Besides all of the Tennessee state parks which we love, there are two in Kentucky which we also enjoy. One is Barren River and the one I'm featuring today is DALE HOLLOW STATE RESORT PARK, located on the southern Kentucky border near Burkesville. We've been there several times --but most of today's photos were taken at the end of August in 2007 when we took George's daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Chuck, there for dinner in their lodge. Here's a little history of this beautiful state park.
Dale Hollow Lake--taken from the back of the lodge
Dale Hollow State Park is located in south-central Kentucky in the Cumberland River basin on the Obey River. The huge reservoir created by Dale Hollow Dam covers 27,700 acres in parts of Clinton and Cumberland Counties in Kentucky and Clay, Fentress, Overton, and Pickett in Tennessee. Dale Hollow Dam and Reservoir controls the runoff drainage area of 935 square miles.
This is the Lodge at Dale Hollow where we had lunch.
Both the dam and reservoir are under the oversight of the Army Corps of Engineers. Completed in 1943, the dam and reservoir not only provides flood control, but also generates large amounts of electrical power. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) operates and distributes the electrical power for regional consumption. The dam is 1, 717 feet in length and holds back a lake that is 61 miles long with 653 miles of shoreline, and has a 120-foot depth at its deepest point.
Above is George, me, Kelly and Chuck at Dale Hollow. I'm not that short --since I'm 5'6" ---but the Adams' are just TALL people!!! ha
The lands surrounding the Dale Hollow Reservoir are some of the most scenic in the South. Forest covered hills and sweeping views from some of the plateaus are examples of the natural beauty of the region. We love to go there!
Fishing is considered to be excellent in Dale Hollow Lake. (Hear that, TOM ???) The world record small mouth bass weighing 11 pounds and 15 ounces came from the waters of the lake, within a half-mile of Dale Hollow State Park. The lake also is stocked with white bass, bluegill, crappie, muskie, and rainbow trout, making the lake’s waters a fisherman’s paradise. The park has a marina with a dock and boat slips. The marina has a restaurant and a gift shop. Park facilities also include a pool, picnic areas, campground, lodge rooms and playgrounds.
I'm not sure what Kelly and I were doing---but it looks as if George told us to act like Dale Hollow Statues!!!! Kelly makes a better statue than me, for sure!!!!!
The region-surrounding Dale Hollow State Park is historically significant. Virginia set aside the south-central portion of Kentucky for a military reserve district for Revolutionary soldiers. The South of the Green River lands covered a great portion of southern Kentucky. Many Virginia soldiers of the Revolutionary War moved to what would become Clinton and Cumberland Counties. Cumberland County is also famous as the site of one of the first oil wells in the United States.
I'd like to be on that houseboat out on the lake. You????? OR---maybe I'd like to build a cabin on that little island!!!! Hmmmmmm...
During the winter of 1829, some men were drilling an exploratory well for salt brine. Salt had long been a lucrative business on the American frontier. One way to produce salt was to find a deposit of salt brine, boil the water down and collect the salt. On March 11, 1829 the men drilling for salt water struck instead an oil well. The pressure of the gas and oil underneath the surface forced an enormous geyser into the air. In 1934 the Kentucky General Assembly placed a commemorative tablet stating that this was the site of the first oil well in America. Though there have been many disputes to the claim, the Kentucky oil well remains one of the natural phenomenons of the south central portion of the state.
A pretty young woman and an OLD lady (with horns) were being very silly!!!!! ha
Above and below are pictures we took at Dale Hollow. This is a beautiful state park--so if you live anywhere nearby or are in this area, check it out sometime. They have Eagle Watches in January--which I'd love to go to someday. There are many other special activities and programs going on throughout the year.
Ready to take a trip to Dale Hollow now????? By the way, if you go on Sunday, they have delicious catfish for dinner!!!! George's Dad and Mom love their buffets.
Have a good day. I think (hope) that the worst of our rains are over. Luckily here, we had no flooding--but we did have alot of rain for a WEEK.
Hugs,
