tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91476305837267818982024-03-13T12:13:11.803-05:00The Roasted MarshmallowCamping, hiking, outdoors...a woman's perspective.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-14283105504035173622018-01-27T07:46:00.000-06:002018-01-27T07:46:55.129-06:00CAMPER FOR SALE<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1QRDsLCU87g/Wmx2TEM3QgI/AAAAAAAAHRA/By9l3gDtZco8A8nzgikcq7-M8UFNS0lJACLcBGAs/s1600/FB_IMG_1515611258468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2016 243 BHS Travel
Trailer (made by Keystone)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Call or text Derek Hammers at 270-999-4501</span></b></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Bought BRAND NEW from Cullum and Maxey dealer in
Nashville in August 2016. Used
approximately 5 times for weekend ventures at area lakes</span></div>
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<ul><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAMbYaPcwIc/Wmx3C5us_SI/AAAAAAAAHRo/VlcQ2Mgoe_0nOL5ynhnr8K3AvRQEtJHQwCLcBGAs/s1600/FB_IMG_1515611265416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="528" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAMbYaPcwIc/Wmx3C5us_SI/AAAAAAAAHRo/VlcQ2Mgoe_0nOL5ynhnr8K3AvRQEtJHQwCLcBGAs/s640/FB_IMG_1515611265416.jpg" width="352" /></a>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">27 ft long, 8 ft wide, 10 ft height, 6.5 ft
interior height</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Dry weight:</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">4,685 lbs</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">30 gallon gray water tank capacity</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">30 gallon black water capacity</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2 propane tanks</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1 slide out (dinette)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">6 gallon hot water heater</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Insulated underbelly (can be used all 4 season)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Automatic awning</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">32 in flat screen</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">TV with built in DVD player</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Indoor/outdoor speakers </span></li>
<li> <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Bluetooth technology and CD player</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Huge kitchen sink</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3 burner stove top, oven, and over the stove
built in microwave</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Fridge, freezer, and pantry</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Tub/Shower combo.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Installed brand new shower head with 5
settings (nicer than the standard one it came with)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Flush toilet</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Medicine cabinet and under the sink storage in bathroom</span></li>
<li> <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Full size bunks</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Queen size bed with “his and her” mirrored
closets on each side. Privacy pocket doors in bedroom.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Heat and air conditioning – we have used both
with no problems</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">U-shaped dinette with storage under benches</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Outdoor kitchen (includes small fridge, sink and
shelving for storage)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Pass thru storage for camping chairs, outdoor
rug, hot dog roasters, etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Extras include stove top cover (for extra
counter space), coffee maker, outdoor rug, and winter cover</span></li>
</ul>
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<!--[endif]--><b> This
camper is great for a family ready to take off to the lake on the weekends or
if you’re tired of hotel rooms and want to bring your “home away from home”
with you and have some fun at campgrounds. </b></div>
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<b> Also perfect for a retired couple looking
for adventure with the grand kids. We
aren’t using it like we thought we would after having a major surgery in 2017. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE A "BRAND NEW" CAMPER WITHOUT PAYING A BRAND NEW PRICE! <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> $16,900 </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bailey's Point Campground on Barren River Lake<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-3901227857764889822016-08-31T12:38:00.000-05:002016-08-31T12:39:44.828-05:00The New Camper and New KidIt's been so long! <br />
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Here's the new camper!<br />
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So much has happened since I posted last. <br />
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We sold the pop-up due to our little surprise...our sweet baby girl. 😍<br />
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BUT, we've come realize we want our daughter to grow up making memories out on the lake and camping just like our older kids got to experience. So, with that thought we decided to look at campers (after the first year exhaustion stage of up all nights) and after much research, we decided on the Keystone Bullet 243BHS. It was a little more than we wanted to spend but seemed the best bet for what we could haul.<br />
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We've yet to take it out and are feeling a little overwhelmed (and itchy) but our first trip is planned soon and that's really the best way of learning this thing. We're stoked!<br />
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More to come...Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-71520927294283523822013-09-15T15:33:00.000-05:002013-09-16T21:31:49.769-05:00Friday the Thirteenth Campout - We Were Attacked!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from site D-10 at Bailey's Point on Barren River Lake</td></tr>
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I've been to Bailey's Point many times over the last several years, both tent and pop-up camping, but this is my first written review of the campground. It sits on Barren River Lake, not too far from the state park campground, only at Bailey's you don't have to deal with the highway noise of 31E lingering nearby. <br />
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There are several loops, A-F, with loops A and B not having nearly as many trees. <br />
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Think of the loops as a spectrum. From loop A all the way to loop F, the crowds diminish and the trees multiply. Tons of trees in E with the most being in F. There's no power hook-ups in F, so the fewer campers in the area and wooded setting give it a Jason Voorhees-ish vibe. This is most likely heaven for some, but will probably provide unease to most. After all, there aren't many around to hear you scream. I'm not kidding!<br />
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I'm a shade and privacy kind of girl, but I also value my life so we camped in D-10 this past weekend. The weather was absolutely perfect for camping. A pleasant seventy-two degrees during the sunny day with a crisp forty-eight degrees at night and a constant light breeze coming off the water. <br />
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All was fine as frog hair as we roasted hotdogs over the campfire until the sounds came. It started as a light buzzing, then a perpetually louder motor-sound. I saw a black blob begin moving like a crazy horse fly under our awning. I first thought it was a strange moth because it was well into the night hour. Derek quickly realized this was a hornet of some type. He grabbed the fly swatter while I hesitated and ran for the shelter of the pop-up. I slammed the door behind me, realizing I'd left my family behind! "Did you kill it?!" I asked through the canvas. <br />
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"No...it won't be still! Ahhh!" Now my husband doesn't actually scream but let me tell you, this had him on his toes.<br />
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"It's in my hair!" my daughter cried. "Get it off!" I go for the door to help and peer out and she's leaning her head down as Derek combs through with his fingers.<br />
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"There's nothing in there. You're fine," Derek says. <br />
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Buuuzzzzz, <em>slaps into the camper</em>, Buuuuzzzz, <em>slaps into the awning</em>. Derek sorta hollers out again. I open the door this time and tell Bella to get inside. Now it's just Derek and the nutz-o hornet. Man verses insect. There's a sudden loud slap.<br />
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"Did you kill it?"<br />
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"No!"<br />
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Now my daughter and I anxiously await the death of this horrid flying insect that just crashed our campfire. There's mere silence and we wonder if we'd scared it off. <br />
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"I think it's gone," Derek says. In no way does this convince me to take one step outside the camper. Buuuzzzzz, <em>slaps into side of camper</em>. "Nope, it's back." He bangs around a few more times with the fly swatter, desperately trying to kill it. "I think I got 'em!" <br />
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I find a flash light and shine it on the ground (through the window of course). We inspect, well, Derek inspects as I peer through the screen and observe what had just attacked us, because that's what it felt like...an attack. This thing was very aggressive. "There he is," Derek says as he stomps it to make sure it's dead. <br />
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All of a sudden, we hear another one. I begin to wonder why it sounds like everyone else is having a jolly ol' time and we're fighting for our lives, er...fighting for our dignity. I figured there's gotta be a nest close by. Yes, I am a genius. <br />
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Derek quickly kills the second one. We wait a minute, hear nothing else, and I finally pep-talk myself into coming out and enjoying the night. <br />
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We're not two minutes into a new conversation when Derek stops and looks behind him. "There's another one! $#%!" <br />
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Before the night ends, he's killed a dozen of them. Slightly alarmed of the obvious nearby nest, we decide to inform the check-in post the next day. Yes, I realize this is camping and pests, bugs, etc. are all part of it, but we've been camping all over Kentucky, from the banks of the Mississippi to the Red River Gorge area, including a few times here at Bailey's Point, and we've NEVER experienced anything like this before. If a child were to wander around and stumble into a nest, it could be seriously dangerous. <br />
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What really had me stumped is there was only one that would show up at a time. Seems like when one didn't come back, another would come check it out. At one point there were two at a time, but no more. <br />
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The next morning, I crept out of the camper and there's nothing buzzing by. I sip my coffee and watch. I see a few buzz by - they are REALLY fast - but they don't pay any attention to us in the daylight. I notice a tree or two they seem to fly around, away from our campsite but still too close for comfort, and I observe. They crawl around on the bark finally disappearing near the bottom of the trunk. See my picture below. It's the dead tree on the left and the one to my right. Isn't the view fantastic at least?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I felt like Chief Brody on watch for the dangerous creature lurking nearby.</td></tr>
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<br />
I checked out Google on my cell phone (Yes! Cell phone service at Bailey's) and quickly found something called Japanese Hornets. These things are reported all over the southeast but are supposedly from Aisa - hence the name. I told you I was a genius. <br />
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The sting is described as a hot nail driving into your skin. That's nice. Some property owners I read about noted they couldn't mow their yards anymore without being attacked, so they tried mowing at night but they were still attacked. Spray didn't faze the little terrors. Apparently they don't go hunting humans, but will attack if they feel threatened such as being stirred by loud noises, vibrations, or if you get in their way. Our particular situation, they were attracted to the light. They have orangish-yellow and black stripes. And they have FUR. Seriously. See image below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qu8BLaEWuvM/UjYPRZMOrGI/AAAAAAAAAT4/079F_sHs7iw/s1600/Lake+Hornet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qu8BLaEWuvM/UjYPRZMOrGI/AAAAAAAAAT4/079F_sHs7iw/s400/Lake+Hornet.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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I wish I could zoom in better but I forgot my Nikon. Me, Derek and my daughter headed up to the camp post to report, and the guy (friendly staff by the way) tells Derek they are aware of the problem and have tried spraying but don't know what else to do. All the while I'm thinking, 'Thanks for the heads up, Dude' but that would be like screaming shark at a beach on the Fourth of July. They don't wanna lose 'da business. <br />
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The Army Corps of Engineers has even been out there and sprayed to rid the campground of these hornets and it doesn't kill them! The guy at the post said the only thing that will are those electric bug zappers. He proceeded to show us and there were dozens of zapped hornets. We suddenly remember we've got one of those! I dig through the camper storage and find it. Heck yeah, baby. These hornets are getting roasted tonight. A little happy dance took place. PETA hates me.<br />
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All in all, we didn't let this ruin our camping trip. I still ate the HECK out of some roasted marshmallows and walked down to the lake shore with my daughter. It was a beautiful day and as the sun sank in the sky casting oranges and pinks on the water below, I smiled and gave thanks to the Father.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-et8V9wiX_-I/UjYPx-FujjI/AAAAAAAAAUM/URrKJu4tzy8/s1600/Lake+Wading+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-et8V9wiX_-I/UjYPx-FujjI/AAAAAAAAAUM/URrKJu4tzy8/s320/Lake+Wading+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coolin' the feet.</td></tr>
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The next morning, Derek found about a dozen more dead on the electric bug shocker. Some were still alive in the bottom, but trapped. He carefully killed them and made sure the others were dead before cleaning it off. We packed up a little quicker than usual this time and were glad to leave without any stings. I bid farewell to the lovely lake and drove home. <br />
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Bailey's is a great campground. It's located on Barren River Lake in the Western/Central part of Kentucky off of 31E. Technically it's off a country road off another country road from 31 E but if you follow the signs, that should get you there without problems. <br />
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Bathrooms were clean, sites are nice and woodsy (except loops A and B) with lots of sites overlooking the water. There is a camp store behind the bath house in loop B and they also sell firewood. <br />
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Just beware there's a new insect in town, and he isn't quiet or concerned with how rude it is to raid your campfire party. Be careful. Don't try to go hunt the nest and kill them. If the Army Corps of Engineers can't come up with a concoction to kill these little SOBs, then I doubt your little can of grocery-store bought Raid will do any good. You'll just tick them off and outrunning these hornets is impossible. Just keep your trusty fly swat nearby and your eyes and ears open. I would even suggest asking the campground host if they know any areas of the campground that have infestations so you know ahead of time what areas to avoid. Get a bug zapper. That seemed to help, too. <br />
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Then you can mosey on down in your comfy camping chair and do whatever it is you like to do when chillin' by the fire. Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-33657956251090426762013-05-05T11:00:00.000-05:002013-05-05T11:00:19.124-05:00Six Ways to Irritate Your Fellow Campers<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhttfZ0WTgA/UYZ_jPzL14I/AAAAAAAAARc/hZgChgi11h4/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhttfZ0WTgA/UYZ_jPzL14I/AAAAAAAAARc/hZgChgi11h4/s320/IMG_0344.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping at Bailey's Point, September 2012</td></tr>
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I wrote this article last year for the <a href="http://www.theqp.net/" target="_blank">QP news in Bulter County</a>. It's an online new source I sometimes write opinion articles for and I came upon this old article, thinking now would be a good time to share some campground etiquette that's sadly not very often used!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif;">Summer is almost here and the great outdoors beckons our human instincts to star gaze, make fires and roast processed meat on a stick. Okay, sorry. I’m being a fuddy-duddy about the hot dogs. Seriously though, they’ll kill you.</span></span><br /><span id="goog_1115219315"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1115219316"></span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif;">Anyway, ever been to a campground and thought the following? Or are you one of the clueless, offending folks whose empathy towards others’ comfort is about as deep as a puddle? Here’s a collection of my thoughts while visiting campgrounds over the years. </span></span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif;">1. Not everyone within a mile radius can appreciate your love for Stevie Nicks. Be respectful of your neighbor’s choice in music. If you want to blast your music while chillin’ in your lawn chair, stay at home.</span></span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif;">2. Stop and say hello to fellow campers, but don’t pull up a chair unless you are invited. There’s usually a sense of camaraderie when strolling through campgrounds and it’s okay to say hello, or chat about the weather, but not cool to invite yourself to the campfire.</span></span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif;">3. The hyena laugh. Enough said. Don’t be that guy.