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Jerry R. Nuss, Max Dealer in Illinois
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 250
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 71.244.167.108
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 29, 2006 - 10:21 pm: | 
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Paddy’s Bluff Retreat ATV Park, Dycusburg, Kentucky www.paddysbluff.com
On Sunday January 29, 2006 I visited Paddy’s Bluff Retreat ATV Park. The park is located north east of Dycusburg, Kentucky. The largest city in the area is Paducah, Kentucky. I used Interstate 24 and exited at exit 40 to get to the park. There were signs along the route at every turn so finding the park was easy after getting off the interstate.
Exit 40 is Kuttawa, Kentucky and it has an abundance of gas stations, fast food and at least one sit down restaurant and a hotel. In the general area within fifteen miles of Paddy’s Bluff there are seven campgrounds, five hotels and motels, and about a dozen restaurants. One popular restaurant is Patti’s an 1880’s Restaurant. This is a very popular restaurant in the area and a visit to Paddy’s Bluff should include a stop to Patti’s. Patti’s is located in Grand Rivers Kentucky approximately 15 miles from Paddy’s Bluff.
When I entered Paddy’s Bluff I stopped at the office/concession stand and filled out a waiver. The waiver is a simple one-page form that states a person accepts responsibility for their health, welfare and safety. There were no rules requiring helmets, flags, roll bars or anything considered special equipment. I saw riders in all dress and safety equipment. There were several no swimming signs posted throughout the park. The park is bordered by the Cumberland River and the current was very strong during my visit. The park is open from Friday evening through Sunday. Admission was $10 for a driver and $5 for a passenger. There is a large amount of open space for camping and during my visit I saw several clusters of campers and tents in different areas within the park. There are no real restroom facilities but there were porta-potties and some cold-water showers. There was a hose and wash pad to wash off machines.
I ran the boundaries of the 650-acre park before heading on any of the trails or hills. The boundary has a rock and dirt road and a barbed wire fence and no trespassing signs surround the park. I never was confused or exited the park. The trails were wide and easy to navigate. I could see the potential for a lot of dust in the summer months. There were some large hills on the main trails but they were not difficult to navigate by ATV but they would be very difficult to walk. The rocks were loose and just the right size to cause a sprained ankle or cause a person to take a tumble. It had rained most of the day before I visited so I expected a lot of mud and slippery conditions. That was not the case. The trail did not hold much water and in low spot the ground and trail was hard packed. I only found one spot where I turned up some stagnant mud. Because of the Cumberland River and the amount of rain I found several areas that I could swim the ATV through stands of trees. Entry and exit was by a shallow angle and not a difficult transition.
After running the main trail and swimming I headed off into the woods and went up and down some of the steep ATV trails. They were soft and a little wet but nothing difficult to climb. I did make a turn on one of the hills and slid a little before heading back down. There has been a great deal of trail cutting and bulldozing to make new trails in some areas. There was a very large amount of trees pushed over and cut is some areas. I went through this area and drove over a path of fallen trees. On one trail I had to weave through a group of 4x4 passenger vehicles…jeeps, blazers, trucks etc. They were winching up some hills and making some new trails I would guess. I just drove up past and waved and went on my way. They all smiled and gave thumbs up. Most of the ATV riders would wave or ask the usual question. How deep of water will that go through?
During the course of the day my wife would get laughing and I finally asked her what was so funny. She said when there was a group of four wheel ATVs they would all stop and stare at us then drive away. She said it was like we were the fat strange kid visiting his grandparents down the street that no one wanted to play with, or the kid no one wanted on their team when playing an athletic game. We had a very nice time and with the ample area for camping and support businesses in the area I would recommend Paddy’s Bluff.
