Red River Gorge National Natural Landmark – KY

I was totally disgusted that Natural Bridge State Park didn’t allow dogs on their trails — until it led me to discover the Red River Gorge Geologic Area. I might never have gone otherwise, and this place isn’t to be missed.

It stated with the Nada Tunnel on 77 and then miles of road under a heavy canopy of trees. Lots of places to stop and hike back to see natural bridge formations. And not hardly any people the week before Memorial Day.  It was incredibly beautiful — except for the poison ivy.

We didn’t hike the trails as much as I would have liked for three reasons.

1.) The growth of poison ivy, much less poison oak and poison sumac which I’m not sure I’d recognize if it slapped me in the face, was beyond prolific. I’m highly allergic. I figure with the dogs sticking their faces into things off trail I will probably end up with poison ivy because of a transfer from them to me, but I worked very hard at avoidance.

2.) Unexpected 90 degrees with 70% humidity. Fortunately the heavy shade cover helped immensely, but it was still hot and sticky and we’re not acclimated to it at all. I think I handled it better than the dogs.

3.) This may qualify as another stupid camper trick. I wasn’t hungry so I assumed there’d be somewhere to stop or I could rely on the protein bars I always carry with me for emergencies. Absolutely NO PLACE to eat. If you come to this part of Kentucky be sure to bring your own food. When I started getting really hungry I grabbed my purse and guess what? Nothing. I had absolutely nothing with me to eat. I had eaten both protein bars and didn’t remember doing so. Thank god I had a big container of water, but water only carries me so far. Fortunately it carried me until we got back to the camper that afternoon. The heat helped with that. Who wants to eat when it’s hot and humid?

I can’t figure out the poison ivy issue. The dogs and I hiked all over the mountains in Quebec and I don’t think I saw one ivy plant. In Tennessee and Kentucky it should be named the state plant, maybe the state tree since it grows up and smothers trees. Since I have no desire to be covered with weeping blisters that itch like fire ever, ever again, I need to figure out where dogs are allowed and poison ivy is not. Asking too much???