1 00:00:01,166 --> 00:00:04,233 Coming up on Kentucky Life. Hitting the dainty has been. 2 00:00:04,233 --> 00:00:05,766 A tradition in this Louisville neighborhood. 3 00:00:05,766 --> 00:00:08,200 Since German immigrants first settled there. 4 00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:10,433 I'll take you along as I give it a shot. 5 00:00:11,133 --> 00:00:14,100 As the popularity of the Red River Gorge has exploded. 6 00:00:14,533 --> 00:00:16,833 One volunteer group is working to make sure the. 7 00:00:16,833 --> 00:00:19,500 Rock climbing area there stays safe and clean. 8 00:00:20,266 --> 00:00:22,500 We'll enjoy the natural beauty of Pine Mountain. 9 00:00:22,500 --> 00:00:25,533 State Resort Park, Kentucky's first state park. 10 00:00:26,066 --> 00:00:28,233 And we'll meet a Lawrence County couple, who are. 11 00:00:28,233 --> 00:00:31,500 Teachers by day and moonlight as rock. 12 00:00:31,500 --> 00:00:32,266 Stars at night. 13 00:00:32,833 --> 00:00:35,933 That's all next on Kentucky Life. 14 00:00:36,866 --> 00:00:46,833 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 15 00:01:00,900 --> 00:01:02,966 Hey, everybody, and welcome to Kentucky Life. 16 00:01:02,966 --> 00:01:04,933 I'm your host, Chip Polston. 17 00:01:04,933 --> 00:01:06,133 Check this out. 18 00:01:06,133 --> 00:01:08,333 Welcome to Pine Mountain State Park. 19 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:12,100 We are here right at the peak of fall color and the. 20 00:01:12,100 --> 00:01:13,966 Views are beyond incredible. 21 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:16,633 Now, we're pretty deep into Eastern Kentucky, almost. 22 00:01:16,633 --> 00:01:19,100 Where the state meets Virginia and Tennessee. 23 00:01:19,366 --> 00:01:22,233 In Pineville. And when you look around, it's pretty clear. 24 00:01:22,233 --> 00:01:25,700 To see why this was set up as the very first state park. 25 00:01:25,700 --> 00:01:27,700 In Kentucky nearly 100 years ago. 26 00:01:28,266 --> 00:01:31,000 The natural beauty here is just breathtaking. 27 00:01:31,166 --> 00:01:34,133 And between the trails and other activities here, we're. 28 00:01:34,133 --> 00:01:36,333 Gonna have a full day of exploring where we get to. 29 00:01:36,333 --> 00:01:37,100 Bring you along. 30 00:01:37,700 --> 00:01:40,766 But first, Louisville's Schnitzelburg neighborhood. 31 00:01:40,766 --> 00:01:43,533 Likes to think of itself as a small town in the big. 32 00:01:43,533 --> 00:01:46,400 City. Even as the area has grown into one of. 33 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:49,100 Louisville's trendiest neighborhoods, it still. 34 00:01:49,100 --> 00:01:52,233 Holds on to decades old traditions from the German. 35 00:01:52,233 --> 00:01:53,833 Immigrants who originally lived there. 36 00:01:54,333 --> 00:01:58,500 And after literally years of wanting to do so, I finally. 37 00:01:58,500 --> 00:02:01,133 Got to experience one of Schnitzelburg's most popular. 38 00:02:01,133 --> 00:02:04,366 Traditions for myself, and got to see how it brings. 39 00:02:04,366 --> 00:02:05,900 Neighbors together year after year. 40 00:02:07,266 --> 00:02:11,000 Every year, on the last Monday in July, people flock. 41 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:12,933 To Louisville's Schnitzelburg neighborhood. 42 00:02:13,300 --> 00:02:16,666 There you can find a street shut down, and a line of 100. 43 00:02:16,666 --> 00:02:18,766 People long. all to play. 44 00:02:18,766 --> 00:02:19,500 A game. 45 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:23,266 That game: The Dainty Competition, an annual. 46 00:02:23,266 --> 00:02:26,266 Street game that benefits Schnitzelburg's Little. 47 00:02:26,266 --> 00:02:27,233 Sisters of the Poor. 48 00:02:27,333 --> 00:02:30,000 And what seems at first glance to be just another. 49 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:34,233 Louisville Street Festival is actually a lot quirkier. 50 00:02:34,233 --> 00:02:35,133 Than you think. 51 00:02:35,733 --> 00:02:39,333 The Dainty Competition is a very strange old. 52 00:02:39,333 --> 00:02:42,000 German-Hungarian-Cuban, everybody has their own. 53 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:43,700 Story for where they think it came from. 54 00:02:43,700 --> 00:02:46,400 And it's played with a whittled down broomstick. 55 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:48,700 That's 3-foot long and you're trying to hit a. 56 00:02:48,700 --> 00:02:52,566 5-inch wooden piece of the broom that is tethered at. 57 00:02:52,566 --> 00:02:55,600 Both bends and you're trying to hit that little dainty. 58 00:02:55,933 --> 00:02:59,200 Get it airborne, and then get it to fly the furthest. 59 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:00,300 Distance down the street. 60 00:03:00,700 --> 00:03:02,666 You have to be 45 years or older to play. 61 00:03:02,666 --> 00:03:05,266 You get three strikes, and a strike really just. 62 00:03:05,266 --> 00:03:07,900 Constitute any time that a wood touches wood. 63 00:03:07,900 --> 00:03:10,000 If you get it up in the air, you follow through, and you. 64 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,700 Make another contact, that's your hit, however far it. 65 00:03:12,700 --> 00:03:15,733 Goes, however backwards it sometimes goes. 66 00:03:16,666 --> 00:03:18,766 The farthest hit every year is the champion. 