2011-55 Cataract Falls, Indiana & Blue Grass Festival, Kentucky
Hello
All,
Saying goodbye to Michigan we hopped on Interstate-75 southbound and then various other U.S. highways till arriving in Indiana. Somewhere we heard that there were waterfalls in Indiana--and that intrigued us. We had to check it out. After all, the state is known for its exceptional farmland. And, with an average elevation of only 760 feet above sea level it didn’t seem like waterfall country.
Cataract Falls located on Mill Creek, in the west central part of the state, is reported to be the largest by height and by volume. It became our target destination. However, upon arrival we learned that it consists of two waterfalls about a mile apart. The upper falls drops about 45 feet while the lower falls drops just 30 feet. Interestingly, the height of the two falls are added together to make it the highest in the state! In spite of the political and/or statistical definition of the falls we found them to be quite lovely.
Here are a couple of shots of both waterfalls.
Saying goodbye to Michigan we hopped on Interstate-75 southbound and then various other U.S. highways till arriving in Indiana. Somewhere we heard that there were waterfalls in Indiana--and that intrigued us. We had to check it out. After all, the state is known for its exceptional farmland. And, with an average elevation of only 760 feet above sea level it didn’t seem like waterfall country.
Cataract Falls located on Mill Creek, in the west central part of the state, is reported to be the largest by height and by volume. It became our target destination. However, upon arrival we learned that it consists of two waterfalls about a mile apart. The upper falls drops about 45 feet while the lower falls drops just 30 feet. Interestingly, the height of the two falls are added together to make it the highest in the state! In spite of the political and/or statistical definition of the falls we found them to be quite lovely.
Here are a couple of shots of both waterfalls.
The
ole boy in the following photo was sitting on a 5-gallon bucket fishing over
the edge of the falls.
Continuing
our southerly journey we traveled into the Bluegrass State of Kentucky. It was
late in September and the tobacco barns were full of leaves in various stages
of the curing process. We found this interesting.
Sides of the barns can be opened to allow air circulation, while others have roof vents. We learned that each farmer has his favorite venting systems. They are built not only for the predominant wind but for efficiency. Right after the tobacco is hung, the vents are opened during the day in an effort to begin the important process of shedding water, known as the curing. Tobacco is often cured at a specific temperature and humidity, depending on where the tobacco is being cured, and also what the finished tobacco leaf is supposed to taste like. Cigar companies each have their own curing recipes. Each leaf loses approximately eighty percent of its weight during the process. Vents are used to slow the drying. This allows for a critical chemical breakdown to occur, turning the tobacco leaf from green to yellow to brown. To maintain ideal curing temperatures over the course of the process, farmers not only rely on the vents but on heat. While charcoal fires have been replaced in many barns with propane heaters, both methods are still used to reduce moisture. Some barns we passed were billowing thick smoke out of every crack. When we first came upon one smoking in this manner we thought the barn was on fire! We’re sure the farmer would have had a great laugh at our ignorance.
Here is a shot of a tobacco barn with side vents open. You can see the tobacco hanging inside.
Sides of the barns can be opened to allow air circulation, while others have roof vents. We learned that each farmer has his favorite venting systems. They are built not only for the predominant wind but for efficiency. Right after the tobacco is hung, the vents are opened during the day in an effort to begin the important process of shedding water, known as the curing. Tobacco is often cured at a specific temperature and humidity, depending on where the tobacco is being cured, and also what the finished tobacco leaf is supposed to taste like. Cigar companies each have their own curing recipes. Each leaf loses approximately eighty percent of its weight during the process. Vents are used to slow the drying. This allows for a critical chemical breakdown to occur, turning the tobacco leaf from green to yellow to brown. To maintain ideal curing temperatures over the course of the process, farmers not only rely on the vents but on heat. While charcoal fires have been replaced in many barns with propane heaters, both methods are still used to reduce moisture. Some barns we passed were billowing thick smoke out of every crack. When we first came upon one smoking in this manner we thought the barn was on fire! We’re sure the farmer would have had a great laugh at our ignorance.
Here is a shot of a tobacco barn with side vents open. You can see the tobacco hanging inside.
The
following barn has a different venting system than the one above.
Here
is a barn that is closed up, and if you look closely you can see smoke starting
to come from the upper right side.
Our
next stop was Rosine, Kentucky, where we met up with our friends Ken and Elyse.
They had been enjoying a few days at the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Music Festival.
The festival was taking place on the land where legendary mandolin player Bill
Monroe was born and raised. Jerusalem Ridge is one of the most popular of the
many Kentucky bluegrass festivals that occur throughout the year.
The 2011 festival was six days long and celebrated the 100th anniversary of Mr. Monroe’s birth on Jerusalem Ridge. During the 6-day festival 55 bands entertained over 18,000 folks from 49 states and 10 countries. We had tickets for three days, which overlapped our friends for one of those days. So we had a great visit with them. It was a real hoot to sit back in our camp chairs and listen to the music on the warm beautiful fall days.
