I thought I'd share my fascination with the backroads of America here, and keep it in one thread. That would probably be easier to follow on? As always, you can see the remainder at American Byways; related is Bridges & Tunnels.

 

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Hartland Parkway corridor, Future KY 555:

See all the photographs from today here.

 

KY 248 travels south and east from KY 44 and Taylorsville. It was reconstructed on new terrain, for the most part, in conjunction with the Taylorsville Lake Project. This is part of future KY 555. See Post #1 of my trip report for more information.

 

Behind me is KY 248, a segment reconstructed as part of the Taylorsville Lake Project. This segment is at KY 3358, and will extend south to the Bluegrass Parkway. The improved road heads further south towards Columbia. See Post #1 of my trip report for more information.

 

This future KY 555 alignment is viewed from Love Ridge Road, just off of US 62, in Anderson County. See Post #1 of my trip report for more information.

 

Enjoy!

Very nice.  I like the sky in these pix.  And I also like country road riding.

 

For a nice country road ride from the Louisville area to Lexington and vice versa, KY 44 is pretty interesting, though I think it only goes as far east as Lawrenceburg or maybe Versailles. 

http://www.americanbyways.com/index.php?catid=38 --

 

"The Greenbrier River Trail is a 77-mile multiuse path along the oldChesapeake and Ohio Railroad through the heart of eastern West Virginia. Following closely with the wild and scenic Greenbrier River for most of its length, this former railroad includes 2 tunnels and 35 bridges along its length. A rustic backdrop of the Allegheny Mountains compliments the trail nicely."

 

 

Today, the trail passes near the Greenbrier State Forest, Droop Mountain Battlefield, Watoga State Park, Seneca State Forest and Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. The entire length is protected within the Greenbrier River Rail Trail State Park.

 

It features numerous trail access points, primitive campgrounds and other lodging sites that are close by. It is well worth the trip to this more quaint part of West Virginia where the two-lane backroads, such as US 219, offer a pleasant trip through the forests and farms of this part of the state. It is an area unlike much of the mid-Atlantic, and really, West Virginia!

 

Updated for this release is the addition of the history, lodging sites and trail information.

Nice stuff. 127 above Frankfort is an interesting byway as well.

American Byways is a web-site that features recreation, travel and town guides for Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia. My goal of the project is to make aware the niche and natural destinations that are often just a short drive down a back road or down the urban boulevard.

 

Today's update comes from Louisville, Kentucky's "Museum Row", or the West Main District. A stroll through the West Main District of Louisville, Kentucky is akin to walking through the bustling SoHo district of New York City. Boasting the largest number of cast-iron facades (Downtown) outside of the Big Apple, the vast majority of the activity occurs on Main Street. Within the several blocks that this district covers is a collection of notable museums, boasting such icons as the Frazier International History Museum, Glassworks, Louisville Slugger Museum and the new Muhammad Ali Center. Museum Plaza, a 62-story avant-garde skyscraper, is also planned for the district, which will bring much attention and focus when construction begins in 2007.

 

 

This guide focuses on the Muhammad Ali Center, a six-story structure dedicated to a person who has touched individuals across the world by making it his mission to promoting respect, hope and understanding and to inspire others to "be as great as they can be." It also covers the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, which features unique collections and exhibits from local, national and international artists. It also boasts a wonderful gift shop with many hand-crafted textiles, jewelry, wood, ceramics, glass and metal.

 

 

I have uploaded many photographs of the Muhammad Ali Center and the Kentucky Center for Art and Craft, and added extensive information about the museums. It is worth a drive to see both, and the other destinations that are nearby! Within walking distance from each other is the Louisville Slugger Museum, the Louisville Science Center, the Frazier International History Museum, and the Kentucky Center for the Arts. This is the initial installment; I hope to continue to add more to it as time permits!

 

Enjoy  :)

Sally Brown and Crutcher Nature Preserves

 

The Sally Brown and Crutcher Nature Preserves were created to protect the stunning diversity within the Kentucky River Palisades. The two adjoining preserves, totaling 800 acres on Bowmans Bend of the river, are owned by the Nature Conservancy and are open to the public. Besides the unique flora that is unique to only the Kentucky River Palisades, there are numerous species of animals and reptiles, such as the Bobcat and the Northern Fence Lizard, that make this a truly unique place.

 

There are numerous photographs uploaded that show some of the early wildflowers that I had a chance to see, and text with a new design I am tinkering with. The customized page is an experiment that I have become fond of, and will apply it to other pages in the future.

 

Look for more updates in the upcoming days! Here are a few teaser pics --

 

 

 

 

A stroll through the West Main District of Louisville, Kentucky is akin to walking through the bustling SoHo district of New York City.

