Since my family and I have plans next year to move from our home state of Kentucky to Arizona next spring, we decided that every weekend we would explore some of Kentucky before we leave it. Today's adventure would be to include the KAT (Kentucky Adventure Trail) and surrounding areas. This time leaving the family LR3 at home and taking a more classic approach to adventure with the Discovery. Since we were able to explore a bit in the area last weekend and were able to plan a bit, we had a great idea of where we wanted to go and the time frame we needed to do it.

A fellow ExPo member recommended Spaas Creek Road close to Frenchburg. Since it was right on top of the KAT we decided to hit that first.









The road for the most part was gravel and was easily passable. Unfortunately, the road was closed by the NFS so we decided to turn around head for the KAT.

We turned off of Spaas Creek road and jumped on the KAT headed towards Spas Creek Road. Two different roads, one less "A".



We rode down a bit and found quite a bit of mud. Without anyone with us and the whole family in the car, we decided to find a way around instead of risking getting stuck.

We jumped back out on the main road and turned onto Pumpkin Hollow Rd. This was still marked as the easy section but, as we quickly found out, water run off had turned this into a hard section for sure.



We got up the rode about a half mile and we found a small tree lying in the middle of the road. It had settled into the sediment around it so, I was quick to jump out and chop it up with the hatchet.




We pressed on through the trail. There wasn't much for the next quarter mile as far as challenges go but, it was becoming quite fun.





As we pressed on the trail started to climb. I seen a spot to turn around and before we reached the point of no return, I wanted to walk up the trail a bit to make sure we could make it. What I found was an impassible section, at least with my setup anyways.



So, we decided to turn around once again and find another section we could hit. The great thing about the KAT is that even the paved sections offer some great views to take in. I could never really get tired of rural Kentucky.





More to come

 

We continued on and found a small side trail off of the main road that led back to the North Fork of the Kentucky River. We figured this was a good spot to get the baby out of his car seat and get something to eat.




We got back out on the paved section of the KAT. This stuff was growing everywhere!



We could feel the end of the day ahead and decided to deviate from the KAT and take a shortcut to another section of it. On the way we found this awesome tunnel. I couldn't pass up a the photo opportunity.




We found ourselves jumping back on the KAT near Beattyville. This was probably the most fun for us the entire afternoon. Just the right amount of challenge for the stock Disco.



The trail dipped in and out of a creek. We found these almost every 10th of a mile.




The trail dipped into a nice section of the creek that led to a crossing opportunity.










After the creek we found ourselves back on gravel for what would be the remainder of our trip through the KAT.



Once again mid trail we were stopped by an impassible section and with the day coming to a close, we decided to call it quits.



We had a great time on our Sunday adventure. While I was posting this my wife took a shot and said "So, the Discovery had a nice photo shoot today". Haha. Indeed it did. My love for the machine tends to spill over into my posts. I think that's the great thing about LR people though. Instead of viewing the vehicle as merely a tool, they have a relationship with the machine itself.

Aww Heck...how about one more?.:sombrero:

 

Nice set of photos. I'm also a Kentuckian. Seeing the barn in one of your pictures reminds me that one thing I want to do is spend an entire weekend driving around the state taking pictures of old barns. There are hundreds of them and for some reason I've always wanted to photograph them.

I guess I just need to get off my lazy butt and hit the road.

 

That was my problem, lots of dreaming and no action. You just gotta get in the saddle and go.
Judging from your username, are you from Louisville? That's where we currently reside.

 

Actually live down in E'town. I grew up in Muhlenberg County, but my wife is originally from the Ville. Got my masters from U of L and my wife and both kids graduated from U of L.

Once we both retire we're planning on moving back since we are season ticket holders for Cardinal Soccer, Football, Men's and Women's basketball and the Broadway series at the the Kentucky Center.

I fish so I do get to some of the area lakes which are some of the most scenic areas of the state.

 

Beautiful pics slowfiveo !! Not too different from Oregon. You prob won't be seeing that much green in Az.

 

Thanks! I won't see as much green, you're right about that. But, I'm a really big fan of desert scenery and with Flagstaff just a hop and a skip north, I'll manage.

 

Great pics.