We look forward to Hidden Cove.

I never have been an “outdoorsman.”

At least in the terms of which “outdoorsman” is generally used.  I don’t own tools.  My waterproof boots were a gift.  I have no idea which way North is.

But I look forward to this place.

It seems as our lives become busier, and our commitments increase every day, I look forward to this place even more.  This little place on the map outside of Mammoth Cave, Kentucky has become such a magical and unexpected part of my life.    I once heard that “happiness is having something to look forward to.”  I could not agree more, and that is exactly what Hidden Cove is.

There are so many things to look forward to in Hidden Cove.  Simple things.

This log palace is nearly completed.  Classic, stylish, and custom.  Jack Moore has an ability to make those like me that contributed very little to it in the scheme of things feel like we are an important part of this place.

I daydream about watching Buckeye games and stepping out on the porch during commercials.

There is always a question, every time, as to what we should bring.  We try to strategize; hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, but inevitably Mrs. Moore will deliver something like lobster tails and completely blow away the expectations.  I look forward to this.  She always outdoes herself.  I also can’t wait to have prime rib in the new house. I mean, you know, if you want, just saying.   No big deal.  That would be cool with me, though.  I mean, just saying, you know, if you want.

I look forward to sunburn on my face after one day outside.

I look forward to being secretly embarrassed about how much my legs burn after walking from the cabin to the Summit, and trying not to show it.

I look forward to bad cell phone reception.

I look forward to a million stars in the sky that you do not see in the city.

I look forward to driving to Saline’s to pick up ice or gasoline.

I look forward to flip cup.

I look forward to more attempted construction work, although I have no idea what I am doing.  (I generally just follow Chris Moore around.  He usually has a good idea as how to do most things, and he operates tools while severely hungover much better than I would with practice).

I look forward to the relaxing sound of the rain falling on the gazebo.

I look forward to having an early morning coffee with Uncle John, and chuckling at his sarcastic remarks.  His clever wit is only surpassed by his impeccable timing.  Especially when it is at 8 a.m. and everyone else is completely vulnerable.  

I look forward to the newest T Shirts.

Samson. I will throw that Frisbee.  Promise.  I will throw it like it has never been thrown before.

Quincy . . . nevermind.

I look forward to seeing Brian’s property develop.  I know he has some serious plans, and the location is exciting.

I look forward to getting on that boat and feeling warm wind carry over.  We almost forget what warm air feels like after months of winter, but there is nothing like it when we get together on the boat.

I look forward to taking out the kayaks for a good workout and relaxing ride.

I look forward to finding a reason to not try the jet skis again.  Ever again.  Never. Never ever.  Never ever again.

I look forward to cigars and bourbon.

I look forward to finding the turtles we have already tagged.

I look forward to entering new turtles into the fleet.

I have never known camping.  I have never known the outdoors like I do when I go there.

I have fallen in love with this place, and I am humbly grateful to be a tiny part of it.

Hidden Cove gives me and maybe even others something to look forward to.  Whether it is completing a project, or just enjoying the simplest detail of nature, maybe relaxing and reflecting on what has already been done.

This is a place where an incredible group of people come together as often as possible.  Some are family,
some are friends.

Some of us are Founders, some are Platinum Club Members, some of us have Guest Passes.

This is a place we all look forward to.

A look back at our Hidden Cove Tee Shirt Designs!

Greetings Hidden Cove blog followers,
Unbeknownst to all of you, we have been hard at work finalizing the design for this years Memorial Day Hidden Cove Shirt.  Before we talk about the 2013 shirt, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the shirts from the last 3 years.

The inaugural Hidden Cove shirt was in 2010, when we gave out the Polygonwrongonal shirt.  Not only did we make a shirt, but we also coined a new word in the process that may forever be used among those in the know.  My favorite part of this shirt is the font for Polygonwrongonal. I think it embodies the word perfectly with its angular funkiness.  If I had to do it again, I would have thinned the lines of the gazebo, made it less detailed, and more out of proportion (exaggerated).

The next years shirt was the "Three Shot Minimum."  I think this shirt has set the bar for which all future designs will be measured, so its exciting to think that we may be able to come up with shirts this nice in the future.  My favorite feature of this shirt is the Hidden Cove 2011 spelled out in the spill from the third shot glass.  This was a nice touch, and a brilliant idea by Lei Moore (comment below if I mixed up who thought of that).

