Fun Friday

Good Morning we have made it through another week and now it's time to go on our weekly Friday adventure.

Can you guess where we are going this week? We are going to visit the state of Kentucky

1.) Cumberland Gap National Historical Park located in Middlesboro  Contains the original trail marked out by Daniel Boone in 1775. The park lies where the three states of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee meet. This park is free and the highest point in the park at 2,440 feet. The visitor center had a small gift shop, film and exhibit. If you're not a big fan of people, I recommend coming here over Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

2.) Cumberland Falls State Resort Park located in Corbin Known as the "Niagara of the South," the 125-foot wide curtain of water is dramatic day or night. But it's only at night during a full moon that you can see the moonbow, a phenomenon not regularly visible anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere. The park's many lodging, dining, and recreational opportunities make Cumberland Falls State Resort Park the perfect location for a family vacation, business retreat, or weekend getaway to the beautiful mountains of southeast Kentucky. The DuPont Lodge features 51 rooms, the Riverview Restaurant, meeting spaces, and easy access to the park's extensive trail system. Twenty woodland rooms and 25 cottages provide guests a more secluded lodging option. The 49-site campground, gift shop, horseback riding stables, Moonbow Cafe, playgrounds, tennis court, Olympic-size swimming pool, 17 miles of trails, and much more await visitors to Cumberland Falls - one of the "Nation's Finest" state parks! While in town check out Harland Sanders Café and Museum home of the Kentucky Fried Chicken

3.) Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum located in Elizabethtown hours of operation are 10-5pm The Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum features vehicles ranging from the early 1900's to the 1960's in a variety of makes and models in both original condition and restored condition. After years of planning and nine months of construction, Swope`s Cars of Yesteryear opened in May 1999. The collection consists of sixty magnificent machines of the past, all museum quality. These are exciting automobiles that stir memories of long ago days when motoring was a fun-filled adventure. Our museum allows car fans and collectors to admire the progression of automobiles over time. Our collection includes antique cars like the 1914 Model T and the 1925 Pierce Arrow to classics like the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro and the 1956 Thunderbird. The best part is it's FREE to enter

4.) Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park located in Hodgenville  On February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born in a one-room log cabin, similar to the authentic 19th-century cabin preserved here.

5.) Frankfort Cemetery hours of operation are 7-4pm The grave of Daniel Boone, which has been open for more than 150 years, is the biggest draw at this cemetery.

6.) Whitehaven Welcome Center is just your first stop in the beautiful city of Paducah This is the only welcome center in the U.S located in a home of this type. Did you know that Harry Truman's Vice President once owned this house. It was more of a vacation home back before that interstate was built on their property. You can tour the home and hear all the stories. While in town check out the most beautiful Riverwalk I have been on.

7.) Lexington Visitors Center When you are in the Horse Capital of the World, be sure to stop by and see us at our Visitors Center, 215 West Main Street, at Courthouse Square. We are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come read about Lex the horse born, raised, raced and retired right here.

8.) Aviation Heritage Park located in Bowling Green From the time man first took flight in the early 1900s to the recent shuttle missions into space, South Central Kentucky has played a significant role in the history of aviation. One of the first pilots to fly in combat claimed ties to Bowling Green, as did a World War I flying ace, a pioneer instructor pilot, a Vietnam war hero, Commanders of the famed Air Force Thunderbirds and Navy Blue Angels, the Commander/Pilot of "Marine One", the presidential helicopter unit and the Mission Commander for the space shuttle Atlantis. These aviators - and their ties to South Central Kentucky - deserve to be recognized and celebrated so that future generations might be made aware of and motivated by their extraordinary achievements. This is the mission of Aviation Heritage Park.

9.) Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History located in Bardstown Spalding Hall is home to the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History and the Bardstown Historical Museum. The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History displays a 50 year collection of rare artifacts and documents concerning the American whiskey industry dating from pre-Colonial days to post-Prohibition years. The museum includes exhibits on President Washington, Abraham Lincoln, authentic moonshine stills, antique bottles and jugs, medicinal whiskey bottles, unique advertising art, novelty whiskey containers, and much more. The Bardstown Historical Museum contains items relating to 200 years of area history. You will find Indian relics, Lincoln documents, pioneer papers, John Fitch land grant, a replica of his first steamboat, Stephen Foster memorabilia, a new Trappist monks’ exhibit, gifts of Louis Phillippe and Charles X of France, Civil War artifacts and guerrilla Jesse James hat and wine bottle, St. Joe Preparatory School mementos and much more. Guided tours available.

10.) Flame Run Glass Studio and Gallery located in Louisville Flame Run is the largest privately owned hot spot in this section of the country. We welcome all visitors, young and old, to enjoy the beauty and magic of glass with us.