 

You owe me a new laptop...because I just puked all over mine!

Or at least the northern 1/3 of the trip... more will be coming as I meander down the remaining 144 miles!

 

BTW -- This is a departure for me in terms of writing. I was unsure on how to approach a "living, breathing" highway -- which is different than something than a recreational guide. Comments appreciated.

 

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The Country Music Highway strays through the hills and mountains of eastern Kentucky, connecting the industrial Ohio River towns of the north to the coal mining communities of the south. Also known as U.S. Route 23, this four-lane highway extends for 144 miles, serving 14 communities, a hardy collection of museums, cultural centers, and historic Civil War sites, and an assortment of naturalized and recreational areas. The highway is part of the America's Byways network and is a designated Kentucky Scenic Byway.

 

1. McConnell Estate near Greenup.

 

The new travel guide covers the segment of U.S. Route 23 from the northernmost tip at the community of South Shore to the Boyd County seat of Catlettsburg. Throughout this two county journey, there is a copious amount of places to see and an endless amount of places to experience. South Shore and Greenup both offer the small town charm that is more reminiscent of the deep South, where its time-weathered feel provide that Mayberry town characteristic that is only exemplified in the festival "Old Fashioned Days" held around the Greenup County Courthouse every year. Railroading heritage bleeds deep in Russell, home to one of the largest rail yards in the United States, and Raceland, where the "Million Dollar Oval" horse racetrack was once located at. A "super dam" project -- the Greenup Locks and Dam -- is an engineering feat in itself in Lloyd, and was considered a model for other dams throughout the United States. Nearby Flatwoods is the home of country music star Billy Ray Cyrus, and Ashland provides the modern city guise, with its restored storefronts and restaurants that host art galleries, restaurants, and markets.

 

While only two counties are complete along this 144 mile journey, more will be added in the future. read on!

 

2. Greenup Locks and Dam near Lloyd, viewed from the Ohio side.

 

3. Floodwall mural in Ashland.

 

4. An old caboose in Russell.

Nice to see Greenup; Hamilton has an electric plant there.

Blue Licks State Park was the fifth state park in Kentucky, opening on January 25, 1927. Judge Samuel Wilson of Fayette County was chairman of the Blue Licks Battlefield Monument Commission at the time, and had presented a deed for 32 acres to the Kentucky State Park Commission on behalf of local citizens who had donated the land for the park. The reserve was to be a monument to the Battle of Blue Licks, considered one of the worst military defeats in the American Revolution.

 

Although the barrage occurred after Lord Cornwallis had renounced British forces at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781, resulting in a close to major hostilities that sparked the American Revolution, isolated conflicts between the Americans, British, and the American Indians still occurred, especially on the western fringes. Kentucky was one such state, a witness to many bloody conflicts and raids upon homesteads and settlements. After the surrender at Yorktown, many Kentuckians had hoped that the attacks would conclude.

 

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I attended the Blue Licks Battle re-enactment on August 18. I arrived at 10 AM, although the 15 minute battle began at 3 PM, so I wandered about into Tanner's Station. Tanner's Station was recently constructed to an approximation of what would have been there in the 1780s. I also visited the Pioneer Museum, which was recently renovated with more exhibits and more interactivity, and is much more improved. I will be getting interior photographs of that later.

 

On that trip, I will also aim to get some photographs of the Short's Goldenrod, one of the rarest plants in the United States. It was historically known in just two locations: along the banks near the Falls of the Ohio at present-day Louisville, and within a 2 square-mile radius of Blue Licks. The plants at the Falls of the Ohio were destroyed when the ground was flooded as part of the dam project. Later, however, the plant was discovered in Indiana and in what is now Short's Goldenrod State Nature Preserve.

 

This is the first time I've photographed a battlefield re-enactment, although it has gotten me addicted for more! I do realize that I need a sharper and faster lens. If anyone is in the area, Camp Nelson, south of Nicholasville, Kentucky, will be hosting a re-enactment on September 8.

 

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1. Steven Y. Caudill (left), a retired Winchester police officer, staged Daniel Boone in the battlefield reenactment. He has starred as Daniel Boone in numerous reenactments in other states. His son, on the right, also starred in the activities.

 

2. An Northern Kentucky aviation employee spends his time at Blue Licks demonstrating a time-saving feature that frontiersmen, like Daniel Boone, used while loading gun powder into their muskets.

 

3. An Northern Kentucky aviation employee spends his time at Blue Licks demonstrating a time-saving feature that frontiersmen, like Daniel Boone, used while loading gun powder into their muskets. Powder was poured into paper cups and were sealed and placed into their pouch. It could be easily opened during battle and poured into the musket, saving crucial time.

