Boyd focused on making maps of course, but he also discussed some basic ideas of what maps do (e.g., they show where stuff is) and possibilities they give us (e.g., understanding why stuff is where it is). The kids enjoyed seeing early Kentucky maps from 1733 & 1811 and a map of the modern world illuminated at night. They were a wonderful bunch and had bright responses to geography questions. As a bonus, he gave them a bird’s eye view of the Red River Gorge with two great destinations there to visit.

We would like to thank the Center for this opportunity to see the wonder and happiness in children’s eyes as they explored maps! Visit the Center’s site to see more Discovery Night events.

We’ve updated our map of bike lanes and pedestrian paths in Lexington’s urban service area. It is a big map and we’re considering options for release.

Please share any feedback about how we can make this map better.

Visit the map:
bikelex.com/map/front

We have been working on our 3D map of the Sheltowee Trace. This Bird’s Eye View map shows the official forest service trails and recreation areas on a 3D map of the Pottsville Escarpment that separates the rugged Cumberland Plateau with the more rolling Bluegrass and Pennyrile regions.

We encourage you to explore this map give us any feedback. We will probably print portions of the map as insets in the Sheltowee Trace north map on which we are currently working.

Visit the map:
outrageGIS.com/sheltowee/3D

Our maps show forest canopy cover, trail intersection elevations, and mileage between intersections & backcountry campsites, all at 1:50,000 scale. Our GPS data is the most detailed and current data available. We’ve structured the GPX file so you can easily select your hike and save it to your mobile device or GPS unit. Our maps are offered as a printable, 8×10 PDF file with each page centered on the listed hike. Print your maps and save them to your mobile device, but never worry about losing or damaging your map again!

Currently we are offering two regions, Cades Cove and Cosby & Greenbrier.

Trails in the Cades Cove region: Abrams Falls, Ace Gap, Anthony Creek, Appalachian Trail, Beard Cane, Bote Mountain, Cades Cove Nature, Cane Creek, Cooper Road, Crib Gap, Crooked Arm Ridge, Finley Cane, Goldmine, Gregory Bald, Gregory Ridge, Hannah Mountain, Hatcher Mountain, Indian Grave Gap, Lead Cove, Little Bottoms, Rabbit Creek, Rich Mountain, Rich Mountain Loop, Russell Field, Schoolhouse Gap, Scott Mountain, Turkeypen Ridge, West Prong, Wet Bottom.

Trails in the Cosby & Greenbrier regions: Albright Grove, Appalachian Trail, Brushy Mountain, Camel Gap, Cosby Nature, Gabes Mountain, Grapeyard Ridge, Low Gap, Lower Mt Cammerer, Maddron Bald, Mt Cammerer, Old Settlers, Porters Creek, Ramsey Cascades, Snake Den Ridge.

Of course, when the Red is swollen and calm, folks bring canoes and a desire to jump off the large, south-bank boulder lodged near the suspension bridge. You can’t see these jumpers from the bridge, but you can hear audience cheers and screams of the simultaneous jumpers. The water is not muddy, but silty and deceptively still, like flat, fresh cardboard.

Before arriving at Blue Heron, we heard the train whistle through the valley as it made the slow trip to the restored mining camp. Bypassing many tourists exploring the open air museum, we crossed the tram bridge across the river and made our way to Dick Gap Overlook. The winds were strong at the this exposed overlook and we saw a molted snake skin, dancing in the wind.

We then made our way to south bank of the river to enjoy lunch and fish the river. We timed our ascent to watch the sunset at Devil’s Overlook, where we saw the sun break through the low clouds and illuminate this great bend in the river. Spectacular. Overnight, temperatures dropped into 30s, with clear conditions the following day. Yahoo Falls and Bear Creek Overlook rounded out our explorations.

Map to our booth: