Kentucky Capitol - 1H

Kentucky Capitol Frankfort Franklin County Kentucky This weekend I had oodles of waterfalling plans, Saturday I was going to shoot a falls in Paintsville, Ky and make my way back towards home hitting the falls near West Liberty and then hitting Laural Gorge. Sunday, I planned on hitting Raven's Run and Shaker Village. Well all that went out the window when my pup Maggie suddenly became sick at 2 am Saturday morning, prompting an emergency visit at 9 am, leading to having to stay with her all day. Then Sunday the sun came out. So I decided to head to Frankfort with my good friend Chris Morris and shoot things in the bright light. I've been wanting to spend some quality time in Kentucky's capitol city for years now and although I only had a couple hours I got to see several things and learn my way around a little bit. On our quick little tour we stopped by and walked the grounds of the state Capitol. It was the first time I'd really gotten the chance to get a good look at it. I just loved this perspective of the massive building, the foliage, and flowering trees made for a pretty scene. I know one thing I can say about Sunday afternoon, it sure was a pretty day out

Kentucky Capitol - Stairs To The House Of Representatives - 1H

Kentucky State Capitol Outside the House Of Representatives Chamber Frankfort Franklin County Kentucky

Fitchburg Furnace - 1H

Fitchburg Furnace Daniel Boone National Forest Fitchburg Estill County Kentucky This past Sunday I got to stop by the little known Fitchburg Furnace located between Irvine and Flemingsburg, Kentucky off KY-52 in the Daniel Boone National Forest. This was a little side trip on our way to what we thought was our Jones (my mom's maiden name) family reunion at Natural Bridge State Park. Turns out we crashed a different Jones family reunion, but the day wasn't a waste at all as I got to spend a wonderful day with my Mom and my cousins Les and Lisa. Towering at over 60 ft. tall, what was also known as the Red River Furnace was completed in 1869 and is the largest furnace of this kind in the world. It's made completely of sandstone with two stacks nestled within named Chandler and Blackstone. The National Park Service states that iron production ceased in 1873, however I will have to differ on that information. According to family history, my great, great grandmother who lived nearby met a fella who came to work at this furnace and a short time later my grandmother Pitts was born in 1889. So if you think about it, if it wasn't for this furnace, you probably wouldn't be reading this post right now.

Gladie Historical Site - 1H

Gladie Historical Site Red River Gorge Geologicial Area Daniel Boone National Forest Wolfe County Kentucky

Lincoln's Birthplace - 1H

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park Hodgenville LaRue County Kentucky

Mill Springs Mill - 1

Mill Springs Mill Mill Springs Park Monticello Clinton County Kentucky

My Old Kentucky Home - 1H

Federal Hill Mansion My Old Kentucky Home My Old Kentucky Home State Park Nelson County Bardstown Kentucky Myself and good friend Christopher Morris did loop day trip taking us to Tioga Falls (no flow), Saunders Springs (wasn't the right conditions), My Old Kentucky Home State Park (was only allowed 15 minutes to shoot) and finally the Frankfort Cemetery (rain and haze). Although we had a great time for the whole trip I think we enjoyed our time most at My Old Kentucky Home. When we walked in the door of the visitor center, we were told the grounds were closing in 15 minutes as the grounds were occupied for a wedding. Turns out 15 minutes was plenty of time as I got several compositions of the home, this being my favorite as the smartweed bloomed in the foreground of the spring house.

Weisenberger Mill - 1H

Weisenberger Mill South Elkhorn Creek Scott County Midway, Kentucky Early on, when I created the Kentucky Waterfalls, Arches and Landscapes Facebook page, one of the first photographs that was posted on there was of Weisenberger Mill located near Midway, Kentucky. Ever since I've been wanting to pay that place a visit. So after visiting the abandoned Lewis Hunter Distillery we headed to the mill to check it out. I wasn't sure what to expect as far as waterflow over the dam but it turned out just as I had hoped, plenty, and it was swirling like crazy. I had done a quick scope of the situation and noticed the sun was about to get caught behind a massive cloud so I ran back to the Jeep and grabbed my stuff. Located on South Elkhorn Creek a now blocked off one lane bridge spans the waterway and offers a scenic overlook to the mill and the dam. There were people everywhere along the creek fishing but I noticed many of them were heading out and after thinking about it, I hadn't seen very many photos of this area from creek level, so I made my way under the guardrail and set up under the bridge. Unbeknownst to me while I was shooting a police officer showed up and explained to my companions above that this side of the creek was private property and quickly left. I guess I was OK, where I was. One of the things I want to do is shoot here in fall as well as during winter for a sunrise. Yeah. That would be nice.

Weisenberger Mill - 2H

Weisenberger Mill South Elkhorn Creek Scott County Midway, Kentucky Here's another shot from a visit to the Weisenberger Mill and dam located near Midway, Kentucky. And you know what? I can't wait to visit this place this Fall!

White Hall - 1

White Hall State Historic Site Kentucky State Park Richmond Madison County Kentucky

Cottage Furnace

Cottage Furnace Cottage Furnace Picnic Area Daniel Boone National Forest Estill County Kentucky On our south of RRG adventure not too long ago, myself and good friend Christopher Morris made our last stop of the day looking for the arch at Cottage Furnace. Located in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Estill County, after a good warm up hiking at two other locations we were ready for a 1.4 mile round trip hike. Actually I was, Chris wanders around in the woods every day for a living. Following a now closed but well used and mostly downhill forest road it lead to a now abandoned and severely overgrown picnic area. Though we weren't 100% sure where to look we followed a lightly worn path to a trail at the far end of the parking lot which after a 100 yards or so lead to the furnace. What a cool place! The foliage growing all around and on the furnace combined with the sound of a waterfall in the distance and the hot muggy air gave me the feeling I was off in a Mayan Jungle and just wandered upon an ancient temple. Though the arch was a bit of a disappointment, we believe it is man made to drain water from the back of the structure. It turns out the furnace was a lot more interesting than the original goal, and that was alright by me!

Kentucky Capitol