67 00:03:18,766 --> 00:03:21,000 They get their name immortalized on the plaque. 68 00:03:21,300 --> 00:03:25,400 Whoever hits it the shortest positive distance is. 69 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:26,433 Officially the loser. 70 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:30,066 They get a basket of lemons, and are also made to hop on. 71 00:03:30,066 --> 00:03:32,600 One leg the full length of the dainty course. 72 00:03:33,133 --> 00:03:36,633 The dainty is held on George Hauck Way right outside of. 73 00:03:36,633 --> 00:03:39,333 Hauck's Corner bar and restaurant, located in the. 74 00:03:39,333 --> 00:03:42,066 Building that was once Hauck's handy store. 75 00:03:42,300 --> 00:03:45,133 Now, if the name Hauck is starting to sound familiar. 76 00:03:45,300 --> 00:03:48,100 Well, it should, because George Hauck was a. 77 00:03:48,100 --> 00:03:51,066 Schnitzelburg resident so well-known, he's almost the. 78 00:03:51,066 --> 00:03:54,900 Stuff of legends, the son of German immigrants, he was. 79 00:03:54,900 --> 00:03:58,100 Also a co-founder of the Dainty, which began as a. 80 00:03:58,100 --> 00:04:01,233 Small gathering of friends back in 1971. 81 00:04:01,566 --> 00:04:04,766 And while the dainty has grown from a one-day event. 82 00:04:04,766 --> 00:04:08,000 With a couple dozen participants, to a three-day. 83 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,733 Festival, drawing thousands of people to Schnitzelburg. 84 00:04:11,266 --> 00:04:13,966 Hauck's mark on the game remains the same. 85 00:04:14,466 --> 00:04:17,900 George's parents started a general store. 86 00:04:18,333 --> 00:04:22,333 George took it over in '46, I believe, and turned it. 87 00:04:22,333 --> 00:04:24,333 More into like a corner store. 88 00:04:24,333 --> 00:04:27,333 You can get bread, milk, and morphed into beer, lottery. 89 00:04:27,333 --> 00:04:28,966 Tickets, candy, all that stuff. 90 00:04:29,366 --> 00:04:32,533 It was such a community staple, and it brought the. 91 00:04:32,533 --> 00:04:34,033 Neighborhood together in so many ways. 92 00:04:34,033 --> 00:04:37,766 Like, if you were short on bills or food, George would. 93 00:04:37,766 --> 00:04:40,433 Always help you out. People had running tabs here. 94 00:04:40,700 --> 00:04:43,933 He even had a group of his friends in a pick-up truck. 95 00:04:43,933 --> 00:04:46,400 would go around and help fix people's houses. 96 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:47,300 And stuff like that. 97 00:04:47,300 --> 00:04:47,866 You know what I'm saying? 98 00:04:48,266 --> 00:04:50,600 So, he was definitely one of those people. 99 00:04:51,566 --> 00:04:53,100 There's no.one else like them. 100 00:04:54,466 --> 00:04:59,233 The dainty for this neighborhood, it's like, you. 101 00:04:59,233 --> 00:05:02,066 Feel a sense of pride just by showing up. 102 00:05:02,733 --> 00:05:05,033 It's a celebration of many things, but most. 103 00:05:05,033 --> 00:05:07,600 Importantly, it's a celebration of George. 104 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:09,633 And his family in this building, for sure. 105 00:05:10,466 --> 00:05:13,400 Now, as a kid who grew up in Louisville, I had heard of. 106 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:15,900 George Hauck, and I had certainly seen my fair share. 107 00:05:15,900 --> 00:05:18,233 Of dainty play on TV over the years. 108 00:05:18,500 --> 00:05:21,633 But this time around, I decided it was time for me. 109 00:05:21,633 --> 00:05:22,833 To get in on the action. 110 00:05:22,833 --> 00:05:26,266 So, on the last Monday in July, I showed up to George. 111 00:05:26,266 --> 00:05:30,733 Hauck Way, ready to see if I could be the next dainty. 112 00:05:30,733 --> 00:05:31,700 Champion. 113 00:05:31,966 --> 00:05:35,733 Welcome to not the Kentucky championship, not the United. 114 00:05:35,733 --> 00:05:38,300 States championship, mind you, but the World. 115 00:05:38,300 --> 00:05:41,266 Championship Dainty Competition here in the. 116 00:05:41,266 --> 00:05:43,433 Schnitzelburg area of Louisville. 117 00:05:43,433 --> 00:05:45,866 Now, the Dainty Competition sounds easy. 118 00:05:45,866 --> 00:05:48,800 How hard could it be to hit a little wooden stick with a. 119 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:50,200 Big wooden stick? Am I right? 120 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:51,766 It's a lot harder than it looks. 121 00:05:51,766 --> 00:05:53,566 Let's go get some pointers on how to make it connect. 122 00:05:54,500 --> 00:05:58,133 I got some tips from a dainty pro named Tony on the art. 123 00:05:58,133 --> 00:05:59,266 Of the dainty hit. 124 00:05:59,466 --> 00:06:02,600 His advice; and this was important, get low. 125 00:06:03,100 --> 00:06:06,300 Don't hit it too hard, and get in front of the dainty. 126 00:06:06,300 --> 00:06:07,200 Not behind it. 127 00:06:07,533 --> 00:06:10,866 After a couple of tries, I felt like I'd really nailed it. 128 00:06:10,866 --> 00:06:12,100 And would you look at that? 129 00:06:12,100 --> 00:06:13,233 I got a hit. 130 00:06:14,366 --> 00:06:17,833 When the Clock struck 5:00 pm, it was time for official. 