Our hosts picked us up around 10 am, we we were on our way.....well, as far as the local Starbucks where Richard purchased coffees for those interested, and then we were off! The drive west on I-64 was beautiful, even though the trees have not begun to leaf out yet....Spring is a little late here in the east. We arrived at our destination just after 11 am, donned our hiking gear, and set out on our 7.5 mile hiking loop through this beautifuly park. There is a large limestone ridge that runs throughout this area, and it makes for some spectacular pictures.
Rhonda and TLE
Richard
Passing by a waterfall as we cross a suspension bridge
The 2nd suspension bridge was out
Around 2.5 hours in into our hike we decided to find a place to sit, and eat some snacks and enjoy the quiet of this wilderness area. Of course as we walked there was rarely a lull in the conversation. Richard is great story teller, and he did not disappoint this day. Eventually we came to the 2nd of the two suspension bridges and found, as you can see above, that it was impassable due to damage from a winter storm. It is obvious is is being repaired, and should be back in use within a week, or two. Nevertheless, we had to find a way across this river that didn't involve getting wet......we moved up stream a couple hundred yards, and were able to find enough rocks close enough together to allow us to hop, skip and jump across the 50 foot wide flow.....no small animals were harmed, and we all made it without falling in the water....quite an accomplishment. The last time I tried to "hop, skip and jump" across an even smaller body of water in Yosemite back in 2007 I fell injuring my right thumb quite severely. This time I had hiking poles, which allowed me to keep my balance.
All in all we were out for almost 5 hours......as we came around a bend in the trail the parking lot was suddenly in sight....the time had flown by. Both TLE and I were very happy at how well we did on our first long walk in a long time. Carter Caves is a very nice resort....there is a lodge, a restaurant, a very nice RV park, miniature golf, a swimming pool, etc. According to Richard this is pretty typical of Kentucky state parks.
We were home by 5 pm. We agreed to meet our hosts at their home around 6:30 for Chicken Alfredo.....Richard is a wonderful chef, and makes his own pasta from scratch. As he was working on the pasta we sipped Savignon Blanc and talked about meeting up again in June at the Newell Mini Rally in Spearfish, SD.
Another lovely evening spent with good friends.....we got home around 9 pm, and I watched most of the second NCAA final four game between Syracuse and Michigan, with Michigan advancing to the final where they will meet Louisville who prevailed over Wichita State in the first game. Both games were right down to the wire....just like I like them.
Thanks for stopping by!
I spent some serious time as a boy camping with my family and hiking all over Carter Caves by myself. I have been a lot of places and saw some fabulous sites since then but Carter Caves State Park holds a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad's family originated near there so we still go back from time to time for family events at Carter Caves. I think it is even better than I remember as a kid.
I have had our 45 footer in there. The only close place was the hairpin curve on the way up the hill.
I am glad you were able to visit Carter Caves and hope you like it enough to go back some time.
By the way, Olive Hill is the hometown of Tom T. Hall.
Davy
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