Nepernine Wandering (Northeastern Kentucky)

[Stichill]

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...

[jerrycon_imp]

Kentucky is still looking mighty fine. There are many parts of it that I've yet to see. I hope to rectify that, including Harlan, the place where the sun comes up about ten in the morning, and the sun goes down about three in the day.That's what I call deep down in a holler.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Stichill that was a fine post. Good country photographed well. Am on the iPhone at the moment but will be sure to call again when I get to my desktop.

Cheers

[Stichill]

Kentucky is still looking mighty fine. There are many parts of it that I've yet to see. I hope to rectify that, including Harlan, the place where the sun comes up about ten in the morning, and the sun goes down about three in the day.That's what I call deep down in a holler.

Uncommon is the man who appreciates the sublime charms of Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. How do you know that astronomical trivia about Harlan?

[jerrycon_imp]

Recently, via Mr. Darrell Scott.





When I was growing up back on the Ohio, via stories about Harlan County.

[Chapomis_imp]

Great photos, looks like nice riding country.

[Rocky_imp]

Nice pictures. Great looking country

[the Ferret]

Hey you are wandering around in my back yard. We like to take 22 over to 227 south by Owenton (a road I call "too many curves" and one I led Empty Sea on one of his trips south) to Georgetown then cut over 460 through the horse farms to Paris and then back up 27 to home

we do Mt Olivet from the other end, crossing the ferry at Augusta then 19 to 62 to 1504 to 62 (another route I led Empty Sea on yet another trip to the south), to Mt Olivet then 165 north back to 19 then 10 at Brookville over to Maysville and take the bridge back across the river and 52 to home.

All great roads. What a great way to spend Mothers day.

Sandwich looks great BTW

[redbirds_imp]

Love the post Stichill and the photos of pretty country two-lanes. What a wonderful area for riding.

[Cormanus]

Great report and pictures Stichill. I'm away from home with a very slow internet connection this week, but I'll make sure to have a good look at them when I get home.