Take A Hike: The Pinnacles

Eastern Kentucky is home to numerous hiking locations, but one remains a local favorite. The Pinnacles in Berea offer several trails for all levels of climbing expertise. From winding paths to massive rocks beckoning to be scaled, The Pinnacles has something to offer all of its visitors.

East Pinnacle

The trek up East Pinnacle is .89 miles in length, and is located on the eastern side of the property. The view overlooks Big Hill and US-421. There are several rocks along the path, but required climbing and fancy footwork is kept to a minimum.

West Pinnacle

Though only .79 miles in length, West Pinnacle is perhaps one of the most difficult trails to pursue. With steep rock formations to overcome and minimal flat land for resting, the climb is somewhat intense. However, the view from atop the rock is well worth it.

Eagle’s Nest

Just past Devil’s Kitchen on the northern end of the property, reaching the Eagle’s Nest provides hikers with a long and winding climb. A total of 1.82 miles from the parking lot, this trail includes large gaps between boulders, requiring a leap from one rock to the next. The view overlooks the hills of Red Lick and beyond.

Indian Fort Lookout

Approximately 1.2 miles northwest of the parking lot, Indian Fort Lookout provides trail goers with a short, brisk hike. The trail includes steep rocks to climb over, as well as large tree roots to step over. The view overlooks the city of Berea, as well as parts of Richmond.

Found & Foraged

^{Photo courtesy of Country File.}

In a world where everyone relies on the convenience of supermarkets and corner stores for groceries, it’s safe to say that most people are out of touch with where their food comes from. Not only that, but they don’t realize that food actually grows all around us. We just have to train our eyes to seek it out and identify it correctly.

In Kentucky, there are several species of greens, mushrooms and berries that are safe for human consumption. In addition, some can be used for medicinal purposes. Let’s take a closer look at what’s growing in your backyard.

Dandelion

^{Photo courtesy of Eat Weeds.}

Ah, yes. The loathed dandelion. Counted a weed and a nuisance, it’s often overlooked as a vitamin-rich food source. All parts of a dandelion plant can be eaten, minus the puff after it turns to seed. The yellow buds can be eaten raw or deep friend in batter. They can also be used to make dandelion jelly and wine. The stems can be eaten raw; a nice addition to salads. Lastly, the roots can be boiled to make a tea, which can have amazing health benefits.

Violets

^{Photo courtesy of Farison Lawn Care.}

Not only are the beautiful, but violets can add color to your favorite salad. Use the blooms to make a tea and eat the leaves to add some extra vitamins to your diet. Avoid the root, though.

Persimmons

^{Photo courtesy of Bower & Branch.}

Persimmons are often used to predict upcoming winter weather. If you see a spoon when you split the seed open, watch out! But they also have many health benefits, as well. Persimmons are said to prevent heart attack and stroke, as well as supply the body with vitamin A, vitamin C and manganese. Look for this fruit to ripen in early September.

Elderberries

^{Photo courtesy of The Spruce.}

If you know anything about herbal medicine, you know elderberries are a super healer. These berries are full of vitamins, antioxidants, and can be used to fight off inflammation and allergies. Boil dried berries for 15-20 minutes to make a tea.

Redbud

^{Photo courtesy of Virginia Native Plant Society.}

Redbud trees can be seen blooming in early Spring in Kentucky. And what a glorious sight they are to behold! Redbud buds can be eaten raw or used to make jelly. Boiling redbud bark results in a tea that acts as a cough suppressant and cold/ flu remedy.

Broadleaf Plantain

^{Photo courtesy of Purdue Turf Management.}

Often classified as a common weed, broadleaf plantain is more than just a pest plant. The leaves can be eaten in salad, sure, but the real super power lies in the plant’s topical healing power. Have a bee sting? Crush up a plantain leaf (releasing the pulp and oils) and apply it to the affected site. Near instant pain relief.

Houseplant Heaven

^{Photo courtesy of The Spruce.}

If you’re anything like me, you love a good house plant. There’s just something about having a bit of greenery indoors that takes some of the gloominess out of the winter months. Caring for my plants has brought me a sense of purpose and tranquility. My husband calls it obsessive; I call it therapeutic. When searching for additional greenery to spruce up your living space, look no further than these Lexington greenhouses and nurseries.

Pemberton Greenhouses

Location: 555 Keller Ct, Lexington, KY 40511

Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday – Saturday

Photos courtesy of Pemberton Greenhouses.

Pemberton has something for everybody. No matter your budget or taste, rest assure you won’t walk out empty-handed. This greenhouse offers a wide variety of plants, pots and tools. Perhaps one of the best things about Pemberton is the friendly, helpful staff. Or maybe it’s the sweet feline friends that keep you company as you shop. Either way, Pemberton is top notch when it comes to beauty and affordability!