131 00:06:17,833 --> 00:06:19,433 Game play to begin. 132 00:06:19,433 --> 00:06:22,866 The dainty kicked off with some notable Louisvilleans. 133 00:06:22,866 --> 00:06:25,733 Including a solid hit from Mayor Craig Greenberg. 134 00:06:26,033 --> 00:06:29,900 And an unfortunate strikeout by Jim James of My Morning. 135 00:06:29,900 --> 00:06:33,700 Jacket. With the competition heating up, it was time for. 136 00:06:33,700 --> 00:06:36,466 Me to get serious, which meant some. 137 00:06:36,466 --> 00:06:38,100 Serious pre-game fuel. 138 00:06:39,233 --> 00:06:42,366 So, given the high-level of athletic prowess it takes to. 139 00:06:42,366 --> 00:06:44,866 Hit said dainty down the field, you're gonna wanna. 140 00:06:44,866 --> 00:06:47,166 Fuel up like any good athlete, and you do that. 141 00:06:47,166 --> 00:06:50,100 Here with the official meal of the dainty fest. 142 00:06:50,566 --> 00:06:54,533 Very straightforward, bologna on white bread, spicy pickle. 143 00:06:54,533 --> 00:06:55,833 And a bag of chips. 144 00:06:55,833 --> 00:06:58,566 Set you back four bucks, and my new friend Emily here. 145 00:06:58,566 --> 00:07:01,333 Said she made 300 bologna sandwiches this morning. 146 00:07:01,333 --> 00:07:02,900 They'll all be gone shortly. 147 00:07:04,166 --> 00:07:06,966 After eating my fill of bologna, and watching a few. 148 00:07:06,966 --> 00:07:10,933 More impressive dainty hits, it was time to put all that. 149 00:07:10,933 --> 00:07:12,666 Preparation into practice. 150 00:07:12,666 --> 00:07:15,933 So, I stepped up to bat, keeping in mind all that. 151 00:07:15,933 --> 00:07:19,800 I had learned and, I struck out, really can't all be. 152 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:21,133 Winners, I guess. 153 00:07:22,066 --> 00:07:24,300 As a kid who grew up here in Louisville, it's been so. 154 00:07:24,300 --> 00:07:26,400 Much fun to come, be a part of the World Dainty. 155 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:29,866 Championships. They've been going for three hours right now. 156 00:07:29,866 --> 00:07:31,733 They've got another 120 people. 157 00:07:31,733 --> 00:07:32,666 Signed up and ready to go. 158 00:07:32,766 --> 00:07:34,766 So, it's gonna be a long night in Schnitzelburg. 159 00:07:34,766 --> 00:07:37,166 At a time in the world where there's so much that. 160 00:07:37,166 --> 00:07:40,566 Divides us, it's amazing to see a small community like. 161 00:07:40,566 --> 00:07:43,266 This come together, not only to support a great cause. 162 00:07:43,666 --> 00:07:45,133 But to have a great time as well. 163 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:52,866 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 164 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:56,833 One of Kentucky's most popular tourist destinations. 165 00:07:56,833 --> 00:07:58,733 Lies deep in the heart of Eastern Kentucky. 166 00:07:59,366 --> 00:08:02,266 The Red River Gorge attracts visitors who come for a. 167 00:08:02,266 --> 00:08:03,700 Wide variety of reasons. 168 00:08:04,033 --> 00:08:06,966 But in recent years, the Gorge has become synonymous. 169 00:08:06,966 --> 00:08:08,300 With rock climbing. 170 00:08:08,566 --> 00:08:11,433 With so many tourists coming in, somebody has to ensure. 171 00:08:11,433 --> 00:08:14,066 There are safe climbing trails for those looking to. 172 00:08:14,066 --> 00:08:15,166 Test their strength. 173 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:17,800 That's where the Red River Gorge Climbers. 174 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:18,900 Coalition comes in. 175 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:21,766 With more than 1,100 acres designated for rock. 176 00:08:21,766 --> 00:08:25,233 Climbing, the coalition works to keep these trails. 177 00:08:25,233 --> 00:08:26,266 Clean and safe. 178 00:08:26,933 --> 00:08:30,266 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 179 00:08:30,733 --> 00:08:33,933 The Red River Gorge is a 29,000 acre canyon system. 180 00:08:33,933 --> 00:08:36,566 So, when people come here, they think that they might. 181 00:08:36,566 --> 00:08:37,366 Be in the mountains. 182 00:08:37,633 --> 00:08:39,166 We're actually not in the mountains technically. 183 00:08:39,333 --> 00:08:42,000 Those don't start till closer over till Jackson. 184 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,033 When you get to the foothills of the Appalachians. 185 00:08:45,366 --> 00:08:46,933 It's a big canyon system basically. 186 00:08:46,933 --> 00:08:49,433 We're a national geological area. 187 00:08:49,900 --> 00:08:52,366 Rock climbing out here is a huge draw. 188 00:08:52,366 --> 00:08:55,033 We see over 100,000 rock climbers every year. 189 00:08:55,033 --> 00:08:56,400 So, that's a good chunk of people. 190 00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:57,833 Coming just to rock climb. 191 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:01,100 So, there's hundreds and hundreds of routes out here. 192 00:09:01,100 --> 00:09:03,333 There's the Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition 193 00:09:03,333 --> 00:09:05,900 That is a coalition for the area that helps. 