From Burnout to Balance
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crossing those bridges, the Falls of the Ohio is a great way to spend a morning for younger kids when the weather is nice. If you have the mental energy for it, there are plenty of opportunities for impromptu science lessons.
• After you get back to civilization, consider the Haymarket for lunch. You’ ll still be sober when you leave, but their outdoor space is tough to beat for a great lunch or even early dinner( they are not open late into the evenings, but if you eat dinner at 4:30, like us, you should be fine).
» Secluded hike- Make sure you wear dirty shoes if you want to take advantage of what I feel is the hidden gym of the list so far. Everyone knows to feed the animals at Blackacre State Nature Preserve, but they also have a great( short) hiking trail. This is one I almost didn’ t even mention, because I don’ t want anyone to know it’ s there. Another plus is that they have very rustic bathrooms, latrines really, and my oldest still isn’ t sure whether I was serious when I said that that’ s how bathrooms were when I was her age.
» Famous for a reason
• Bernheim Forest and Arboretum- This one is familiar, but this is for good reason. You could easily spend a morning and afternoon there. They have a great playground and plenty of space to go on very long hikes. They have a solid café on site as well, so packing your own lunch isn’ t necessary.
• The Parklands of Floyds Fork- The views really are wonderful out there and there is plenty to do. Probably a half day is all you’ d want to spend, but it’ s certainly a half day well spent. hour and half away it’ s tough to beat a weekend in a cabin. If rocky bottom – as opposed to muddy – is more your speed, check out Dale Hollow( which does have a fair bit of acreage in Tennessee, but hey, no lake is perfect). If you go to Nolin, they just revamped the Moutardier Marina and you can rent a boat and stay in one of their cabins for easy access.
DITCHING THE KIDS
If you’ re going to get rid of the kids for a day this fall and want to live a true Kentucky daydream, head to Keeneland. Everyone knows this, and you’ ll have to share the experience with several thousand other people, but it’ s an afternoon that cannot be experienced, truly, anywhere outside the state. Make sure to get the burgoo and have your charter bus stop at a bourbon distillery on the way home.
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
We all know and love the apple picking at Huber’ s and the straw mountain and the hayrides at Gallrein Farms in Shelbyville. The State Fair will have already happened by the time you’ re reading this. And don’ t forget the pumpkin patches either. But consider that there is an online repository of things to do in the state this fall: www. kentuckytourism. com / events. I get excited just visiting that website( no sarcasm). Then this site arranges these things by location: khbe. ky. gov / Events / Pages / Monthly-Events-Calendar. aspx. Finally, a plug for this site, just because I like it( plenty of duplicates from the other two): www. kentuckyliving. com / events. But I will say that seeing my kids enjoy our state has rejuvenated my interest for things I found … passé in my teenage years.
Dr. Rogers is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at the University of Louisville and practices with UofL Health.
FARTHER( a day plus)
» If you have never spent a day in the Daniel Boone National Forest, you really are missing out on a part of Kentucky’ s natural beauty. We have enjoyed renting a cabin and going on multiple“ day” hikes( read: you sleep in an air-conditioned cabin with a hot shower) since the kids ruined true backpacking( which we talk about more than actually do, if I am honest). Fall in the hills when all the leaves are changing is one of the most beautiful things you can experience in Kentucky( see image).
» Although it’ s not true that Kentucky has more coastline than Florida, or really any other state for that matter, it is definitely true that you can have a good time at Nolin Lake. I’ ll catch some heat for naming just one lake, but at only an
8 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE