High Bridge Park
A quick afternoon run to Wilmore, Kentucky led us just south of Wilmore to the secluded little park called High Bridge Park. It seemed like just a little spot in the road but out of curiosity we pulled in for a visit, and are we glad we did. Such a gem of a park, with scenic view of the Kentucky River below seen from the well maintained overlooks and shelters found in this lovely little spot!
The long forgotten train car that one never sees on the tracks anymore, yes I am speaking of the caboose, the fire red simple last car on a train. The car that as a child we would wait for with great anticipation as we sat at a railroad crossing and watched as the box cars rumbaled by on the steel tracks. The man in the caboose would always wave at my brothers and I as we frantically waved like little crazy children who had never seen a caboose in our entire young lives! A sense of satisfaction that one rarely found without the privilege of seeing a caboose. Imagine my excitement as I found a caboose proudly displayed at High Bridge Park, painted bright red, as I remembered from my childhood, well maintained and a sight to behold. All though not the most exciting picture I had ever taken, but to me it harkened the memories of days long past.
Now, I not much of a dancer, my cousin, however took years of ballet and dance and she was good, but that really had no bearing on this story, I just thought I would give a shout out to her hard work and training all those years ago. It is a great segway into this part of the story, however. Just down from the train caboose, that I loved, was an open dance floor, just like a shelter at any park, except for the highly polished dance floor! As we stood there I could almost see Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers spinning under the huge ceiling fans that hung quietly from the ceiling. I could feel the warm summer breeze and hear the banjos and fiddles of a square dance as the dancers “swung there partners”! Then I again went back to when I was a teen and could here the Bee Gees blasting from the speakers singing “staying alive” and the gyrations of the disco crazed youth. I suppose there would need to be a disco ball hanging from the ceiling among the fans to make that work.
A short walk down a path led you to an overlook, where below the Kentucky River wound though the Kentucky hills. The homes below nestled next to the water, the barns that harbored animals that the naked eye could not see. The rocky bluffs that rose up from the banks, the leafless trees with the buds just beginning to take hold in the early spring, gave a majestic look from above!
Built in 1877 the High Bridge, at one time, was the highest train trestle in the United States, standing 275 feet above the winding waters of the Kentucky River. There they were, flying high above my head, floating majestically across the brilliant blue sky. Not one but possibly three of the most incredible large birds! I just knew that had to be bald eagles, bald eagles that were coming for their 15 seconds of fame that would certainly come from having a soaring picture of themselves taken! The trusty Nikon was ready, shutter speed set high, continuous mode at the ready, 150-600 mega telephoto lens place and the keen eye of the worlds greatest photographer and bird expert in the nation! Down they swooped, getting closer and closer, peering though the viewfinder I located one, slammed down hard on the back button focus, held it in place and pressed that shutter button. Click click click click the camera shutter fired in rapid succession! I was getting them! The symbol of the freedom of this America that I call home!
Fun fact about having Fuchs Disease in your eyes, you don’t see things as clearly as you used to, not at all as well as you used to. Another fun fact is that Vultures seem to enjoy time at the High Bridge Park as well! If you don’t believe me just check out the gallery page here on this site. I am not embarrassed to say that I took some wonderful pictures, not of majestic eagles, but large, red headed vultures. You won’t find these pictures on the store pages of the site, however if you need one to decorate your family room or dining room just ask and I will be glad to get you one!
Make the short drive to High Bridge Park, it is worth the time!
God Bless
Jim