The Elkhorn Creek flows along Fayette, Scott, Woodford, and Franklin counties in the Bluegrass region of central Kentucky. There are two parts of the creek which runs over 18 miles of land. The northern flows 75 miles and the southern flows 50 miles where they converge at the Forks of Elkhorn, where it soon empties into the Kentucky River in Frankfort. The creek is an important part of this Bluegrass region for its ecology, cultural significance, and recreation. This weekend was one of the warmer weekends we’ve had in Kentucky for a while. There were spartan signs around town that spring is near, like more motorcyclist out riding, a couple of yard sale signs, and the daffodils about to burst with their swollen buds.
My mom and I went to visit my grandparents and to have an excursion. After having some pan baked fish for lunch, we stopped at the thrift store New Leash on Life, which raises money for the humane society. There I found a cool basket, a handmade stained glass mirror, and a panther pin with a red jewel eye.
After being worn out from shopping, we headed through town towards Switzer to take in the scenery of the Elkhorn Creek. First we drove by a house my great grandfather built that my grandparents lived in for a while as a young couple, and the nearby house my mom lived in for a while as a child. I’ve heard lots of stories about living along the Elkhorn and always wondered what it would be like to have a constant supply of entertainment such as a creek.
Then we went on our way to one of Kentucky’s historical covered bridges that was originally constructed in 1855. There are only about 15 left in Kentucky. It is no telling how many are now long gone due to deterioration or destruction. My grandpa said he could remember driving through the bridge in his car. Now, the bridge has only on display since 1954 and was put on the National Register of Historic places in 1974.
The bridge with its renovations and upkeep is in very good condition. The only thing is that the inside is completely covered in graffiti. Thankfully, it doesn’t cover much of the outside part besides the front entrance. I will like to go back when the days are a little warmer and even go kayaking on the Elkhorn!
All text on photos from poem “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman
EARTHeim Landscape Design Lexington Kentucky 
These pictures are breath taking! I also like the pairing of lyrics with pictures – art that incorporates words are some of my favorite and, in my opinion, the most powerful.
I’m also intrigued, in general, by graffiti. I haven’t spent a lot of time mulling over its significance, but it also seems powerful in a way – probably for similar reasons that I find words in art powerful. Also that it’s not like it’s a recent development in human history – there was graffiti in ancient Rome, for example. It seems like a basic human attempt at attaining immortality – although I doubt that’s what people think when they do it :-p
Nice post, pics are great and I like the poem spatterings on them.