</span></span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif;">4. Letting your children wander around unsupervised is rude and careless. There’s not just the safety factor to consider, but it’s annoying when curious, talkative children wander into my campsite, asking questions, touching things, and eyeing my marshmallows. They’re mine, and you can’t have them. Nah-nah-nah-nah-naaaah-nah. </span></span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif;">5. Don’t show up at midnight to set up camp. It’s happened to almost every camper. The fire dies down, the belly is full, it’s time to call it a night. Just as you snuggle up in your sleeping bag, Billy Ray decided last minute to show up with ten of his friends. No worries. They’ll just use their headlights as guidance while shouting to one another as they set up camp. No biggie. </span></span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif;">6. Trees for privacy? Uh, no. Guess what guys, when you go behind a tree to relieve yourself – in the daytime – I can still see you. And it’s disturbing. I don’t go seeking it. I’m casually admiring the forest and thinking, “Oh look, it’s a cute squirrel and…oh my GAWD for all that is holy!” I really didn’t want to see that. </span></span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif;">Don’t be a slave to television this summer, or at least not the entire summer. Get your kids out of the house, and let the lull of crickets sing you to sleep…that is, as long as Billy Ray doesn’t show up with his buddies and a full bladder. Happy camping!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JmUruFtz4pE/UYaAKZPT59I/AAAAAAAAARk/k_TI8bPV368/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JmUruFtz4pE/UYaAKZPT59I/AAAAAAAAARk/k_TI8bPV368/s640/DSC_0051.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Bailey's Point Campground, Loop C, on Barren River Lake</td></tr>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-5271853073214251862013-02-19T19:48:00.000-06:002013-02-19T19:48:13.945-06:00Winter Silence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dyl1_734TXE/USQiG-rKt1I/AAAAAAAAAP4/rqDKBvZlJJ0/s1600/DSC_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dyl1_734TXE/USQiG-rKt1I/AAAAAAAAAP4/rqDKBvZlJJ0/s320/DSC_0292.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
First, let me say, "Happy birthday, Dad!"<br />
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Fall is my favorite season, but I have an appreciation for what each season brings. Even winter. The silence, the snow, the homemade stews and cornbread all come together as a wonderful sense of comfort from the sun's heat and the busy rush of a harvest. <br />
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I snapped this photo in the patch of woods behind my home. Simply standing in the light snow that'd fallen and the quiet of the environment so rich that the only sound was my breath is what I love about winter. There's no other season that gives our ears such a break.<br />
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The earth is asleep but there's plenty to still enjoy about the outdoors. What's your favorite outdoor activity in the winter?<br />
Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-5142047656996053042012-09-23T15:39:00.001-05:002012-09-23T15:39:15.304-05:00Nolin Lake State Park Campground<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WB1QXdYPm5Q/UF9o2oX3gEI/AAAAAAAAAOo/mTg3VG5MniA/s1600/IMG_0371+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WB1QXdYPm5Q/UF9o2oX3gEI/AAAAAAAAAOo/mTg3VG5MniA/s400/IMG_0371+(800x600).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m writing this review directly from the park itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This campground is much smaller – only
thirty-two sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each spacious site has
water and electric hook-ups, and many of them afford a view of the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to camp here, do a reservation. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 31 at Nolin Lake State Park Campground</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We currently inhabit site thirty-one, which gives us a
unique view of the lake, a nestled section of water where an occasional
fisherman on a boat might cruise through looking for his latest catch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a tiny path from our site that leads
down to the water, but be careful, it’s quite steep!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring your fishing poles to this
campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t even have to drive
elsewhere <u>if you select a site next to the water.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll have your own piece of
the lake! Just keep in mind some of the trails off the campsite to the lake are narrow and very steep. If you have bad knees and high expectations of a private island setting, you may be disappointed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upon our Friday arrival, we purchased firewood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of picking out our own bundles, it
was delivered to our site and the kind gentleman employee unloaded it
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Saturday morning, we wanted
to check out the hiking trails. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needing
a map, we stopped at the check-in office and a lady told us where we needed to
go, but there was no map available!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Feeling adventurous we took to the trail anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a map available for viewing at an
information station at the head of the trail. It wasn’t so bad, just stay on
the path. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes a loop back to where
we started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the Waterfall Loop
which is about 1.6 miles, but the waterfall was dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For mountain bikers, there is a new trail
that loops around approximately eight miles, which splits off of the Waterfall
Loop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new trail is called the Omega
Loop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw a father and son on a bike
outing and it appears very challenging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lots up hill, winding trails through the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thumbs up on the added adventure to this state
park!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, both trails are for mountain
bikers and hikers, so please be aware and respect each other’s presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unsuspecting me leaving bathhouse.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bathhouse gets an thumbs up from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clean, modern amenities and that’s all I can
really ask for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I hate walking into a campground restroom only to feel like a hockey mask is going to peer at me from under the stall. </span>The other side of the
bathhouse has an indoor laundry facility and vending machines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 31 looking over to 32. Nice distance between sites.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our neighbors this trip were the kind of people you hope you
never camp next to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This can happen at
ANY campground so I don’t want this to reflect badly on the campground
itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a crew of at least a
dozen people camping at the site across from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They took great pleasure in laughing and
talking as loudly as possible all day and nearly all night. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It was like a forty-eight hour birthday party with your annoying Aunt Edna cackling the whole time! </span>Even well past the established
quiet hour, the noisy campers continued their revelry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> These were not rednecks or metal heads, but middle-aged fifth wheel camper owners who walked their sweater-wearing dogs. </span>They
finally quieted down, and I’m not sure if someone complained or if an attendant
had to shush them, but I was happy to finally go to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sleep at last!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh but wait, the same noisy crew decided to chop
wood at six-thirty the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This can’t be!</i> I wanted yell at these inconsiderate campers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I do only what I can do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take a deep breath, shake my head in
annoyance and choose to get over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was time for coffee anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our final morning here, Sunday, it’s thirty-nine degrees
outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our heat is keeping us toasty
but I must enjoy my coffee wrapped up in a blanket under the awning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fog is lifting off the lake and I can
hear a wood-pecker off into the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Squirrels are gathering nuts for breakfast and I envy their
freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have no office to report
to come Monday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only I could
make a living visiting campgrounds and writing reviews!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I do this for free because it’s what I
love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pros:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well-maintained campground/friendly staff</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clean bath houses…zero creepiness! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Camp sites are spacious and there is a nice
distance of separation between sites</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This campground is very accommodating for both