Last years shirt featured an upside down pig which signified my failed pig roast from the year earlier. Maka Pua is Hawaiian for "Raw Pig" because the pig was definitely still raw after the "roast."  I like that this shirt is an inside joke, and people are automatically curious as to the meaning of the shirt.  While we had a definition on the back of the "Three Shot Minimum" this shirt has none, and I like it that way.  I also am glad we were able to hide the hidden cove 2012, by placing it on the apple.

The 2013 shirt brought a variety of challenges, and after many a brainstorming session, heated discussions, a final design has prevailed.  Unfortunately (for you all), I'm not going to share the design with you!  You'll have to come down to good 'ole Kentucky for a classic Memorial Day weekend to see the shirts unveiled.  I don't think you will be disappointed!  In case you are wondering, the new design has nothing to do with any of the other designs posted to this blog.  All of those ideas were scrapped and we started fresh!

If you plan to be in Hidden Cove for Memorial Day, you are encouraged to place an order for your shirt at http://www.hiddencovekentucky.com/gift-shop

New Tee Shirt Designs

From Dad's co-worker John P?  Described Hidden Cove as a nature preserve. Also with the labeled trails it has been called a park. With the logos on the excursion, its a lot like a park.  So perhaps we have shirts signifying that, with something like "STAFF" on the back in big bold letters.  Other hidden jokes associated with having "STAFF" on our shirts.

Logo from the US Parks and Recreation Services adapted for our purposes.  Again would have "STAFF" or "RANGER" or something like that on the back.

This is our simplified logo.  Would have something on the back as mentioned previously.  I don't like mixing our Hidden Cove in Olicana font with our logo.  They don't really match right.  Need to pick a bold simplified font to go with logo.  Use the Olicana by itself, like what was done on the visors.

New Bridge Renderings

These were both generated in sketchup to give an idea of the aesthetic of each bridge concept.  The second concept of a stone bridge (basically a big culvert) was brought back by John Moore (grandpa).

This is the wood truss design.  We can also place the trusses underneath the bridge.  I thought it would be nice to have hand rails, and makes the bridge look taller.

This is the stone design.  Would be built out of poured concrete, then filled in, then clad with stones. Obviously the grass leading up to the bridge would be more gradual and smoothed out, but its a pain to do that on this program.

Below is a bigger (higher) version of the stone bridge, which would cost a lot more to build.

“It takes a village…”

October 13th 2012 was the best day I have ever had.

I married my best friend, and have since then felt a refreshed sense of life beginning again. The
direction of our future is more certain and clearly defined. At the same time my thoughts of the years to
come have been more optimistic and hopeful than ever before.

In regard to the wedding day, the best way to describe my sentiment is in a word, thankful. In writing
this, I have made several attempts to tell the story of this day in some type of chronological order,
stopping here and there to recognize contributions and point out special moments . . . but it hasn’t
come together. There is too much backstory, too many footnotes and explanation required to make it

whole. Instead, I would like to just take a moment and make some notes about things I will never forget about our wedding day.

• I have never seen the property look like that. The ceremony area at Holly Falls was particularly unbelievable.
• The bourbon bottle legend is alive and real. For those that are not familiar, legend has it that burying a bottle of bourbon at the ceremony site, exactly one month prior, at the exact time of the ceremony, will guarantee good weather. Rainy and cold all week prior, and all week after.
  One warm, beautiful fall Saturday in between. We are believers.

  

• Our friends and family went WAY out of their way to attend this. From those that drove hours on end, or those that flew in from out of state, it means so much.
  
  
• Uncle John’s bar made cocktail hour happen. I second the motion to make it a permanent fixture of Hidden Cove. P.S. Thanks to Uncle John and Uncle Dan for bartending.
   
  
• Tammy and Michelle were the glue that held the wedding day together. Living up to Lauren’s expectations of an event is a lot to take on, and they nailed it. Thank you so much.
  
  
• Minerva’s eloquent and perfect sermon we will never forget. When I attempt to describe her poignant delivery to those that were not there, I fall short. I was completely blown away.
   
  
  
• Dom’s speech was the single best of best man speeches I have ever heard. I’m a little biased here, but I’ll never forget it.
   
  
• “That was the worm.” I mean, she totally committed at that point. No going back.
   
  
  
• Aunt Lun’s carefully crafted slideshow was such a nice touch. I overheard the “awwws” and some laughter at the years that brought us to this point, it was appreciated by all.
  
  
• Explain: ((2*a) + 250b) * C = W.
  o If (a) is a 50 gallon drum, and (b) is one foot of garden hose, then two 50 gallon drums +250 feet of hose times a variable of Charles Moore is a freakin’ man made waterfall.
   