King’s Gardens Garden Center

Location: 4560 Nicholasville Rd, Lexington, KY 40515

Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM, Tuesday – Friday

Photos courtesy of King’s Gardens Garden Center.

Conveniently located on Nicholasville Road, King’s is a jack of all trades. Year-round, shoppers can find something suitable for every season. Planters, wreathes and houseplants are only a taste of what King’s has in store. They also provide landscape design, landscape installation and tree installation. Be sure to check out their gift section, full of chimes and trinkets. King’s excels in versatility and quality!

Wilson Nurseries & Plant Co.

Location: 2700 Palumbo Dr, Lexington, KY 40509

Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday – Friday // 9 AM – 4 PM, Saturday & Sunday

Photos courtesy of Wilson Nurseries on Google Maps.

Buying from Wilson Nurseries isn’t just plant shopping, it’s an experience. From the plant selection to the shop’s aesthetic, the vibe is immaculate. Wilson offers beautiful blooms for outdoor gardening and tropical greenery for indoors. The greenhouse features a range of annuals and perennials, or you can start from the seed. If it’s luxury and variety you’re looking for, head on over to Wilson Nurseries!

Day Trip: Cumberland Falls

Looking for a day trip that includes hiking, sight-seeing and a spectacular waterfalls? Look no further than Cumberland Falls (aka: the Niagara of the South).

_{Cumberland Falls State Park. Photo courtesy of Kentucky State Parks.}

Cumberland Falls is located in Corbin, KY (a little less than an hour and a half south of Lexington). The drive is long and winding, but well worth it considering what this state park and resort has to offer.

Hiking

Eagle Falls Trail.
Photo courtesy of Scenic USA.

Sheltowee Trace Trail to KY 192.
Photo courtesy of Corbin Tourism.

Dog Slaughter Falls.
Photo courtesy of Kentucky Hiker.

According to AllTrails, Cumberland Falls is currently ranked #1 of 278 state parks in hiking trails. With several easy to moderate trails to enjoy, it’s easy to see why. Among those, some of the most popular trails include Eagle Falls Trail, Sheltowee Trace Trail to KY 192, and the trail leading to Dog Slaughter Falls. Each hike takes you through lush, dense forest while keeping you close to the main park area. Along your journey, you’re likely to find a variety of frogs, salamanders, turtles and birds. While you’re encouraged to enjoy viewing these animals in their natural habitats, it’s important you do not interact with them. Always be respectful of wildlife, and remember: Leave no trace!

Moon Bow

_{Moon Bow at Cumberland Falls. Photo courtesy of Amazing America.}

Cumberland Falls is one of only two places in the U.S. where the moon bow phenomenon can be seen throughout the year. Moon bows work a lot like a regular rainbow, however, the light from the moon isn’t bright enough for our eyes to detect the color being refracted through the water droplets in the air. So, instead of being colorful, the moon bow appears to be white. Moon bow sighting dates for 2022 and 2023 are listed below. Dates courtesy of Cumberland Falls State Resort Park’s website.

• January 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 (2022)
• February 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (2022)
• March 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 (2022)
• April 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (2022)
• May 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (2022)
• June 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 (2022)
• July 9, 10, 13, 14, 15 (2022)
• Aug 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 (2022)
• Sept 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (2022)
• Oct 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (2022)
• Nov 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (2022)
• Dec 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (2022)
• January 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (2023)
• February 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (2023)
• March 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (2023)
• April 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (2023)
• May 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (2023)
• June 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (2023)
• July 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 30, 31 (2023)
• Aug 1, 2, 3, 27, 28, 30, 31 (2023)
• Sept 1, 27, 28, 29, 30 (2023)
• Oct 1, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 (2023)
• Nov 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 (2023)
• Dec 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (2023)

Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower

^{Photo courtesy of © Clay Cook 2018 and Kentucky State Parks.}

Arguably the best view in the whole state park, the Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower stands above the trees, offering a birds-eye view of surrounding forest and mountains. The tower was built in 1937 by the U.S. Forest Service to house on-duty firewatchers. Since then, it’s been retired, now serving as a sight-seeing platform for park visitors and nature lovers alike.

Gift Shop

_{Cumberland Falls Gift Shop. Photo courtesy of Kentucky State Parks.}

After a day of soaking up the sunshine, take some time to wind down in the Cumberland Falls gift shop. Located next to the parking lot, visitors pass the shop on their way into the park. However, it pays to visit on your way out, because of all the goodies you’ll likely purchase! The gift shop offers souvenirs to fit every budget and style. (Pro tip: be sure to snag an Ale-8 and a container of Ruth Hunt’s pulled cream candy for the drive home. And tell everyone in your party to get their own, because you sure won’t want to share!)