the RV (large fifth wheel to a pop-up) and the tent campers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cons</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <a href="http://parks.ky.gov/parks/recreationparks/nolin-lake/default.aspx" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about the park.</a></span></o:p></div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-58793431368387482072012-07-22T10:03:00.000-05:002012-07-22T10:03:00.476-05:00Summer is Great and All, But I Really Miss the Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvPgNp0NLiA/UAwKT6ra25I/AAAAAAAAANY/wiJvhw0Kp6s/s1600/DSC_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvPgNp0NLiA/UAwKT6ra25I/AAAAAAAAANY/wiJvhw0Kp6s/s400/DSC_0184.JPG" width="265" /></a>This photo is the quintessential hiking trail for me. It was about a fifty degree morning last fall at Natural Bridge State Park when Derek and I hiked up to the natural bridge. Not a soul was around. It felt our feet shuffling through the leaves on this path disturbed the environment, and we actually found ourselves whispering. </div>
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"Why are we whispering?" I asked. We laughed and remembered to make some noise because this was bear country. Sneaking up on a black bear in search of her morning breakfast is NOT an ideal hiking trip. </div>
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I love the fall. It's my favorite of seasons. I cherish the coolness of the air and the colors that adorn the walls and floors of the forest. My hands were freezing and my heart was racing with the exertion from the hike (notice it's just about all uphill) but it was the joy of nature, the peace of God's creation that really made my heart beat. </div>
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We're taking a break from this humid-hellish heat and there will be more reviews coming up this fall. </div>
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Know of a great hiking trail? Share it in a comment below, please! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of Natural Bridge. Sixty foot drop-off on either side!</td></tr>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-48894197419748877642012-06-24T20:05:00.000-05:002012-06-24T20:05:50.873-05:00Prizer Point: Great View, But Guard Your Wallet!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the campsite. My husband and stepson throwin' a line.</td></tr>
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<strong>Location: Cadiz, KY, Western Region</strong><br />
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We made another trip to Lake Barkley this summer by going out on a limb at Prizer Point. I say that because the prices were unbelievably high, more than we've ever paid for a campsite. For our prime site on the water, we paid $90 per night! <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRSdug78REk/T-ePLsoCpcI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/eqyp_tP8QgY/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRSdug78REk/T-ePLsoCpcI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/eqyp_tP8QgY/s200/IMG_0075.JPG" width="150" /></a>Now, the site itself was beautiful, as you can see from the photos. We were right on the water, the sunsets were ours (along with everyone else we shared the shore line with) and fishing was just a few steps away -- no packing up the tackle box and driving to a separate location. <br />
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But, with the cost associated with this campground, I guess I expected more. Yeah, yeah, I know. It's camping. We brought our kids and thought how much they would enjoy all the amenities described on the website, figuring the extraordinary costs would be well worth the splurge. Free high speed wi-fi, a game room full of arcades and air hockey, a swimming pool and mini-golf. How nice would that be? After all, we'd spend the money easily on those activities combined, right?<br />
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Well, considering the wi-fi was unattainable and "fair" at best, the game room had broken machines, some which were not marked "out of order" and took my daughter's quarters. Imagine the disappointment when we found the air hockey table in the back room and the trash talk had already begun on who'd beat who, we put the fifty cents into the slots and heard the hiss of the air escape the table, ready for action! Only...where's the disc? "Mommy, is the disc on your side?" <br />
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"Nope, are you sure it's not on your side? No?" Guess they took the meaning of <em>air</em> hockey literally.<br />
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The swimming pool was nice and refreshing but it got a little crowded, especially when about a dozen or so adults got in with their frosty beers. Okay, that's fine, drink your beer, but keep it to your campsite and please do not slurp on it whilst in the same darn pool my daughters are swimming in. Thank you very much. <br />
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Finally, a staff member showed up and told the people they weren't allowed to drink while in the pool. You'd figure adults well over the age of forty would know that. Guess it takes a genius. Sorry, people annoy me sometimes. Did I mention this campground is REALLY crowded? Every single site was full. It's not that I didn't expect that -- I know weekends run busy -- but if you are looking for more privacy, or quiet, this is not the place for that. I would recommend the state park at Lake Barkley instead. At least the sites there are set up where you aren't constantly observing another site. They appear more private and are in a more wooded setting. <br />
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Mini-golf. Sigh. Where do I begin? This "course" was a joke. It's probably the worst mini golf course I've seen. Ever. Looks like someone took a bunch of plywood, covered them in astro turf, put some creepy animal statues up as decor and called it a day. <br />
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By the way, the mini golf and jumping pillow (like a big trampoline) are NOT included in the cost of camping. You've got to purchase a wrist band for an additional $10 per person to "enjoy" these amenities. Can you hear the cash register ringing in your ears? <br />
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<u>A nice thing to mention</u>: When my husband went to purchase firewood, the assisting staff was a really nice young man who told us he felt like the cost was a rip-off for what we got. The normally $5 per bundle of wood was given to us, courtesy of him. Not sure if that's safe to say here since it probably wasn't his call to do so, but either way, when you're getting sympathy of costs from the staff, that's usually not a good sign. All in all, we enjoyed a fantastic camp fire and were able to roast our marshmallows. <br />
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Pros: <br />
<ul>
<li>Really, and I mean <em>really</em> awesome lake side campsites. </li>
<li>Children will love this place and will most likely see it with a less critical eye</li>
<li>Friendly staff (we got escort service to our camp site, but I've received the same service at state park campgrounds)</li>
<li>Bathrooms were rather clean</li>
<li>Cell phone reception - no problems sending or receiving text messages</li>
<li>Wi-fi available, but iffy reception, and couldn't obtain it during much of our stay (two nights)</li>
<li>Outdoor movie screen -- no extra charge. We enjoyed this feature (Shrek II) very much. Walk up, bring your own snacks and blanket. Family friendly movies. </li>
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Cons:<br />
<ul>
<li>Terribly expensive. Not worth the costs we paid.</li>
<li>Crowded, popular place. </li>
<li>I felt the Prizer Point website didn't live up to their glorious website. Never pump up your customers'/guests' expectations to come visit you and then offer them half-a**ed amenities. </li>
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However, we plan to return next summer mainly for the great view and the fun our kids had, but are going to plan a through-the-week visit. Weekends are too crazy.<br />
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<strong><u><em>New thing we tried this camp out: Those HUGE marshmallows at the grocery.</em></u> </strong> If you try them, break them in half before roasting. If you try and roast a whole one, they'll only cook on one side and will most likely fall off into the fire. Break them in two and they roast beautifully and <em>oh my goodness</em>, they are terrific in s'mores. <br />
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Next camping trip, I'm just ready to chill out by the fire and enjoy the sounds of nature. I don't want all of the activities Prizer Point offers when I'm camping. If you have kids, then this place may be for you, but if you're just a couple looking for some quiet time, look elsewhere. <br />
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Visit <a href="http://www.prizerpoint.com/" target="_blank">http://www.prizerpoint.com/ </a>for more info. This is a KOA campground. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twilight on the lake.<br />
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</tbody></table>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-86381521155050269782012-06-09T09:23:00.000-05:002012-06-09T09:32:07.149-05:00Lake Barkley State Park<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IRhU83QQVvg/T9Naf3PDRAI/AAAAAAAAAL8/FlfnixQpcFk/s1600/Lake+Barkley+Hike+2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IRhU83QQVvg/T9Naf3PDRAI/AAAAAAAAAL8/FlfnixQpcFk/s320/Lake+Barkley+Hike+2012.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls check out the sea shells by the lake shore.</td></tr>
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Location: Cadiz, KY, Western Region. Follow HWY 68/80 <br />