11.) Battle of Richmond Visitors Center The building is in the middle of the battlefield. There are two floors of information along with a video. A must see if you are on a Civil War trip. This is a hidden gem, off the beaten path. It tells the history of how Kentucky and its people were caught in the middle of the strife of the Civil War and its impact.

12.) General George Patton Museum located at Fort Knox hours of operation are 9-4:30pm Here, you will experience the fascinating and inspiring history of one of America’s most successful and unconventional military leaders, General George S. Patton, Jr. General Patton exemplified the uncompromising determination of a born leader. He was relentless in the pursuit of victory from his command of the 1st Provisional Tank Brigade in World War I to his legendary career in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of World War II. Patton’s name was revered by his comrades and struck terror at the hearts of his enemies. In our exhibit halls, not only will you discover stories from Patton’s prolific military career, but you’ll also find an exclusive collection of artifacts spanning all the way back to his childhood in California and his participation in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden. We look forward to seeing you at the General Patton Museum.

13.) Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland located in Calvert City hours of operation are 8-8pm  Apple Valley Hillbilly Gardens and Toyland is a throwback to old by-gone tacky roadside stops that existed in the 1940s -1960s. There is an old Gulf gas station and store (museum) and a Toyland with over 3000 toys in a working diorama. Take a walk around the eclectic junk art and Hillbilly Gardens. We are located one mile east of I24 exit 16 on HWY 68 W.

14.) Camp Nelson National Monument located in Nicholasville hours of operation are 9-5pm Camp Nelson National Monument, the 418th unit of the National Park Service, preserves and interprets the historic and archeological resources of a U.S. Army supply depot that became one of the largest Civil War-era recruitment and training centers for United States Colored Troops and an African American refugee camp. The monument is a testament to the courage, resiliency, and perseverance of those seeking freedom from slavery and pursuing self-determination during and after the Civil War.

15.) Kentucky's Stonehenge located in Munfordville  Don't miss Kentucky Stonehenge! This roadside attraction has about 10 acres of large boulders arranged in an impressive manner. The highlight is "Stonehenge" but there is much, much more.

16.) Don F Pratt Museum located in Fort Campbell  hours of operation are 9-4:30pm The Pratt museum was truly impressive. The displays were excellent. The I'm formation about each item was both concise and informative. On the surface the museum looks small but check out the outside displays and the annex about a block away and allow yourself an hour or more  to enjoy the experience. They say they will build a new larger museum in the future. There are many indoor 3D displays and static displays outdoors. A lot of good history is documented inside from Uniforms (friendly and foe), different battles, weapons, aircraft, even a small display of some of Hitler's personal belongings. Completely free, but accept donations.

17.) Hatfield and McCoy Historic Sites located in Pikeville I would highly recommend the self-tour to anyone interested in the feud. You start in Pikeville (which is actually only in the story as an after-the-fact location as the events of the feud itself took place elsewhere. This is just where the final trial took place and some key figures are buried). At the McCoy Well there is a really nice guy named Neil who knows pretty much anything there is to know and has artifacts and pictures he received from family members on both sides. I could have spent the day just talking to him and looking at his items/binders. Be sure to prepare for some walking, especially up to the cemeteries. The Hatfield graves are up a hill without steps.

18.) Trail of Tears Commemorative Park and Heritage Center located in Hopkinsville hours of operation are 10-2pm  Hopkinsville was one of the key sites along the infamous Trail of Tears. Tens of thousands of Cherokee, Creek, and other tribes were removed by force from NC/GA/TN to what is now OK. This happened between Oct. 1838 and March 1839. Many thousands died. This site was one of the last camps along the way where two major chiefs died. Although the grounds were desecrated to build a road prior to it becoming a national site in the 1980's, the small museum is very good and does a fine job of telling this dark part of U.S. history. It also honors those who survived.

19.) Bill Monroe's Home Place located in Rosine If you are a friend or fan of Bluegrass Music, you owe it to yourself to make this pilgrimage to the place where it all began, Jerusalem Ridge. Nestled in a wooded area between Beaver Dam and Rosine, KY, you will find a lovingly restored home, and a group of devoted volunteers dedicated to preserving this rich history of home grown music, while celebrating the life and legacy of its founder, Bill Monroe.

As we made our way through the home, our knowledgeable tour guide, Faye, kindly shared stories of the family, the original farm and Bill’s early days as a child. As we sat in the swing on the front porch, it was easy to envision a shy little boy hiding out underneath, trying to escape being picked on by family and neighbors.  So, if you are traveling I-165, and find yourself about halfway between Bowling Green and Owensboro, you are just minutes from this historic site. In Bill’s own words... “I’m on my way back to the old home, The light in the window I long to see.”

