Wednesday, April 18, 2018, Red River Gorge Hikes: Sky Bridge, Whistling Arch, Angels Windows, Stanton, KY

In reviewing the Red River Gorge trail map we decided today's hiking would be in the eastern area where we could see a lot of geological features with a minimum of hiking effort. First up was Sky Bridge which was very much like the Natural Bridge in the State Park but on a smaller scale. During our hike, we only saw a few others on the trail.

From above there was little to let you know you were crossing a bridge. From below, however, it was pretty spectacular.

We loved the swirled markings on the underside of the bridge where the waters had carved the soft stone.

The Sky Bridge trail was a loop just over a mile in length, so we had plenty of hiking left in us for the day. Next up was a nearly level, quarter-mile hike to Whistling Bridge. Joani and Sam posed for me while I got their picture from each side of the arch. There was not much breeze, so I can't say we heard the arch whistle, but I'm sure it must have at some point or it would have just been named "little arch".

Another short trail led to Angels Windows. The windows were just a collection of several small opening that had been carved through the stone by wind and water.

Just as impressive as the area's geology is the tenacity of the trees that have held on for years just hoping the next storm will pass them by without harm.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018, Kentucky State Capitol, Frankfort, KY

I'm always reminded of the joke "How do you pronounce the capital of Kentucky - Louisville or Louieville? It's Frankfort." OK, probably not that funny, but it stuck in my head and this was our first opportunity to visit the charming little town of Frankfort, KY. The Capitol grounds were beautifully maintained. Hopefully, I have accurately made use of the words capitol (referring to the building) and capital (referring to an area that serves as such), but if not, I'm sure someone can help me out.

This was the fourth permanent building to serve as the Capitol since Kentucky became a state in 1792. The Capitol was designed in the "neoclassical Beaux Arts style and was completed in 1910 after 6 years of construction.

That dome was 180 feet overhead and might be the only Capitol rotunda to include color changing lighting. I didn't insert an array of pictures showing the different colors - you'll have to take my word for it. It was mesmerizing.

The State Reception Room included infinity mirrors at each end creating the illusion of chandeliers running on forever.

The Supreme Court is the most expensively appointed room in the capitol due to the Honduran mahogany paneling and Dutch metal leafed ceiling lacquered to resemble bronze.

Sadly, one baby birdie won't be singing this year.

I bet the flower clock is beautiful when it is in full bloom - it sports 13,000 plants. That might not be until July given how cold it still is - what happened to springtime? The clock face was 34 feet in diameter and weighed 200,000 pounds. That minute hand alone weighed 530 pounds and was 20.5 feet in length.

Friday, April 13, 2018, Natural Bridge State Park, KY

Finally, we had a sunny day with comfortable temperatures. We were only a few miles from Natural Bridge State Park in Slade, KY, where we heard there was a nice hike.

About a mile from where we parked we saw the bridge with a beautiful golden illumination from below. It made you think it was being lit by a sunrise but it was early afternoon. The rock was not yellow so I have no idea what gave it this hue.

I think the sun is being reflected off light sandy ground beneath the arch from the far side.

The rail and stairs funneled hikers through a crevice in the rock leading to the top of the bridge.

The top of the bridge was wide enough for a nice little road. Quite a few people took advantage of the nice weather for a hike in this popular state park.

Off in the distance, we could see Battleship rock. It was just an easy (i.e., level) additional quarter mile or so and it gave us a great view looking back at the bridge.

Back across the bridge, we realized that most of the steps around the park were constructed with slabs of quarried stone but some of the steps were carved right into the rock.

Joani caught me going through the fat man's squeeze - it was tight! I know there were some folks on the bridge who must have touched both sides at once getting through. I'm sure quite a few people turned back thinking it wasn't worth the risk of getting stuck. We were almost run over by one woman who said she was claustrophobic so she had to move quickly. I guess when there is nothing but stone a foot from your face it could get a bit discomforting if you think about it too long.

Today's hike left us wanting more. Here's hoping spring is finally here!

Thursday, April 5 & Friday, April 6, 2018

We broke up the drive from Tennessee to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky with an overnight stay at a Walmart in Bardstown, KY. So I only drove 156.5 miles (86,068.6 total) on Thursday and followed it up with an easy 115.3 miles (86,183.9 total) to 4 Guys RV Park in Stanton, KY on Friday. At least it should have been easy. There was a 20 mile stretch on a narrow winding road with no shoulder and a serious drop off that I have no desire to drive again. Whenever an oncoming semi-truck passed us I cringed hoping I would not hear any contact. I have never been so happy to see an Interstate highway.

There were very few signs it was springtime in Kentucky. In fact, a few days after our arrival we saw snow falling - not a lot, but we didn't really want to see any!

I'm going to just go ahead and say that maybe we haven't figured out how to be "snowbirds" just yet. Check out the overnight low temperature we saw below. 

Monday, March 26 through Wednesday, April 4, 2018, Cedars of Lebanon

One of the longer drives we made in a while, 264.0 miles (85,912.1 total), took us all the way to Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Tennessee where we will visit with family over Easter weekend.

Our family camped here when I was young, but I can't say I really remembered anything about the park. I did a little hiking around with Sam and found the park had a lot to offer. There were a lot of facilities available for group activities, a nice nature center, cabins and lots of trails. They were working on expanding the campground and the new area looked very promising - large well spaced lots with easy access. We will definitely visit here in the future.

My brother Doug and his wife, Carol, their son, Matthew and his wife Lindsay and their new baby boy, Sanders made it to my mom's place for a big dinner on Saturday, March 31st. My youngest brother, Don, and his wife, Barbara, and his daughter, Adley were there as well. Adley brought a "plus one" who seemed very pleasant. Maybe we will see him again someday. Counting Mom, we were 12 with enough food for 30 - needless to say no one went hungry. Sanders was passed around from lap to lap always with a grin on his face - he has to be one of the happiest babies I have ever known.

Any family gettogether eventually requires some Rook play. Matthew was trying to get Sanders started early on the game but it looked like he had other things on his mind.

One day I met Doug in Nashville and we had lunch at Hattie B's. After trying several places, I decided they had my favorite hot chicken. This time I tried the "Shut the Cluck Up". It was their hottest offering and mighty tasty. Along with the baked beans, fries and a cold PBR, it was a truly satisfying meal - I am a fan of Nashville Hot Chicken!

Back in the park spring was in the air as the first of the flowering trees burst with color.

Mom seemed to be fully recovered from her hip surgery and we had taken care of a short list of things around her condo, so it was time to move on after a little more than a week. We always hate saying goodbye, but that's part of the full timing life.