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This woodsy campground was a Memorial Day weekend treat. I remember going to Cadiz when I was a kid in the 80's, shopping with my mother at the Piggly Wiggly and staying at our little cabin my dad had built years before. It had a wood stove that warmed us up nearly to the point of stripping to our undies in the winter time. We chopped down our own Christmas tree one year and spent several chilly days of December in that cabin. In the summer, I'd catch tadpoles in the nearby creek and my mom would have to check me for ticks each and every time I came back into the shelter of the cabin. <br />
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Anyway, those are my memories of this area, so I was looking forward to a stay at the same lake that is only about a mile from my childhood memories. That cabin is long gone now, my dad sold it years ago, and the last news I heard of it, my stepbrother, Jamie, had driven by one day out of curiosity when he was in the area. The cabin had burned down. <br />
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So here we are at Lake Barkley. Our site was off to a hillside but the pavement was pretty level and a nice little deck accompanied our hang out spot. It was hot during the day, very hot actually, but the shade from the trees provided comfort. We camped at site # 41, a little uphill walk to the restroom, which can be a pain if you've no bathroom in your camper, which we do not, but not so bad. Good exercise if anything. <br />
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The restrooms are not air conditioned and are completely covered in little pesky gnats. Nor are they maintained but maybe once or twice per week. There was an employee who came by to remove the trash and sort of wipe down the sinks, but the shower stalls weren't cleaned. I definitely recommend wearing your flip flops while showering! Have I mentioned I cannot wait for the day we own a camper that has its own shower? <br />
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It was crowded for the holiday weekend. Every site was full. Come Sunday morning though, majority of campers packed up and left. We enjoyed the quiet that overcame the campground, the only sounds were the hum of passing boats on the lake just down the hill from us. <br />
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The hiking trails were hot and long. Not recommended for summer time. The maps weren't officially up to date either. We began looking for the Wilderness Trail but the trail head was no where to be seen even though we were at the correct location according to the map. We checked with a friendly park employee and he noted the trail was closed. <br />
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It hasn't really been cleaned up from the January ice storm that his the area hard back in 2010. Several branches from trees were crushed by the weight of the ice, covering the trail. He also noted there was a high population of copperheads down by the water this year. Good to know!<br />
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There is a nice, quick trail (that is open) that starts at the campground and will take you to the beach. We walked this trail with the kids and came out to the parking lot. <br />
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My kids loved swimming in the questionable lake water. However, I'm not big on any form of public bathing. I let my feet get a little wet, but that was all. It was so hot and they love to swim, so I let them jump in and refresh for about an hour. They have immune systems anyway.<br />
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There is an outdoor shower by the restrooms to rinse of the sand and lake water, which I felt was a nice feature. They need more than one however. It's located right next to the entrance to the ladies restroom. There should be one by the men's as well. <br />
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I needed butter to make my fire roasted potatoes, so we took a quick drive to a little general store, where an elderly man sat at his counter, the smell of cigarette smoke thick in the air. He was quiet, barley nodded his head when I said hello. His dog lay in the floor by the entrance, a friendly fellow. Luckily, they had butter, so we purchased it, along with some ice cream for the kids and headed back to the camp site. <br />
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By the way, the recipe for the fire roasted potatoes (or any additional veggies) I'll place in a separate post. They were AWESOME and not a single bite was left. Even the kids enjoyed. <br />
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All in all, we will return to this wooded paradise. I don't expect elegance or service because after all, we are camping. <br />
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Pros: <br />
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<li>Friendly park staff</li>
<li>Very wooded, nice and shaded</li>
<li>Quiet setting, no highway noise, but not too far off the beaten path</li>
<li>Playground for the kids</li>
<li>Cell phone reception was good in the mornings</li>
<li>Hiking is available. Check with staff to ensure up-to-date info on the trails. </li>
<li>Treat yourself to breakfast at the lodge one morning. You won't regret it. Great food and service.</li>
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Cons:<br />
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<li>Bathrooms are an icky, gnat, spider infested mess</li>
<li>If I have to pick, it'd be better maintained fire rings. There were cigarette butts and lots of ash/debris/trash in ours that I had to clean out before making our own fire.</li>
<li>No firewood available for sale on site. Firewood for sale at the local general store. Follow the signs. </li>
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By the way, I forgot the SD card for my Nikon. I shot a few pictures with my cell phone. You can see our campsite below. <br />
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</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-73825788497766348302012-04-29T10:27:00.000-05:002012-04-29T10:29:42.742-05:00Gear Up For A Stress-Free Camping Trip<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnzvLYBLwrw/T51TIz-kRiI/AAAAAAAAALM/2OeWq8iSUXQ/s1600/IMG_0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnzvLYBLwrw/T51TIz-kRiI/AAAAAAAAALM/2OeWq8iSUXQ/s320/IMG_0383.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barren River Lake State Park Campground. </td></tr>
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Camping can be exhausting, especially when kids come along for the ride. Don't let an unprepared trip spoil your fun. <br />
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Here we are, already at the end of April, and there have been so many great opportunities for camping this spring! Normally, an unpredictable season for weather, we've not had much rain or severe storms here in Kentucky this spring so far. Our first camp out is coming up next month, as are for many campers, so I'll be writing a review on that trip afterwards. <br />
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However in preparation for the many people venturing out with their tents and stakes, pop-ups and trailers, tempers will rise with warmer weather. Here are some tips to help you avoid those stressful moments, especially if children are involved.<br />
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<li><strong>Pack enough drinking water.</strong> I can't stress this enough. This was mentioned in my first post about camping a few months ago, but I'm going to relay the importance again. Sodas and tea are OK, but don't rely on them solely to effectively quench your thirst. Only water can satisfy your thirst, prevent dehydration, headaches, muscle aches <em>and</em> helps your ability to function well when doing a lot of physical activity.</li>
<li><strong>Don't freak out when the kids get messy.</strong> I write this to you because I am guilty of the same exact thing! I've always packed extra clothing for the kids because there are mud puddles to fall in, tree sap, plates of food that spill into laps, etc, but I didn't think I'd need to pack extra PJs on our last camping trip with the kids. We were gazing at stars and one simple step later, my daughter slipped on mud, soiling her pajamas. I was livid, but it wasn't her fault. She was OK, but I was not. At some point, you must take a deep breath (or two) and just go with it. </li>
<li><strong>Does your infant really need to go on that camp out? </strong>Most of you might be saying 'yes', but it's probably best to leave the little one with Grandma if possible. This will create less stress on you, and enable you to enjoy campfire stories with the older children who may be begging for your attention anyway. </li>
<li><strong>Bring a box fan.</strong> This is a simple way to help cool down on those summer camp outs. We don't always want to stay cooped up in an RV with the AC running if we can help it. After all, we camp to enjoy the great outdoors, right? Most campgrounds come equipped with electricity (which is also great for electric skillets for those pancakes in the morning), so plug it up and enjoy your lawn chair. This may sound obvious, but pairing the box fan with a shaded camp site is a MUST in the summer. Most camp sites have descriptions on their website if the site is shaded or not. Pay attention to these details before booking a reservation. </li>
<li><strong>Buy paper plates.</strong> I realize we are in a time and age of going "green" and that's a great thing, but unless you are camping every single weekend, buying paper plates and cups will save a huge amount of time on washing, packing away dishes and reduce the stress of your camping trip. Hefty Basics is a brand available that is friendlier on the the environment. Their products are free of inks, dyes, and coatings and are biodegradable. </li>
