Louisville, Kentucky - New Albany, Indiana

The railroad along the Ohio River

The railroad in New Albany, Indiana carries long trains.  One can see trains just down the slope from State and Main streets.

Fly Them Before They Are Gone - Update

MD 88 at Bush Airport (IAH)

I noticed a Delta Airplane at Bush Airport (IAH) in May that had the engines on the fuselage.   I looked and behold!  The distinctive skylights were on the front of the airplane.  Delta is flying MD 88 airplanes!
Now I find out Delta is flying MD-90 airplanes!  Huzzah!        

Getting Outside in Kentucky

Lodge - Rough River Dam State Resort Park

Music - Rough River Dam State Resort Park

A recommended way to see Kentucky is stay at a Kentucky State Park and then go to the things near that park to explore the area.  Although it may appeal to relax and stay at the lodge that will result in missing the experiences that Kentucky has to offer.  For example the log church built in the Scandinavian style at Buckhorn.  Leave the lodge and see the countryside.  All of the parks are located in regions that have music, arts and crafts or natural wonders.

One lodge where some daytime relaxing may be good for the soul is Rough River Dam.  This lodge has healthy nourishing food.  This lodge has wonderful bluegrass music once per month.

The Utah Wilderness

Highlands Zion NP, Utah

The scenic experience of  the Virgin River and the surrounding peaks draws one to this place.   Zion National Park is a place of beauty.   It has rocks and cliffs to be appreciated.  A peak called "The Watchman" is consided a special sacred place.   To see Zion National is to take back something worth remembering.

General William Orlando Butler - Carrollton, KY

The News Democrat - August 13, 1931

General Butler State Resort Park

The CCC built a park at a hilly site in Carrollton, Kentucky.  The News Democrat announced the park dedication in August 1931.  Originally the park was named the Butler Memorial Park.  The name on the plaque in the stone wall that faces State Route 227 is stated "Butler Memorial Park."

General Percival Butler served in the Revolutionary War before coming to Kentucky.  Major Thomas Butler was an officer under the command of General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. William Orlando Butler served in the war of 1812 and in the Mexican War.  The park name is now the General Butler State Resort Park; the person of the park name is William Orlando Butler.

The park owes its existence to the CCC.   The overlook with the stone steps and walls was constructed by the CCC.   The park stands as a model of growth and renewal.   Though the depression made millions jobless, the CCC was born out of the depression with a view to making places better than how they found them.  The CCC camps took lands and built shelters and trails on them with a vision for how much beauty could be at these lands with proper attention.

The forest

Christmas Fern - Jenny Wiley State Park

The Christmas fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, with fronds 1-2 feet high is probably the most common fern in Kentucky. The developing fronds are called fiddleheads. The newly developed fronds resemble the neck of a fiddle. It has been said that fiddleheads are edible and can be prepared like asparagus. The Christmas Fern is also a food crop for the ruffed grouse.  This plant also belies the idea that winter scenes are gray.  The plant is deep green and it is around throughout the winter.

A native Kentucky Tree

Persimmon Tree - Jenny Wiley State Park, Kentucky

The persimmon  (Diospyros virginiana)  is native to the Kentucky mountains and hills. Persimmon is often growing on drier upland sites that receive adequate moisture.  It grows naturally in open areas on rocky hillsides. Heights are typically 20 to 30 feet tall. It is best known for its fruit.  In Indiana at Spring Mill State park the lodge serves a delicious persimmon offering.  It is provided similar to a fruit pie.  Wildlife find and eat the fruit.  Persimmon trees are either male or female; the trees cannot self-pollinate. Only the female Persimmon tree bears fruit. The leaves are simple, alternate, 2 to 6 inches long, and 1 to 3 inches wide. They are ovate to elliptical and are shiny green. The bark is brown to dark grey and is very deeply furrowed giving it a distinct blocky appearance. The dark heartwood is very hard and takes a century to develop. Besides Dogwood and Ironwood Trees, the Persimmon ranks third in wood hardness and is used largely in the production of golf club heads.  The fruit matures in September to October and is orange in color.  The fruit becomes soft when ripe. Each  fruit is about round; about 1 to 2 inches across.  Animals of varying species love the fruit.  The wild animals may beat you to the fruit before you get a chance to find it. The fruit has a very sweet taste that some say mimic the taste of dates. It can be eaten raw or made into pies, or cookies.