Taylor Bay, Lake Barkley

Taylor Bay

Taylor Bay, Lake Barkley

Spring has finally sprung in Kentucky and I wasted no time on our first day above 60°. The bay had been chosen over the Winter, the gear prepped the night before, and dawn finally broke on canoe day. 

As the sun crested over the horizon I could see a patchy fog hung in the air, the temperature had dropped overnight to 40°, and I was still eager to set out.

We layered up on clothing so as the day warmed we could shed layers as needed. Once loaded I wheeled the truck to Land Between the Lakes and down past the Nature Station, and to Taylor Bay. 

Fog rises off Lake Barkley, Taylor Bay.

A chill hung in the morning air but there wasn't a cloud, a single RV was parked at the back country campground, it's generator humming, and the fog hung about the surface of the water. We unloaded the gear and canoe, then portaged the canoe to the water's edge. Once situated I climbed in the bow, my feet stinging in the cold water, and got seated. My husband took his seat in the stern and we set off. 

The views of the morning sun mixed with the rising fog were breathtaking. 

View in Taylor Bay

My feet bordered on numbness but I said nothing as we paddled out into the bay. We tried to paddle to the back of the bay, towards Taylor Creek, but despite the rainfall the water level remained low, thanks to TVA and Barkley Dam. Paddling across the bay to the far side, we began working our way toward a couple islands at the mouth. It was a good warm up and Mother Nature continued to awe us with here beauty in the early morning hours.

The Sun peers over the trees

View from the bow

Video Canoeing Lake Barkley

After leisurely paddling to the island we disembarked to stretch and explore. The ground was fairly rocky but it was a false sense of security as you soon began sinking into the muddy earth. Luckily it was firm enough and not soupy so exploring was still possible. While wandering we heard a barge blowing it's horn every now and again, it made us curious as to the reason. 

Island view looking toward Cumberland River or Lake Barkley

We wandered about and took a few photos before shoving off again. Paddling past the island and toward the adjoining bay of Jake's Fork I found the reason for the barge's horn. A fog bank hung out over the lake, river channel, and other islands.

Fog bank on Lake Barkley

Shore and fog bank from the bow

My husband noted a large bird with White tail feathers to our right and one look told me it was an American Bald Eagle. I watched as it swooped down to the water, snagged a small fish, and then flew toward the neighboring tree line. 

Paddling on we made our way to the far side of Jake's Fork Bay and spotted our Eagle friend again, perched high a top a tree branch, watching the lake for his next meal. Not far down the shore, into the bay, we spotted his nest off some yards into the woods. We took a moment to marvel at the creation and then paddled on into the bay further. 

A loud pair of geese voiced their disapproval of our visit and flew past above our heads, honking the whole way. My husband now spots a Doe in the woods on the ridge line and we watched her silently as we paddled to the back to the bay till the water became to shallow to continue much further. 

Guiding the canoe to the bank we again disembarked to stretch, explore and grab a bite. It had warmed to the mid 50's and we began removing layers. Setting up our picnic we noticed the Doe behind us in the woods, still following the ridge line. She paused to watch us and us her between prepping our food. No alarm was raised, the doe quietly watched us before finally continuing on her way. 

I stood eating a sandwich and wishing I could feel my feet, now completely numb from the cold water. Another boat entered the bay and trolled halfway back before setting a jug line. Brunch in our bellies now we set out again paddling to deeper water then cutting across the bay. As I photographed the Sun and sky to my right my husband spied a Beaver approaching. I quickly switched to video and recorded the swim by. 

Watch video here

We made the final push back to the boat ramp and our trusty Black Chevy. Our arms were feeling the burn from paddling so much but every bit was worth it! 

Happy Paddling & Hiking

Giveaway!!

Giveaway!! 

Prize!!

You must like Annie's Adventures Facebook page, comment, and share to be entered! Contest ends March 15th, winner will be announced on the page at 5pm CST. Grand Prize is an 8x10 framed photo of Spring in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hurry and enter to win! Good luck! 

Enter Giveaway Here!

Like the Facebook Page Here!

Must be 18 years old or older to enter, contest limited to residents of contingent Untied States, AK, HI, and US Territories excluded.

