The Official (only!) Newspaper of The Red River Gorge
If you and your family are looking for the perfect vacation destination, you may already be there !(here!)
The Red River Gorge is the best place in the Eastern USA if you want adventure as well as relaxation. If you want family fun, serenity and the quiet comfort of a unique and naturally beautiful setting, you want to be in the Red River Gorge Area
Looking for adventure? There’s the Red River Gorge Zipline located in the Cliffview Resort. There’s the unique kayak and pontoon boat tours through the huge vaulted Limestone cavern of the Gorge Underground. Looking for peace and quiet? The Lodges and rental cabins are designed for convenience, comfort and relaxation. All the modern wants and needs along with cozy accommodations without the bother. Her you can unwind, shake off the stress of everyday responsibilities.
Suffering from NDD (Nature Deficit Disorder)? We have the perfect cure. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails through thousands of acres of state and national parks and forests. Here in the Gorge Area, you are surrounded by some of Nature’s most beautiful and most enjoyable efforts. There is so much to see and do; all of which is there for the entire family to experience and enjoy.
After all, how much fun can a family have?
Well, folks, you are in the right place to find the answer to that question!
The Adventure of a Lifetime Awaits!
Okay, maybe I was a just a tad over the top. You know, slightly, a wee bit, somewhat excessively exuberant. But then again, maybe not.
Here in the Red River Gorge Area, you can explore, enjoy and appreciate the country’s most diverse and unforgettable vacation destination. Of course that’s just my opinion and I do admit to a bias.
I’m Kentucky Lucky - born and bred here in these beautiful mountains. However, I’m of the mind that after you have been here a few days, you just might agree with me. No, I take that back, I’m betting you will agree.
Let Me Tell You a Little About the Red River Gorge.
The Gorge history dates back more than four hundred million years to when Africa slammed into North America creating the Appalachian Mountains. Millions of years later sediment washed down from Pennsylvania and formed the sandstone that is the defining feature of the Gorge cliffs. These cliffs are unique and are the reason the Gorge is one of the most highly regarded areas for climbing with 3,000+ clifflines in the Daniel Boone National Forest alone.
Just after the Glacier retreated about 12,000 years ago, people moved into the Gorge. Those people are known to archeologists as the Paleo Indians. At that time, the weather was cooler and the gorge was mostly covered with evergreens. Wooly mammoths, giant bison and mastodons were plentiful and hunted by these early people using only spears tipped with stone points. It is also believed they hunted by stampeding those large beasts over cliffs.
These and later groups of ancient people had the Gorge to themselves for about ten thousand years. Then, around four hundred years ago, they began trading with Europeans and 100 years later the area became the state of Kentucky. Three hundred years after that we arrived, constructed the Resort and later the Zipline and the rest as they say is history!
So, get out there and experience the Joy of the Gorge. Take a hike, climb a cliff, Zip through the beautiful forests, catch a fish (but be sure to release it unharmed), grill some burgers, whatever. Don’t let this opportunity to appreciate one of Nature’s finest examples of her best work pass you by.
While you and your family are enjoying this handiwork, remember there will be others to follow and they too would love to experience the Gorge in it’s natural and as pristine state as did you. The rule is simple, leave nothing behind except footprints (And please, leave those only on designated trails). Take nothing but photographs and pleasant memories. Jerry Ison Jerry Ison Jerry Ison Jerry Ison
Publisher Jenny Ison
Editor Jerry Ison
Contributors
Jerry Ison
Miranda Fallen
Nancy Hamann
Sally Cox
Graphics
Ingrid Miller
State, County & City Facilities
Natural Bridge State Resort Park General Information 606.663-2214 or 1-800-325-1710 (reservations) 2135 Natural Bridge Rd. Slade, KY 40376 Trail map & descriptions, park laws and regulations, lodging, camping, group meeting facilities, group programs "Natural Bridge State Resort Park is hiking, arches, exploring, scenery, reflection, and making memories." www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/nb
Kentucky State Nature Preserve Commission www.naturepreserves.ky.gov
Red River Gorge National Geological Area 606) 663-8100
www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/districts/cumberland/redriver_gorge.shtml Gladie Cultural-Environmental Learning Center 606.663-8100 www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/districts/cumberland/gladie.shtml
Red River Gorge Trail Crew (Volunteers) www.RRGTC.com Leave No Trace – Outdoor Ethics www.lnt.org
Kentucky State Parks - Create your own Experience. www.parks.ky.gov Become a KYSP fan at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kentucky-State-Parks/152588316577
Lee County Tourism Commision Dedra Brandenburg Director 606.464.5038 www.visitleecountyky.com
Private Facilities
Cliffview Resort & Cliffview Retreat 606.668.6222 www.cliffviewresort.com 455 Cliff View Road, Campton, KY 41031
The Lodge, The Retreat and Lakeside Lodges are available for groups, weddings and retreats. Also available is the 8,000 sq foot Reception Hall Red River Gorge Zip Lines 855.ZIP.TOUR 855.947.8687 606.668.6222 www.redrivergorgezipline.com
Scenic Cabin Rentals 606.663.0000 www.sceniccabin.com
Black Bear Lodge Motel 606.663.0061
Red River Gorge Cabin Rentals 844.692.2246 www.redrivergorgecabinrentals.com The Gorge Underground 844.254.6244 Thrillsville.org The Red River Inn On Parkway, Campton
The Gorge Gazette Jenny or Jerry Ison 865.674.6740 Email stories, ideas, suggestions, news to: jerrywrison@gmail.com
T TT Things To Do, Places To Visit, hings To Do, Places To Visit, hings Do, Places hings Do, Places Where To Eat In
The Red River Gorge Where The River Gorge
• Red River Gorge Earth Shop Local Art gallery & Gift Shop 606.668.5228 Nat Bridge Rd. Slade
• Red River Climbing Guides where “Your Adventure Awaits!” Catering to all ages and experience levels. Visit: RedRiverClimbingGuides.com or call 629.207.0697
• HillTop Pizza: Pizza, Salads, Subs, Spaghetti, Lasagna. Delivery to Cliffview available. 606.464.9990 2034 Hwy 11N Beattyville.
• Daniel Boone Coffee Shoppe & Deli: Gourmet Coffees, Deli Foods, Camping Supplies 606-663-2549 Natural Bridge Road (KY Rt. 11) near Slade Exit 33
• Gorge Underground: A Unique Waterborne Family Adventure On The Water, Underground! Kayak and Pontoon Boat Tours 844-254-6244 Thegorgeunderground.com
• Natural Bridge State Park, Lodge & Sky Lift: Camping, Hiking, Rooms, Fine Dining parks.ky.gov/resortparks/nb/index.htm
• Mill Creek Lake: Kayak & SUP Rentals 859.300.1330
• Red River General Store: Hand Dipped Ice Cream, Hoodies, Gifts, Camping Supplies, T-Shirts Fudge, Local Artisan Crafts 1321 Natural Bridge Road (KY Rt. 11) Slade, KY 606.663.885
• Daniel Boone Liquor: 606-663-2549; Natural Bridge Rd (KY Rt 11)
• Red River Gorge Hiking, Rock Climbing: fs.fed.us/r8/boone/
• Red River Adventure: Kayaking and Canoeing redriveradventure.net 606-663-1012
• Via Ferrata Rock Climbing Park: Great for beginners 606-668-6441 torrentfalls.com
• Mr. Ed’s Hot Dogs Great Hot Dogs smothered with Famous Chili Sauce 209 N. Main Stanton, KY 606.569.8170 Check us on Facebook
• The Well Beattyville’s only liquor store selling Liquor, Beer & Wine Come down and sip a glass sitting on the patio watching the Kentucky River flow. On rte 52 Beattyville 606.208.8017 tony@theboneyardwell.com
• Beech Fork Golf Club: In Clay City - 606-663-9479
• Sag Hollow Golf Course: In Booneville 606-593-4653
• Beattyville Public Golf Course: Off Rt. 52 in Beattyville, KY 606.356.4199
If a Holiday Party, any Party, Family Reunion, Corporate Meeting, Church Retreat or Wedding is on your to-do list, go ahead and check it off. We have the perfect solution to party planning from catering to lodging to activities. The Lodge at Cliffview will sleep 64. The 7000 square foot Reception/Activity Center seats up to 250 and has a fully equipped commercial grade kitchen. Our newest Lodges, the Retreat and Lakeside will each sleep up to 50. Both have double appliances kitchens and technically compatible theater style media rooms Call: 606.668.6222 for details.
The early spring of 1861 held the promise of a new life for 17 year old Evangeline Cornett. Her parents had finally given in and agreed she could marry the love of her life, 21 year old William “Billy” Ison. The wedding was planned for the first week of October, just after the harvest. Then, in April, all was shattered. The Nation was at war with itself; several Southern states had seceded from the union and fighting had begun.
In Eastern Kentucky, sentiments were to be found for both sides. While most wanted to remain in the Union, there were many who saw the Southern Cause as a just cause. Billy was one of those who felt his duty lay with the Confederacy and rode off to join Colonel Jeb Brazelton's 3rd Kentucky Calvary Battalion. Evangeline’s parents were staunch Unionist and reversed their stance, absolutely forbidding Evangeline to even talk to Billy much less marry him.
As the war progressed, Union forces drove the Confederates out of the area and established a headquarters on the East Fork of the Kentucky River near Beattyville in the summer of 1863. However, there was still a good deal of sentiment for the South in the area; several families provided shelter and aid to the many Confederate spies and scouts that still roamed the hills and gorges near Beattyville and harassed the Union garrisons.
One of these infiltrators was Billy and on several occasions would meet with Evangeline at the little church known as Cherokee Springs Church. This church was located about two miles up the river from Beattyville near Athol and just over the hill from Craft’s Hollow where Evangeline’s family lived.
It was October 31, 1863, Halloween Night, when on her way to meet her love, Evangeline was stopped by a Union patrol traveling the road from Beattyville to Jackson.
Evangeline was quite nervous and the young lieutenant was suspicious. The patrol allowed her to continue. Even though the Union soldiers had orders not to harass locals, the lieutenant decided to double back and see where this young girl was really going so late at night.
Evangeline went directly to the church where Billy was waiting. Before she could dismount from her horse the Union officer appeared right beside her in the road. At the same time, Billy rode out of the trees bordering the little cemetery behind the church. He didn’t see the soldier, but did see Evangeline.
The lieutenant, spotting Billy, brought his rifle up to his shoulder and aimed. Evangeline dug her heels into her horse’s side and charged toward Billy screaming, “Run Billy! Please, Billy Run!”
The sound of the rifle echoed off the church and down the valley. Evangeline, struck through the chest, slumped over the horse’s neck as it charged into the cemetery.
Billy turned and fired at the lieutenant, but missed his mark. He rode to Evangeline’s side and just as he reached her, the Union soldier put a ball from his sidearm through Billy’s heart. He fell against his loved one’s lifeless body and they both fell to the earth in deathly embrace.
The lieutenant noticed Billy had pulled his watch from his pocket and must have been checking the time when the encounter suddenly happened.
The light from the full moon shone on the watch face and it was exactly midnight.
The old church is gone now and not much of the little cemetery remains. The road to the church is now little more than a weedy track, but, if you dare venture down that road on Halloween, at midnight, you’ll hear the pounding of hoof beats racing from the road into the cemetery.
Then, barely audible, comes the anguished cry of a young girl’s faint deathly voice,
“Run Billy. Please, Bi
The sound fades as it is carried away on the icy cold breeze blowing across the crumbling tombstones.
We are fortunate to be here in East Kentucky where we can experience four different seasons.
The crisp, glittering cold of winter. The airy pastels of a fresh green spring.
The fullness and deep green of summer. The glorious display of fall.
For many of us, however, autumn is the season we most appreciate. Cool, comfortable evenings and a more gentle, softer glow from the sun. Autumn is the canvas for nature's most brilliant brush strokes. The yellows and golds of the buckeye and cottonwoods.
The silver, purple and red of the sweet gum.
Countless shades of red, running from barely orange sassafras leaves, through the brownish rust of oaks and sycamores, to the brilliant scarlet of sugar maples and dogwoods.
This colorful display is not only for trees, many other plants get in on the act. Some grasses turn beautiful shades of yellow and gold.
Poison ivy leaves develop reds so vibrant, they sometimes appear metallic.
What causes this marvelous transformation? How are the colors of the different plants and trees determined? Scientists, botanist and biologists have many answers and logical reasons as to why all the colorization takes places.
They talk of loss of chlorophyll - the green stuff in plants. There's mention of the yellow agents, carotene and xanthophyll.
They bring up the cooler nights and bright sunshine of autumn days as causes for chemical changes which result in color changes. There's usually mention of the red pigments, anthocyanins, formed when natural sugar, glucose, is trapped in a dying leaf.
Oh yes, no scientific discussion of the leaves of autumn would be complete without mention of abscission. This is what gives the term "fall" meaning. Abscission is the process which causes trees to lose their leaves. Or at least, so say those scientists.
I have a completely different version. In my version, the coloring and eventual dropping of the leaves is a carefully orchestrated performance. Much like the fireworks finale at one of the many Fall Festivals. It's the Creator's way, and so obviously so, of topping off His magnificent performance the preceding season - summer.
That was a tough act to follow but to me, autumn is the cymbal at the end of summer's crescendo.
Weather Makes a Difference
Fall color is highly dependent on the weather conditions before and during the change.
Red Colors: Warm, sunny days followed by cool nights (not freezing) are thought to bring about brilliant red colors. Sunny days promote the production of sugars within leaves, and cool nights prevent sugars from moving out of leaves. High levels of sugars and sunlight produce anthocyanins, which are responsible for reds and purples.
Yellow Colors: Because carotene, responsible for yellow hues, is found in leaves year round, yellow colors tend to be relatively constant year-to-year.
Delays: A late spring or prolonged summer drought can delay the appearance of fall colors. An unusually warm period during the fall season can result in less intense colors.
Wolfe CountyTourism Restaurants & Coffee Shops
Mi Finca- 318 Main St, Campton, ~ Kel's Patriot Pizza- 133 KY-15, Campton Dixie Freeze II-194 Main St, Campton ~ Shebrews Coffee Shop-569 KY-15, Campton 145 Roadhouse- 148 Main St, Campton ~ Sky Bridge Station- 8 KY-715, Pine Ridge Hop's- 2613 KY-11, Campton ~ The Wicked Wolfe- 301 Mtn Pkway Spur, Campton Subway- 30 KY-15, Campton ~ Sweet Art by Stephanie- 110 Main St, Campton Dairy Queen- 690 KY-15, Campton ~ Red River Rockhouse- 4000 KY-11, Campton Bites & Bargains- 658 KY-205N, Campton ~ Spanks Franks- 1008 KY-191, Campton The Brick- 5412 KY-15 N, Pine Ridge ~ RedPoint Barbeque- 356 Smith Rd, Campton
