Union, Kentucky: Big Bone Lick State Park

Lovely state park in Northern Kentucky with an amusing name. We took Beaver Road to get to Big Bone Lick. There was even a point at which we had to halt at a stop sign, which left us sitting at the intersection of Beaver Road and Dickerson on the way to Big Bone Lick.

The Kentucky State Park system is sitting on a gold mine. Just south of Cincinnati, they have a park called Big Bone Lick State Park. Unfortunately, they have too much dignity to fully exploit the money-making potential of this place. Imagine the frat boys who would come from miles around to buy "Big Bone Lick" t-shirts if they were properly designed.

They have t-shirts, buttons, and all sorts of stuff at Big Bone Lick, but they are G-rated, and it is mostly a family-friendly place, with space for picnics and recreation, and exhibits on natural history. "Big Bone Lick" got its name because since the Ice Age, animals have come here to lick the salt deposits in the soil. Kentucky settlers found their bones in the river bottom. The park keeps a living buffalo herd in honor of the generations of bison who have visited this place.

Big Bone Lick is surrounded by other places with sick names. It's just a short drive to the Beaver Lick General Store, a standard gas station and quick-mart, and the Rabbit Hash general store, a cute old-fashioned place that caters to tourists. Our map showed a place called "Sugartit," but we haven't found it yet.

Within a few miles of Big Bone Lick is Big Beaver Lick. Each is essentially a crossroad with a sign. It's gorgeous country, by the way.