20.) Jack Jouett House Historic Site located in Versailles The Jack Jouett House Historic Site is a historic house museum owned and operated by the Woodford County Fiscal Court. It was the home of Captain John (Jack) Jouett, Jr., the Revolutionary War hero whose 40-mile ride through the backcountry of Virginia most likely saved American Independence. In Kentucky, Jack was a legislator, farmer, horse breeder, and distiller. Jack’s wife was Sally Robards Jouett. Their son, Matthew Harris Jouett (one of the 19th century’s most gifted and well-known portraitists), grew up in the home. The museum is open April through October on Fridays 1-5), Saturdays (10-5), Sundays (1-5), and Mondays (12 - 2) and by appointment all year. The frontier homestead includes a 1780s stone cabin, used as a kitchen by the Jouetts, and a 1797 Federal-style brick house with parlor, dining room, and three bedrooms. The grounds feature a Colonial Herb Garden, a Native Tree Walk, and a Woodford County Quilt Trail quilt square.

21.) Everly Brothers Monument located in Central City This is truly a remarkable place for any big Everly Brothers' fans! The owner was extremely welcoming and friendly, and gave us a ton of information about the Brothers, as well as of the other country stars who originated in Central City! He also offered to take our picture in front of the marvelous outdoor Everly Brothers monument! Admission is free but the museum runs off of donations, and there is parking available right in front or directly across the street. The collectables inside the museum are also very fascinating, such as a jukebox that is accessible with the press of one button, and a mini theatre with a short documentary. There is also a little gift shop with lots of great goodies for reasonable prices.There were also exhibits for Merle Travis and John Prine (who wrote 'Paradise' that the Evs covered so well) There is also a small motor museum out the back  Not too far from here is the cemetery where Phil and Ike Everly are buried, and just 6 or so miles south is Drakesboro where there is a '4 legends' fountain which pays tribute to Ike Everly (the boys' father), Mose Rager, Kennedy Jones and Merle Travis. The surrounding streets are also named for each of the 4.

22.) Camp Wildcat Battlefield located in London If you are looking to educate yourself about our American history and grab some exercise, go visit the Camp Wildcat Battlefield. It is beautiful year round and just 10 minutes from the interstate. Hiking Trails are just steps away from the self guided tour. A visit to the Camp Wildcat Battlefield, which I bet you have never heard of, is a reminder of how geography determines battle sites and outcomes of battles affect overall strategy. After driving a blind hill up to a railroad crossing and backing up for a couple vehicles on the narrow gravel road to reach the site, I joked to my family they should have fought closer to the interstate, which of course didn't exist in 1861. What the Union army was trying to protect and what the Confederates wanted to control was the Wilderness Road across Kentucky and the Rock Castle and Kentucky RIvers nearby. Like many other times in the Civil War, (Murfreesboro, Shiloh, Chickamuaga, Lookout Mountain) the confederates had the early advantage but lost the battle. As at Gettysburg a couple years later, the confederates failed to take the high ground (Hoosier Ridge/ Little Roundtop) launched an all out artillery barrage with little effect, then charged (although not as disastrously as Pickett). Union reinforcements rushed to the scene and the confederates were forced to retreat. General Zillicoffer's bad luck continued when he later rode into Union lines by mistake and was killed at the Mill Spring battlefield. The battle monument and the interpretive plaza are accessible, the Hoosier Ridge trail is not.

23.) Tebbs Bend - Green River Bridge Battlefield located in Campbellsville Turn on Tebbs Bend Road, stop at the first stop, a brochure is available on the front porch. The stops of interest are clearly marked. Historical markers. Plenty of area to get out and walk. Very informative and enjoyable at your own pace. Beautiful picturesque countryside. The driving tour consists of 13 stops. A rare civil war event. Union troops outnumbered 5 to 1 prevailed against one of the Confederate's best commanders. At least one of the buildings on the tour was there during the battle and served as a hospital. More nice surprises on the tour. Do not recommend attempting this tour in the dark or when the roads are snow or ice covered since a steep hill is involved.

24.) Green River Lake - US Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center located in Campbellsville The Visitor Center is located near the dam at the Corps office. Brochures and area information are available at the Visitor Center, as well as an interactive exhibit area where the public can view and learn about the local wildlife and water safety. An overlook area where people can get a great view and take photos of the lake and dam is also found near the Visitor Center. The Atkinson-Griffin Civil War Log Cabin is also located here; free tours of the cabin can be taken daily.

