Tour Adventurously in Kentucky This Autumn

Late fall and early winter in Kentucky display a unique charm: the air is cool and clear yet above freezing, and the bare trees reveal vistas hidden the rest of the year.

Adventure tourism is alive and well during the fall and winter months in Kentucky. There are plenty of outdoor opportunities ranging from hunting and fishing to hikes, wildlife viewing and canoeing and kayaking.

“It’s great to get outside during the cooler temperatures during this time of year in Kentucky,” said First Lady Jane Beshear. “There’s plenty of nature to see and experience throughout our state and being outside is a good way to get healthy and stay fit.”

Here is a listing of some adventure tourism events in Kentucky during November and December. To learn about other events, visit www.tourism.ky.gov/outdoors/.

NOV. 13, 2010
THE ART OF OBSERVATION
Location: Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest
2499 Highway 245
Clermont, Ky. 40110
Fee: Bernheim Members $8 ; Non-members: $10
Time: 1-2 p.m.
Details: Increase your nature observation skills with this fun and rewarding program at Bernheim. Discover how your ability to see natural treasure is connected to seeing patterns and details amid a clutter of visual stimuli. With practice, patience and instruction, you will learn basic skills to help you be more aware and attentive to your surroundings. For adults and children over six. Register by calling (502) 955-8512.
Contact: Susan Ritter @ 502-955-8512 or sritter@bernheim.org.

NOV. 13-14, 2010
FALL ELK WATCH
Location: Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park
4441 KY Highway 1833
Buckhorn, Ky. 41721
Fee: Package price of $150 per couple ($110 per single) (see details)
Time: 5:45 a.m.-11 a.m.
Details: Enjoy seeing these majestic animals during their rutting season. Morning tours leave the park at about 5:45 a.m. Package price of $150 per couple ($110 per single)includes one night’s lodging, dinner on night of arrival, bagged breakfast and transportation to and from the elk preserve the following morning. Stay the night before or after with package for an extra $45.
Contact: Sue Thomas @ 606-398-7510 or Sue.Thomas@ky.gov.

NOV. 20, 2010
ECO KIDS ADVENTURES IN NATURE: THE AUTUMN LIFE OF ANIMALS
Location: Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest
2499 Highway 245
Clermont, Ky. 40110
Fee: Free
Time: 1-4 p.m.; On Your Own Challenge
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Details: The ECO in Bernheim’s ECO Kids programs stands for Every Child Outdoors. Each first and third Saturday at Bernheim, ECO Kids Adventures in Nature provides kids and families with opportunities to get outside for play, fresh air and to learn about nature. ECO Kids programs are free for members and included with admission for non-members. On Saturday, Nov. 20, the focus is “The Autumn Life of Animals.” Autumn is a busy time for nature’s animals, with migration, food storage and hibernation. Discovery Stations at the Visitor Center will be available from 1-4 p.m. There is also an on-your-own challenge: Thinking Like a Critter. Challenge sheets are available in the Visitor Center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Contact: Susan Ritter @ 502-955-8512 or sritter@bernheim.org.

NOV. 20, 2010
CANOEING FOR BEGINNERS
Location: Natural Bridge State Resort Park
2135 Natural Bridge Rd.
Slade, Ky. 40376
Fee: $30 per person includes instruction, canoe, paddle and life jacket
Time: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m
Details: Learn the basics of canoeing on Mill Creek Lake at Natural Bridge and then experience river canoeing on the beautiful Red River within the Red River Gorge Geological Area. The river trip is 8 miles on an enjoyable class I section of the Red River. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration fee of $30 per person includes instruction, canoe, paddle and life jacket. For more information contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov. Contact: Tyler Morgan @ 606-663-2214 or Tyler.Morgan@ky.gov.

NOV. 21, 2010
FULL “FROST” MOON HIKE
Location: Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest
2499 Highway 245
Clermont, Ky. 40110
Fee: Bernheim members $8; Non-members: $12
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Details: Bernheim night hikes are great opportunities to relax in the beauty of nature bathed in the light of a full moon. Interpretive naturalists will guide you and provide information about night ecology, lunar lore and exciting tales. Each full moon program is timed to begin near sunset and during the rise of a full moon over the tree tops. In order to walk without flashlights, all full moon programs keep to open areas and established trails. While cloud cover doesn’t usually cancel Bernheim night programs, severe weather sometimes does. Please call between 3-5 p.m. on the day of the program to find out about last minute changes due to weather conditions. Dress for the weather and outdoor hiking. Please note that while Bernheim does allow dogs on a leash, we ask that you leave your furry friends at home for group hikes. Registration is required; call (502) 955-8512. Contact: Susan Ritter @ 502-955-8512 or sritter@bernheim.org.

NOV. 27, 2010
NATURALIST WALK
Location: Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest
2499 Highway 245
Clermont, Ky. 40110
Fee: Bernheim members $8; Non-members: $12
Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
Details: Learn how to view nature through the eyes of a naturalist during this walk with Bernheim’s Whitney Wurzel, whose field methods combine wacky science and creative exploration into one adventure. By the end of this walk, naturalists of all ages will discover a world brimming with endless connections, untold stories and fascinating details. Registration is required; call (502) 955-8512. Contact Susan Ritter @ 502-955-8512 or sritter@bernheim.org.

DEC. 3-4, 2010
SUNRISE ELK VIEWING TOUR
Location: Pine Mountain State Resort Park
1050 State Park Rd.
Pineville, Ky. 40977
Fee: $25 per person, $15 (for children 6 & under)
Time: 5:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Details: Pine Mountain State Resort Park continues its series of guided fall/winter elk tours in 2010-11. With sightings recorded for every tour over the last three years, guided elk viewing adventures have proven to be the current top-end nature experience available in Kentucky today. Participants must register in advance by contacting the park’s guest services desk at (800) 325.1712. Don’t delay; the tours fill quickly! Overnight accommodations are also available; lodging reservations must be made separately. The tour fee is $25 per persons ($15 children 6 & under) and includes the Kentucky’s Elk Herd presentation on Friday evening, and the continental breakfast and guided tour on Saturday morning. Participation in the Friday evening natural history program about elk is strongly recommended, as it serves as an invaluable enhancement to your enjoyment of the Saturday tour. Additional Sunrise Elk Viewing Tour Dates: Nov. 6, 2010, Dec. 4, 2010, Jan. 8, 2011, Jan. 15, 2011, Jan. 22, 2011, Feb. 5 2011, Feb. 26, 2011 and March 12, 2011. Contact: Dean Henson, Park Naturalist @ 606-337-3066 or Dean.Henson@ky.gov.

DEC. 4-5, 2010
FALL ELK WATCH
Location: Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park
4441 KY Highway 1833
Buckhorn, Ky. 41721
Fee: Package price of $150 per couple ($110 per single) (see details)
Time: 5:45 a.m.-11 a.m.
Details: Enjoy seeing these majestic animals during their rutting season. Morning tours leave the park at about 5:45 a.m. Package price of $150 per couple ($110 per single)includes one night’s lodging, dinner on night of arrival, bagged breakfast and transportation to and from the Elk preserve the following morning. Stay the night before or after with package for an extra $45. Contact: Sue Thomas @ 606-398-7510 or Sue.Thomas@ky.gov.

DEC. 11-12, 2010
HORSE CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTING CLINIC
Location: Hidden Cave Ranch
877 Thrasher Rd.
Burkesville, Ky. 42717
Fee: $450
Time: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Details: TWO DAY HANDS-ON CLINIC INCLUDES: Equine Skeletal Anatomy DVD*; Classroom lectures with real bones;
Equine Chiropractic Adjusting DVD;
Canine Chiropractic Adjusting DVD *; Segment on Dog Adjusting Techniques;
Basic Saddle Fitting Segment;
Anatomy Workbook with picture demonstration;
Equine Chiropractic Technique Workbook with demo pictures; and Hands-on Supervision by Dr. Hampton and State Licensed Veterinarian. Lunch, snacks and drinks included both days.
Contact: Registration and Clinic questions contact Dr. Bill Hampton @ 970-903-8399 or equinechiro@centurytel.net. Contact Hidden Cave Ranch @ 270-433-3225 or marion@hiddencaveranch.com.
DEC. 17-18, 2010
BLACK BEAR WEEKEND
Location: Pine Mountain State Resort Park
1050 State Park Rd.
Pineville, Ky. 40977
Fee: $110 Black Bear Hunter Package includes two night’s accommodations and days-end seminars on black bear habitat and behavior.
Time: Contact Park for exact times
Details: Black bears were nearly absent from Kentucky for about 150 years after intensive logging in the 19th century took away much of their habitat, but today’s healthy population will again support hunting. The hunt is open to any Kentucky resident who purchases a bear hunting permit in addition to an annual hunting license, unless license exempt. Those going afield to hunt black bears in the designated counties nearby are invited to make Pine Mountain their weekend hunting headquarters. Our $110 Black Bear Hunter Package includes two night’s accommodations and days-end seminars on black bear habitat and behavior. Meals are also available on-site in the park’s Mountain View Restaurant. Because of the low package rate, no other discounts will apply. To make a reservation, contact the park’s guest services desk at (606) 337-3066 or (800) 325-1712. * This event is tentatively scheduled in anticipation of formal date selection by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. Contact: Dean Henson, Park Naturalist @ 606-337-3066 or Dean.Henson@ky.gov.

DEC. 18-19, 2010
FALL ELK WATCH
Location: Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park
4441 KY Highway 1833
Buckhorn, Ky. 41721
Fee: Package price of $150 per couple ($110 per single) (see details)
Time: 5:45 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Details: Enjoy seeing these majestic animals during their rutting season. Morning tours leave the park at about 5:45 a.m. Package price of $150 per couple ($110 per single)includes one night’s lodging, dinner on night of arrival, bagged breakfast and transportation to and from the elk preserve the following morning. Stay the night before or after with package for an extra $45. Contact: Sue Thomas @ 606-398-7510.