Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade, Kentucky
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:14a
A good reminder for the times we’re living in.
Hey! Is that the sun?!? Why, yes, I believe it is! I got so used to the dark, it blinded my eyes, and I had to close them for part of our drive this morning. No. Really. I did! Those of you with blue eyes will understand completely. 😊
Fact-stating = when a person of the fairer sex makes a comment regarding facts already in evidence.
Complaining = what a person of the less fairer sex hears, when a factual comment is made by the fairer sex.
Example = Fairer sex says, “The sun is really bright today, it’s hurting my eyes!” Less fair replies, “You’re not complaining about the sun finally shining, are you?”
Not the best way to begin the day, but as The Beatles say, “Ob-la-di-ob-la-da life goes on . . .”
I made several wardrobe changes today. It was that kind of weather day. You’ll see. 😊
We took on several quarter-mile hikes today (round trip ½ milers), and as already stated, it was a beautiful day! Up first was Rock Bridge. Just before you come to the natural bridge, there’s a small waterfall called Creation Falls. Beautiful!
At least we think so.
There wasn’t a sign, but it’s so beautiful, and the only waterfall around. : )
This is Rock Bridge! Isn’t it pretty?!? 
I just had to see what it must look like in the Spring, so I added some “Rhododendrons”. : )
When they first start, they can grow 4′ a year!
Once we left this area, we drove to another where two trails begin. We chose to take on Princess Arch first. The trail map describes it as “a slender and graceful 32-foot long” arch. I guess that description is how it got its name. 😊
Returning to the parking lot, the trailhead for Chimney Top Trail was on the opposite side. We were never really sure where Chimney Top was. We’re thinking maybe we were standing on top of it. Stunning views from the overlook!
Up next – drive to Angel Windows . . .
I guess you really had to be there.
It’s just crazy looking the way all those Bigleaf Magnolia leaves “litter” the woods. : )
Most of them look like this, and had some pretty good-sized hills to go up and down.
And in the same area, Whistling Arch. This one wasn’t marked either, and you couldn’t see it from the trail as you walked toward it. We found it because there was a rocky area and we turned to check it out. The arch was right beside the trail. 😊
Our final hike of the day was to Sky Bridge, which I tried to tell Blaine we’d already done. I was confusing it with Rock Bridge, but there was no fooling him. Lol. It was also our longest hike of the day at two miles. Gorgeous Arch!
I’m standing on the top of it. And yes, they encourage you to walk across it. : )
It’s a window under the arch. : )
a family was enjoying their lunch. I thought to add some perspective. : )
To end our day, we drove home through the “famous” Historic Nada Tunnel. Per the US National Forest Service,
The tunnel is a one-way section of a two-way road, drivers must watch for the headlights of oncoming vehicles. It is 12-foot-wide by 13 feet high; so RVs, tour buses and other high vehicles should use extra caution.
Gateway to Red River Gorge, Nada Tunnel was constructed to haul logs from timber operations in the Red River Gorge. Construction of the narrow gauge railroad began in December 1910 and was completed in September 1911. Rock and dirt were removed by dynamite, steam drills and hand tools. One man was killed in an explosion when he set frozen dynamite near a fire to thaw.
Starting in 1912, 25-ton and 35-ton Climax locomotives hauled logs for about fifteen miles through the tunnel to the Clay City sawmill. The tunnel brought loggers into the gorge and served as a means to transport wood products.
Today the tunnel brings tourists into the gorge to enjoy and experience its natural wonders. The rugged appearance of the tunnel serves as a reminder of the work and labors of early settlers in the area. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
and that truck was over the yellow line when we approached the curve!
Once we returned home, we celebrated the holiday by eating monster eyeballs, and roasted bones. 😊
And then I read “Little Orphant Annie” – as recited (very dramatically!) by my mother May, for many years.
(Originally published in 1885, it was inspired by Mary Alice (Allie) Smith, an orphan who lived in the author’s home during her childhood. Originally titled “The Elf Child, Riley changed it at its third printing to “Little Orphant Allie”, but a typesetter misspelled it thus changing to it to “Little Orphan Annie” – forever.)
Little Orphant Annie’s come to our house to stay
To wash the cups and saucers up and brush the crumbs away
To shoo the chickens off the porch
And dust the hearth and sweep
To make the fire and bake the bread
And earn her board and keep
And all us other li’l chillens when the supper things is done
We sets around the kitchen fire and has the mostest fun
A’ list’n to the witch tales that Annie tells about –
And the goblins’ll get YOU
If’n yo don’t watch out!
Once there was a little boy ‘et never say his prayers
And when he went to bed at night a – way upstairs
His mammy heerd him hollar
And his pappy heerd him bawl
But when they turnt the keevers down
He wasn’t there at all
They seeked him in the rafter room,
The cubby hole and press
They seeked him up the chimney flu
And every’where I guess
But all they ever fuond was his pants and round about
And the goblins’ll get YOU
If’n you don’t watch out!
Once they ws a little girl et always laugh and grin
And make fun of ever’one and all he blood and kin
And once when hey was company and old folks was there –
She mocked ‘em and she shocked ‘em and said
She didn’t care
And just when she turnt to run and hide
They was two great big black things a standin’ by her side
They snatched her through the ceiling
For she knowed what she’s about
And the goblins’ll get YOU
If’n you don’t watch out!
And Little Orphant Annie says when the flame is blue
And the lampwicks sputter and the wind goes WHOOOOO
And you hear the crickets quit and the moon is grey
And the lightin’ bugs and dew is all squinched away
You better mind your parents and your teachers fond and dear
And cherish ‘em what loves you and dry the orphant’s tear
And he’p the poor and needy ones ‘et clusters all about
Or the goblins’ll get YOU
If’n you don’t watch out!!
Happy Halloween!!