Elk & Bison Prairie, Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area

Bull Elk grazing on the prairie

Elk & Bison Prairie, Land Between the Lakes

Another great attraction at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) is the Elk & Bison Prairie. Located near the southern end of the 170,00 acre land peninsula, near the Golden Pond Visitor's Center and Highway 68/80 interchange, sits this fenced prairie of 700 acres. A small fee of $5 per vehicle is charged for entrance, no motorcycles allowed, and  bus rates are available. 

Bull Elk and Cow resting 

Bull Elk 

Drive a 3.5 mile loop through the prairie, look and listen for the wildlife. Elk & Bison can be hard to spot and are not always near the road, although I've had to drive through the Bison herd on more than one occasion. It does give you the close up experience you think you want but when the adolescents started to play I became nervous, it wouldn't take much from one to total a Malibu. The Bison didn't care about rules of the road and headed the wrong way down the one way loop, I breathed a sigh of relief as I headed the correct way and out of the herd. 

Once further down the loop we spotted the Elk herd, nestled on a hillside. We pulled to the side, leaving room for other cars to pass, and watched the herd before they moved off toward another area of the prairie. We continued on the loop hoping to catch them as they emerged on the other side of the wooded area in the loop center but we encountered the Bison again. Once again I had to pick my way through them, dodging around one and then another two. Finally I had gotten through the herd but for one and he stood directly in my path. There was no going around, he stood directly in the middle of the road, and just stared at my car as if going around was to much effort. I sat and waited patiently, the Bison waited as well and we were at a standoff. Several minutes passed before the thing relented his course and gave me the right of way. 

Bison mulling about

A young Bison scratches himself on an informational
plaque stand on the prairie

There are informative areas, as pictured above, but it is against the law to approach them when wildlife is near, any animal when threatened or scared can be dangerous if not deadly.

 Many people may not be aware that the herd here in Land Between the Lakes was used to repopulate The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and now visitors there can see Elk roaming free. I myself had the pleasure of stopping for the herd to cross the main highway in Cherokee, N.C. When we stopped at the Oconaluftee Visitor's Center we were asked by the Ranger on duty where we lived and when told he asked if we had come to check on our Elk with a chuckle. I have a great love for both places and now they are connected, hopefully forever.

Wild Turkeys roam the prairie

When driving through the prairie Elk & Bison won't be all you find. Turkey abound in LBL and the prairie is no exception, large flocks can be seen pecking their way through the tall grass. Birds of every kind can be found and an occasional Eagle maybe seen flying above. 

When you explore Kentucky and the Elk & Bison Prairie I advised you to stick to all laws and recommendations. They are in place to protect the public and the wildlife. We must have respect for both nature and the laws of man.

Happy Exploring and Hiking!

Thor Western Kentucky 2015

Nearly 20" of snow

Thor strikes Kentucky 

A weeks worth of hype has more than exceeded expectations. Predictions were for up to 2" of sleet followed by 8-10" of snow, so you can imagine my surprise when I awoke this morning. 

My view this morning

My first task was to get coffee going, of course, then I had to layer up to shovel a path on the deck, clear the deck steps, and a spot for my Jackshaund do to his business. 

That's a lot of snow for Western Kentucky

I tried to settle the pup down while I got the coffee brewing but he was being insistent with bounding energy. Ugh, so early still. I tried not to wake my husband when I went back into the bedroom to get dressed but Kennedy, the Jackshaund, didn't care. He bounded onto the bed, trampling up my husbands body, and as I found my thermals, he started to bark, loudly. My husband now awake wanted to know what I was doing, I informed him and with a grunt of sympathy he began to fully wake up. 

Geared up with Kennedy bouncing about excitedly, I finally made my way out the front door and grabbed the awaiting shovel. The wind was blowing up off the lake, putting an extra bite into it as it blew. Overcast skies above kept the sun from warming the day or having any chance at melting some of the snow. Damn, should have got a scarf. Oh well, and I set to shoveling. The snow was light and fluffy but there was so much of it! I stopped to measure a few spots on the deck and averaged 18" between the two. 

There are two seats in that John boat

Back to shoveling, I managed to clear a path on the deck to the stairs when my husband peeped out. He was stunned at all the snow, I asked him to fetch me the broom and he obliged. I kept digging out the steps and finally thought I cleared the last one but when I went to clear an area at the landing I found what turned out to be the last step. 

Once I had the stairs cleared, I set about to clearing an area in the corner of the deck and steps. It took 10 minutes of digging and scrapping to reach the ground, clearing an area of only two feet by two feet. I climbed back up the deck and asked my husband to let the dog out while I grabbed the broom and began sweeping off more snow. 

View up my street

Kennedy needed some encouraging to go down the steps and venture into the little snow canyon I had created but he did and managed to do his necessaries while I finished sweeping the steps off. 

Kennedy now warm, looking out his window and
wondering where all the wildlife is

 Thankfully my husband had hot cup of coffee waiting for me when I got back in, later he ventured out to clean off the roofs of our storage sheds, HVAC unit, and our new gas meter that was installed in emergency conditions during the last 11" snow storm due to a leak. 

I'm really thankful also that I'm not stuck on Interstate 24 or 65 like a lot of people are right now, waiting for the National Guard to rescue them. The Governor has declared a State of Emergency due to the conditions and people being stranded. Some places have drifts of three feet to clear in the highways and this is the South. We aren't equipped for 20" or more of snow as some places have seen, I've seen posts on Facebook from our local road department where they are struggling to clear roads. 

If you're in the area, stay home, warm, and safe. If not I'm probably a bit jealous depending on your weather conditions. I'm providing a list of links for more information and current conditions. 

Jim Cantore's Facebook Page

(He's frequently been posting updates on the area)

West Kentucky Star

(Local media source)

Kentucky Road Conditions, 511

American Pelican Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

American Pelicans fly past TVA's Kentucky Dam

Scrolling through my Facebook page today and Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park posted a photo of an American Pelican with a caption that a flock had decided to visit the park. I inquired on the location and Laura with the park let me know where I could find them. The park covers not only a portion of Kentucky Lake but the Tennessee River also. 

American Pelicans fishing over the Tennessee River
at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

Laura advised me I would find them on the Southwest corner of the Tennessee River and they were visible from the fishing pier off Highway 282, near the campground. 

Flock of American Pelicans

I grabbed my camera and made the short drive up the lake to see for myself, I had never seen a pelican before. I had also never visited the fishing pier before but using Laura's direction I found it easily. 

Nestled under the new Highway 62 bridge sat a zig-zagging concrete pier with blue railings that stretched out into the churning river. The roar of the water through the gates of the dam was loud, causing the river to churn with swift currents and undertows, the air was much chillier here. The American Pelicans were easy to spot, rather large birds with their famous brightly colored beaks.  They looked kind of out place on the brown water of the Tennessee River and a gray overcast sky seeming to camouflage their white feathers against it.

American Pelicans floating and flying above
the Tennessee River

Plenty of fish for plenty of pelicans

It was wondrous to watch them take flight from the river and soar above looking for their next snack. I was impressed with their wing span and the way they glided in unison through the sky, much more elegant than a flock of geese.

I'm glad I took the time to see them, they are quite beautiful and it made me feel more centered to enjoy their company. If you ever see such a post on social media from your local State Park, Nature Reserve, or Recreation Area take a minute to pay a visit and enjoy the present sent by Mother Nature.

Happy Hiking!

Girl's Canoe Day, Lake Barkley, Kentucky

Me and my bestie Nikki

 Girl's Canoe Day

I had told my girlfriend, Nikki, how relaxing and enjoyable I found canoeing. Being an outdoor loving lady also she wanted to go and have a girl's day. We planned for a month for her to meet me near my home early one morning so we could go paddling in a bay on Lake Barkley. 

I made sure Nikki brought everything needed for an enjoyable outing, sandals that can get wet and be comfortable as well as a light jacket for the early morning chill. 

Canoe locked and loaded

I was a bit nervous about taking the husbands truck with the canoe loaded onto the bed extender but then I remembered I could handle such things, that I wasn't a puss, and got my confidence back. Off I went to meet Nikki and get Girl's Canoe Day underway! 

We launched the canoe in one of my favorite bays and began paddling along the shore. The day was beautiful, full sun, only a few cotton ball type clouds, and a slight chill hung in the early Fall air. We soon warmed up enough to remove our jackets and bask in the warmth of the day.

Beautiful day to be on the water!

Enjoying the day

Paddling around the bay for a bit we decided to pull up on shore, stretch our legs, and get off our bottoms for a minute. I love my Sarnac XL but Old Town needs to add more padding on the molded seats. After only an hour or so your but starts to get a bit restless and yes, sore. We found a good spot to pull up, or at least we thought it was a good spot. The bank was gently sloped down to the waters edge but it was muddy and not sandy or rocky like a lot of places. No big deal, we stood on the bank talking girl talk and had a couple deer run up on us before changing directions once they noticed our presence, and ran off over the ridge behind us. 

Once we were stretched and rehydrated we began maneuvering the canoe along the bank to get back in and relaunch. My feet became stuck deep in the mud and I had to pull up quite hard to free them. I pulled my left foot up hard and with a loud sucking sound it came free, as I tried the same with my right I felt my sandal begin to tear. They weren't expensive and were a pair I had for years so no big deal, right? Wrong, the fabric and padded insert that was sewn to the bottom sole of the shoe had come completely apart and ripped near the top. 

Casualty of Girl's Canoe Day

We managed to get the canoe situated, got ourselves back in, and out on the water again. I didn't let the sandal set back bother me, we were out on the water in a canoe, who needs shoes anyway? I'm a Southern Country Girl and avid outdoors woman, I've gone barefoot plenty. We continued on, exploring the back of the bay, a small bridge, and feeder creek. 

Bridge at back of bay at feeder creek
 and Nikki hamming it up

We had paddled the entire bay in just a few hours and were not ready to call it a day yet, so we pulled up on the bank to load back up and head over to another nearby bay. Now is when a good sandal would be useful, I slid my torn sandal back on to portage the canoe back to the truck, but found it flopping this way and that. There was no way to step or walk and keep the darned thing from doing what it wanted. It ended up folded under my foot when carrying the canoe or the sole flopped off to the side of my foot, providing no protection from the ground. 

Finally it popped in my head, I have my husband's truck with toolbox! Surely I could find something to rig my sandal to last the rest of the trip, so I began digging, looking for duct tape, wire, string, twine or anything. Unless I planned to use a ratchet strap, there was nothing of use. I found a small bungee cord type fastening cable, the kind with a hook at each end, lying in the bed of the truck. I took this and looped it around my foot in the sandal and hooked each end together. It worked for one trip to load gear and the fastener cord broke, it was rotted. I finished loading the gear barefooted which might be easy as a kid once you do it for awhile but as an adult who must wear sensible shoes to work every day you become very tender footed, but I sucked it up and got it done.

Gear and canoe loaded we headed down the back roads of Land Between the Lakes to the next bay I notice the canoe bouncing quite a bit and decide to stop the truck to investigate. I hop out, bare feet and all, to find one of the ratchet straps had slipped off the bumper. I secured it again and we were back underway.

Accessing the next bay was a little tricky, the road becomes severely rutted and mostly made of packed dirt just past a small cemetery and requires some skill to navigate. I had forgotten the road condition and became nervous driving my husband's truck down it. Once past a certain point though there is no turning back, literally. The road is narrow, the tree branches occasionally brushing the side of the truck, and there's no where to pull in to turn a truck around, let alone a full sized one with a 14ft canoe hanging out the back. Onward I went, dodging the deep ruts I could only assume a monster truck had made during a monsoon, and managed to make it to the end where it opened up to the forest and shoreline. 

Before we began unloading again I scrambled to find a replacement repair for my sandal, searching now in the cab of the truck, under the back bench seat I found a fish stringer. I know what your thinking and yes I did. Leaving about two inches free on the end of the stringer I wrapped it around my sandal to secure the flopping, flapping thing to my foot. Once wrapped I threaded the sharp pointed metal end through the metal loop on the other end, several times and began to unload the canoe. When returning for the life jackets it came undone so I took the metal spike end and weaved it through the openings in the top of the sandal. I now officially had a lethal weapon on my foot and it was reminiscent of something from the Flintstones. It worked though and allowed us to finish unloading without further issues.

A better place to pull up on shore

Nikki and I launched the canoe again and set about to paddling the shoreline of the bay. We zig-zagged back and forth in the bay, paddling from one side to the other and into smaller inlets searching and exploring the feeder creeks. Finally we had covered the second bay, it was late afternoon now and we were ready to call it a day. We loaded up the canoe and gear with my stone age looking sandal repair holding and made it back to Nikki's SUV without drama. 

Despite the little set back we had an awesome Girl's Canoe Day and can't wait to do it again this Spring. Nikki enjoyed it so much she is now looking for her own canoe or kayak. I'm glad I'm not a drama queen and don't let something small such as the ruined sandal spoil the day. I already purchased new water shoes last year on clearance at Dick's and can't wait to try them out! 

Happy Paddling and Hiking!