194 00:09:05,900 --> 00:09:09,266 Preserve, protect, and maintain a lot of the crags. 195 00:09:09,266 --> 00:09:09,933 And the areas. 196 00:09:09,933 --> 00:09:11,533 Out here that really. 197 00:09:11,533 --> 00:09:13,233 Need some help and some protection. 198 00:09:14,166 --> 00:09:17,033 So, the Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition is. 199 00:09:17,500 --> 00:09:20,633 Dedicated to securing and conserving the open public. 200 00:09:20,633 --> 00:09:23,900 Access to rock climbing here in Kentucky's Red River Gorge. 201 00:09:23,900 --> 00:09:29,433 And also we own property here for climbing, 202 00:09:29,433 --> 00:09:33,000 For recreational access, and a lot of the work that we do. 203 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:35,600 Foes into conserving and stewarding those lands. 204 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:36,533 That we recreate on. 205 00:09:36,733 --> 00:09:38,400 We were founded in 1996. 206 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:41,233 It was founded originally by Shannon Stuart-Smith. 207 00:09:41,233 --> 00:09:45,033 And a small group of other individuals, mostly out of. 208 00:09:45,033 --> 00:09:47,900 Lexington, but also in the surrounding region. 209 00:09:48,533 --> 00:09:52,300 And the main reason for that was because the forest. 210 00:09:52,300 --> 00:09:54,733 Service who owns the Red River Gorge Proper. 211 00:09:55,200 --> 00:10:00,000 They were going to possibly shut down rock climbing in the. 212 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:01,466 North Gorge, where most of the climbing. 213 00:10:01,466 --> 00:10:02,900 Was at that time. 214 00:10:02,900 --> 00:10:06,766 And the access fund who is based out in. 215 00:10:06,766 --> 00:10:09,733 Colorado, they're the national climbing. 216 00:10:09,733 --> 00:10:13,000 Organization, they reached out to a gym in Lexington. 217 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,100 And there was no organization here. 218 00:10:15,100 --> 00:10:17,066 And Shannon happened to be walking by the front desk. 219 00:10:17,066 --> 00:10:20,433 And the person passed her the phone, and she ended up. 220 00:10:20,433 --> 00:10:23,833 Talking, and getting people together to help work with. 221 00:10:23,833 --> 00:10:27,233 The forest service, teach them about why rock climbing. 222 00:10:27,233 --> 00:10:30,133 Is an important form of recreation, and why it. 223 00:10:30,133 --> 00:10:32,700 shouldn't all be closed down, and went from working. 224 00:10:32,700 --> 00:10:36,966 On a lot of this stuff in the Northern Gorge to buying. 225 00:10:36,966 --> 00:10:39,500 This property in the southern region in 2004. 226 00:10:39,500 --> 00:10:42,366 And continuing to expand our reach. 227 00:10:42,366 --> 00:10:44,100 And our access and all of that. 228 00:10:44,500 --> 00:10:49,900 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 229 00:10:50,566 --> 00:10:53,866 I've been climbing the Gorge since I started climbing. 230 00:10:54,300 --> 00:10:57,166 Like, maybe a month in, so about four years. 231 00:10:57,166 --> 00:10:59,533 I'd say the coalition work is important because if not. 232 00:10:59,533 --> 00:11:02,366 There may or may not be a local community that would. 233 00:11:02,366 --> 00:11:04,033 Pick up the slack that it would take to maintain. 234 00:11:04,033 --> 00:11:05,833 The trails and the bolts here. 235 00:11:06,500 --> 00:11:09,133 But with the coalition, all that type of stuff is taken. 236 00:11:09,133 --> 00:11:11,200 Care of, and assessed, and looked after. 237 00:11:11,766 --> 00:11:13,066 They do awesome stuff. 238 00:11:13,066 --> 00:11:15,266 They do a lot of trail work maintenance. 239 00:11:15,266 --> 00:11:17,366 They do a lot of education, which is the main factor. 240 00:11:18,233 --> 00:11:20,166 In their work that they do there. 241 00:11:20,633 --> 00:11:23,933 They own more land than any other coalition for rock. 242 00:11:23,933 --> 00:11:25,300 Climbers in anywhere in the country. 243 00:11:25,866 --> 00:11:26,966 Including Chattanooga. 244 00:11:27,233 --> 00:11:28,433 So, I think that's pretty incredible. 245 00:11:28,433 --> 00:11:31,233 Statement to the fact that they're doing awesome work. 246 00:11:31,233 --> 00:11:33,733 Here in preserving and protecting the land that. 247 00:11:33,733 --> 00:11:35,766 We do have, and that, that climbers are using. 248 00:11:36,633 --> 00:11:38,300 They also are really good at educating. 249 00:11:38,300 --> 00:11:39,566 And leave-no-trace principles. 250 00:11:40,633 --> 00:11:43,033 And they have different rules for their crags. 251 00:11:43,033 --> 00:11:45,466 And stuff that really help protect a lot of the. 252 00:11:45,466 --> 00:11:46,200 Features there. 253 00:11:47,033 --> 00:11:50,933 Every year at the beginning of the year, we'll come up. 254 00:11:50,933 --> 00:11:55,166 With priorities, this is a certain crag or wall that. 255 00:11:55,166 --> 00:11:57,766 Needs work, whether it's belay, base erosion. 256 00:11:57,766 --> 00:11:59,766 Or the trail needs to be rerouted, 257 00:11:59,766 --> 00:12:01,766 Or a bridge needs. 258 00:12:01,766 --> 00:12:03,533 To be replaced, or you need a new bridge. 