Natural Bridge Natural Bridge State Park Kentucky Back in January I got a perfect opportunity to visit Kentucky's Natural Bridge State Park right after a snow event. I just don't think conditions could have been more perfect as 3 or 4 inches blanketed the trees, while underneath the canopy along the trails the ground was nearly uncovered. That morning we arrived we hiked up to Lookout Point via the Devil's Gulch. For the most part the hike was pretty easy, all but at Devil's Gulch where it requires a steep climb through a crevice in the cliff side, first involving man made steps then ending in the last 15 ft was steps etched in the cliff face covered in ice. I thought to myself, "you've got to be kidding me" but I had my Yaktrax Ice Walkers on and against my fears I made the final ascent. At the top I looked back down the steps and couldn't believe I'd gone down them on a summer day several years earlier. Lookout point offers a wonderfully picturesque view of Natural Bridge and with all the snow on the trees it was simply incredible. Definitely one of my favorite trips of the year. Now, if only I can get to Grey's Arch in nearby Red River Gorge in these conditions...
Natural Bridge Natural Bridge State Park Powell County Kentucky is from an evening solo hike I took up to Natural Bridge Arch a few weeks ago. You have got to love Tuesday hikes, for the most part it was just myself, the views and the arch. It was a much needed cleansing from the daily stress. After visiting Natural Bridge I went out to Lookout Point for some views and it turns out I wasn't disappointed. Clouds were making their way in from the west making for some cool pastel colors over the arch. Honestly, it was a bucket list moment with the beautiful light and the fall colors. Good times with just myself and nature!
Princess Arch Red River Gorge Geological Area Daniel Boone National Forest Powell County Kentucky Sky Bridge in Kentucky's Red River Gorge Geological Area is a place I've been many, many, many times and for a while I was really considering never returning. Although it really is one of my favorite arches, I was quite burnt out on it. But no matter how much I tried, I always found myself returning because I was with someone who had never seen it and I didn't think it was fair not to take them there because I was selfish. This past weekend I not only visited the arch once, but twice and a total of three times over the last three weeks. I took my good friends Scott and Monica to visit Friday evening and I didn't like the light at all but that visit inspired me to make a trip again Sunday morning. I knew the forecast called for clear skies and after having done some research I knew the angle the sun was going to strike with the early light. Although I wish I had of arrived a bit earlier (wasting time at Chimney Rock hoping for some cool fog effects), I really liked how this scene played out. After taking numerous compositions in the direct sunlight I decided to have a go at this angle, one that has never really worked out for me in the past, until this day. It just goes to show you, that you can go to a place 50 times and it's till possible to see it in a new perspective and in this case a new light.