Land Between The Lakes Kentucky

Sunset on Kentucky Lake

Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area

You're gonna here me talk a lot about Land Between the Lakes, it's beautiful and minutes from my home. I couldn't count the outings I've had in this land peninsula between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. Over 170,000 acres, 300 miles of shoreline, 500 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horse back riding,  and off-roading. A lot to explore! 

Two of many creeks in the area

On any given weekend you can find me cruising the back roads, camping, fishing, canoeing, or hiking the National Recreation Area, known locally as LBL. 

One of the many back roads

Wildflowers abound in Spring and no matter the season so does the wildlife. See Turkey, Foxes, two different Deer species, Eagles, and even take a cruise through the Elk & Bison Prairie.

LBL Wildlife

There are many camping areas from modern pay use to back country, that's my style! Just don't expect to find cabin

restaurants, or lodges. Facilities are basic outside the Woodlands Nature Station, Golden Pond Visitor's Center and Planetarium, or the Welcome Stations located the the North and South entrances. Modern amenities can be found in the numerous towns, resorts, and lodges surrounding LBL.

Many roads lead straight to the water.
One of several streams cross the back roads.

I remember one occasion where we were cruising the back roads with friends in two separate Jeep Cherokees when one began having alternator troubles causing the battery to die. We ended up swapping the batteries back and forth, using the Jeep with the good alternator to recharge the batteries. No one wants to leave a vehicle behind and/or complete repairs in the middle of no where.

There are also a lot of places there is no cell phone reception either. This me of another story. My husband and I were cruising the back roads and came upon a camouflage truck parked off the side of the road. We thought nothing of it, till we came back out the same road and saw a man in camo with a gun and dog. Okay, a hunter, we thought. He was in the middle of the road though and clearly trying to get us to stop. Once stopped, my husband rolled down his window and the man wanted to use a cell phone but neither of us had any reception. He told us he had lost his keys in the woods while hunting and had no spare. This strange man then wanted to ride with us in our regular cab truck with his dog and gun. Needless to say we weren't comfortable with that but didn't want to leave him stranded. Oddly he inquired hold cold it was supposed to get that night, which we advised into the 30's. We offered to call someone for him once we had a signal, he gave us the name of a friend, Edgar, and his number. He advised us to call Edgar, tell him where he, Moe, was and his situation. Edgar was supposed to have a spare key to his truck. We bid Moe farewell and assured him we would call Edgar. Once back toward the Trace, the main highway through LBL, we called Edgar but got his voicemail. My husband left a message detailing Moe's situation and location.

We arrived home and worried More would be left in LBL and thought my husband would have to return for him. Edgar finally called back and asked for more details. When advised of the situation Edgar told my husband he had bought Moe a GPS because he had gotten lost for several days in LBL before, but guessed that didn't help him find his keys. My husband made sure Edgar would be able to locate Moe and wished him luck.

There are a lot of lessons in both tales and I can't help but find some humor also. I will leave you to take what you want from them, and hope you get to explore this beautiful area!


Happy Hiking!  

Giant City State Park - Shawnee National Forest

Sandstone bluff

Giant City State Park is situated in Makanda, IL just South of Carbondale, IL off Route 51. Its name comes from the giant sandstone bluffs and hoodoos created by erosion and geographic fautling in the area eons ago. 

The park offers something for everyone! Plenty of camping including modern sites, primitive, and back country. Giant City also has Equestrian Trails and designated areas for rock climbing and rappelling. 

Bridge along Indian Creek Shelter Trail

Indian Creek Shelter

Informative sign at Indian Creek Shelter 

 Hiking and backpacking trails here are numerous! Eight different trails in varying length and difficulty ensure an adventure for even the novice hiker. The Post Oak Trail is a short, 1/3 mile trail that is paved, wheelchair and stroller accessible. Other trails range from 1/3 mile to 12 miles on the backpacking trail. One of the most famous if the Giant City Nature Trail that takes you around  the bluff and through giant sandstone rocks, known as the "streets" for the path that runs through them. 

Opening in bluff 

Devil's Chimney

 Stables are on site and guided tours on horseback can be taken. There is also a lodge and cabins for more conviences, restaurant which boasts the best fried chicken around, a bar and lounge. A gift shop, audio-video room and discovery corner for kids are also located within the park. Events are held year round, weather permitting, and again there's something for everyone! 

Small creek with Sandstone base

Small creek, slippery Sandstone when wet

Will you take a walk among the giants of Giant City State Park? 

Happy Hiking!