Other Activities

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park also offers visitors lodging, bird watching locations, horseback riding, rafting, gem mining and more! Visit the park’s website for more details. And as always, enjoy your day!

DuPont Lodge interior.
Photo courtesy of Corbin Tourism.

Bird watching location.
Photo courtesy of Kentucky State Parks.

Horseback riding.
Photo courtesy Kentucky Tourism.

Rafting near the falls.
Photo courtesy of Kentucky Tourism.

Gem mining.
Photo courtesy of LexFun4Kids.

Hillbilly Tap Dancing

One of the oldest forms of dance in Appalachia is known as “hillbilly tap dancing,” or clogging.

Dating back to the late 1800s, the dance took on its form as a social construct. A mashup of numerous different styles, clogging has roots in tap, Irish step, and African dance.

Story has it that late at night, when immigrants would come home from work, they would all gather in one central location. Everyone would share their native dance style, which eventually gave way to what we now call clogging.

Cloggers wear shoes that have taps on both the toes and heels. These taps are attached using nails, but in such a way that still allows the tap to jingle when shaken. Besides the actual style of the dance, this is the most prominent way clogging differs from tap. The taps on tap shoes are attached so that there is no movement within it, thus giving it a higher pitched sound when struck against the ground.

As of 2006, clogging was named Kentucky’s State Dance. There are several clogging teams located across the state that perform in competitions, at festivals, and for private gatherings. Some of the most well-known cloggers in America have roots right here in Eastern Kentucky. With names like “Kentucky Drag,” even several of the dance’s steps have ties to the Bluegrass.

Clogging has evolved dramatically over the years.

Solely dancing to bluegrass and country music has given way to pop culture. Clogging groups have dominated talent competitions such as “America’s Got Talent,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “America’s Best Dance Crew.” These teams have shown the world that the style can be altered to suit any personal preference, and that  stereotypical perceptions of the dance are no longer accurate.

Though the times have changed, one thing remains true: Clogging is still Appalachia’s dance. Always has been. Always will be.

 

 

Favorite Festivals

Festivals are a way to spend time with family and friends while enjoying local cuisine, company, and crafts. Not only are the following festivals interesting, but they’ve also made a name for themselves across the Bluegrass.

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Festival of the Bluegrass

Location: Lexington, KY

Date: June 8th-11th, 2017

Established in 1974, this traditional bluegrass festival blends local talent with well established musicians. A family-friendly environment, this festival offers kid’s BYOI (bring your own instrument) jam sessions, as well as camping options.

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Berea Craft Festival

Location: Berea, KY

Date: July 7th-9th, 2017

Since 1982, the Berea Craft Festival has offered singing, dancing, crafts, food, and artisan demonstrations to its visitors. Located at the base of The Pinnacles, this festival has continued to grow every year, with no plans of stopping any time soon.

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World Chicken Festival

Location: London, KY

Date: September 21st-24th, 2017

Laurel County is home to both one of the world’s first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants and Lee Cummings, co-founder of Lee’s Famous Recipe. So, where else would you host the World Chicken Festival? Rides, games, and deep fried taste-testing make this event a must-see.

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Kentucky Wool Festival

Location: Falmouth, KY

Date: October 6th-8th, 2017

Promoting wool products, this festival is known for its unique exhibitions of sheep shearing and herding. The goal is to provide a unique experience, accompanied by tasty foods, interesting crafts, and old-fashioned, kid-friendly fun.

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Court Days

Location: Mount Sterling, KY

Date: October 13th-16th, 2017

Always held during the third Monday in October, Court Days has proven to be a crowd favorite. The streets of Mount Sterling are flooded with buyers, sellers, traders, and onlookers alike. Bargains and fair food keep customers happy and returning year after year.

 

 

 

In the Shadows

Photo courtesy of Flikr. 

Everyone has a ghost story, and everyone believes it’s true. However, the things that this Kentucky resident claims to have seen in these hills is unsettling. From creatures that reek of rotten flesh to glimpses of ghostly anomalies, one man has seen a bit of everything the supernatural world has to offer.

Wayne Baker, a Hazard County native, described some of his encounters.

“One time I was driving down the road late at night, and I saw a man walking with a bag slung over his shoulder. He looked pretty banged up. I slowed down to ask if he needed a ride. He wouldn’t talk. He just smiled. Something was just off about him. I couldn’t put my finger on it. I was kind of creeped out, so I left. When I looked back in my rearview, he was gone.”

Baker claims to have experienced several other incidences, as well. However, the one that is most prevalent in his mind is one that took a little coaxing to retrieve.

“I don’t like talking about it much,” Baker said. “I’ve only told a few people what happened that night.”

After much insisting on sharing, Baker finally opened up.

