The Southern Prairies

What is Life? It is a flash of a firefly in the night. It is a breath of a buffalo in the winter time. It is as the little shadow that runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset. Crowfoot (c.1830-1890), chief of the Blackfoot Indians 

Relaxing a-la-Bison

 The Native Indians were deeply in touch with nature, and for good reason. Their lives were intertwined physically and spiritually, and they depended on the land for their survival. In the early days of the Great Plains the Indians set regular fires to bring forth new shoots and attract the bison and grazing herds. It was a way of life, and together they helped to maintain over 700 million acres of native grasses stretching from Tennessee to the steps of the Rockies.  

A glimpse into a life that once was

Today, less than 1% of these grasses remain, the prairies destroyed by early settlers, bison hunting (to near extinction in the 1890′s) and encroachment of the forest. Similar to the north, many Southern states are working on conservation and reintroduction of native grasses, and we got a view of that effort at the Elk and Bison Range in Land Between the Lakes, KY. 

It’s a small glimpse into a life that once was. Bison ranging on the prairie, grasses swaying and  bursting with life, and a peek into the past. Worth the trip indeed.

NF Campground Rating – Hillman Ferry (Land Between the Lakes, KY)

Our first campground in Kentucky and a definite keeper!

Link to campground here: Land Between the Lakes, KY
Link to map here: Land Between the Lakes, KY

  

1. Site Quality = 4.5/5
   We really liked the sites here. The campground is huge (over 400 sites), and I’d say there were very few that weren’t decent. Sites are hard gravel, large, very level and with fire-pit and picnic bench. They are well rated (size-wise) so if you reserve a site for your rig size you should have no problem fitting in. There’s a selection of full hook-ups, electric/water, electric only and primitive, and you can choose from heavy forest (in T-section) down to waterfront (in C-section) either with or without shade.
2. Facilities = 4.5/5
   Nice facilities here. There’s flush toilets and individual (very large) shower stalls with good water pressure. There’s also a laundry machine in each shower area. The campground has lake access all along the shore with boat-ramps, fishing and a designated swim-beach in section A. Also, several playground and picnic areas. Central dump station (albeit with an odd, sharp right-hand turn to get in).
3. Location = 5/5
   You can’t really beat the location here. Land Between the Lakes is a huge  recreation area with hundreds of miles of hiking trails, biking, lake access, and water sports. There’s a large Nature Station, a historical working 19th century farm, a planetarium and even a Bison & Elk range. You’re also within 4 miles of Grand River which has a small grocery and a good restaurant (Patti’s).
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Great doggie play-area. Lots of space to hike and hang out in the campground, plus water access around the lake.

Overall Rating = 4.75
BONUS ALERT = Lake views, hiking, swimming and outdoor beauty all at your doorstep!  

Summary: When we arrived at this campground we immediately decided to stay longer than planned, it was that good. Land Between the Lakes is a huge (170,000-acre) recreation area set beautifully between Kentucky and Barkley Lake. The area has several large campgrounds, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails and every type of outdoor activity you could imagine. Hillman Ferry is located on the North End, has over 400 sites and is by far the most developed National Forest campground we’ve ever seen.  The sites are nice, level, large hard gravel pads and there’s a complete selection from full hook-up to primitive, heavily wooded to fully open lake-view. By far the prettiest (in our opinion) sites are the water-front ones in Section C1 and C2, although all the sites are decent. A portion of the sites are auctioned off for the season each year (and occupied by long-term campers) but the prime sites are kept open and reservable. The area is fairly quiet during the week, but does tend to fill-up in the week-end so book ahead if you want a lake view. We spent some lovely days here watching the sunset over the lake, hiking and playing in the water w/ Polly. A definite keeper!  

 Extra Info:  Both AT&T phones and Verizon wireless worked. Full selection of reservable sites from primitive to full hook-up (book well ahead for lake views). Sites are $23/night for electric/water. Central dump and potable water. Laundry.  

One of the full-view waterfront sites (#C38)

View from our site (#C59) looking down to the corner site (#C64)

One of shaded water-side sites in beginning of C-section (#C9)

View down road in beginning of C-section

View down road in heavily wooded T-section

Playing by the lake w/ Polly

Kentucky – Bourbon, BBQ & Just a touch of Fall

A mint julep is not a product of a formula. It is a ceremony and must be performed by a gentleman possessing a true sense of the artistic; a deep reverence for the ingredients and a proper appreciation of the occasion.

Lt. Simon Bolivar Buckner, 1937

Just a touch of fall

 Ahhh, Kentucky….land of bourbon and BBQ, fried chicken and the venerable Kentucky Derby. I feel a sudden impulse to wear large, floppy hats and sip Mint Juleps while giving out practical southern advice. After all, with our passing out of Illinois we’ve now officially entered the South and, as everyone knows, things are different here. A certain sense of ceremony and history about the place, even when it comes to drinking, as Lt Buckner so eloquently explained. 

Polly poses in the evening sun

With our entrance into this new phase of our travels we also feel a change in the air. The very first stirrings of fall, a subtle changing of colors and a sniff of cooler nights. We drop our jacks at Kentucky Lake and admire the view. Instantly we decide to stay longer than planned to absorb the whole thing fully. After all, everyone takes their fine time in the South and, as they say down here, if something just dills your pickle, it should be worth stickin’ around for. 

Kentucky Lake..worth a few more days indeed!