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Now, are you ready for the hiss of the lantern? The crackle of the fire? Me too! Be safe out there is season. Happy camping!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-69420381355420626822012-03-10T18:39:00.000-06:002012-03-10T18:39:01.282-06:00Natural Bridge State Park<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFINvtD0E7E/T1tjj7WMEPI/AAAAAAAAAKI/pSyB_kF8EdA/s1600/IMG_0027+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFINvtD0E7E/T1tjj7WMEPI/AAAAAAAAAKI/pSyB_kF8EdA/s400/IMG_0027+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from atop the Natural Bridge</td></tr>
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<u>Location</u>: Slade, KY, eastern region (east of I-75).<br />
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Natural Bridge is one of the areas in Kentucky that make people stop and say, "Wow! This is Kentucky?" Although the state is beautiful anyway, Kentucky is typically thought of as rolling hills with horses nibbling at the ground, surrounded by expensive white fences. That's still a very pretty picture, but the Red River Gorge and Daniel Boone National Forest area of the state, which is about forty-five minutes east of Lexington, boasts some of the most breathtaking images in this part of the country.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a0f881aNn0E/T1vsbzbkcxI/AAAAAAAAALA/CjqNP9qxskY/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a0f881aNn0E/T1vsbzbkcxI/AAAAAAAAALA/CjqNP9qxskY/s320/IMG_0041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me looking out at one of the overlooks while hiking.</td></tr>
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There are two campgrounds at this state park. Whittleton, which I felt was more tent friendly and Middle Fork Campground. We camped in our pop-up at the Middle Fork Campground in late October, which seemed much more accommodating for RVs but some nice tent sites were available here as well. There's a creek that rushes right through the campground. <br />
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The check-in process went smooth; friendly staff, friendly campers. The firewood we bought turned out to be a little damp and we couldn't enjoy a campfire. I tried not to be a big baby about that, because it was late fall, a chilly night with a sky full of sparkly stars - perfect for a campfire. And I really wanted to roast some marshmallows! <br />
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Anyway, it seems there is a different breed of campers here. This area is quite attractive to rock climbers and other adventurists seeking some downright righteous outdoor activity. We hiked through the park, up to the Natural Bridge, walked across its amazing expanse, and followed more trails. The entire process took about three hours. Be sure to bring a bottle of water and a back pack of snacks. You'll be burning calories quickly! If you're not feeling adventurous, there is a ski lift to the top. Either way you go, don't miss out on the incredible views. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3qcJba6MeEA/T1tkzAR14uI/AAAAAAAAAKY/d1OYHIG7Bkg/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3qcJba6MeEA/T1tkzAR14uI/AAAAAAAAAKY/d1OYHIG7Bkg/s200/IMG_0021.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking up at Natural Bridge</td></tr>
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Words of CAUTION: We opted not to take our kids on this camp out. While walking across the "bridge" please note there are no railings. Hold onto small children. If you have a toddler who fusses and doesn't like to be held, then this is not the trip for you. I can't stress this enough. It is a sixty-five foot fall for anyone not paying attention. Also, this is <strong>black bear country</strong>. While we hiked and saw no evidence of a bear, they do exist. Please use caution while hiking (make noise, keep talking, rustle leaves with your feet) and keep food sealed up tight at your campsite. Don't even <em>think</em> about approaching a bear if you do happen to see one. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many hiking trails throughout the park.</td></tr>
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Pros:<br />
<ul>
<li>Stunning scenery, great outdoor activities</li>
<li>Friendly staff at campground</li>
<li>Campsite was clean/maintained. </li>
<li>Hikers and photographers will especially love the park</li>
</ul>
Cons: <br />
<ul>
<li>Some sites at campground (including ours) were a little tight getting into for RVs.</li>
<li>The bath house was a little small for the amount of people there. There were people in line while I washed my face at one of the two sinks. It was awkward. </li>
<li>Lots of crowds, especially on weekends. Hit hiking trails early. </li>
</ul>
Click <a href="http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/natural-bridge/reservations.aspx" target="_blank">here for more information</a> or to make a reservation.<br />
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</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-15494651423649038262012-03-03T10:31:00.001-06:002012-03-04T08:01:34.148-06:00Pennyrile Forest State Park: A Yellow Jacket's Paradise<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RIENfSXi_7c/T1IbZT3Mo_I/AAAAAAAAAJk/tvCmWdAkbEk/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RIENfSXi_7c/T1IbZT3Mo_I/AAAAAAAAAJk/tvCmWdAkbEk/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pennyrile Forest State Park Campground</td></tr>
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<u>Location</u>: Western region, Dawson Springs, KY.<br />
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Two words for ya: Yellow Jackets. If not for these vicious, numerous, horrid little creatures all over the place, and I mean all over -- our campground, the miniature golf area, and the beach, then I'd rate this park a little higher. I completely understand that pests are part of nature, but this park seemed to have a strange infestation of them. I couldn't enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning outside, nor a soda in the afternoon without a swarm coming for the scent of sugar. Majority of our meals had to be eaten inside the camper because of this problem. <br />
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The campground itself was okay. It could have been cleaned up a little better. Our campsite had almost no grass, lots of dirt patches from high traffic I presume. Cigarette butts were all over the ground at our site. Weeds were sporadic around the campfire ring, which was on a hillside. We had to get our chairs <em>just right </em>or we'd tip over from the uneven ground. The description of the site as far as grade was "slight", so I must say I disagree with that description. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-otjN-m19S_c/T1IaftU5W3I/AAAAAAAAAJc/CP-J1SSpvao/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-otjN-m19S_c/T1IaftU5W3I/AAAAAAAAAJc/CP-J1SSpvao/s200/DSC_0009.JPG" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini-golf at campground</td></tr>
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The bathhouse was clean but in desperate need of updating. The shower heads were busted and sprayed at an overpowering pressure that made it nearly painful to shower. There was no grade for the drain nor separation from the dressing area and the entire shower/dressing area became flooded with water, making it very difficult for drying off and dressing. <br />
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On a lighter note, the staff was very friendly, and the rustic lodge offered a fun game room for the kids. There were old school arcade games such as Ms. Pac Man. A table sat by a window with a large checkers game. In a nearby sun room, there was comfortable seating that offered a quiet setting and books on shelves available for guest's reading pleasure. The lodge does not appear to have changed much since the 1950's, but that is part of its charm. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tLen7qZSFH4/T1IZnjUDc2I/AAAAAAAAAJU/8YMYRneJrO4/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tLen7qZSFH4/T1IZnjUDc2I/AAAAAAAAAJU/8YMYRneJrO4/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" width="213" /></a>We got lucky as it was camper appreciation weekend, where campers were allowed to swim at the lodge's swimming pool for free. I've seem some other state parks offer this as well. Check each park's calendar for this upcoming season by clicking <a href="http://parks.ky.gov/calendar/default.aspx" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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The pool was large and clean with a fantastic view overlooking Pennyrile Lake. This brings me to a really great aspect of this park which are the hiking trails. We took the loop trail around the lake, which is mostly wooded. That was a good thing for a hot summer day. Be careful with little ones when hiking because there are some areas with sudden drop offs. <br />
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On another afternoon, I rounded up our three kids and we rented a paddle boat. This was a first for all of us, but the boat was easy to maneuver and we had a lot of fun. There are also canoe rentals available. No motor boats allowed on the small lake. <br />
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There's a section of the lake that is covered with hundreds of large lilly pads and is surely a sight to behold. I wished I'd had my camera, but I wasn't about to take my Nikon out onto a boat with three kids. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bMHnYQIiCM0/T1IcWFqEdMI/AAAAAAAAAJs/PqWir7T5S4s/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bMHnYQIiCM0/T1IcWFqEdMI/AAAAAAAAAJs/PqWir7T5S4s/s400/DSC_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pennyrile Lake, view from the lodge's pool.</td></tr>
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Pros:<br />
<ul>
<li>Great recreational activities for families or any outdoor enthusiast</li>