The main stage was set up at the bottom of a “holler” with two gentle hills sloping up on both sides. We picked our spot on one of the hillsides and parked our camp chairs for the duration. What we mean by this is that we could leave our chairs there for the entire 6-day event and no one would mess with them. If you didn’t bring chairs with you there were bales of straw placed in many locations on the hillsides that you could sit on.
When we first planted our chairs the lady in the following photo was sitting in front of us. We kind of smiled as it seemed the fur collar on a warm day was a little out of place. But, we thought, “…who are we to judge—to each their own.”
The 2011 festival was six days long and celebrated the 100th anniversary of Mr. Monroe’s birth on Jerusalem Ridge. During the 6-day festival 55 bands entertained over 18,000 folks from 49 states and 10 countries. We had tickets for three days, which overlapped our friends for one of those days. So we had a great visit with them. It was a real hoot to sit back in our camp chairs and listen to the music on the warm beautiful fall days.
The main stage was set up at the bottom of a “holler” with two gentle hills sloping up on both sides. We picked our spot on one of the hillsides and parked our camp chairs for the duration. What we mean by this is that we could leave our chairs there for the entire 6-day event and no one would mess with them. If you didn’t bring chairs with you there were bales of straw placed in many locations on the hillsides that you could sit on.
When we first planted our chairs the lady in the following photo was sitting in front of us. We kind of smiled as it seemed the fur collar on a warm day was a little out of place. But, we thought, “…who are we to judge—to each their own.”
Wow,
were we every surprised a short time later when the fur moved and the cutest
little fluffy dog looked up at us.
Here
is a shot of the main stage with fall decorations of mums, sunflowers, and
pumpkins.
This
is some of the crowd enjoying the music. You could sit almost anywhere, as
speakers were scattered throughout the forested slopes.
When
bands finished their sets on stage members strolled up the path in the holler
carrying their instruments. They often stopped to visit with folks along the
way. It was a really cool set up and a great experience—so peaceful and
relaxing.
These
are our friends Elyse and Ken enjoying the music and the beautiful sunny day.
In addition to the
main stage there were a number of smaller stages with groups playing. Plus,
there were many impromptu pickup groups from the audience playing throughout.
Wonder how long the ladies hair is with her back to us in the following photo.
Tents
with venders selling all types of southern dishes and cold drinks, musical
instruments, and DVD’s were throughout. A specific area was dedicated to booths
selling all types of craft items—much of it locally made. Or you could tour the
home where Bill Monroe was born and learn to play the mandolin.
Bluegrass as a music genre is participative in addition to just good listening. Many folks grab their favorite instrument and find a place to jam with others of the same mindset. Popular instruments are mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar and bass. Or you could just stand up and start dancing the jig if the impulse hit you. Without a doubt everyone was having a good time and the festival was a great family venue. The guy in the coveralls in the following photos was an amazing clogger. Every now and then when the mood hit him he would get up and start dancing on a little bridge leading to the main stage.
Bluegrass as a music genre is participative in addition to just good listening. Many folks grab their favorite instrument and find a place to jam with others of the same mindset. Popular instruments are mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar and bass. Or you could just stand up and start dancing the jig if the impulse hit you. Without a doubt everyone was having a good time and the festival was a great family venue. The guy in the coveralls in the following photos was an amazing clogger. Every now and then when the mood hit him he would get up and start dancing on a little bridge leading to the main stage.
We
thoroughly enjoyed these little impromptu bits of entertainment. Having never
been to more than a couple Bluegrass Festivals we were not familiar with the
names of the headliners. But, were we ever impressed with the quality of the
music and talent of the singers and musicians. Here are a few names of some of
the performers:
Campbell Mercer; The Cumberland Highlanders; Duane Patterson and the River Ramblers; Karl Shifiett and Kings Highway Show; Shane Adkins; Midnight Flight; Margie Sullivan and Family; Big Country Bluegrass; Phillip Steinmetz and his Sunny Tennesseans; Ronnie Reno and the Reno Tradition; Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers.
Below are a few parting shots of entertainers.
Campbell Mercer; The Cumberland Highlanders; Duane Patterson and the River Ramblers; Karl Shifiett and Kings Highway Show; Shane Adkins; Midnight Flight; Margie Sullivan and Family; Big Country Bluegrass; Phillip Steinmetz and his Sunny Tennesseans; Ronnie Reno and the Reno Tradition; Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers.
Below are a few parting shots of entertainers.
Should
you plan to take in a Bluegrass Festival we think you will be pleasantly
pleased by the warm friendly people and their wonderful music. However, be
warned when driving through the hills and hollers of Kentucky—expect curvy
roads. The following road sign is appropriate!
Our
next adventure will take us into the Volunteer State—Tennessee. But, more on
that in our next little blurb.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns