Nepernine Wandering (Northeastern Kentucky)

[Stichill_imp]

Having (gladly) fulfilled my Mother's Day obligations on Saturday, I was free to head out Sunday for an all-day ride. I had no objective other than to go somewhere I hadn't been. I decided to head SE into the southern Nepernine region. The Native Americans' original name for the Licking River was the Nepernine. Early European/American explorers/settlers called it the Great Salt Lick Creek because of the many salty springs that attracted wild game animals.

[url=https://goo.gl/maps/2aKIz]Leg #1, Piner to Mt. Olivet via Falmouth.



Apologies for the reddish tint to some of these photos. I have a new phone case and I think it's the source. No matter, let's get to the thing...KY 22 west of Falmouth, east of Brooksville. This road is fantastic but is in a state of disrepair; this is a good section (if you check the map, you'll perceive that I sailed past my turn onto KY 539 South. Such is the allure of the legendary KY 22). I fully expect the Commonwealth of Kentucky to lay down new asphalt this season...in fact I would be shocked and will press for impeachment of the Governor if they don't! [url=http://goo.gl/maps/Kt9eS]38°39'36.95"N 84°10'40.97"W.



Locust blossoms smell so sweet, like Lilly of the Valley. KY 539 southeast of Falmouth. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/T2xba]38°36'43.93"N 84°12'8.17"W.



KY 539 north of Milford. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/HxXL4%20]38°36'43.93"N 84°12'8.17"W.



KY 539 west of the junction with KY 19, just north of the Charley Branch of the Licking River. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/9J8rq]38°35'33.4"N 84°11'22.3"W.



KY 539 west of Milford and north of the Licking River. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/SbdSO]38°34'58.88"N 84°10'23.97"W.



Out of the trees and into the fertile bottomland...looking back north on KY 539 west of Milford and north of the Licking River. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/P9Qd4]38°34'48.54"N 84°10'15.23"W.



It's wise to heed these signs when creeks and rivers are running high, typically after the winter thaw and during the spring rains. However on this day I had nothing to worry about. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/bAKKt]38°34'12.12"N 84°7'22.23"W.



Although it gets deep, slow, and muddy farther north, the Licking River here beside KY 539 runs fast, clear, and shallow. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/bAKKt]38°34'12.12"N 84°7'22.23"W.



The Licking River, on its way to Covington, Cincinnati, the Ohio, the Mississippi, and on to the Gulf of Mexico. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/bAKKt]38°34'12.12"N 84°7'22.23"W.



KY 539 bridge over the Licking River. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/TttvX]38°34'13.3"N 84°07'17.6"W.



Sycamore, just full of round seed pods. Sycamores are one of my favorite trees, with their white bark and preference for growing along creeks and rivers. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/TttvX]38°34'13.3"N 84°07'17.6"W.



KY 539 along Mud Lick, northwest of Mt. Olivet. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/vEHh3]38°33'57.21"N 84°05'32.56"W.


KY 539 approaching Mt. Olivet from the northwest. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/saqc9%20]38°33'39.47"N 84°05'18.27"W.



Another view of KY 539 approaching Mt. Olivet from the northwest. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/6UL35]38°33'39.38"N 84°05'2.15"W.



Foolishly, I had skipped breakfast and was getting very hungry by noontime. On Mother's Day (a Sunday) in a small Kentucky town...where do you find a place open that serves lunch? A grocery store seemed like a possibility. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/a3XH4]38°31'57.1"N 84°02'26.6"W.



Oooh. I hope they make sandwiches! [url=http://goo.gl/maps/a3XH4]38°31'57.1"N 84°02'26.6"W.



Now that's what I'm talking about: ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayonaise on white bread. Fantastically fresh and delicious! [url=http://goo.gl/maps/a3XH4]38°31'57.1"N 84°02'26.6"W.



To be continued...