“I had just graduated high school, and I decided to go coon hunting with my buddies. We were all laughing and having a good time, until we smelled a really strong odor. Kind of like rotting meat. We were pretty close to a farm, so we thought maybe a cow had fallen into a sink hole and died. Sad, but it happened all the time where I grew up. But that wasn’t it at all.”

He tensed up.

“We heard rustling in the leaves. Our dogs started barking, acting crazy. Typical scary story stuff, but it happened. We figured it was a possum or a rabbit, until it moved closer. We could tell it had a longer gait. That’s what freaked us out so much. It sounded like a person.”

“We got our guns ready, waiting for some psychopath in the woods to come out and kill us. But nothing ever came. Moments went by, which seemed like hours, before anyone moved. We grabbed our things and got the heck out of Dodge.”

But that wasn’t the end.

“When we got back to the truck, we were able to breathe for a second. We laughed at how foolish we had acted, and we loaded up. But right as we were about to leave, that smell hit us. That stench. God, it was so bad. That’s when I realized what was happening.”

He looked up.

“We were being followed.”

Baker shook his head, as if he were still doubting what he actually saw that night.

“I looked at my buddies, and they were all petrified. I turned to look back at the tree line we had came from, and it was there. At first I thought it was a deer or a goat, but it was standing too tall. It easily towered over smaller bushes nearby. My friend shot up in the air, which must have scared it. As it moved, I caught a glimpse of the rest of its body. It stood upright like a man, and its knees were popped backwards. Then it was gone.”

Baker said the few he’s disclosed the close call to have suggested he saw a wendigo. Native Americans believed a person turns into this demonic creature after practicing cannibalism. Many sightings have been reported in Kentucky, yet no definitive proof has been presented.

“I don’t know what it was,” Baker said. “But I’ll never go into those woods again. I know that much.”

 

 

Blackberry Heaven

Summertime in Kentucky means a number of things. Flip-flop weather, cricket choirs, sweet tea, cookouts, and sunshine. However, for Betty Deatherage, a 73 year old Berea native, blackberries are the name of the game.

Beginning around July, any respectable fencepost can usually be spotted sporting a decent blackberry patch. However, the best thickets grow deep in the hollers of cow pastures and rolling farm land. Grab yourself a few 5 gallon buckets and a friend, and you’ve got all you need to make a day of picking.

“There’s no wrong way to eat a blackberry,” says Deatherage. “You can spin them into almost anything. Dumplings, tarts, cheesecake, ice cream, and muffins. Oh, and cobbler. Can’t forget that!”

Betty recalls many fond memories of picking berries with her mother and sisters.

“We would be out there all day,” she said. “It wasn’t like it was a chore, though. We wanted to be there, because we knew the more berries we picked, the more cobbler Mama would make!”

The recipe comes from a long line of women, passed down generation to generation (as any good recipe is). From kitchen to kitchen, this rendition has put a smile on many faces.

“I wish everyone could taste it,” Deatherage said. “To me, it’s like the taste of summertime… and memories.”

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Graves’ Blackberry Cobbler

Crust:

• 1 stick margarine
• 1 cup self rising flour
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Berries:

• 3 cup blackberries
• 1 and 1/2 cup sugar

Melt margarine in 13x9x2 inch pan. Mix flour, milk, egg, vanilla, and the 1/4 cup sugar.

While the margarine is melting and you are mixing the batter, put the berries and the 1 and 1/2 cups sugar on the stove in a medium saucepan, getting it hot.

Pour the batter into the melted margarine. Add the berries into the batter. Spread the berries to all edges of the pan.

Bake at 400° for 20-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

(*Optional: top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.)

The Story of Burnt Ridge Road

Nestled in the hills of Rockcastle County is a place the locals have come to call “The Ridge.” It’s home to brambling briars, the occasional black bear, and around forty-five people. Oh, and it also served as a safe haven for Daniel Boone, as well as grounds for a lesser known Civil War battle.

Legend has it that while making his journey across Appalachia, Boone took refuge from the elements and native hostility near the Madison, Jackson, and Rockcastle County line . Though history books never mention exactly where he stayed, locals are convinced that Boone sought shelter in a cave on The Ridge. Not only that, but many claim there is a carving in a nearby rock of Boone’s footprint, with “D.B.” initialed underneath.

Nearly a hundred years later, The Ridge served as a battleground for a long-forgotten skirmish between the states. Stories say that the Union was holding territory on the upper end of the ridge top, and the Confederacy was advancing from the lower end. Once the two troops met in the middle, the battle began. There was a long, wooden bridge connecting one high point to another, and amidst the fighting, it was burned to the ground. The Confederacy prevailed, and began its march to Richmond. From that day forward, the area was dubbed “Burnt Bridge,” thus giving way to its current name, Burnt Ridge Road.