Not even one hour away south of Paddy’s Bluff is Turkey Bay OHV Area in the Land Between the Lakes. Turkey Bay is a fantastic OHV area that is large, 2500 acres and has all types of terrain. Just a couple of miles away from Turkey Bay there are herds of Elk and Bison wandering around and graving the area. This is more of a tourist area with all types of activities for everyone in the family. I would recommend spending a day at Paddy’s Bluff then a day or two at Turkey Bay. |
Chuck McGhee
New member
Username: Chuck_050382
Post Number: 1
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 12.170.193.98
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 11:20 am: |
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Thanks for the info, I have some friends that ride atvs down there, and i plan on going with them with my argo. I just got the argo in dec. |
Jerry R. Nuss, Max Dealer in Illinois
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 252
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 71.244.167.108
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 12:57 pm: |
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Chuck if you ever want to ride get in touch with me. I don't know of any place up by Mt. Vernon but I am always hunting for new riding areas. I've been spending time at Herrin Lake and Little Egypt and floating the the Big Muddy. I'm thinking of heading over to St. Joe State Park in Missouri later this week. You can contact me through this site or from my website jnatv.com |
Becky Orr
Junior Member
Username: Orrsmopars
Post Number: 13
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 208.34.6.16
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 09:44 pm: |
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Jerry, great write up about Paddy's Bluff! You could write up brochures on riding areas! It was great! I will have to try to plan something that way sometime this spring or summer. I have been to Turkey Bay about 8 years ago and enjoyed it.
Thanks again for the detailed info! |
Eddie Beddingfield (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 207.117.33.134
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 09:47 am: |
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Becky, I will try to make the Ledges ride this year,Our Maintenance shutdown has been moved to the first of July, This is what has prevented me from attending the first couple of rides. Eddie |
Chuck McGhee
New member
Username: Chuck_050382
Post Number: 2
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 12.170.193.98
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 01:09 pm: |
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Eddie:
where are you from? do you work at GT? |
Eddie Beddingfield (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 207.117.33.134
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 06:06 pm: |
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I live in Winchester Illinois,and work in Jacksonville.It is a Nestle beverage factory making Coffee Mate coffee creamer. |
Chuck McGhee
New member
Username: Chuck_050382
Post Number: 3
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 12.170.193.98
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 08:23 am: |
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Eddie:
Your Comment about Plant shutdown made me think of General Tire IN Mt. Vernon, IL |
Eddie Beddingfield (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 152.163.100.65
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 09:41 am: |
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Chuck twice a year we shutdown operations and all 4 shifts of maintenance work,No vacations. This has always been on Humphry ride and Ledges ride,Except this year! |
Jerry R. Nuss, Max Dealer in Illinois
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 311
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 70.106.195.213
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 07, 2006 - 08:48 pm: |
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Midwest ATV has set up a 6x6 Jamboree at Paddy's Bluff on the weekend of May 20 and 21, 2006. This is a very nice riding area with a lot of area attractions. I did a review on Paddy's Bluff further up on this string. I am going to adjust my schedule so I can attend. It would be great to get as many amphibious ATVs there as possible to support Midwest ATV and have a great time. A person can find out more infromation about the 6x6 Jamboree at www.maxatv.com under 6x6 events. |
Chuck McGhee
Member
Username: Chuck_050382
Post Number: 40
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 12.170.193.98
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 05:26 pm: |
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That sounds like a lot of fun. Just went to Paddy's a couple of weeks ago. Camped out down by the river. |
Jerry R. Nuss, Max Dealer in Illinois
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 312
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 70.106.195.213
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 10:37 pm: |
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Hi Chuck, It should be a good time. I hope there is a good size turn out so we can get us a better network going. Plus I want to shoot some photos. Do you think you can make it down? |
Eddie Beddingfield (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 207.117.33.134
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 07:33 am: |
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Would like to come but have already committed to a jeep function that weekend. I will try for the next ride,we are still going for a trip to LBL ( Turkey Bay) this summer. Eddie |
Chuck McGhee
Member
Username: Chuck_050382
Post Number: 41
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 12.170.193.98
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 02:50 pm: |
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I think we will make down for Saturday. We had planned on doing something for our anniversary that weekend but we can't turn down a 6x6 ride. I think we are going to go down friday and then ride on saturday and then go home saturday night. Last time when we camped there we went for night ride. That was a lot of fun. Everybody start doing rain dances now so there will be lots of mud. |
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