Hidden Cove

On Friday, May 24^th, six humans and two dogs squeezed their way into a van, already filled from top to bottom with supplies, to make a journey down to a remote area in Kentucky. It’s a trip I’ve made three times before, but this time was set to be a whole new experience. For the first time in three years, I was able to take part in Hidden Cove’s Memorial Day weekend family festivities.

We arrived late and went to work getting our camper equipped with electricity and running water. After a bit of settling in, we made our way down to The Lodge and joined our family for conversation and drinks; there’s really no better way to decompress after a four-and-a-half-hour drive (at best).

Saturday morning I awoke to see the transformation Hidden Cove has gone under since my last visit. The Truitt family camper, has come to rest upon the hillside of The Sanctuary (tentative name), steps have been sculpted into and around the hillside, the area’s utilities are more permanent and desire paths connecting many points of interest are becoming well-trodden. The Lodge is a charming work of art, still in progress, that flows seamlessly with its surroundings. Everything has its place and works with the natural beauty of the land. It’s a lot to fathom, the amount of thought, time and effort that’s gone into creating such an exciting yet relaxing destination.

The unveiling of the 2013 commemorative Hidden Cove Memorial Day t-shirts took place Saturday night. It was a heartfelt moment while receiving a depiction of the Hidden Cove Founding Fathers portraying Mt. Rushmoore forever immortalized on a t-shirt. The design is well thought-out and timelessly stylish.

Thank God beer doesn’t stain cotton quickly because most of the family then gathered to play a marathon game of flip cup: a Hidden Cove Memorial Day weekend tradition. There was fierce competition but in the end someone had to be force-fed a well-aged bourbon cherry… most likely more than once.

 For me, Sunday was a lazy day filled with recuperation, relaxation and hydration. There couldn’t possibly have been better weather for this weekend. Not at all humid, a cool breeze kept me comfortable by an afternoon bonfire built specifically for s'mores. Structure leisurely worked its way into the day with the First Annual Hidden Cove Beer Tasting. From IPAs to specialty beers, there was a large variety to choose from. My favorite was between Victory Brewing’s Summer Love Ale and Hoyt's homebrew; both are excellent for future reference in crafting a custom Hidden Cove beer in my opinion. We spent the evening chatting together about many things including our beer palates until tasting became drinking.

There’s much I could say about my trip to Hidden Cove for Memorial Day weekend but you really just need to be there and experience it yourself to understand. I look forward to future visits, hoping to help with the ever-transforming topography and memory of the land.

The sense of support, loyalty, acceptance and love make us all a family; something this destination wouldn’t be the same without.