up wearing clothes they don't mind getting paint on. Participants also will need to make sure that they have room in their vehicles to bring home a wet oil painting.  It can take up to seven days for a painting to dry completely.

We currently have room for 3 more participants in the Saturday class and 11 more participants in the Sunday class.

For more information contact Rebecca E. Clark at 1-800-325-1711 or RebeccaE.Clark@ky.gov

Valentine's Day Getaway

There's no better place to spend Valentine's Day with the one you love than at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park located in scenic Prestonsburg, Kentucky.

You and your loved one can enjoy a wonderful meal in our May Lodge dining room,with a view of inspiring Dewey Lake, while listening to the light, romantic sounds of live entertainment.  Our Sweetheart's Menu is sure to please with choice of 2 entrees: All You Can Eat Catfish, 12 oz Porterhouse Pork Chop, 6 oz Sirloin, 10 oz Sirloin, Two piece Grilled Chicken Breast, side items, and soup and salad bar.  Be sure to ask how you can upgrade your meal and don't forget the appetizers and drink specials.

Our Valentine's Day special will be from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Dinner for 2 is only $25.00 plus tax and if you are looking for an overnight package, include a lodge room with your dinner for a total of only $75.00 plus tax.  For more information call 606-889-1790 or make your package reservations by calling 1-800-325-0142.

Sandhill Cranes

Sandhill Cranes



Photo Taken by Beth Whelan

When you hear the distinct cry of migrating birds, you may want to take a second look at that flock of birds soaring above you, because it just may be Sandhill Cranes rather than Canada geese.

Sandhill Cranes are a largetall grey bird reaching heights up to 4 feet, weighing up to 12 lbs, and a wingspan of 6-7 ft. They have two distinct features about them; one is their appearance of a crimson, red-crown forehead, white cheeks, and fluffy rear end; the other is when in flight, the long dark legs trail behind and the long neck is kept straight out, rather than tucked in towards the body.

Wintertime

Snowfall at Blue Licks

I'm just going to be honest....I enjoy winter. Now that's not saying I don't prefer a nice warm sunny day on the lake, but I guess what I'm saying is I've never been bothered by winter weather. Some of my fondest memories are of heavy snows, sleigh riding and getting out and enjoying a good snowfall. I get it honest though. If anyone's seen my first post, Christmas in the Parks, then you may know what I'm talking about. The first chance my mother would get to venture outside after a good snow, she would take it. I can remember her getting just as excited about a nighttime snowfall as me. For me it meant no school the next day, for her it meant bundling up and going out for an adventure. We'd journey outside and walk up the street out to the main road of the park we lived on. I can remember how the street lamps would cause the snow to glow so brightly on the ground, and let us see all the flakes as they came down. I can also remember how quiet it was. Neither one of us would say much of anything. We'd hear the crunch of the snow beneath our feet, but no traffic, no animals. Nothing. Just complete total silence as the flakes fell down on the landscape. There were several times when we'd venture up to the golf course. You could look out over the course and it would look like a winter wonderland. That golf course provided the perfect sleigh riding for me and my friends on that next snow day, but the night before was just about me and mom.

River Road at Blue Licks

I had a lot of great memories over the weekend at the Winter Adventure Weekend. As the snow came down Friday morning, several of the long standing volunteers and I remembered a huge snowfall for one of the events the park hosted. I couldn't have been more than 7 or 8 I guess, but I remember so much snow that the whole park nearly shut down for a few hours. During that time, the volunteers, not to be discouraged by the snow, turned it into a great memory that people still talk about to this day. I don't remember whose idea it was, but someone came across the idea to use one of the rescue stokes as a sled. A rescue stokes is a large basket used for cave rescue, but on that morning it was discovered it made for a perfect toboggan able to accommodate about 3 to 4 people. We must have made 15 or 20 passes down the road leading to the park lodge that morning before heading back into the lodge to get warmed back up by the fireplace.

Foraging on a Wintery Day

Photo by Robert Myers

As the snow fell today at Lake Cumberland, wild turkeys were making their way from one hillside to the another foraging for some of falls leftovers.  With the temperature hovering around thirty degrees and snow falling it is a perfect time to see lots of wildlife on the parks, especially turkey and deer.

The weather outside may be cold, but what better opportunity to visit our park, see wildlife up close, get some great pictures. 

For those who love to hike on these wintry days, the trails are open and waiting.  We have Baugh Branch Trail and Lake Bluff Trail which are both perfect for getting in that brisk winter hike, and taking in all the spectacular wildlife along the way.

Photo by Robert Myers

Photo by Robert Myers

Sweety Pie Valentine Dinner

Guys you know that Valentine's Day is quickly upon us, so let your sweetheart know just how much you love them by treating them to a romantic dinner at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park. 

Sit by a window of our beautiful dining room overlooking breathtaking Lake Cumberland, while enjoying a special buffet which includes: choice carved prime rib and chilled shrimp cocktail, assortment of tasty sides, and delicious desserts.   

Make this a Valentine's Day to remember, you’re bound to impress the one you love!   $21.95 per person

Prairie Bison Feast at Lake Cumberland

Let the carving begin!  If you missed the buffalo dinner at Lake Cumberland S.R.P. it was fabulous!  Carved buffalo, buffalo chili, stew, barbecued, Cajun rubbed, with numerous veggies and desserts. 

 Remember to mark your calendars for the last Saturday in January 2014 for the next buffalo dinner.  Be sure to log in to the our blog or website for further details as January approaches. 

Pine Mountain State Nature Preserve

Pink Corydalis

More than half of the park's acreage is designated as a Kentucky State Nature Preserve.  Pine Mountain State Nature Preserve consists of approximately 868 acres.  The preserve is situated on the Pine Mountain fault block, known as one of the most prominent geological structures in the eastern United States.

The preserve contains an old growth forest of eastern hemlock, tulip poplar, and white oak - many 200-300 years old.  The site is home to an infrequent wildflower known as Pink Corydalis (Corydalis Sempervirens).  In Kentucky it is restricted to the southeastern section and is sometimes locally plentiful on sandstone on Pine mountain.  A significant archaeological site, a large natural sandstone shelter known as Rock Hotel, is also on the preserve and was formerly inhabited by prehistoric Native Americans.

Rock Hotel Natural Shelter

All state nature preserves are special places, but those located within the Kentucky State Parks are particularly unique locales with specific management priorities.  While parks are maintained primarily for outdoor recreation and nature study, nature preserves are set apart for the express use of rare or endangered species or communities that occur there.  The Pine Mountain preserve is managed in cooperation with the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

Winter At Lake Cumberland

Winter at Lake Cumberland is definitely a "wonderland".  From the various wildlife foraging for food, to the snowy hillsides surrounding the beautiful lake.  What better way to spend a weekend than hiking the trails or just enjoying the peaceful solitude of the nature surrounding the park.

Take time to visit and enjoy your state parks.