<li>Friendly staff</li>
<li>Accommodating lodge with a great pool</li>
<li>Cell phone reception</li>
<li>Playground on site at campground</li>
<li>Coin operated laundry</li>
<li>Quiet nights, felt safe; was patrolled a few times by park rangers.</li>
</ul>
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Cons:<br />
<ul>
<li>Campgrounds could be better maintained</li>
<li>Camp sites are very close to one another, shared electricity hook-ups</li>
<li>Horrible yellow jacket population</li>
<li>Bath house at campground needs updating </li>
<li>I do NOT recommend this campground for large RVs</li>
</ul>
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I would probably visit this park again, but never in the summer, and at a different site than we stayed.<br />
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Click <a href="http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/pennyrile-forest/default.aspx" target="_blank">here</a> for more park details.<br />
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Happy camping!<br />
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<br />Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-24392358007197066942012-02-28T22:13:00.000-06:002012-02-29T06:34:33.502-06:00My New Blog - From One Camper to Another<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My youngest enjoys camping. </td></tr>
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New blog alert! I've revamped my blog here, but have allowed my old posts to remain for anyone who cares to read them. <br />
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I want to narrow down my blog to a particular interest...camping! <br />
I'm truly a google junkie, and I like to research areas before spending the time and money to go there. Finding plentiful reviews on campgrounds are few and far between, so I decided to start my own. I often wonder if the campground is well-maintained, kid friendly, and if they enforce their quiet hours. These are things I will attempt to answer for each campground I go to. <br />
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While I'm interested in camping in other states, this blog is going to be an emphasis on camping in Kentucky. <br />
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Stay tuned for future posts, and please feel free to follow this blog. 2012 planning is underway!<br />
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Kentucky state parks are offering <a href="http://parks.ky.gov/deals/" target="_blank">deals</a>. Check 'em out and get planning. <br />
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Here are a few tips if you're just getting started:<br />
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<ol>
<li><strong>Always pack an extra, extra change of clothes.</strong> You <u>will</u> get dirty and possibly wet if it suddenly rains, or something get spilled. Staying dry is key to comfort. Don't think you need that extra pair of socks? Pack them anyway!</li>
<li><strong>Invest in a sleeping bag.</strong> It doesn't have to be a $300 Antarctica ready number for the avid mountain climber. Wal-Mart sells good ones that should suffice for what you need, for fairly cheap. Sleeping bags provide insulation that regular blankets cannot. There's nothing more miserable than waking up shivering cold and not being able to sleep. </li>
<li><strong>Double your drinking water 'guestimation'.</strong> This applies especially if you are camping in the summer time. The exertion from setting up camp will make any normal person sweat, so be sure to replenish. Gallon drinking water is sold at almost any grocery for less than a dollar. Avoid attempting to replenish with beer, sodas or sugary sweet tea. Water is your best hydrant. </li>
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<br />Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-41240292750079526902012-02-28T21:10:00.000-06:002012-02-28T22:15:56.048-06:00Columbus-Belmont State Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-el1gWYUJCIA/T02Hr3VTqzI/AAAAAAAAAIk/gk0T8BHx24w/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-el1gWYUJCIA/T02Hr3VTqzI/AAAAAAAAAIk/gk0T8BHx24w/s320/DSC_0095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you enjoy history, a quiet setting and phenomenal views, then this is a campground you are sure to enjoy. Columbus-Belmont State Park is located in the far western region of Kentucky and overlooks the legendary Mississippi River and on into Missouri. Civil War battles were fought here and the trenches dug out by the Confederate soldiers are still there. In fact, they were right next to our campsite. Walking through the areas where soldiers once fought and died is certainly a surreal feeling, especially when combined with the peaceful beauty the park has to offer. </div>
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This campground offers several sites overlooking the Mississippi, a very clean bath house with showers, coin operated laundry facilities, a playground and a vending machine. </div>
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Separate from the campground is a museum, picnic areas, another playground, picnic shelters and Civil War memorabilia on display, such as a large anchor and impressive canons. There's a short hiking trip to be enjoyed as well. </div>
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Word of CAUTION: Bring the <em>Off </em> spray! Seriously. We went in June, and while walking throughout the park by the museum, we were attacked by clouds of mosquitoes. I've never experienced such an attack from swarms of mosquitoes, and I grew up in Florida near the Everglades!</div>
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I highly recommend this park for a couple seeking solitude, but it's also great for kids. Everyone at the campground seemed to have a mutual respect for fellow campers. Kids rode their bikes during the day, lots of them appeared to have come camping with Grandma and Grandpa, but at night, quiet stillness set in as we enjoyed our campfire. The grounds are kept clean, and appeared very well maintained. When we arrived at our campsite, the grass appeared freshly cut and not a single cigarette butt was to be found.</div>
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<u>Pros:</u> </div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fantastic Views</div>
</li>
<li>Friendly staff/well-maintained grounds</li>
<li>Rich in history</li>
<li>Extremely accomodating for RVs (there were many large Fifth Wheels at this camp site)</li>
<li>Pets are allowed as long as restrained</li>
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<u>Cons:</u></div>
<ul>
<li>Beware of campsites with light posts, as this ruins the effect of having a campfire at night.</li>
<li>Not very ideal for tent campers</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n2B-k5jEDoY/T02IvRWXrvI/AAAAAAAAAIs/2yaDgb5Kw5U/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n2B-k5jEDoY/T02IvRWXrvI/AAAAAAAAAIs/2yaDgb5Kw5U/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This photo was taken directly from our campsite. The views cannot be beat! I've yet to camp at a campground that offers better views and serenity. <br />
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Click <a href="http://parks.ky.gov/parks/recreationparks/columbus-belmont/" target="_blank">here</a> for additional information, maps and directions. <br />
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Happy camping!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-64788361520333798522011-10-07T20:19:00.000-05:002011-10-07T20:19:27.704-05:00So You Think You Can Camp?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Camp with three kids, that is? Yeah, do that and then tell me about your experience. Seriously though, all whining aside, camping with kids can be a great time had. We drove down to Barren River Lake State Resort Park and Campground a couple of weeks ago and got to enjoy the pleasant temperatures...50's at night, high 70's during the day. We didn't have the distraction of televisions, internet and even phone calls (our signal was back and forth) so we actually had conversations and laughed, and teased each other. As seen above, the kids even cooked their own dinner!<br />
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Bike riding, walking down to the lake and all those trips (up hill) to the restroom, certainly had us burning a lot more calories than if we were simply sitting at home. <br />
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Get out there before it's too cold! Fall is the perfect time of year for enjoying the great outdoors, in my opinion. To me, there's nothing quite like sitting around a camp fire at night, the chill in the air, and my Snuggie.<br />
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Yeah, I've got a ZEBRA Snuggie. So what? It keeps me warm and cozy. <br />
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Visit your local campgrounds and remember to admire the stunning nature that surrounds us. When you take away all the distractions in your life, it's amazing how much you see what's really important. <br />
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Don't forget the marshmallows.<br />
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-32666816523853090622011-08-01T11:27:00.003-05:002011-08-01T11:43:35.731-05:00Summer!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGs64nDIK88/TjbUYj9rWwI/AAAAAAAAAH4/M7Vj6FlK9qY/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635925502136638210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGs64nDIK88/TjbUYj9rWwI/AAAAAAAAAH4/M7Vj6FlK9qY/s320/010.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>A summer festival in my town in Kentucky. My kids enjoyed a ride on the little merry-go-round. What summer memories do you cherish most?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Carnies kind of make me uncomfortable. I feel like they see walking dollar signs when they look at me or my kids. I wonder where they came from in life...what brought them to travel with a carnival, etc.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Then after spending all of my cash, we head to the car and follow the line of traffic out of the park. The kids can't stop talking about the rides they loved and the sweet treats they enjoyed. Yeah, it was worth it! Summer time temps couldn't even bring me down. I love the heat and then the relief that ice cream brings. Everyone kind of gets that hint of a summer glow to their skin. The sunsets don't come until long after dinner, giving me ample time to enjoy my porch swing with an after dinner drink, and watch the lightening bugs float around by the edge of the woods behind my house. </div><br /><br /><div>It's times like these that winter seems like a far away planet that doesn't exist -- where the earth is alive only with bitter cold winds and grey skies. However, it helps me to be thankful for the summer colors and all that glows beneath its sun. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Enjoy the remainder of your summer and the golden glory of fall, before the grey sweeps it all away. </div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-73916537206222684952010-09-10T11:59:00.003-05:002010-09-10T12:03:41.278-05:00Happy Bourbon Trail!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_onYEFs09-2Y/TIpk0xIH68I/AAAAAAAAAGE/q9Xuh1HES7c/s1600/80-proof-wild-turkey.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515331551371979714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_onYEFs09-2Y/TIpk0xIH68I/AAAAAAAAAGE/q9Xuh1HES7c/s400/80-proof-wild-turkey.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Bardstown, Kentucky, the bourbon capitol of the world, is holding a festival this weekend in celebration of the age old drink. Derek and I are going a little bit further east to Lawrenceburg and hitting up the Wild Turkey Distillery. Lots to see and do right here in Kentucky. =) </div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-78663885120185419402010-03-26T12:29:00.002-05:002010-03-26T12:39:21.334-05:00Maggie's Cave - Kentucky Down Under<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_onYEFs09-2Y/S6zvSe5cT3I/AAAAAAAAACs/yLaCM0TKBRA/s1600/Maggie%27s+cave.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452996349649506162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_onYEFs09-2Y/S6zvSe5cT3I/AAAAAAAAACs/yLaCM0TKBRA/s320/Maggie%27s+cave.jpg" border="0" /></a> Weather's warming right up down here and it's time to grab the kiddos and head out to see Kentucky's touristy spots. I took the girls to Kentucky Down Under last summer and we had a great time! The cave tour was the best part, I thought. Here's a picture I snapped just in time before the guide turned the underwater lights off.<br /><div> </div><div>Kentucky Down Under is owned and operated by an Australian native along with her husband...a little something different for the family and great for learning about another part of our world. Visit their website: <a href="http://kdu.com/">http://kdu.com/</a> </div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147630583726781898.post-80822767462513577722009-10-23T21:50:00.004-05:002013-09-21T20:13:33.902-05:00For the Love of Nana<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_onYEFs09-2Y/SuJybzOlQKI/AAAAAAAAACk/3hZSzgV6jZY/s1600-h/mom+and+dad+anniversary+060.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396001125476679842" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_onYEFs09-2Y/SuJybzOlQKI/AAAAAAAAACk/3hZSzgV6jZY/s320/mom+and+dad+anniversary+060.jpg" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 286px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_onYEFs09-2Y/SuJtBeDEUiI/AAAAAAAAACc/AF2RqLuG-h0/s1600-h/Catfish+parade+2008+190.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395995175556502050" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_onYEFs09-2Y/SuJtBeDEUiI/AAAAAAAAACc/AF2RqLuG-h0/s320/Catfish+parade+2008+190.jpg" style="display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> The first picture is of my mother holding me in 1978. The second is of my mother with my youngest daughter. I snapped this picture of Olivia while my mom comforted her during a crying session once she was told she was not going home with her Nana. We'd been at the Catfish Festival parade and the girls wanted to go home with their Nana of course.</div>
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One of the first memories I have of my grandmother's home is of my fourth birthday. There was a very cool Bugs Bunny cake and I barely recall everyone singing Happy Birthday to me. My father's funeral was the next day. He passed away from colon cancer on July 23rd, 1982.<br />
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I loved my Grandmother Curtis very much. Looking back over the years, I know she loved me too. I miss her calling me Krissy and giving me hugs like it would always be the last one. One day in particular, I remember I was about to turn twenty-one and we were standing on her front porch and as we said goodbye, she told me she probably wouldn't be around much longer to give hugs. At first this sounded a bit like a regular old timer talking about old age and time running out, but her words struck me, and probably for the first time since I was a very young child, I burst into tears right there in front of her, and hugged her like it would be the last one.</div>
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And it was. <br />
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Mimie, as I called her, was born and raised in Butler County in Aberdeen and lived out on Eden School Road for over forty years. Even though I currently live in the same county, I'd never lived in the same area she did when she was alive. I was born in Louisiana and was nearly a year old before she even got to see me. I lived in Bowling Green throughout most of my childhood. By the age of ten, I didn't even live in the same state. We lived 900 miles away in southwest Florida and my only visits with her were during the summer and sometimes at Christmas. I recall the warmth of her home on those cold December visits. The smell of a burning wood stove welcomed me in from the cold - something we didn't have in Florida. </div>
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Her home was the very same house my mother grew up in. The old, uneven floors creaked when walked on, an old rotary telephone would blare its loud ring throughout the house from the kitchen doorway at times, and one of my favorite sounds was Paul Harvey (one of my Mimie's favorite radio hosts) telling The Rest of the Story full volume from the kitchen radio. The only bathroom of the house was added on by my Papa when my mother was in high school. The smell of Zest soap permeated the room. There was a large bathtub (no shower) and a medicine cabinet that looked ancient to me. <br />
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I remember being bored upon my visits when I was a teenager and sitting on the porch swing, wishing I had a friend with me. I'd browse through her old stacks of magazines that sat next to a dozen or so dusty old RC bottles in the corner of the enclosed porch. She threw away nothing, and burned the rest. <br />
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I'd explore the yard, maybe knock off a few Granddaddy Long Legs off the siding, or walk up to the pond to throw rocks in the water, because that was way more amusing than actually having to fish. The old barn that stood next to the pond was creepy to me, it looked as if I could blow on it and it would fall down, and in a thunderstorm in the early nineties, it finally did. I never thought I would miss that old barn...but I do.<br />
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I also remember summer nights going to sleep upstairs in the old iron beds with the window raised to help cool off the warm room; I could hear the Whippoorwill and crickets off in the distance as I dozed on the cool, homemade feather pillows. The wall clock downstairs ticked and tocked all night. <br />
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I felt comforted and safe, clean and simple. How could I know then I would miss all of that so much now? What'd I'd give to have a warm bath and snooze in the old iron bed now. </div>
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My mother's high school senior portrait hung on the wall in the living, along with my two uncles' military portraits. They must have hung there a good forty years or so, not removed until after she passed away and it was time to rid the home of all her personal belongings. A tough act it was, to finally walk through that empty house, without my Mimie to greet me, not seeing her cane propped against the wall, cherished photographs, or a box of Foodland brand cereal sitting on the kitchen table. The clock didn't tic anymore. The old rotary phone had rung it last ring. It was the most emptiness I'd ever felt. The only constant in my life was gone.<br />
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The Whippoorwill and crickets still sing their summer tunes every night out on the property, but the house will <em>never </em>be the same. My dad has since renovated the home and it serves as a rental house now. </div>
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I didn't appreciate Mimie as I should have when she was alive. She was such a woman of God, loving the Lord and her family. She loved the color red, was headstrong, never drove a car. She could make the heck out of some fried corn. </div>
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It's my mother's turn to be Grandma. My children are so close with their Nana and Papaw my heart swells knowing they'll have these incredible memories of fun loving grandparents.</div>
Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05456047476717257255noreply@blogger.com0