259 00:12:03,533 --> 00:12:05,500 Or there's a new wall that needs new work on it. 260 00:12:06,233 --> 00:12:08,666 And so, it's just kind of keeping your finger on the. 261 00:12:08,666 --> 00:12:11,133 Pulse of the whole, everything that's happening. 262 00:12:11,133 --> 00:12:14,600 On our property. It's deep holes and valleys. 263 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:18,066 All throughout. And so the slope up to the cliff. 264 00:12:18,066 --> 00:12:19,766 Sometimes it can be pretty steep. 265 00:12:19,766 --> 00:12:21,733 And if people are up there climbing all the time. 266 00:12:21,733 --> 00:12:23,333 The soil can erode away. 267 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:25,500 And then, the base gets lower and lower. 268 00:12:25,500 --> 00:12:29,466 And we try to prevent as much of that as possible. 269 00:12:29,466 --> 00:12:31,133 It's more than just coming here to climb. 270 00:12:31,133 --> 00:12:33,700 It's coming here to try to take care of this place. 271 00:12:33,700 --> 00:12:36,366 And keep it the way that it is. 272 00:12:36,533 --> 00:12:39,033 The beautiful place that it is. 273 00:12:39,333 --> 00:12:43,633 We've seen massive influxes of new climbers after the. 274 00:12:44,133 --> 00:12:49,100 Olympics and the Free Solo movie that everybody talks. 275 00:12:49,100 --> 00:12:51,633 About, and everybody's like, have you seen Free Solo? 276 00:12:51,633 --> 00:12:52,666 I was like, yeah, I've seen Free Solo. 277 00:12:52,666 --> 00:12:53,733 Laughs 278 00:12:53,733 --> 00:12:55,800 So, there's a few events in the last. 279 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:57,933 Five years or so that have really kind of brought. 280 00:12:57,933 --> 00:12:59,233 Climbing onto the mainstream. 281 00:12:59,233 --> 00:13:05,166 And so, we're trying to curb the wave of people. 282 00:13:05,166 --> 00:13:06,000 Who are coming in. 283 00:13:07,033 --> 00:13:08,633 We're welcome to everybody. 284 00:13:08,633 --> 00:13:11,066 We just wanna make sure that everybody is also educated. 285 00:13:11,066 --> 00:13:14,700 So that our climbing areas don't get destroyed because. 286 00:13:15,500 --> 00:13:17,533 They're getting loved to death a little bit. 287 00:13:17,533 --> 00:13:22,133 And that's where we've come in to help try to help them. 288 00:13:22,133 --> 00:13:25,233 Out and make sure that people can climb and enjoy. 289 00:13:25,233 --> 00:13:26,866 It without destroying it. 290 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:37,000 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 291 00:13:37,333 --> 00:13:46,933 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 292 00:13:47,700 --> 00:13:50,500 We're having a great day here at Pine Mountain State Park. 293 00:13:50,500 --> 00:13:51,666 I mean, look at this view. 294 00:13:51,666 --> 00:13:53,766 And this is Keith Bowling. He's the naturalist here. 295 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:55,433 Keith, this is your office? 296 00:13:55,766 --> 00:13:56,500 It is indeed. 297 00:13:56,500 --> 00:13:57,533 This is amazing. 298 00:13:57,533 --> 00:13:59,066 Does this view ever get old? 299 00:13:59,066 --> 00:14:02,166 No. And it's beautiful in different ways for each. 300 00:14:02,166 --> 00:14:03,300 different season. I'm sure. 301 00:14:03,300 --> 00:14:06,033 The snow capped mountains, the early spring with all. 302 00:14:06,033 --> 00:14:08,033 The wild flowers popping, everything coming back to. 303 00:14:08,033 --> 00:14:10,300 Green, the fall colors, it's just hard to beat. 304 00:14:10,300 --> 00:14:12,066 It's hard to beat this view though right here. 305 00:14:12,066 --> 00:14:13,233 At this time of year? It is. This is my favorite. 306 00:14:13,366 --> 00:14:15,100 I'm sure this is incredibly popular. 307 00:14:15,100 --> 00:14:16,933 You all have to see a lot of traffic this time of year? 308 00:14:16,933 --> 00:14:17,533 Oh, yes. 309 00:14:18,066 --> 00:14:20,066 We have a little bit of a lull when everybody goes. 310 00:14:20,066 --> 00:14:20,733 Back to school. 311 00:14:21,233 --> 00:14:22,966 But as soon as fall color hits, this is probably our. 312 00:14:22,966 --> 00:14:25,033 Busiest time, and rightfully so. Exactly. 313 00:14:25,033 --> 00:14:27,400 Now, this was the first state park in Kentucky. 314 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:28,000 It's indeed. 315 00:14:28,533 --> 00:14:30,633 Quickly, why this was designated so and how that. 316 00:14:30,633 --> 00:14:30,900 happened? 317 00:14:30,900 --> 00:14:31,366 Yes. 318 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:34,400 So, right on the heels of the birth of the National. 319 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:37,600 Park Service in 1916, you had the then-governor who. 320 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:40,600 Had this wonderful idea, in about '23 he thought we. 321 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:43,766 Should develop four of Kentucky's best places. 322 00:14:43,766 --> 00:14:44,900 And make them state parks. 323 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:47,566 So, he tasked then-state geologist. 324 00:14:47,833 --> 00:14:49,000 Willard Rouse Jillson. 