Hey Guys!
This post continues our time in the Red River Gorge area.
Read Day 1 here, Day 3 here & Day 4 here... Click here to see links to all of my blog posts
We started our morning with these views!
I loved that we were surrounded by windows and all that we could see were trees!
After getting our coffee made, we headed straight for the hot tub.
It was pretty chilly the first two days we were there, so that made having a hot tub even better!
We felt as if we were all alone in the woods when sitting in the hot tub….it was so peaceful and relaxing!
Next, we headed to the kitchen to prepare our breakfast.
I had packed quite a bit of food to take with us in case we didn’t want to go out and eat.
Tip: There are several restaurants within a 10-15 min drive of the treehouse
My hubby prepared himself a bacon and tomato croissant & I had eggs, bacon, fruit & cheese.
To save time in the kitchen, I had precooked the eggs and bacon before we left for our trip .
The treehouse did have a gas stove top so you can definitely prepare meals here if you wanted to.
After breakfast, we headed to the nearby Slade Welcome Center to get a map of the area.
We had planned on driving the 33 mile scenic loop through the Red River Gorge so we wanted a good map that showed the attractions that were located on the drive.
You can watch a YouTube video here about the drive & click here for another informative video from the Welcome Center.
Click here for things to do/see in the Gorge
Tip: The Kentucky Reptile Zoo is right across from the welcome center
The lady at the welcome center was very helpful and gave us tips on the best places to stop along the scenic drive.
Tip: Download a map of the area here
After leaving the welcome center, we had to backtrack as our treehouse was located in the Red River Gorge and that’s where our drive would start.
The first “attraction” we arrived to was an old steel bridge that welcomes you to the Red River Gorge Scenic River.
You will be driving alongside the Red River for part of your drive.
The water was really muddy where they had gotten so much rain!
Our first stop was the suspension bridge in the Sheltowee trace area.
However, after arriving, we noticed a sign stating that the bridge was closed.
From what I’ve read online, the bridge has been closed for a year now due to a tree falling on it.
So, we continued our drive along the gorge.
Shortly after leaving the suspension bridge area, we crossed over another bridge.
It was really unique looking as it had stone running along the sides of the bridge.
After crossing the bridge, we spotted an old wooden barn….this would be our next stop.
This area is where the Gladie Creek historic cabin is located.
The cabin was built around 1900 and is the oldest structure in the Red River Gorge.
This used to be a working farm and there are still remnants of old farm equipment scattered around the property.
The log cabin was locked & boarded up so you couldn’t see the inside.
I read online that it was once used as a post office but not sure how true that is.
There is a nearby visitor’s center where you can learn more about the area but it was closed when we were there and won’t open until June.
After checking out the log cabin, we walked over to check out the barn.
The barn is set up like a bit of a museum….all of the old equipment was labeled as to what it was and then there were information plaques inside the barn talking about the history of the area.
It was really neat to see all of the old equipment and it made you think of how hard it must of been to live back in those days….we have it so easy now….too easy really!
After the barn, we continued our drive.
Not long after leaving the barn, we came up on a roadside waterfall so we pulled over to take a few pictures.
The parking area was only big enough for about 2-3 vehicles.
Tip: Click here for an extensive list of waterfalls in the area
I’m not sure what the name of this falls was called but it was really pretty and you could walk right up to it.
However, we chose not to because it had been raining and was really muddy but there was a couple of people at the base of the falls when we arrived.
Shortly after leaving the falls, we crossed over another bridge where we spotted an old cabin in the woods.
The cabin isn’t marked and there is no parking or path to get to it.
So, my hubby pulled over in a small gravel area a short distance past the cabin and I had to walk on the main road to get back to it.
Again, there is no information about this cabin so I have no idea how old it is but there was a name carved out in the concrete with a date of 1939…I couldn’t find anything online about it.
Next, we stopped at the Devil’s Canyon Overlook.
This area is part of the same ridge from which Sky Bridge was formed and is just off the road on the way to Sky Bridge Recreation Area which I will talk about in just a few minutes.