25.) Civil War Fort Duffield located in West Point This is undoubtedly the best preserved earthen Civil War fort in Kentucky. Built in 1861 by orders of William T. Sherman was used to guard against attack from the Confederacy. Although no battles were fought here there is one soldier listed as killed by a sniper. The others were felled by disease. Once you get to the top there’s a nice view of the Ohio River and West Point, Kentucky. Unfortunately events have been postponed due to the Covid pandemic a couple of years ago. Hopefully they will resume activities at some point in the future. For those with mobility issues the road to the top is closed.  You do have to walk 1/4 mile uphill to the fort. The road comes to a T with the fort on the right and the memorial cemetery up another hill to the left. Although there are markers at the cemetery the bodies have been removed long ago I was told. Yet the director of the West Point Historical Museum contends that there are bodies buried up there that are unmarked.

26.) The Cannonball in Elizabethtown  On Dec. 27, 1862, when 3,900 Confederates under the command of General John Hunt Morgan attacked and subdued entrenched Union forces, 652 strong, commanded by Lt. Col. Smith. The Union defenders, greatly outnumbered, could offer little resistance. About noon, Morgan's artillery commander, Captain White, ordered his cannons to commence firing. One ball became embedded in a wall.

27.) 1921 Standard Oil Station located in Bowling Green An excellent use and preservation of an original 1920's gas station. I am glad that historic places like this are saved. If you walk around the area, you will also see some other surviving/repurposed old stations that live on. It's great to save history especially if it can serve a purpose in another way.

28.) Bell County Historical Society located in Middlesbrough  hours of operation are 10-4pm Located in an Andrew Carnegie Library built in 1912 many of the exhibit cases are repurposed bookshelves. From the story about Middlesboro being the only town in North America located in a meteor crater, to a BigFoot costume that fooled many, this museum has a lot to offer. The director offered to walk us through and gave us an overview of the museum then we wandered at our own pace.Some of the numerous displays are devoted to early tools, coal mining, trains, an Elizabethan parlor and tavern

29.) Middle Creek National Battlefield located in Prestonsburg This battle happened early in the Civil War and led to KY not siding with the Confederate States, so it was fairly significant although it was relatively small in casualties and time of battle. There is a large parking area with several signs to describe the events that took place before, during, and after, along with a replica statue of Abraham Lincoln. There is a walking trail, which is easy for anyone to take, with a few signs along the route.

30.) Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site located in Tompkinsville The grounds were impeccably maintained, there was a friendly park official, and the rest rooms were nice. When you enter the old log meeting structure, the lights turn on and there is a recorded interpretive soundtrack that gives you interesting and essential information to understand what you are seeing

31.) Country Music Highway located in Paintsville "The Country Music Highway is the easternmost corridor in the Highlands and Waterways Region of Southern and Eastern Kentucky. It follows US-23 through Lawrence County, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, Pikeville, and then along US-119/US-23 to the Virginia border and on to Whitesburg. As noted in its name, the Country Music Highway celebrates the lives of dozens of famous country music stars that grew up along this route."

32.) Superhero Creamery located in Ashland Superhero Creamery is a frozen yogurt and ice cream store. We also offer comic books, toys, collectibles, and a Creative Studio featuring on-location custom T-shirt and banner printing, as well as pottery painting. We have been voted Top 10 Best Ice Cream Parlors in Kentucky!

33.) A Taste of Kentucky located in Louisville hours of operation are 10-9pm Gifts and goods with a distinctive Kentucky flavor! The Commonwealth's largest selection of Kentucky made or inspired foods, crafts, art, souvenirs, books, and gifts. Nationwide shipping.

34.) Toyota Visitor Center and Plant Tour hours of operation are 8:30am-6pm Toyota Kentucky, located in Georgetown, is Toyota’s first and largest vehicle manufacturing plant in America. Each day, around 2,000 Toyotas are handcrafted by skilled Kentuckians, including America’s best selling car for 13 years running, the Camry, as well as the Camry Hybrid and Toyota’s flagship vehicle, the Avalon. Tours run five days a week, last about an hour and require a reservation to guarantee your seat.

35.) Boone Creek Creamery located in Lexington  hours of operation are 9-5pm Artisan cheese maker with free tours. Our retail store has the largest selection of Kentucky Proud products in the state. Free samplings of amazing cheeses, jams, mustards, BBQ sauces and more. Visit our Hobbit Cave and become an honorary Cheese Minion.

With just over 300 things to do in the state you really kind find many interesting things to do to get back in touch with nature and spend time with family and friends.

I hope that you have enjoyed this week's tour and come back next week for another amazing adventure. Remember to always be kind as it costs nothing and if you see someone without a smile stop and give them yours a smile is contagious.

Written by: BeautifulChaos318