  
  
• It was a blast having a cigar with everyone. So glad to see so many cigar smokers in the family.
  (and they seem to know the good stuff).
   
  
• I’ll never forget the smoky smell of the fires walking from the ceremony to reception.
  
  
• Adria, a.k.a. Queen of Soul. I had no idea.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Charles kudos #2, the photobooth (click on the word to view pictures). It was way more than I expected. I’ve probably watched it 10 times. I loved it.
• I love the creativity of our family in a 10 second window to change positions.
• I love how sweet Grandma Moore’s smile was in the photobooth.
• I love that Grandpa Moore didn’t know it was a photobooth.
• I love that Brian Truitt returns to the photobooth throughout the evening, each time gradually undressed from his last photo.
• Spaceghost.
• Bethanne, well played with the invisible man. Respect.
• Vincent, good to see you with a beer in your hand.
• Wes. Well played sir, well played.
• My favorite photos of the photo booth were that of Uncle John, Aunt Cathy, Nick, and Chris. The reason is that, regardless of the photo, they are just laughing so damn hard.  Like, making a funny face for one photo, and in the next photo laughing hysterically. I love this. And to think of it, this is generally how I’ve known them to be.

• Eat Moore Pie.
     
  
• Man, did we put a dent in some Maker’s Mark.
  
  
  
  
• David Lamoreaux saved the day with his volunteering to drive people up and down to the ceremony in the golf cart.
  
  
  
• I saw my entire family doing gangnam style. I didn’t even know they knew that dance.  Lynn, I blame you.
  
  
  

  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
• Mom, the dance song was perfect.
   
  
  
• I am glad we had the turnout we did. I have heard from everyone that the night of your wedding will go by so fast. It really didn’t for me. I was able to take it all in, and have a little time with everyone. Ideal.
  
  
• The signage was impressive. From the directional signs for each part of the day, to the guest count, cigars, and Aunt Ann’s window.
  
  
• My Uncle Mike has always been the life of the party, so I guess I’m not surprised that he was this time as well. At one point I saw him with a boa, another time with the Indian Head dress singing YMCA. Actually, I’m not sure he ever left the dance floor. Lynn, I blame you.
  
  
  
  
• I’m glad we had the game on.
  
  
• Thank you Grandpa Joe for funding the shuttle service.
  
  
• David you apparently don’t appear in pictures. You may want to see a witch doctor.
  
  
• So glad the entire Kilbarger family made it. I will say that once I saw a bottle of Tequila Rose, I strategically avoided eye contact with you, Uncle Mark. I hope you understand.
  
• Standing near Holly Falls, hearing the water cascade down the rock and sharing smiles with friends and family, waiting for Lauren to arrive.
  
• Everyone asks what I felt like when I first saw her. That’s a hard question to answer. If you mean what it felt like when I first saw her in 2001, it felt like another cute girl on a date with my roommate. If you mean what it felt when I first saw that she came to work with me in 2004, well then it felt like another distraction. If you mean in 2007, what it felt like when after years of friendship when we talked about how good we would be together, it felt far-fetched. If you mean in Chicago in 2009 when we leaned in for our first kiss, well then I felt alive. On our wedding day, I felt right. Complete. Confident. We have been a long time in the making.
  
  
  Careful, deliberate, and just, right. She is my everything.

To our parents, we’ll never really thank you for the time, the investment, and the commitment to
making this happen. When Lauren first told us her vision, I know we all had some doubts, but it really
did turn into something that we will never forget.


Minerva said that in this case, “it takes a village to build a wedding.” It truly did. To the contribution of
everyone that helped, we’ll never thank you enough.

During his speech, Lauren’s father started with “Welcome to Hidden Cove.” I’ll never forget this piece
and it has been discussed many times already. It was incredible to have everyone from my family and
hers in one place, celebrating. This is significant to me because it is indicative of what is to come as our
families become closer.



Thank you everyone for your contribution.

Thank you everyone for your generous gifts.

Thank you everyone for your support and love.

October 13th, 2012 was the best day of my life.


Thank you.

JP's Bridge Rendering

Proposed Bridge Design for Cathedral Creek. 

The translucent white areas are where we would have to build up earth and create an abutment. Probably would be about 4-5 ft higher than it is now.  Bridge is 24' long and 8' wide (7' usable). Basic howe pony truss design.  

Bridge is drawn in Google Sketchup. If you want the file to view and rotate in 3D, let me know.

We need ideas for next years shirt!

Hey all,
We need people to post comments regarding next years tee-shirts. Ideas, suggestions, whatever you have will help.  Here is one idea I have been playing around with.