The overlook is only about 1/4 mile hike and ends at a small wooden fence where you will have sweeping views of the Red River Gorge.
This area would be beautiful during the fall months!
Tip: This area does have black bears and poisonous snakes…I think it’s rare to see a bear but they are in this area
There is an area where you can walk past the fence to a rocky outcropping but be careful as it’s a sheer drop off!
It was raining the day we visited but we didn’t let that stop us…we had places to go and things to see! 😉
Our next stop was an overlook called the Swift Creek Ovelook.
This was a roadside overlook so there is no hiking involved.
You basically get the same views as the Devil’s Canyon Overlook.
I think you can see a couple of arches from this overlook.
Tip: Kentucky has the second most natural arches in the US, with the largest arch being Mantle Rock, which spans 188 feet and stands 30 feet high….#1 is Utah!
Again, you will want to be very careful because this area has another sheer drop off!
Our next stop along this scenic drive was the Sky Bridge trail.
This trail is only 1/4 mile long or you can choose to do the loop trail that is 3/4 mile long…the loop trail takes you over and under the Sky Bridge Arch.
This is a semi-blacktop trail that leaves the Sky Bridge parking area and extends along a high narrow ridge to Sky Bridge and scenic overlooks.
Shortly after starting the trail, you will end at the top or at the bottom of the arch….it just depends on which trail you take….we started with the top of the arch.
Once you arrive to the arch, you will have to walk across the top of it to make your way down to go under it.
This is a bit terrifying as you have sheer drop offs on both sides of you!
Just stay in the center of the arch and you will be fine!
The views were beautiful!
Once you have crossed the arch, you will continue walking along the path a short distance until you reach the bottom of the arch.
This arch is not to be missed! It’s very impressive!
This is one of the coolest arches we saw on our trip!
Click here to read about more arches in this area – the Red River Gorge area is home to more than 100 natural stone arches!
Sky Bridge is a double arch and it was the only double arch that we saw in this area.
The arch is 75 feet long and 23 feet high.
Tip: There is no cell service in most of the Red River Gorge area so I highly recommend that you download offline maps of all the areas you plan on visiting
Tip: If you have an iPhone, please read here on how to call 911 when your phone is in SOS mode or when you have no cell service
There was only four other people on this hike and they were all together so, that definitely made it much more peaceful.
One of the ladies in the group offered to take our picture under the arch….we don’t get many pictures together on our trips so we always take someone up on their offer to take our picture!
After taking way too many pictures of the arch, we continued the loop trail back to the parking lot.
Hiking along the trail
The rock formations are so cool!
My hubby checking out a small ‘cave”.
Look at these formations in the rocks! So interesting!
If you do the top of the arch first, you will have 75 wooden stairs to climb at the end of the trail!
After leaving this area, we headed to our next stop called Camera Point Overlook.
The trail is located down a short road from the Sky Bridge Trail parking area…you can walk here from the Sky Bridge parking lot if you wanted to.
The overlook was only 1/4 mile long and gives you views of the gorge and of the Sky Bridge Arch.
Next, we headed to the Whistling Arch trail which is also 1/4 mile long.
Tip: The Whistling Arch is only a 3 min drive from the Sky Bridge trail….near here is the Castle Arch. Unfortunately, we missed this arch….there’s just too many to see!
The Whistling Arch trail starts from the parking area and extends along a wooded ridge to Whistling Arch.
Always be aware of the rocks above your head!
This arch is a rather small arch and not that impressive compared to some of the other arches but it’s worth seeing since it’s such a short hike.
The arch is probably about 10 feet wide and 4 ft high.
Tip: The Whittleton Arch, which spans 44 feet across and 14 feet high, is recorded as the largest arch by mass in the Red River Gorge.
There is a small overlook near the arch that gives you beautiful views of the gorge.
As we were walking along the trail back to the parking lot, my hubby and I both found painted rocks that someone had left along the trail.
I had actually found a rock similar to these rocks on the green way near my house. I ended up taking the rock with me on our trip to Oregon last year and hid it in a tree in the Redwoods National Forest.