325 00:14:49,366 --> 00:14:51,000 With coming up with what he thought would be. 326 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:52,300 The four best places. 327 00:14:52,866 --> 00:14:55,133 And one of those places that really stood out in his. 328 00:14:55,133 --> 00:14:56,900 Mind was the Cumberland Gap area. 329 00:14:57,233 --> 00:14:59,200 And for the early settlers, they talked about the gap. 330 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:00,466 Being about 13 miles long. 331 00:15:00,466 --> 00:15:02,200 So, we're sort of the northern terminus. 332 00:15:02,533 --> 00:15:04,700 Where the National Park today is the southern terminus. 333 00:15:04,700 --> 00:15:07,066 But he came down, and the folklore goes that he came. 334 00:15:07,066 --> 00:15:08,433 Down and he met the good people that lived. 335 00:15:08,433 --> 00:15:10,233 Right in the gap, some of the Beason family. 336 00:15:10,766 --> 00:15:12,366 And they said that they invited him in. 337 00:15:12,433 --> 00:15:14,133 And he gotto know them, and he just couldn't. 338 00:15:14,133 --> 00:15:15,566 Displace them off the family farm. 339 00:15:16,100 --> 00:15:18,400 And so, he was kind of going back, he was staying here. 340 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:20,466 In Pineville, and he decided he may be. 341 00:15:20,466 --> 00:15:22,033 Needed to reformulate his new idea. 342 00:15:22,500 --> 00:15:24,366 And overnight, the towns people said, well. 343 00:15:24,366 --> 00:15:26,200 What would you think about protecting this part of it? 344 00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:28,866 And that's when this really became to where it is right. 345 00:15:28,866 --> 00:15:29,633 Now? Yeah. 346 00:15:29,833 --> 00:15:31,433 August 9th of 1924, we became Kentucky's. 347 00:15:31,433 --> 00:15:32,600 Very first state park. 348 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:34,966 Now, I'm sure this is a difficult question for you. 349 00:15:34,966 --> 00:15:37,166 But your favorite place in the park, if you were. 350 00:15:37,166 --> 00:15:38,866 Bringing somebody here that had never been there. 351 00:15:39,466 --> 00:15:40,733 Where would you take them and why? 352 00:15:42,100 --> 00:15:44,133 The prettiest place in the park, in my opinion. 353 00:15:44,533 --> 00:15:46,066 Is the Laurel Cove Trail. 354 00:15:46,866 --> 00:15:48,600 That trail is part. of Kentucky State. 355 00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:49,233 Nature Preserve. 356 00:15:49,766 --> 00:15:51,966 So, it's afforded this whole extra layer of protection. 357 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:54,200 It has beautiful rich wild flowers. 358 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:55,866 I know people that have went all over the state. 359 00:15:55,866 --> 00:15:57,700 And have never seen lady slippers, and we sometimes. 360 00:15:57,700 --> 00:15:59,466 May see 40 or 50 on that trail. 361 00:16:00,233 --> 00:16:02,433 To me, that is the highlight of this park. 362 00:16:02,433 --> 00:16:04,600 Now, of course, if you've never been to our park. 363 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:08,033 You have to go to the obligatory tourist trap, chain rock. 364 00:16:08,033 --> 00:16:10,333 Now, I've always said though that this is the only. 365 00:16:10,333 --> 00:16:11,900 Tourist trap you're not disappointed with. 366 00:16:11,900 --> 00:16:14,133 Is great there? It is. 367 00:16:14,133 --> 00:16:16,033 If you go to the world's largest bally yarn and you. 368 00:16:16,033 --> 00:16:17,800 get there, it's a bally yarn. 369 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,166 You come here and you're greeted with this beautiful. 370 00:16:20,166 --> 00:16:21,466 270 degree view. 371 00:16:21,466 --> 00:16:23,500 It's unadulterated by fencing or anything. 372 00:16:23,500 --> 00:16:25,266 And you're looking down, you can see the spot where. 373 00:16:25,266 --> 00:16:26,666 Thomas Walker named the Cumberland River. 374 00:16:26,666 --> 00:16:28,733 You can look back and see the gap proper. 375 00:16:29,100 --> 00:16:30,133 You can see the river. 376 00:16:30,133 --> 00:16:31,666 I mean, it's just a beautiful breathtaking. 377 00:16:31,666 --> 00:16:34,000 Place, and you forget that you actually came up here. 378 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:34,500 For a tourist trip. 379 00:16:35,100 --> 00:16:37,366 You came up here, because this is the focal point. 380 00:16:37,366 --> 00:16:39,133 The viewpoint of our park. 381 00:16:39,133 --> 00:16:40,900 Well, the whole park is absolutely beautiful. 382 00:16:40,900 --> 00:16:42,366 Keith Bowling, he's a naturalist here. 383 00:16:42,366 --> 00:16:42,966 At Pine Mountain. 384 00:16:43,366 --> 00:16:44,100 Thanks so much for being here with us today. 385 00:16:44,100 --> 00:16:44,700 Absolutely. 386 00:16:44,766 --> 00:16:47,100 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 387 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:49,700 From touring across the country and playing to. 388 00:16:49,700 --> 00:16:52,700 Sold-out crowds at the iconic Red Rocks. 389 00:16:52,700 --> 00:16:55,600 Amphitheatre in Colorado to teaching preschool. 390 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:58,466 And social studies in classrooms in Lawrence County. 