Bad Branch Falls

On September 6, 2015, I took my first trip to Bad Branch Falls with my family. Although the water was pretty low so it wasn't much of a waterfall, it was still breathtakingly beautiful. The trip wasn't planned, so I wasn't dressed for the occasion. The hike was pretty difficult for me in several areas as it went uphill. Jeans and dress boots didn't help. I guess you could say I took the beauty of the hike for granted because all I could keep thinking was, "Are we there yet?" When we did reach the falls, we left just a few minutes after admiring it. I returned for my second trip on May 13, 2016 with my boyfriend and his friend. This time I was prepared. The hike is absolutely beautiful, but the best part was indeed the falls. We ended up staying an hour or so, just relaxing in hammocks. There had been a lot of rain lately, which meant Bad Branch Falls was more than just some water dripping off of a rock. The 1.2 mile hike was definitely worth the view. Here are some pictures.

100 Things to do this Summer

1. Star gaze
2. Swim with dolphins
3. Build a sand castle
4. Get in shape
5. Catch fireflies
6. Do photography shoots
7. Camp
8. Go to Creeper trails
9. Hike as many places as possible
10. Ride bikes
11. Make homemade lemonade
12. Paint a canvas
13. Go on a road trip
14. Make S'mores
15. Have a picnic
16. Play frisbee
17. Play tennis
18. Learn to skateboard
19. Walk on a glass bridge
20. Go to a concert
21. Have a water balloon fight
22. Use a slip n' slide
23. Go to a drive in movie
24. Go fishing
25. Ride a horse
26. Watch the sun come up from the top of a mountain
27. Play in sprinklers
28. Play on a trampoline
29. Make a tire swing
30. Go exploring
31. Fly kites
32. Go to the zoo
33. Go to a museum
34. Go roller skating
35. Plant flowers
36. Read lots of books
37. Play golf
38. Get a snow cone
39. Draw with sidewalk chalk
40. Have family game night
41. Have a dance party
42. Explore new recipes
43. Have a movie day
44. Play hide and seek
45. Go to an amusement park
46. Go to a water park
47. Practice yoga daily
48. Make popsicles
49. Have a bonfire
50. Sell old clothes
51. Have a barbecue
52. Make jewelry
53. Wade in river
54. Run a 5k
55. Go to the Poke Sallet Festival
56. Make my own shirt
57. Change my hair
58. Watch for bears
59. Do some wood work
60. Make an outdoor fort
61. Buy from a local farmer's market
62. Do something nice for a stranger
63. Vlog
64. Learn to play an instrument
65. Do crafts
66. Skip rocks
67. Go kayaking
68. Make a scrapbook
69. Ride a Ferris wheel
70. Go swimming
71. Collect sea shells
72. Start a journal
73. Go to the lake
74. Use fireworks
75. Make homemade pizza
76. Drive go karts
77. Walk around an outlet shopping center
78. Watch Disney movies
79. Go to the movies
80. Blow bubbles
81. Full out date night
82. Go out for dessert
83. Make homemade ice cream
84. Eat sushi
85. Pull an all nighter
86. Eat a funnel cake
87. Go to the library
88. Have a sleepover
89. Have a spa day
90. Play video games
91. Finger paint
92. Go to a flea market
93. Go bowling
94. Go to a historic site
95. Lay in a hammock
96. Watch a meteor shower
97. Go bird watching
98. Play paintball
99. Complete a puzzle
100. Play board games

Places every Kentuckian Should Go

I really like adventure, and I'm sure most of you do too. Sometimes it's just hard to find things to do, especially in a small town. I typically alternate between going to the movies, Walmart, and the Mexican restaurant. Lately, I've been trying to find other things to do, most of which is hiking or seeing new places. I have listed these places, as well as things to do, as a bucket list. I have already been to a lot of the places listed; the pictures don't do it justice. You need to see these places for yourself.

1.) I have been to Kingdom Come State Park many times. It is beautiful, especially in the fall. It features Log Rock and Raven Rock, and you are likely to see at least one black bear if you go at the right time.

One of the many views at Kingdom Come.

2.) Camp Blanton, also located in Harlan, KY, is famous for its sand cave and knobby rock. It also features several trails and a beautiful forest.

3.) Black Mountain Thunder Zipline in Harlan, KY has a two-hour canopy tour with heights up to 500 feet. If you're brave enough, this provides a gorgeous view!

4.) Cumberland Falls is one of only two places in the world that has a moonbow, and it is located right here in Kentucky.

5.) Dog Slaughter Falls is another waterfall located in the same park as Cumberland Falls.

6.) Cumberland Gap National Historical Park has it all. History, several trails, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. There is even one trail where you can stand in three states at once.

7.) Bad Branch Falls is yet another waterfall, located in Letcher County. It is best to go after is has rained. It is a 1.2 mile hike to the waterfall.

8.) Although located in Virginia, Devil's Bathtub is pretty close to the Kentucky line. It is a brilliant blue-colored swimming hole.

9.) Fort Knox is a very historical place. Although you cannot go through gate, it is amazing to just be in the vicinity and to know the history behind it. There is also a museum in this area.

10.) The Creation Museum could easily turn into a 2-3 day trip. There are ziplines, a planetarium, exhibits, petting zoo, shows, and more. This museum shows creation through the Bible.

11.) Speaking of planetariums, Hummel Planetarium at EKU is amazing as well, and the tickets are cheap.

12.) Back to Harlan County again, the Kentucky Coal Museum provides history about, well, coal mining. The tri-cities area, where the museum is located, is full of history.

13.) Mammoth Cave is something everyone should have the pleasure of seeing, whether you live in Kentucky or not. It is the WORLD'S largest known cave system.

14.) Red River Gorge is a great scenic area to hike. It is home to the Natural Bridge.

15.) The entire city of Middlesboro was built inside of a crater, so that is a cool place to check out.

16.) Dinosaur World is an outdoor dinosaur museum near Mammoth Cave that has life-size dinosaurs.

17.) Waverly Hills Sanatorium is one of the most haunted places in the world, and it is right here in Kentucky.

18.) The Corvette Museum is an awesome place to visit if you love cars. Or even if you don't because it's the only place in the world that corvettes are made.

19.) Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill is home to the third largest shaker community in the world.

20.) Visit the Thomas Edison house in Louisville, KY.

21.) Take a cruise on the Belle of Louisville, a steamboat that is 100 years old.

22.) Visit the Kentucky State Capitol, of course.

23.) Try out some bourbon on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

24.) The Kentucky Derby Museum is a must-see. After all, Kentucky is famous for horses.

25.) If you appreciate art, travel to Berea. The whole area is famous for its art.

26.) Take an underground boat tour at the Lost River Cave.

27.) Octagon Hall Civil War Museum is a place with loads of history, including the actual site of a civil war hospital as well as remaining artifacts.