Lexington, KY - Our current economic environment has lead to the forming of a few new phrases - "staycation" and "one-tank wonders" among them. They refer to the trend of staying as close to home as possible for entertainment, with the price of gas the major consideration in narrowing the field of travel.
Fortunately for Kentuckians it has lead to the realization of the wonders in our own backyard. The perfect guide to some of these gems is author Susan Reigler's The Complete Guide To Kentucky State Parks - a one-stop resource to the riches that our state parks hold. Both she and photographer Pam Spaulding personally visited each park to experience what they had to offer for young and old alike, and compiled their research and photographs to aid readers in planning vacations - be they day trips, weekend getaways or weeklong breaks.
Over 160 of Spaulding's photographs offer enticing glimpses into our state's natural beauty. Home to over 50 state parks (more than any other state), Kentucky boasts 17 resort parks offering full-service lodges and dining rooms, as well as numerous other attractions, such as nature trails and breath-taking scenery. The 24 recreational parks do not have lodges, though one has cottages, but offer everything from fishing and boating to horseback riding and hiking. Camping, golf, swimming, tennis and picnicking also join the list of things to do to relax and unwind in Kentucky's unique environs.
Eleven historical parks provide a relaxing getaway with the added bonus of an educational peek into Kentucky's past. With almost 50,000 acres of parks and 350,000 acres of lakeshore property, the Bluegrass offers plenty of territory to explore, and the Kentucky Department of Parks reports that almost 7 million visitors each year take advantage of all that these parks have to offer.
Reigler's guide divides Kentucky into four geographic regions: North Central, South Central, Eastern and Western areas. It alphabetically lists the parks in the introduction to each section. Breaking the list down into the resort, recreational and historic park categories, each park's essential information is provided and a map and contact information make planning anything from a day trip to a week's excursion an easy task. And in addition to the regional state-operated listings are three other parks: Breaks Interstate Park, Falls of the Ohio State Park and Kentucky Horse Park, each offering opportunities for recreation, education and local sites extraordinaire.
Reigler's descriptions of each park's highlights are as enticing as Spaulding's photographs. She writes of Dale Hollow in Burkesville: "The three-story glass and limestone lodge at Dale Hollow State Resort Park is perched on a cliff hundreds of feet above the surface of the lake. From the water, especially at dusk, when electric light shines from its tall windows, the lodge looks like a futuristic castle standing guard over the islands beneath it."
If history is of interest, Reigler offers vivid description. Of Fort Boonesborough State Park in Richmond, she said, "Not only is the fort here, but there is also a museum with exhibits on all aspects of Boone's life and career. ÖMen and women are purposefully engaged in all the activities they would have needed to sustain themselves in the wilderness. ...You will see and hear occasional music in the fort, courtesy of pioneers strumming on lutes and guitars."
If nature's displays beckon you, Reigler describes Cumberland Falls State Park in this way: "As is the case with any rushing water, you will hear Cumberland Falls before you see it. ÖFor a few nights each month, when the moon is full and the sky is clear, you will see a band of light shimmering in the watery mist generated by the falls. This is a moonbow and is the only one known to occur on a predictable basis in the Western hemisphere."
An invaluable guide to what Kentucky offers in its vast backyard, The Complete Guide to Kentucky State Parks will prove to be a useful resource well into the future.