Mammoth Cave, Abraham Lincoln sites and Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
April 28, 2024
After the Corvette Museum, we drove to Mammoth Cave National Park. We spent the next several days exploring above ground, below ground, over the river and (some unintended off-roading) through the woods.
We checked in at Mammoth Cave Visitor Center, where several seasonal rangers were already weary of answering questions. One commented that they would never assume what hike or activity a guest may like but look at the list and decide on their own. Another ranger said they never did any trails above ground or across the river. In contrast, the cashier at the cave tour counter was very cheerful, helped Larry get his Lifetime Senior Park Pass, and gave us both 50% off the two cave tours I had booked. Later that morning, we had an excellent ranger for our 4-hour, 4-mile Grand Avenue Tour. He was full of information and history, so the time and distance seemed to fly by. Only one section had features like draperies, but it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being the longest cave in the world, with over 400 known miles!
We waited until the evening of the following day to take the Star Chamber Tour by lantern light. That gave us the morning and day to work on projects. Larry did more work on cables and wires for the rearview camera, and I made several weeks of Prince Edward Island Provincial Park reservations when they became available that morning. Pumpernickel took a walk.
A young ranger led the Star Chamber Tour with a great sense of humor and more history to share. We walked for about two hours in a different cave section from the one we had seen the previous day. It is the Star Chamber because long ago, guides would hit the soot-covered ceiling with rocks to reveal the limestone underneath, making a “star” on the black surface. Our favorite part was when the rangers took all the lanterns (simulating sunset) and left us in darkness for several minutes. Then, they returned from a different direction in another tunnel (simulating sunrise). More tours are available at Mammoth Cave than we experienced, but it was a good overview of what is underground.
To explore above ground at Mammoth Cave, we drove to the Green River Ferry to cross the backcountry of Mammoth Cave. The ferry was very short-maybe 90 seconds-and runs along cables to go back and forth.
We explored Good Spring Church and Cemetery before going north and east on a gravel 4WD off-road to Little Jordan Cemetery.
It impresses us that as we’ve traveled this region of the United States, cemeteries, even in the middle of nowhere, are adorned with flowers reflecting respect and love. We did find a more leisurely route back to the ferry and then completed several hikes above ground – Echo River Spring Trail, River Styx Spring Trail, and Green River Bluffs Trail.
We left the National Park campground to stay in Singing Hills RV Park for the last night in the area before driving to the R & S Amish Store on Saturday to purchase fresh, warm donut holes. What a delicious treat! We went by “Kentucky Stonehenge,” where a private citizen had arranged (how?) huge stone pieces in their large yard and neighboring fields to resemble Stonehenge. We stopped to take pictures and admire all the effort that must have gone into it.
Our next stop was Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace, with a monument in his memory around a cabin believed to be his birthplace. It was on the land he was born, and though a small place, very well done. We learned about his early life at the museum before we walked to the spring and around the property perimeter.
Next, we drove to his boyhood home nearby and learned more about his time there. We walked out in a field he helped to farm as a boy and to a nearby creek he may have played in. It is always a treasure to be where someone great placed their steps and spent their time.
Another Junior Ranger badge!
We boondocked that night at Salem Lake, a city campground run by Hodgenville. I had obtained an online permit, but the camp area further down from the day-use area was blocked off, so we parked with the passenger side facing the lake and watched locals fish in the late afternoon.
One couple brought their two kayaks, and the man capsized his in the middle of the lake! Another fisherman took his boat out to help, and we were relieved to see all ended well. A good reminder to always wear your life vest!!
On Sunday, we attended Mass at St Monica’s in Bardstown, a very cool town for a return visit. Afterward, we went to the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, where we joined a general tour and learned about the history and lives of the Shakers of this area. We spent a few hours on a perfect spring day touring the buildings and farm area, which were so green, peaceful, and idyllic.
We camped that night at nearby Cummins RV Park on the Kentucky River, a very nice, small campground under new management, working constantly to upgrade it. Their work shows not only in the grounds, but also in small touches like painted trees and animals on bathroom walls—butterflies, birds, and even a cute little mouse. In the evening, we sat in the Adirondack chairs on the river across from the waterfall and just enjoyed the vibe.
Kentucky is so much more than we expected!
Did you know?
Abraham Lincoln is related to John Hancock, the Wright Brothers, Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost, and President Gerald Ford, and (of course) both Bush Presidents!