Mr. Rogers Neighborhood

Morning on the Hal Rogers

I pull out of London and head east for the mountains. I can tell I’m not in my native Fulton County anymore. There, it’s all farmland and bottomland and river land and well, flat. A few bluffs near the Mississippi, but nothing like this. It’s day two of my 2011 Unbridled Adventure Tour presented by the Kentucky State Parks and Department of Adventure Tourism. Six state parks and the Red River Gorge in seven days. Green River Lake was the first stop the day before, meeting up with good friend Rob Collins for a wet hike on a horse trail (and a steak dinner). Now, I was off to find Buckhorn Lake, but would have to go through Mr. Rogers neighborhood first.

Road Trippin

East of London begins the Hal Rogers Parkway, named after the longtime Representative of the Kentucky 5th. Most of it is two lane, running 40 or so miles to Hazard, but has all the easy signage and exit ramps that four lane parkways have. Its main draw: it takes you straight through the mountainous Daniel Boone National Forest. For a moment, I thought I had gotten lost in West Virginia. My jaw dropped as I saw redbud and dogwood come together like biscuit and gravy. Giant mountain views around every bend. I got somewhat emotional as I found a renewed pride in the beauty of my state. Here is a drive every Kentuckian must take, as it’s comparable with the Skyline Drive in Virginia.

Once in Hazard, you realize Kentucky has a rugged side to it. It’s Kentucky with a two day beard. A side you won’t find in Louisville. An adventurous side that’s not recreational as much as just a way of life for the people that call this part of the state home. I pull up to a stoplight and “Mountain Ford” is on my right. I tune the dial to “Mountain Hits” on the radio. I feel like going into a store and suddenly buying a new fleece jacket or hiking boots. Or both. I’m in my zone here.

Buckhorn Lake Moonshine Trail

Up highway 15 north of Hazard for a bit, then highway 28 which winds its way to Buckhorn. At one point, the road makes a hairpin so tight, mirrors have been installed on trees to see around the mountain. My hair still looked good, too. Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park is like a diamond tucked away in a safe deposit box. It’s tough to get to from anywhere, but once you arrive, you’re glad you came. A beautiful mountain view with a lake you can play on. A trail that takes you beside a stream flowing with rapids. The true feeling that you’re really away from everything (because you are…really). Tesa Turner greeted me at the desk and let me have full reign for the day, including use of a cool office overlooking the lake to do some internet uploading. That was after the hike in the woods, mind you. I’ll definitely be back to this location, if I can ever find it again…

After lunch, it was time to hit highway 15 once more and take it towards the Mountain Parkway in north Kentucky. Along the way, I pass through several small mountain towns with storefronts in the foreground of a postcard view. Just amazing. I was reminded of the region around Keystone in South Dakota, and the little towns hidden away there. In this day, we sometimes get the feeling that if it’s not five miles from an Interstate then it doesn’t exist. That’s just not the case. If I had enough money to cover the gas, I would try to visit every little city in the state. I’ll bet there’s something unique in every one of them.

The Natural Bridge

Once on the Mountain Parkway, I travel west for a bit until reaching signage for the Natural Bridge State Resort Park near Slade. Down highway 11 to the park and more jaw dropping at the beauty of the bluegrass. I check into the lodge and meet with Naturalist Tyler Morgan, who takes me on a quick tour of the park with some history along the way. Folks have been coming to see the Natural Bridge since 1889. Back then, the only way in or out was by railroad. In fact, it was the Kentucky Union Railway that build the first park facilities. It became one of the original state parks in 1927. And still ranks as one of the most popular in the parks system, and it’s not hard to see why.

After some trail advice from Tyler, I headed out for a hike to see the bridge. I had been to the Natural Arch around the Big South Fork, so wanted to see how this compared. Indeed, it has it’s own unique charm, plus I am partial to hemlock trees. One of the cool things about this bridge is that you can actually walk on top of it. Just watch your step. You can either take a sky lift up or hike the half mile Original Trail to get the full view of hemlocks and other trees along the way. It should be on your bucket list for sure. Like Buckhorn, I have that feeling of being at ease and away from it all, the goal of any park to provide the visitor.

Patron of Green River Lake

Hard to believe, but I’m just a couple days into the tour! Coming up are stops at the Red River Gorge, Grayson Lake, Greenbo Lake, and Carter Caves State Resort Park. More blogs to come for sure! To see the 200 or so pictures I’ve already taken, Friend me on Facebook!

Stay tuned!

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