We will probably take these rocks on our upcoming trip to South Dakota and hide them. 🙂
Our next stop, Angels Windows Arch, was less than a mile from the Whistling Arch trail…it was only 1/4 mile walk to the arch.
The trail extends along a wooded ridge that leads under a high cliff to Angel Windows.
The trees and rocks were covered in moss…..so cool! It reminded me of when we visited Washington!
You will pass a number of overhangs and continue along the ledge.
Tip: Make sure you wear really good hiking shoes as the trails have lots of exposed roots and rocks!
The trail ends at Angel Windows Arch….these are two small arches clustered together.
There is a drop-off to the right as you go past Angel Windows so be sure to use caution when exploring the area.
There was another couple at the arch that pointed out that the arch looked like a horse’s head….it actually looked just like one!
The couple offered to take our picture with the “horse’s head arch” so, of course, we said yes! 
On the way back, we spotted this small “cave like structure” in the rock so, of course, I had to have my hubby take a picture! 😉
We saw these red berries all along the path.
Our last stop of the day would be Chimney Rock.
Note: This isn’t the end of the scenic drive we just didn’t have time to finish all of it.
To get to Chimney Rock, you have to drive down a 4 mile gravel road.
The road is well maintained and wasn’t bad at all.
After arriving to the parking lot, the trail to the overlook is only 1/4 mile.
A sign warning you of the dangers in the area.
These miniature irises were blooming all along the trail!
There are several off shoot paths along this trail where you can walk out to a rocky outcropping for some amazing views….but be very careful as it’s a sheer drop off!
At the overlook, you get some amazing views of the gorge and the red river!
My pictures don’t do it justice as it was rainy and cloudy.
We spotted these baby pine cones on a nearby tree.
We headed back to the parking lot and walked over to the nearby Princess Arch trail.…it too, was only 1/4 mile long.
Tip: Click here for a Chimney Rock trail guide and map
At the start of the trail, we spotted this memorial for a 21 yr old guy who had fallen to his death at the Princess Arch. It’s a reminder of how dangerous this area can be if you’re not careful.
The trail passes through mixed pine/hardwood stands and rhododendron.
The trail takes you over the top of the 32 ft long arch….be very careful!
After you cross over the arch, you can then continue the path to go under the arch.
This is a nice size arch and I would definitely recommend you add it to your list if you are visiting this area!
More shots of the arch
As we were leaving the arch, we saw a small, round hole in the side of the rock….so, again, I had to have my picture taken in the hole!
After leaving this area, we headed 30 mins to have dinner at Miguel’s Pizza.
Once we arrived, we noticed a tree in the parking lot that was full of shoes!
Miguel’s opened in 1984 in the historic 1930’s old Jottem Down country store.
You had to order at the counter and “build your own pizza” from the options listed on their menu…..which are endless!
I ordered the cauliflower crust pizza with an oil base, mozzarella cheese, grilled chicken and pineapple and the hubby ordered half of a “meat lovers” pizza.
The pizza was very good!
They have a 4.6 rating out of 5400 google reviews.
Read more here about Miguel’s Pizza
After dinner, we headed to a place that I had found out about on the Slade Welcome Center’s website under the “things to do” link….it was called, The Hive at High Rock, a thermal spa experience.
I had looked into this place before booking our appointment and was actually very hesitant about booking here because their reviews were limited and their social media wasn’t kept current but I went ahead and decided to book it anyways.
I didn’t know what to expect since there wasn’t much about it online.
The property was located approx. 20 mins from Miguel’s Pizza and 25 from our treehouse.
When we arrived to the property, we noticed that there was a cool looking A frame house and some dome tents that you could rent.
However, there were no cars around so, I was getting a bit nervous!
The email confirmation I received, stated that we needed to check in at the Peddler’s Bar behind the main cabin.
So, once we got parked, that’s where we headed.
At the bar, the owner Josh, was waiting for our arrival.
He politely greeted us with a hot cup of tea and chatted with us for a few minutes.