391 00:16:58,733 --> 00:17:02,033 David and Teresa Prince have firmly established. 392 00:17:02,033 --> 00:17:04,966 Themselves as pillars of both their local community. 393 00:17:04,966 --> 00:17:06,600 And the Kentucky music scene. 394 00:17:07,066 --> 00:17:10,466 Now, this husband and wife duo moonlight as rock stars. 395 00:17:10,733 --> 00:17:14,000 With their acts, Laid Back Country Picker and Luna. 396 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:15,433 And the Mountain Jets. 397 00:17:16,533 --> 00:17:20,333 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 398 00:17:20,666 --> 00:17:24,200 I get up every day, I go to Lawrence County High School. 399 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,400 And I meet with some of the greatest people on the planet. 400 00:17:28,266 --> 00:17:30,900 We try to make sense out of the world. 401 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:34,033 And then, on the weekends, I go out with my wife. 402 00:17:34,766 --> 00:17:37,433 And we create music to try to entertain people. 403 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:40,233 I'm a preschool teacher. 404 00:17:40,600 --> 00:17:46,333 And I've done that for many years, maybe 24-25 years. 405 00:17:47,100 --> 00:17:51,433 And I'm also a musician, play guitar and drums. 406 00:17:51,933 --> 00:18:01,900 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 407 00:18:02,366 --> 00:18:05,000 David and Teresa's role in the Kentucky music scene. 408 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:07,300 They are the godfather. 409 00:18:07,300 --> 00:18:10,000 And godmother of the Eastern Kentucky. 410 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:12,266 I know some people don't like the term Americana. 411 00:18:12,266 --> 00:18:15,166 But it encompasses so much that. 412 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:21,466 They're everybody's mentor, they're so uncompromising in. 413 00:18:21,466 --> 00:18:23,166 Terms of, they just do what they want. 414 00:18:23,166 --> 00:18:27,033 And they have fun. Live. Number five. 415 00:18:27,033 --> 00:18:29,566 You are the greatest of them all. 416 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:34,066 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 417 00:18:34,233 --> 00:18:35,800 I'm the Laid Back Country Picker. 418 00:18:36,633 --> 00:18:37,900 I play country music. 419 00:18:37,966 --> 00:18:39,566 I travel around the country. 420 00:18:39,566 --> 00:18:41,133 I tell stories. 421 00:18:41,733 --> 00:18:43,300 Some true, some not true. 422 00:18:43,666 --> 00:18:48,600 Laid Back Country Picker is the epitome of the country. 423 00:18:48,600 --> 00:18:52,533 Music singer that I would see performing around the. 424 00:18:52,533 --> 00:18:55,800 Tri-state in the 1970s and 1980s. 425 00:18:56,900 --> 00:18:58,533 He's wearing snap button shirts. 426 00:18:59,500 --> 00:19:00,966 He probably got some glasses on. 427 00:19:00,966 --> 00:19:04,166 You got a cowboy hat. He's got a guitar. 428 00:19:04,166 --> 00:19:06,033 And he's got a band with him that may or may not know. 429 00:19:06,033 --> 00:19:07,133 His songs very well. 430 00:19:07,366 --> 00:19:10,633 He's probably a little bit past his expiration date. 431 00:19:10,633 --> 00:19:12,166 But he doesn't know that. 432 00:19:12,166 --> 00:19:14,600 And he's going out there and he's giving the people what. 433 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:15,566 They want. 434 00:19:16,333 --> 00:19:20,433 Honey represents everything strong in a person. 435 00:19:20,833 --> 00:19:23,300 I mean, it can be a woman, but it could. 436 00:19:23,300 --> 00:19:25,033 Be just anybody. 437 00:19:25,033 --> 00:19:30,866 And she's got this familiar part of her that makes you. 438 00:19:30,866 --> 00:19:34,133 Go, oh, well, that's my grandma, that's my mom. 439 00:19:34,833 --> 00:19:36,300 Or that's my aunt, so-and-so. 440 00:19:36,433 --> 00:19:40,000 Honey is just your steadfast person that's gonna be. 441 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:41,666 There when you need her. 442 00:19:42,700 --> 00:19:44,966 I think I always wanted to be a performer. 443 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:46,633 Yeah. 444 00:19:47,166 --> 00:19:50,833 Blame Fall Carnival, that was the carnival at our school. 445 00:19:51,300 --> 00:19:53,833 I remember seeing a band in front of the stage. 446 00:19:53,833 --> 00:19:58,800 One year, and I was like, I wanna do that. 447 00:19:59,066 --> 00:20:02,500 And I would draw myself in front of that stage in this. 448 00:20:02,500 --> 00:20:07,333 Dress, and drums, and a base, and a guitar player. 449 00:20:07,333 --> 00:20:09,066 And there's me in front of that stage. 450 00:20:09,066 --> 00:20:12,000 And so, that formed Luna and the Mountain Jets. 451 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:17,066 I call it the Appalachian Rock, because it's rock. 452 00:20:18,166 --> 00:20:26,633 But it also has that old folky mountain kind of vibe to it. 453 00:20:26,633 --> 00:20:31,200 Because there's this hit girl singing rock songs. 454 00:20:33,266 --> 00:20:36,466 As a teacher, I'm more interested in. 455 00:20:36,466 --> 00:20:37,200 You as a person. 