Southern Lakes & Rivers

When I entered my senior year of high school, I had every intention of leaving Bowling Green for Lexington and the University of Kentucky.  As the first in my family to attend college, I didn't realize that it was important to start working towards scholarships and financial aide early in the year.  And so, I found myself in the spring accepted to UK with little money to actually attend.  Since I had completed most of my requirements for graduation early, I really had nothing better to do one day than to agree to go on a visit to a small private school located in the Southern Lakes & Rivers region of Kentucky.

It is this chance trip in the Spring of my senior year that would decide my future.  That trip found me on the campus of Lindsey Wilson College.  Five months later, I entered LWC as a Freshman, armed with plans to stay two years and transfer to UK to finish my plans.  As Robert Burns once said, "the best laid plans of mice and men..."  Four years later, I walked away with a degree in English, a husband, and a best friend.  It is at LWC that I met bluebelleinbg.  She is smart and brave and sometimes forgets how completely wonderful she is.  Thankfully, as she is always reminding me the same, it is easy to point the mirror back to ensure that she sees.   I also met Mr. Irishbookworm21 at LWC.  I credit him with the salvation of my self-esteem.  He loved me at a time when I didn't love myself very much.  He has taught me that appearance doesn't equal beauty. Over a decade later and it still feels like yesterday.  Blessed doesn't even begin to cover it.

For those visiting this region, LWC is home to a multi-time National Championship soccer team.  The college is now also home to a football team, with this being their inaugural season.  LWC is also home to the Lindsey Wilson Singers, a choral group that travels each Spring on a choral tour of a different region of the US.  It was with this group that I was able to travel and see more of the US and the world than I would have been able otherwise.
 And in the interest of fairness:  the region is also home to Campbellsville University...LWC's longtime friendly rival.

For visitors, the region is also home to Green River Lake.  While we were dating, picnics next to the lake were a common date for us.  In the land of poor college students, it was about being together, not how much we had to spend to do it.  Green River Lake is a beautiful place for camping, swimming, boating, and there are many limestone outcroppings that are perfect for simply being.  It is the kind of place where you can sit in the silence and dream.  Dream of the world, dream of life, dream of love, dream of the future.  I didn't initially fall in love with my husband on these banks.  I did learn more about him and grew to love him even more in the time we spent on the banks of this Lake,

Lake Cumberland is also located in the SLR region of Kentucky.  Lake Cumberland offers more water sports, camping, and lodging on a beautiful lake.   If you are looking for world-class, record-breaking fishing, then Lake Cumberland is the stop for you.  There are also more opportunities to experience the beauty of nature in Kentucky,

Finally, this region is home to Mill Springs.  This town is home to a Civil War battlefield, the National Cemetery, and the world's largest working water-wheel.  Small towns dot this region. offering a glimpse into Kentucky small-town life and culture.  There are also opportunities to walk the land of the past, steeped in the history of a battle during the war that changed the fabric of our country.


While this region isn't home, it does hold the memories of some of the best days of my life.  Days awash with love and friendship, ups and downs, tragedies and triumphs.

Tomorrow, I move to a region for which Kentucky is famous:  Kentucky's Derby Region.