He then took us through an entrance behind the bar into the spa area.
Ok, ya’ll….this is where my anxiety and doubt ended about this place!!
I was literally speechless while I stood staring at this place with my mouth gaped open!
I truly couldn’t believe what I was seeing! I know that sounds a bit dramatic but I’m serious!!
Josh explained to us that he had built 95% of this all by himself!
He had moved here from Arizona and purchased this property sight unseen!
I’ve never met someone with so much artistic ability!
Not only was he creative and artistic, he made us feel so comfortable and welcome!
The outdoor spa had 3 claw foot tubs that are filled with water coming from the ceiling!
There is also an infrared sauna, an outdoor shower and an open air deck above the tubs that include yoga mats where you can unwind and relax.
You can also add on a massage table with oils, Indian Clay face masks and a Sweetgrass Sage Smudge stick.
A shot of the property from the deck
You are provided robes and towels during your 3 hour appointment.
Once Josh went over everything, we were left alone for the next 3 hours with 100% privacy.
Even the deck upstairs had curtains on every side.
Josh had built this water feature where water slowly ran off of the clear ceiling over your head to make it appear to be raining!
He had also built this small pond that had a fog machine along with a bullfrog croaking sound effects ….it was so cool!
He had used repurposed materials to build this incredible outdoor spa and we just couldn’t get over how awesome it was!
He told us about all of these cool ideas he had for more soaking tubs and I am definitely coming back to check those out once he opens them!
After getting changed into our robes, we enjoyed our delicious hot tea before getting into the soaking tubs.
One of the tubs had 45 degree water in it so you could alternate between hot and cold….we never used the cold bath as I’m not a fan of being cold! 😉
The bottoms of each tub are covered with smooth rocks.
Click here to read about the benefits of cold water baths
Note: The cold and hot water valves are within reaching distance of each of the tubs so you can adjust the water temperature for each tub separately
Josh provided plenty of water at each tub so you wouldn’t get dehydrated! 
It was so relaxing soaking in the tubs while listening to the sound of the “rain” and the sound of the bullfrog croaking while watching the mist linger through the tree covered hill in front of us! 
After spending several minutes soaking in the tub, my hubby got out to retrieve our face masks that I had included when I booked our appointment.
We had to mix apple cider vinegar in with the clay in order to make the mask.
We then applied it to our faces and were told to leave it on for 20 mins.
After applying our face masks, we could literally feel our face pulsating!
I have since read that it’s due to cutaneous vasodilation ….this occurs when a clay mask has dried and contracted your skin, causing blood to rush to the surface of your skin.
Tip: Read here as to why you shouldn’t leave this mask on for longer than 20 mins & read more here about this pulsating mask!
After leaving our masks on for 20 mins, we both got out of the tubs and headed over to the showers to wash the face masks off.
Josh had also provided shampoo and conditioner that had the best smell ever!!
After the shower, we got into the sauna for about 10-15 mins…this was so cool! I wish I had one at home!
We then headed upstairs to the massage table where I had convinced my hubby to give me a massage for my birthday! 
He gives pretty good massages…even better than some massage therapists that I’ve paid!
After my massage, we headed back to the soaking tubs for a while.
Sadly, our three hours flew by!
Once we were dressed, we headed out of the spa area and back out to the bar where we had checked in with Josh.
We checked out the nearby bathroom to see what it looked like because he had built all of this from scratch and repurposed material.
He had also built a stage near the bar where they would have live music.
This place was super cool and I highly recommend you check this place out if you are ever in the area!!
We are already thinking of booking again in the fall!!
By the way, if you book the spa you have it completely to yourself….even if you book for one person! You get it for 3 hrs!
Here’s a link to his Facebook page
The reason he doesn’t have many reviews is because he hasn’t been opened very long….actually, he just opened the spa section back in Oct or Nov of last year.
After we left the spa, we headed back to our treehouse and called it a night!
Thanks for reading!
Read Day 1 here & Click here for links to all of my posts
Stay tuned for Day 3!
