Spring Is Springing!

Azaleas love it here.

As do the Dogwoods.

And of course the Tulips.  Only at the Lake would you find them in a boat.

And speaking of boats ... let's go fishing!

A Bridge Going No Where

This story was originally published 1/22/14 - worth posting again.

There are a lot of unique things about Paris Landing, but one of the things we have that you may not find anywhere else is a bridge that goes nowhere.

So ... here's the scoop.

A unique view of the new McWherter Bridge seen through the old Fitzhugh Bridge

by Paris Landing artist Lee Owenby

It's scary to think this old bridge was actually two lanes.

Just imagine two big old trucks passing each other on this.

The old bridge is located inside Paris Landing State Park.

What Does Fun Look Like?

I'm sure these kids will never forget this summer or the fun they had playing in the waters of Kentucky Lake at Paris Landing.  Thank you Richard Graves for the great photos!

Lake Signs

I'm starting a new label or category for Lake Signs.    They seem to be everywhere out here at Paris Landing.

Love this one I saw at T.F. Rice & Co.

What I Like

Sometimes I find it necessary to explain why I like Paris Landing so much.  It's not just the lake, the landscape, the wildlife, the weather.  A lot of it has to do with the people.  And on Saturday at the Wounded Warrior Bass Tournament .... the folks of Paris Landing made me proud.  Here are a few of the things I like. 

Sharon Seaton found a boat for this last minute soldier.

People who are really, really happy to be so helpful.

Cindy Rice of T.F. Rice & Co. gets the award for bringing the biggest flag.

When you tell folks "Y'all come and bring a flag."  .... they bring the biggest one they can find,

Ryan Caldwell isn't too young to wave a flag.

or .... they bring their kids too and make them wave a flag,

or, just in case you forgot to bring a flag -

Anne, Justin and Caleb Cullen

They bring a flag just for you!

Love this Eagle provided by the State Park! 

Everyone finds a way to be helpful.

The guys from the U.S. Coast Guard Cimmarron unhooked 
snags for kids at the Junior Fishing Rodeo.

I love it when I get a cool shot like this one!  (And no - I don't know who's head that is.)

Or this one.  Look at the girl on the right dodging a hook.

Or this one.

Or when everyone lines up just right, almost as if they were waiting on a camera,
so I can get a shot like this.

And of course, if I weren't at Paris Landing I wouldn't have the opportunity for all these photos.

I just like Paris Landing.

Fishing

If you aren't out fishing right now ...

maybe you should be.

Nice Catch!

I've posted so many photos of pretty posies lately ... I just wanted to remind folks that one of the main reasons folks move here is because of the fishing.  Fishing is one of the main things that makes Paris Landing so wonderful.

Andy Bolding of Paris Landing

Nice Catch!

If you have a fish photo you would like to share, or other photos that really show off Paris Landing, please email it to us.

Happy Easter!

The Easter Bunny is alive and well and has been spotted in Paris Landing.

Hope you have a Happy Easter!!

Sitting Rocks

Way down there at the bottom of the hill are some sandstone rocks.

They've been there as long as I can remember, but perhaps they used to be a little larger.  We always called them the "Sitting Rocks" for obvious reasons.  They were a perfect place to sit.

This is my Grandma Ruby Hailey Heavrin sitting on one of the rocks

around 1965. I took this photo of her and then she took one of me.

Here's another one she took of me standing on more of the rocks closer to the bank.

Everytime I see these rocks I think of my Grandma and the beautiful fall day we took these photos.  The rocks have become a sort of special place for my family.  

A place we continue to sit at and ponder and take photos.

Who would have thought a few Kentucky Lake rocks could evoke such nostalgia.

You can see more Kentucky Lake rocks on my other blog here.

The Big Fish

 Mr. Cook at Sinclair's Fishmarket, holds a 60lb blue cat he caught today.

About This Weather

Today has been a very confusing weather day.  It started cold.  Then it got sunny, with no wind, and so warm I actually had to put on shorts while doing yard work.  Before I got through with the yard work, the wind picked up --  a really cold wind - followed by some scary black clouds and a few drops of rain.  Then it cleared off again but it never got quite so warm again.  Somewhere in the middle of all these changes, I ran down to the beach and got this photo.

Take a closer look.

I think the photo pretty much says it all ... dark clouds, rain, sunshine, wind ... it's all there.

Rice's Store

When I was a little girl and we started coming to “The Lake” - Rice’s Store was sort of the end of civilization as we knew it. It was the last place to stop and get groceries. And to a little kid from the big city of Memphis it really was a fascinating place. It wasn’t like the Big Star Store or Kroger’s. In addition to the few staple type groceries they sold, they also had some fishing paraphernalia, straw hats (the original sun screen) and I think they even sold minnows.

But I think the thing I found most fascinating was that they would actually make you a sandwich right there on the spot from groceries they had in the store. Bologna with lots of mayo was my favorite. 

Rice's Store - a Paris Landing Landmark

The store has been closed for quite a while now but if you’ve been down the Lake Highway lately you are bound to have noticed some interesting activity. Rumors are rampant all over Paris Landing.

Yes! Rice’s Store is going to re-open under the management of the Rice family. It will have a new name and a different type of merchandise. Watch for a grand opening in April. More info later.

Just Around the Corner

It's pouring down rain as I write.  But yesterday was a beautiful day in Paris Landing.  The temperature was in the high 50's, the sun was out and there was no wind.  I think the wind blew itself out the night before.  Days like yesterday are one of the things I like so much about living here.  They're kind of like little spring vacations.  We'll have a week of cold, wet, windy weather, then a day like yesterday that makes you want to get out and play.

So play I did.  And while I was out playing I discovered these -

The daffodils are starting to bud!!!  I really get excited when I see these.  I know Winter isn't over, but can Spring be far behind?

And if you look close ....

The Bradford Pear's fuzzy little velvet buds are starting to turn green.  It won't be long til they bloom.  We have a lot of these around Paris Landing and they put on quite a show.

So ... hang in there.  Spring is just around the corner.

UT Fans

I'm always amazed at how people choose to show they are UT fans.  We see their logos all over Paris Landing.

But, I think this one - which is embedded in concrete -  might win the prize!

Foggy Morning

This morning the fog was beautiful!

Settling Into Fall

We've had a lot of rain the last few days and it has just about knocked all the leaves off the trees.

Fishtale Lodge

But, it's still quite beautiful here at the Lake.

Little Sulphur

Pineview Road

The leaves may be gone but they left us this beautiful black lace.