456 00:20:37,566 --> 00:20:41,300 I have to teach you my content, and I love my content. 457 00:20:41,666 --> 00:20:43,600 But I'm also interested in who you are. 458 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:46,833 Some mornings, when I'm driving to school and I'm. 459 00:20:46,833 --> 00:20:49,100 Thinking my goal today is to make sure the kids. 460 00:20:49,100 --> 00:20:52,466 Understand what impeachment is, and who draws up. 461 00:20:52,466 --> 00:20:54,300 Impeachment and who has to approve it. 462 00:20:54,833 --> 00:20:57,333 Then, other days I think my job is just to make sure the. 463 00:20:57,333 --> 00:20:59,500 Kids know to be good human beings. 464 00:21:00,233 --> 00:21:05,566 Luna and the Mountain Jets is to hear Teresa sing is. 465 00:21:05,566 --> 00:21:06,733 It's magic. 466 00:21:08,133 --> 00:21:11,900 The Laid Back Country Picker persona that Dave has. 467 00:21:12,566 --> 00:21:19,300 Just gone viral with is, it's just something, it really. 468 00:21:20,500 --> 00:21:25,066 Strikes a chord with people, and so the music community. 469 00:21:25,433 --> 00:21:30,000 Benefits. But also, Monday morning they're in a. 470 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:34,233 Classroom being a positive impact for the students. 471 00:21:35,900 --> 00:21:42,666 I would like for people to think about me and say she. 472 00:21:42,666 --> 00:21:46,366 Was a helper, because we need more helpers. 473 00:21:48,500 --> 00:21:52,033 And everything that I do is to try to help. 474 00:21:52,033 --> 00:21:54,066 When I teach, I'm trying to help kids learn. 475 00:21:54,700 --> 00:21:59,933 When I write a song, I might be trying to help myself. 476 00:22:00,700 --> 00:22:03,366 When I write a song, I'm trying to help you think. 477 00:22:03,366 --> 00:22:05,100 That you can do something. 478 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:09,700 I'm not as strong in things as I used to be. 479 00:22:09,700 --> 00:22:15,566 But when tornadoes hit and all that, I wanna help. 480 00:22:16,166 --> 00:22:17,900 Because that's what you're supposed to do. 481 00:22:18,900 --> 00:22:21,066 I would like to leave behind one. 482 00:22:21,066 --> 00:22:24,000 I hope I leave behind thousands of students who. 483 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:26,766 Said he helped me out in some way, or made me feel. 484 00:22:26,766 --> 00:22:27,833 Good about myself. 485 00:22:27,833 --> 00:22:28,800 I hope I've done that. 486 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:31,233 As a teacher, that's really the bottom line. 487 00:22:31,733 --> 00:22:33,966 Musically, I hope some people find my records. 488 00:22:33,966 --> 00:22:36,300 And listen to them, and go, man, how do we miss this dude? 489 00:22:36,566 --> 00:22:39,666 This is better than anything buds up I'll ever do. 490 00:22:40,566 --> 00:22:41,900 Laughs. 491 00:22:41,900 --> 00:22:43,133 Don't Laugh. 492 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:46,666 I want everyone to get up in the morning and just find. 493 00:22:46,666 --> 00:22:48,366 Something that makes them happy. 494 00:22:48,666 --> 00:22:51,366 If they go out there and they've got four acres to. 495 00:22:51,366 --> 00:22:53,866 Mow, but they pull the string on the lawnmower. 496 00:22:53,866 --> 00:22:57,233 And it starts on the first pool, that's an accomplishment. 497 00:22:57,566 --> 00:23:00,466 And you just bask in the glory that your mower. 498 00:23:00,466 --> 00:23:02,666 Started on the first crank, because let me tell you. 499 00:23:02,966 --> 00:23:04,966 There's people out there that will pull their mower. 500 00:23:04,966 --> 00:23:07,000 Four or five times, they don't get anything. 501 00:23:07,300 --> 00:23:17,266 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 502 00:23:18,466 --> 00:23:20,966 So, our day here at Pine Mountain isn't done. 503 00:23:20,966 --> 00:23:23,366 We're now going to go explore even more of the park. 504 00:23:23,700 --> 00:23:26,466 And as you can see, it's right about at the peak for. 505 00:23:26,466 --> 00:23:28,700 The fall color season, and it's going to look amazing. 506 00:23:28,933 --> 00:23:31,133 We're going to bring you another show we're about to. 507 00:23:31,133 --> 00:23:32,100 Shoot here in Pine Mountain. 508 00:23:32,433 --> 00:23:35,400 And we can't wait to share with you what are literally. 509 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:38,833 Some of the most amazing views in the commonwealth. 510 00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:41,500 For more information about Pine Mountain, be sure to. 511 00:23:41,500 --> 00:23:44,433 Like the Kentucky Life Facebook page, or subscribe. 512 00:23:44,433 --> 00:23:47,500 To the KET YouTube channel for more Kentucky Life. 513 00:23:47,566 --> 00:23:50,166 Extras, where you'll learn more about this amazing. 514 00:23:50,166 --> 00:23:52,733 Place and have access to lots of other great videos. 515 00:23:53,066 --> 00:23:55,600 Until next time, I'll leave you with this moment. 516 00:23:56,000 --> 00:24:00,800 I'm Chip Polston, cherishing this Kentucky life. 517 00:24:05,266 --> 00:24:15,233 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