 

4. A frontierswoman knits sashes for use in the battle. Sashes were used to hold up pouches of powder, among many other uses.

 

5. The British gather around before the Battle of Blue Licks for further instruction.

 

6. Pioneers at the Battle of Blue Licks.

 

7.

 

8.

 

9. The British and the American Indians worked together to defeat the Pioneers.

 

10. The Blue Licks Battlefield Monument, a memorial to the short battle between the American colonists, and the British and Indian forces.

Beautiful pics and interesting places!

 

I was looking through your info on the Greenbrier Trial. There's a campground very near Cass Scenic Railroad that I don't think you have listed. It's not well-publicized, but there's a sign near the highway. It's a couple of miles up the mountain near the tracks, and has sites for both RVs and tents. It's sort of West-Virginia comfortable, surrounded by cow pasture, not fancy but adequate and in a scenic spot.

 

The campground spills down the hillside on two or three levels, and at the lower level there's a short path that leads to trackside where there's a big enough level spot for a tripod & camera, a great spot to watch the trains labor past. It's not far downhill from the switchback.

 

I remember sitting by my camper near sunset and listening to a variety of birdsongs, with the rhythmic exhaust of Big Six and the deep, throaty hoot of its whistle echoing in the distance.

^ I haven't been to Cass, but I was within 20 minutes from it on my last trip to the Monongahela. I want to visit the city during a railfanning excursion.

 

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The Charleston, South Carolina region boasts many great treasures. From the Patriot's Point Naval & Maritime Museum (described below) to its many museums, art galleries, fine restaurants, and spectacular architecture and scenery, the "Holy City" boasts something for everyone. Of course, this is leading to a new community guide regarding Charleston itself, featuring a brief writeup on the area's attractions that should give you a glimpse into the area's rich history. If military history is more of your interest, Fort Moultrie is on nearby Sullivan's Island. The series of forts were constructed to protect the city of Charles Town; the first fort, constructed of palmetto logs, was the inspiration of the flag and current nickname, Palmetto State. Two lighthouses are also fairly close to Charleston; Morris Island Lighthouse was first lighthouse constructed before the American independence under the authority of King George III, this now-stranded structure stands literally in the ocean, a victim of dredging and erosion. The New Charleston Lighthouse is located on Sullivan's Island and was the second-to-last lighthouse built in the United States.

 

Charleston, South Carolina:

1. Established in 1680, St. Philip's is the oldest Anglican congregation south of Virginia.

 

2. St. Philip's

 

3. The Old Powder Magazine is the only public building remaining from the era of the Lords Proprietors, the eight English aristocrats who owned Carolina from 1670 to 1719. Charles Town was then the capital and southernmost English settlement on the North American continent, and was attacked repeatedly by pirates, Spanish naval vessels, and Indians. THe Powder Magazine was the primary storehouse of munitions and gunpowder, and was crucial for the defense of the city.

 

4. Hibernian Hall, a National Historic Landmark, was built in 1840 to provide a meeting place for the Hibernian Society, an Irish benevolent organization founded in 1801. The The Hibernian Society continues to meet regularly inside the building today.

 

5.

 

6. The building ahead is Market Hall, constructed in 1841. Since 1898, the Daughters of the Confederacy has operated the Confederate Museum, which contains flags, uniforms, swords and other Confederate memorabilia, on the upper floor. The lower level contains a great number of shops.

 

7. Located on Sullivan's Island, just outside of Charleston and adjacent to Fort Moultrie, the Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church welcomes all visitors. It is the second oldest Catholic church on the island.

 

(more to be posted)

Morris Island Lighthouse: he first lighthouse constructed before the American independence under the authority of King George III, this now-stranded structure stands literally in the ocean, a victim of dredging and erosion.

 

1. Sorry, I wasn't about to wade all the way out there :P

 

Fort Moultrie: The name of a series of forts on Sullivan's Island, they were constructed to protect the city of Charleston, South Carolina. The first fort, constructed of palmetto logs, was the inspiration of the flag and current nickname, Palmetto State.

 

2. The War of 1812 saw Fort Moultrie III armed with 12-, 18-, and 24-pounder smoothbore cannons on garrison carriages that were designed to fire through embrasures in the parapet walls. They were used primarily from 1809 to 1860.

 

3. These were one of two rapid-fire batteries, part of the Endicott installations that protected Charleston from the Spanish American War until World War II began. The system combined heavy coast artillery, minefields, and rapid-fire guns. They were used from 1898 to 1939.

 

New Charleston Lighthouse

 

4. Constructed in 1962, the new Charleston Lighthouse continues to guide mariners into the Charleston Harbor. It is the second-to-last lighthouse constructed in the United States.

 

Patriot's Point Naval & Maritime Museum: Located just outside of the historic port city of Charleston, Patriot's Point offers three magnificent museum ships: the USS Yorktown, an aircraft carrier, the USCGC Ingham, a Coast Guard cutter, the USS Laffey, a destroyer, and the USS Clamagore, a submarine. It is also home to the Medal of Honor Museum, 25 naval aircraft, patrol boats and helicopters.

 

5. USS Yorktown

 

6. USS Glamagore

 

Enjoy! I would have more photographs from every place else, but it was 100F+ every day and 80F+ at night, and the humidity was over 80%. Of course, we chose to go down during the record heat wave. We went to the USS Yorktown/Clamagore very early in the day, but it was virtually unbearable inside.

Kentucky Horse Park

 

The Kentucky Horse Park is a sprawling 1,200-acre equestrian theme park and competition facility set amongst the dry-laid rock and wood-planked fences of the famed Bluegrass State. The center is home to around 50 different breeds of both large and small horses, along with some mules, and visitors are allowed to experience every bit of a real working farm. Throughout the year, live presentations, competitions, horse shows and miscellaneous events are held.

 

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It is also home to the National Horse Center, a collection of more than thirty national, state and regional equine organizations and associations. Ranging from the American Association of Equine Practitioners to the United States Polo Association, the centralized collation represents a varied number of subjects.

 

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The horse park will also be home to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010, and will be the largest equine sporting event ever held in the United States. Held on the grounds of the facility from September 25 to October 10, 2010, this will mark the first time the event will be held outside of Europe.

 

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Nice! I wont go anywhere near horses though, after one bit my arm.

A little over the top? ;)

 

How did that happen? All the horses I've been around have been very nice and affectionate, sans John Henry, but he's pushing 31 and is one of the oldest race horses to live... so he has a right to be cranky.

We had a Tennessee Walking Horse who was a biter. He and I were pretty good pals, but he didn't like my dad or my cousin. Neither one dared turn his back on him; he'd bite them hard right on top of the shoulder, and it made a nasty bruise.

 

I'm the skinny kid standing on the left. I was about 16 or 17 when this photo was taken.

We had a Tennessee Walking Horse who was a biter. He and I were pretty good pals, but he didn't like my dad or my cousin. Neither one dared turn his back on him; he'd bite them hard right on top of the shoulder, and it made a nasty bruise.

 

I'm the skinny kid standing on the left. I was about 16 or 17 when this photo was taken.

Yeah, horses are weird like that. They pick and choose who they like. I was just trying to pet him and the bastard bit my arm really hard. (This was at Newport On The Levee).

Camp Nelson

The original camp was sprawled out over 4,000 acres and included approximately 300 structures and fortifications. Used by the Union Army as a base of operations, it was an ideal location as it was on the border of the Kentucky River Palisades -- a viable natural defense-- and eight large earthen fortifications. It was also one of the largest recruitment camps for the United States Colored Troops,hosting eight regiments at Camp Nelson and training three others fro mother locales. This designation made it the largest African-American recruitment camp in the commonwealth and the third largest in the nation.

 

A skirmish re-enactment is held annually in September that comes complete with authentic demonstrations, camp scenarios, period music,artisans, historical presentations and of course, a re-enactment of the skirmish.

 

1.

 

2. Skirmish

 

Fort Boonesborough

American Byways explores the frontiers and back roads of Kentucky, starting with Fort Boonesborough, a frontier fort in Kentucke founded by Daniel Boone and his traveling party of settlers after they crossed the Kentucky River on April 1, 1775. The settlement was known as Boonesborough, and is Kentucky's second oldest American settlement.

 

3. Yeah, this would have given me nightmares in the 1700s!

 

4. I don't believe these were used in the actual battle (or in the fort period). This was used just for a demonstration.

 

5.

 

Waveland State Historic Site

Named for the acres of grain and hemp that once waved in the breeze, this former plantation features an 1847 Greek revival home as its centerpiece. I will go inside for a tour one day.

 

6.

 

7.

 

Bluegrass Railroad Museum

Located in historic Versailles, Kentucky, the Bluegrass Railroad Museum includes weekend train rides, several notable events throughout the year, restored cars and locomotives and indoor displays in the museum.

 

8.

 

9. When things were proudly made in America.

 

10.

 

Also added photographs regarding the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and the New Union Christian Church along Old Frankfort Pike in Kentucky.

 

11. Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, dating back to 1822.

 

12. New Union Christian Church

 

That was basically a wrap up of many late-summer events and journeys. Enjoy!