Canal Campground, Land Between the Lakes, Grand Rivers, Kentucky

 10/12/2023 to 10/19/2023


        I remember hearing about the Land Between the Lakes from people camping in Wisconsin. It's a great stretch of land with lots of outdoor attractions. The Canal Campground where we stayed is at the northern tip of the stretch, on the canal that connects the Kentucky Lake (the Tennessee River) and Lake Barkley (the Cumberland River). 



        Our campsite was unique for us - basically a big parking lot designated for group camping. People coming as a group would have their doors open to the parking lot. 



        We turned our RV around so that we had a little bit of yard and view of woods. It was definitely a site with minimal unpacking - no mats, canopies, screen houses. We did get out chairs and our propane fire for evening cards and morning fire. Most days it was too chilly to be pleasant outside for morning coffee. We didn't even attempt paddle boarding or kayaking because of the weather. We seem to be getting wimpier. 



        One great benefit was having the canal so close. When it wasn't cloudy we had great sunrises we could see from the RV. 



        Scott and Annie saw deer, a blue heron and a snow egret each morning on their walk through the woods by our RV. There weren't any trails, but easy woods to walk through. If you look closely you can see the blue heron in the water through the trees. You can also get an idea of the fall foliage we enjoyed. 


        Here's another view of the blue heron in a tree. Scott figures it's the same one he saw each morning. Seems to live here. 


        We were amused by the weather forecasting stone at the entrance to the park. It's hard to read, but says things like if the condition of the stone is wet, then the forecast is rain. If it's wet on the sides, the forecast is flood. 


        We really enjoyed hiking the Canal Hiking Loop, which is an 11-mile bike trail along the canal and the two lakes. There are connecting trails, which allowed us to create shorter loops for walking each afternoon. Here is a picture of the bridge the trail goes under. 



        On our drive here we came through Muhlenberg County and crossed the Green River. Paradise doesn't exit - hauled away by Mr. Peabody's coal train -  but lots of restaurants and things we passed were named Paradise. Apparently, John Prine's ashes were scattered in the Green River after he died.  We listened to the song while we drove. I tried to create a link, but it appears you have to work at getting to it. If you select it and right click, then you can click go to. This video looks just like the territory in Kentucky we're in now - and also reminds me so much of McDowell County, West Virginia, where I grew up. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEy6EuZp9IY

Lyrics
When I was a child my family would travelDown to Western Kentucky where my parents were bornAnd there's a backwards old town that's often rememberedSo many times that my memories are worn.
And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg CountyDown by the Green River where Paradise layWell, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in askingMister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away
Well, sometimes we'd travel right down the Green RiverTo the abandoned old prison down by Airdrie HillWhere the air smelled like snakes and we'd shoot with our pistolsBut empty pop bottles was all we would kill.
And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg CountyDown by the Green River where Paradise layWell, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in askingMister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away
Then the coal company came with the world's largest shovelAnd they tortured the timber and stripped all the landWell, they dug for their coal till the land was forsakenThen they wrote it all down as the progress of man.
And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg CountyDown by the Green River where Paradise layWell, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in askingMister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away
When I die let my ashes float down the Green RiverLet my soul roll on up to the Rochester damI'll be halfway to Heaven with Paradise waitin'Just five miles away from wherever I am.
And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg CountyDown by the Green River where Paradise layWell, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in askingMister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: John Prine
Paradise lyrics © Sour Grapes Music Inc., Walden Music, Inc.

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