Today I went road tripping. The weather was perfect, the fail foliage was at it's brightest and most brilliant, and I drove my pre-baby car for the first time in months. True to form, I wanted to travel down a south-eastern Kentucky road, with my windows down and a grape crush in my hand, and that's exactly what I did. As I wrapped my jetta around every country curve of Pine Mountain, and then, smelled the hay bales in the valleys of Cumberland, my best friend and I were overwhelmed by the beauty and quaintness of the area. It's true, I've not spent much time around The Cumberland-Harlan area, and today was my first visit to Kingdom Come State Park, but I must say that I have never been to many places that are more breath taking. I even managed to discover some hidden little gems along the way that made my heart smile. The JD Maggard Country Store and The Oven Fork Mercantile. The trip took us maybe four hours in all to complete (including stops and all our plundering) and we went from Hazard, through Whitesburg, over Pine Mountain, into Cumberland, stopped at Kingdom Come, and then back over the mountain in Harlan over to Hyden. The trip was perfect.
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| Pine Mountain, Ky. |
Pine Mountain in the fall is, simply put, lovely. Everything about the drive is just absolutely perfect. If you ever get the chance to take the day to hike Bad Branch Falls, I would recommend you do so. There are so many pretty spots to just pull off the side of the road, and take in your surroundings, or have a picnic. It is amazing to me that such a magical place exists only a short distance from my hometown. My mother and I drove my two year old, to the top a few weeks ago, and he could not believe his eyes. He was completely awestruck. It truly feels like another world up on that mountain, it is just so gorgeous.
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| Pine Mountain. |
On our way back down Pine Mountain, we came across the most darling little country store, and I absolutely lost my mind when I found it was STILL OPERATING and was open. I literally grabbed my camera and almost ran inside the store.
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| Maggard's Store |
What I found out INSIDE was even better. The Maggard Country Store is celebrating it's 100th year of operation this year, and not only is it a testament of history, but it is also the store that the infamous "bologna" scene in Coal Miner's Daughter was filmed. You know the one. Where Mooney goes and buys the bologna and talks about how it makes ya "horny". Yes. I almost died when the owner told me the story, and to beat it all, they still have the scales in there!
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| Scales used in the movie "Coal Miner's Daughter". |
The grandson of the original store owner was kind enough to show me around, and didn't seemed phased at all that I would come traipsing in, exclaiming over all the trinkets, knick knacks and antiques that are displayed with the bags of chips and RC Cola's. In fact, he said he was just used to it. Apparently they get all kinds of tourists that come along and want pictures and stories. Poor feller, I really gave him the run down though, and even made the poor guy tell me the history behind a solid wood, mint-condition Frigidaire that hadn't been moved since the 1930's. I'm sure he thought I was nuts, but he was such a good sport, and if he happens to be reading this, (I made sure I gave him the web address) I thank you, sir, for putting up with my fan girling, and continuous questions!
As if this wasn't enough to make my entire day, a half a mile down the road, I found the Oven Fork Mercantile Store. Oh my goodness, this place! It was closed, so I was heartbroken, but just being able to stand on the front porch and snap a few pictures was enough to tide me over until I can come back and go inside. The shop is a part of the Kentucky Craft Trail, and is seriously so unique and interesting, I was in love with it.
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| Over Fork Mercantile |
If I am not able to open a place like this to call my own by the time I'm 40, then my life will not be complete. They serve home made fudge. How cute is that? I mean, come on!
After I got over my initial sadness in not be able to go in and waller around in dust and antiques for hours, we decided that it wouldn't hurt to visit Kingdom Come State Park. I've never been, or if I have, I was very young and can't remember. After wondering for several minutes if my poor, beat up Jetta was going to make it up a very steep, and winding two lane road, we finally made it the top, and was I surprised. The place is absolutely gorgeous. Camping areas, picnic areas, a playground, many overlooks and hiking trails. They also have a lake that was beautiful, and would be a great spot to take your children too. I caught myself looking at this, or that, and wishing I had my kids with me, because I know G especially would have loved it.
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| Kingdom Come State Park |
This was Bullock's Overlook, which is the highest point in the park.
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| Bullock's Overlook |
Just to be an impromptu trip out of my house, that cost me 20 bucks in gas, you can't beat this. Being able to see little pieces of history, and revel in the beauty of our state parks is just amazing, and of course, doesn't break the bank. For those of you, who, like me, love to drive and explore, but rarely have time to do so, just make time for this day trip, trust me, it's worth it. Let me just say this though, if you are going to do it, do it quick, because the leaves are peaking, and I cant imagine it being any more beautiful than it is this time of the year. Enjoy.
Labels: Coal Miners Daughter, Daytip, Kingdom Come State Park, Loretta Lynn, Maggards Country Store, Oven Fork Mercantile, Pine Mountain Ky
