May Program Highlights in Land Between The Lakes

GPPlanetarium4Enjoy nature and the great outdoors in Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. Located south of Grand Rivers, KY, Land Between The Lakes offers outdoor recreation, lake access, and environmental education for the public to enjoy.

May Program Highlights:

2pm, Saturday, May 3
Kentucky Turtle Derby – Nature Station
Today’s the big race! So, get ready, get set…SLOW! We’re not racing thoroughbreds here, we’re racing native turtles! Learn about some turtles of LBL, pick your favorite turtle contestant, and see who crawls over the finish line first. Bring your big hats, sit back with a kiddie mint julep, and enjoy a day at the races. Program free with NS admission.

5:30-8pm, Saturday, May 3
Sunset Canoe Trip – Nature Station
Enjoy the beauty of a Land Between The Lakes sunset as we paddle the waters of one of Lake Barkley’s scenic bays. We’ll search for wildlife that visits the lake at twilight such as osprey, herons, beavers, and songbirds. Beginners are welcome! $25 per canoe. Cost does not include same day NS admission. NS closes at 5pm. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space.

10:00am – 4:00pm, Saturday, May 10
Beginning Mountain Dulcimer Workshop – Homeplace
Long-time dulcimer teachers, Susan and Kelly Amsden, will teach you the basics of dulcimer playing. The $25 fee includes same-day Homeplace admission. Participation limited to 12. Registration and full deposit required. Cal 270-924-2020

Saturday, May 10
Astronomy Day – Planetarium
Free Planetarium shows, telescope displays, solar observing, literature for all ages, and activities for kids throughout the afternoon.

Saturday – Monday, May 24 – 26
Wildlife Celebration – Nature Station
Join Land Between The Lakes to celebrate wildlife! Live animals, activities, games, and programs await you and your family. Be ready to take great photos.

1:00 – 3:00pm, Monday, May 26
Afternoon Kayak Trip
Registration limited, reservations and full deposit required. Beginners welcome. $20 per kayak. Call 270-924-2020 for reservations.

Find maps, details, and the complete Land Between The Lakes Calendar online at landbetweenthelakes.us.

Natures May Marvels in Land Between The Lakes

bisoncalfMay is the perfect time of year to get outside and enjoy the wonders of nature in Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. Here are highlights of the natural phenomena you can observe in Land Between The Lakes in May:

Monarchs laying eggs on milkweed

Summer and scarlet tanagers calling

Ruby-throated hummingbirds and meadowlarks nesting

Peak of spring songbird/warbler migration (1st week)

Wood ducklings hatching

Young beavers emerging from their lodges

Opossum young emerging from mother’s pouch and riding on her back

Bison calves being born (2nd week)

Butterfly weed, leather vase vine, southern blue flag iris, purple coneflower, and Indian pink blooming

Lightning bugs flying on warm nights

Male catfish making nests around logs

Come Outside and Play at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Land Between The Lakes provides outdoor recreation, lake access, and environmental education for the public to enjoy. Land Between The Lakes is located just south of Grand Rivers, KY. Find the complete Land Between The Lakes Calendar and more at landbetweenthelakes.us.

Dockers Plate Lunch Specials

docker-s-bayside-grillDockers Bayside Grill at Green Turtle Bay Resort is now offering plate Lunch Specials. Enjoy a hearty lunch overlooking the marina. Dockers is now open for breakfast and lunch Wednesdays through Sundays, and starting May 1 they will be open seven days a week.

Daily Specials:

Monday: Chicken and dressing, mashed potatoes with Gravy, green beans and a dinner roll.

Tuesday: Chicken and dumplings with homemade corn bread.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and a dinner roll.

Thursdays: Fried pork chop, breaded okra, mashed potatoes and a dinner roll.

Friday: Open faced roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, and homemade macaroni & cheese.

Saturday: Bowl of homemade soup with your choice of a grilled cheese sandwich or side salad.

These popular spring plate lunch specials are available until Memorial weekend. Find more information on Docker’s Bayside Grill on the Green Turtle Bay Resort website.

Easter Goodies by The Happy Cooker

Screenshot_11Sugar & Spice in Grand Rivers, KY, is offering more take-out goodies now that the weather has improved.

For Easter, they will be offering chocolate candy eggs, decorated cookies, and much, much more. For the freshest, most innovative Easter and Spring treats, visit the website at happycooker101.com or stop by to pick up an order sheet. All options are custom-made to order, guaranteeing the freshest, most unique offerings possible.

Call 270-362-2362 for more details. Dinner take-outs still available with our award-wining cuisine. Sugar & Spice is located in Grand Rivers on Barkley Drive.

April 2014 at Land Between The Lakes

lblsignagejpgThe Homeplace living history farm, Woodlands Nature Station, Golden Pond Planetarium and Elk & Bison Prairie are all open daily.

Land Between The Lake Campgrounds – Energy Lake, Hillman Ferry, Piney, and Wranglers, along with Cravens Bay and other camping areas welcome campers this spring!

April Daily Programs

Elk & Bison Prairie open daily from dawn until dusk all year, $5 per vehicle.

Golden Pond Planetarium open daily all year and offers a variety of daily planetarium shows. Mon.-Fri. at 10am, and 12, 1, 2, 3, & 4pm and Sat. & Sun. at 10, 11am, and 12, 1, 2, 3, & 4pm. Admission: $5 – Ages 13 & up; $3 – Ages 5-12. New Planetarium Show – Back to the Moon for Good narrated by Tim Allen. Immerse yourself in a race to re-turn to the Moon 40 years after the historic Apollo landings.

Homeplace – Feedin’ Time on the Farm – daily at 3:30pm, we begin tending and feeding our historic breeds of livestock. Join us as we take care of our animal family at The Homeplace. Programs free with HP Admission: Adults $5; Children $3; and Under 5 year Free.

Nature Station – Parade of Raptors – daily
at 4:30pm (weather permitting), you can come face to face with a barn owl, barred owl, screech owl, and red-tailed hawk as our staff moves these birds from their outdoor perches to their indoor shelter. Programs free with NS Admission: Adults $5; Children $3; and Under 5 year Free.

Featured April Special Programs

During April – Homeschoolers’ Month: Explore Your World at Land Between The Lakes! Calling all home educators! Plan a field trip to LBL and use the outdoors as your classroom! In April, pick up your “Land Between The Lakes Explorers Passport” at The Homeplace, Nature Station, or Planetarium and complete the activities to earn your official Explorer’s Patch and Certificate! Also, throughout the month take advantage of unique learning opportunities, hands-on exploration activities, and take-home materials available at all three attractions. Join us for one of the many family-friendly staff-led programs featured in our April Calendar of Events, including the 2nd annual Homeschoolers’ Day at Nature Station on Friday, April 25. Come on out and explore your world!

2pm, Wed., April 9, 16, 23, & 30
Practical Life Skills – Homeplace
Home schooling is thought of as a new concept of teaching. But before there were public education systems, a child’s education was the responsibility of their parents. Join The Homeplace staff each Wednesday in April as they teach one of those very important skills. Program free with HP admission.

10am-4pm, Sat., April 12
Sheep Shearing – Homeplace
Invited Artist – Gary Lawson
It’s time for the Homeplace sheep to have their annual haircut. Visit with sheep shearer Gary Lawson as he demonstrates and discusses the historic skill of hand shearing sheep. Program free with HP admission.

1-4pm, Sun., April 13
Family Fishing Afternoon – Golden Pond Visitor Center Pond
What better way to appreciate and learn about the environment than to spend an afternoon fishing with your family? Poles, tackle, and instructions will be available for those new to the sport. Children age 15 and younger do not need a fishing license in Kentucky. Program free to LBL visitors.

9am-12pm & 1-4pm, Sat., April 19
Hidden Places of Land Between The Lakes Photo Tour
Let’s search for some of the beautiful and unique hidden treasures of Land Between The Lakes. During this van tour, we’ll discover wildlife hotspots, scenic vistas, and historic jewels tucked away in the landscape. Wildlife photographers Gross Magee and Denise Boaz will come along to provide instruction and share their experiences in taking that perfect photo. $25/person for full day. $15/person for half day. Limited to 16 participants. Beginners are welcome. Advanced registration required. Call 270-924-2020 to register. Meet at Kenlake State Resort Park lobby

10am-3pm, Sat., April 19
19th Century Drawing Workshop – Homeplace
Step back into time and learn how 19th century artists like John James Audubon used quill pens, walnut ink, charcoal, and sliver point. This unique workshop for beginners and more experienced artist, will teach you how to use 19th century drawing tools and how to draw life-like animals from mounts and farm animals. Taught by Nashville wildlife artist and art instructor, J. L. “Lennie” Fottrell, this workshop is not only a drawing class, it is a day spent in a bygone era. Supplies, including quill pens, charcoal, and ink, are included in the fee. $50/person. Includes same day HP admission. Registration and full deposit required. For more information or to reserve your space, call 270-924-2020. Bring lunch. Recommended for adults and children 12 years and up.

10am-3pm, Fri., April 25
Homeschoolers’ Day at the Nature Station – Nature Station
Are you a home educator? If so, bring your family to the 2nd annual Homeschooler’s Day at Nature Station for a day full of hands-on activities and programs designed especially for you and your kids. This year, we will focus on insects. Your children will learn about insects through the lenses of science, art, writing, history, and more. The event will offer a great opportunity to explore a wide variety of disciplines in a fun way — by relating everything to insects! All activities will be ongoing from 10am to 3pm, so arrive any time and experience the full event. We recommend planning at least a 2-hour visit. Recommended especially for students ages 5-12. Take-home educational materials will be available. Program free with NS admission. For more information please call 270-924-2299.

10am -3pm, Sat April 26- Sun, April 27
8th Annual Quilt Show, Quilting Past and Present – Homeplace
This year the story of Land Between The Lakes will be told through quilts made for the 50th Anniversary Homeplace Quilters Showcase. The story continues with treasured quilts made between the rivers from the 1960′s to the 1850′s. Step into the past on the 1850′s farm and try your hand at age-old quilting techniques from carding a cotton batt to hand quilting. Discover the importance of quilts to a mid-19th century farming family and enjoy a quilt display. Plus, learn how to care for your cherished family quilts and other textiles. Bring the family, on-going children’s activities and daily programs for menfolk too! Program free with HP admission. For more information call 931-232-6457.

Land Between The Lakes features 170,000 acres of natural area and is located south of Grand Rivers, KY. Find the complete Land Between The Lakes Calendar of Events at www.lbl.org.