Lexington, KY - Grant County, including the larger towns of Williamstown, Corinth, Dry Ridge and Crittenden, is an easy drive north of Lexington and makes for a wonderful rural diversion. Some folks know Dry Ridge for the former outlet stores where you can now find crafts at the Grant County Tourism Center. I traveled to both the tourism center and stayed at the 1850s Mullins Cabin.
Folks are intrigued with the idea of staying in a primitive log cabin. I asked Judy Mullins how she came to acquire the cabin. She said she was at the country store in Cordova in 1991 when she overheard the storekeeper asking a gentleman what he had been doing. The man replied that he was going to burn his cabin if somebody didn't "come get it," as his daughter wanted to put a trailer on the spot of land.
Judy replied: "Please don't burn the cabin. I'll be right over." Maybe Judy thought she could just pick it up and carry it back to her farm. The process actually took all summer, since each log had to be relocated piece by piece and then reassembled by an assorted cast of characters.
The cabin is a one-room historic home and is now just a few miles from its previous location. There is a loft with a cozy bed for two and more sleeping room on the floor level with a sofa bed for two. The original stones for the fireplace were moved and rebuilt.
The Mullins Cabin has a front porch and is located off a pretty little creek. Hills rise behind the cabin to the south and other farmhouses are not far away. But the feeling is very expansive, rural and peaceful. My girlfriend and I hiked the hills, walked along the historic rock fences and gazed at incredible starry night views. The cabin is electricity-free and if the weather is cold, you can light the wood in the fireplace. They have a back up kerosene heater, too.
We enjoyed the rustic ambiance with wood fire, candles and oil lamps. We read poetry to each other and imagined life full time without television, phones and computers. Hawks screeched nearby and the downtime was indulgent and pleasant. If you want your group to have something more to do than whittle away the time, Judy will teach you any of several workshops that include basket making, seat weaving and an all-day herbal workshop. I noticed the fragrant mint growing down at the creek and Judy will show folks where other herbs are located around the property.
I met first met Judy at the Grant County Tourism shop, where they happen to sell my books. The tourism shop is right off Interstate 75 (at Exit 159, Dry Ridge) behind the Cracker Barrel restaurant. The address is 1116 Fashion Ridge Rd. Dry Ridge, Ky. For more information, call (800) 382-7117.
I was immediately interested in seeing the handmade crafts and fine art. Some of the wonderful arts and crafts sold at the shop include wooden products, such as bowls, baskets, UK crates and banks. They also have paintings, photography, lamp-work, beaded jewelry, purses, herbal soaps, primitive folk-art, painted tables, signs, candles, corn-hole bags and games, handmade checkerboards, quilts, and pillows. The center features an Artist of the Month, so merchandise changes on a regular basis. In addition they sell pottery and show the work by doll maker Nita Keeler, who uses no patterns. Her dolls are very creative and she's been featured in several doll magazines.
The Mullins Cabin, which is about 15 miles from the tourism shop, sits on six acres; walnut and other trees shade the creek. Besides overnight guests, they welcome groups from schools, businesses and churches. It makes a nice field trip for kids too. Contact owner Judy at (859) 322-3082. You can send an e-mail inquiry to
logcabin1999@yahoo.com or peruse the Web site www.mullinslogcabin.net.