Arriving in Kentucky- Natural Bridge State Resort Park- Slade, KY

Hey There.....

On Thursday night (June 14th) I arrived in KY. I arrived to late to get a camp site so I stayed at a rest area (on I-64) for the night. It was a very hot all day...this brought in heat lightening that night. It was cool to watch thru my sun roof! I was able to have the sun roof open (without bugs getting in) cause David had made me a screen before I left home. It worked great! Thank you David (XOXOX)!!

I was up early Friday morning (4:30 a.m.) So after getting changed and straightening out the SUV, I was off. I saw the most beautiful sunrise while driving down Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway. (Pictures #1-5)

I now entered the Daniel Boone National Forest. This forest is very big and has several state parks within it. I was on my way to one of those state parks- "The Natural Bridge State Park". I was there by 6:30 a.m. LOL ....I was the only one there!! I started up a mountain path looking for the Natural Bridge, which is a landmark in this area. For more info on this park please see: http://www.naturalbridgekyskylift-and-giftshop.com/

There are several paths you can take up to this bridge. I took the original path. This path is .75 miles up the side of the mountain!! (and I mean STRAIGHT UP!!!!) Just as I got to the Bridge- the sun was coming up over the tops of the trees. It was so peaceful up there with the birds singing....... (Pictures #6-26 ) Then I made my way back down-and it much easier going down!! I did run across 2 young men, then a couple on my way back. I was back to the SUV by 8:30 a.m., and then was off to find another state park.

I continued on Combs Parkway to Route 15 then to Route 119. Off Route 119, (on Route 90) there wasthe other park I was searching for, "Cumberland Falls State Park". In this park there is a waterfall famous for it's moonbows. What are moonbows? During the full moon a moonbow appears at the falls. I wasn't going to be here for next full moon, but I did get the rainbow that appears every sunny day!! The walk here was much easier to do! There are a few observation spots from where you can view the falls. So I took pictures from a couple of them. It is a nice park- that has a lot to offer it's visitors. (Pictures #27-41)

Now I started heading north trying to decide where to stay for the night. I was making my way back to I-75 through Corbin, KY.; when I saw a historic place that made me smile. It was the "Harland Sanders Cafe & Museum". For those who don't know who that is....well he founded KFC!! I once worked for KFC as a part-time job. I remember reading about the beginnings of KFC during my orientation....and here it was - the original restaurant!! So I stopped and took some pictures and got a bit to eat. This cafe is in the National Register of Historic Places. Inside they have the original kitchen set up, the Colonel's office, and the prototype for the 1st modern motel room. Then on the other side of the cafe, there were many displays of KFC memorabilia and a couple statues of the Colonel, and of course the restaurant itself. They also have a miniature model of the original site in a display case.(Pictures #42-61)

Now I was getting tired....so I found a motel in Richmond, KY for a couple of nights. I will be heading out again on Sunday morning, after resting my back for a bit. I'll be heading to Lexington, KY to see the "Kentucky Horse Park". I'll get back to you and update you on my visit there, in a few days.

So until then...please take care- Love Donna

SEE PICTURES IN ALBUM #83:http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880
Tags: KY