Pennyrile Forest Naturalist and Recreation Blog

The Friend's of Pennyrile Decorating committee has been at it again. They have coordinated with Flower & More (Decorating Lobby and Dining Room), YW club of Dawson Springs (Decorating the Fireside Room), and the Pennyrile Garden Club (Decorating the Breezeway). Many volunteers have spent countless hours decorating the park inside and out. The highlight of the outside decorations are snowflakes on the light posts. The decorating committee organized a campaign to have the snowflakes donated by various groups and individuals.

There are multiple ways to get out to the park to enjoy the holiday season. One way is to plan your holiday party at the park. Our group sales coordinator, Sharon Messamore would be happy to help you set-up your party large or small. For more information on party planning at Pennyrile Forest call 1-800-325-1711 or email Sharon at sharon.messamore@ky.gov .



Another way to enjoy the season is to bring your family out for Santa Visits the Park. Santa will be available to pose for photos on December 3rd from 5-7PM CT. Photos with Santa are free of charge. You can either use your own camera, or we can take the photo with our camera and email it to you. There will also be a dinner buffet available that evening from 5-8PM. Click here to download the flyer.

Our last event of 2011 is our New Year’s Eve celebration. Come ring in the New Year with us. The $140 package include: one nights lodging, two buffet dinners, a DJ dance with New Year’s Party favors, and appetizers. Click here to download the flyer.

At about 10:30AM while I was doing some trail maintenance on the park's lake trail I saw a mature Bald Eagle fly over the tree tops on the edge of Pennyrile Lake. During the winter we sporadically see Bald Eagles at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park. Unfortunately they are not a regular occurrence like they are at some other parks in the Western part of Kentucky.

One great way to see our nation's symbol is at an Eagle Watch Weekend. These events are held at several Kentucky State Parks in January and February. For more information click here

I have helped at several of the Eagle Watch Weekend's in years past. From my experience the tours that see the most eagles are the morning boat tour and the afternoon van tour. Also, the boat is a yacht with areas for indoor and outdoor viewing.

If you are looking for a way to take advantage of the nice weather this Saturaday come and join me on the Adventure Pennyrile Forest Hike.

Start Time: 9:00 A.M.   End Time: 4:00 P.M.

Adventure Pennyrile Forest offers a naturalist guided hike in 2011. Hike all the open trails at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park for a registration fee of $25 per person. Registration fee includes: lunch at Clifty Creek Restaurant and naturalist guided hikes. Registered participants can get a 10% discount off park lodging. The trails vary in difficulty from easy to difficult. Total milage of the hike is approximately six.

If you would like to be added to the hiking email list email me at rebeccae.clark@ky.gov

Thanksgiving Day Buffet At Pennyrile Forest Resort Park:
Serving Noon Until 8:00 P.M.

Chef's Choice of Soups
Assorted Cheeses, Salads & Relishes
Candied Yams
Country Style Green Beans
Mashed Potatoes with Giblet Gravy & Other
Thanksgiving Favorites
Choice Roasted Round Beef (carved on the line)
Turkey and Dressing
Baked Ham
Fried Chicken
Chef's Choice of Local Favorite
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Other Southern Favorites

Adults- $17.95 (+ tax) Children (6-12) - $7.75 (+ tax) Children 5 & Under Eat FREE

Beverage Included

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park hosted Fall Photography Weekend October 21-23, 2011. The following photograph is the Best in Show photograph from the contest. It was taken by Ross Workman of Dawson Springs, Kentucky. He took this photograph of a Poison Ivy leaf and submitted it in the Master Division's Fall Color Close-up category.















The following images won 1st place in their division and category. The winners name and the category the photograph won in is listed beside the photograph. Enjoy!




Cliffs by Christophor Kelly
Intermediate Division

















Fall Color Close-up by Jack Glisson Master Division









Photo from a High Point by Ann Abney Intermediate Division











Historical Settings by Angela Comperry Intermediate Division












Landscape Made of Stone by Troy Smoot Master Divison




















Landscape by Vicki Harmon Point & Shoot Division










Life in the Park by William Spadie Master Division














Made by the WPA by Jim Pearson Master Division










Fall Color by Gigi Wheeler Point & Shoot Division












Reflected Fall Color by Philip Travis Intermediate Division

















Rustic by Diana Morgan Point & Shoot Division










Wildlife by Diana Morgan Point & Shoot Division













During this year's competition we tried to narrow the categories to make the competition easier for the point & shoot participants and harder for the masters. The divisions are separated on both the type of camera you have and your skill level. A master participant may use a point & shoot camera if they wish, but they must compete in the master division. A master level participant is someone who has profited off their photography.

Photography weekends are scheduled for the following dates in 2012: April 20-22 and October 19-21. Reserve your room in advance because the accommodations often fill up fast for this event. If you would like to be added to the photography weekend email list email me at rebeccae.clark@ky.gov