08 Jul Henderson, KY

 

This post is based primarily on Don's notes, occasionally supplemented with MT's notes from our cruise in July 2025. When information from other sources is added—for further explanation to readers or to satisfy our own curiosity—that is set off in a text box (as this one).
Most of the photos that accompany this post are from Don’s camera (with a caption indicating the time it was taken); those from MT’s iPhone are indicated by “MT” placed at the beginning of the photo caption. Photos from any other source (such as the public domain Wikimedia Commons), occasionally used for clarification, indicate that source in the caption.

The Viking Daily newsletter showed today's weather forecast as "Rain Showers 86° F" and "Sunrise: 5:35 AM | Sunset: 8:15 PM."

Don woke at 6:30 am (MT already up).

According to the Viking Daily newsletter, the Viking Mississippi was to dock at Henderson, KY at 7:00.

Henderson, KY (pop. 27,750), located 30 miles west of Owensboro, is a home rule-class city along the Ohio River. (Under the city classification system adopted in 2015, only Louisville is classified as first class. All other cities are in the home-rule class.)
Archaeological research shows that people were living in what is now Kentucky by at least 9,500 BC, although they may have arrived much earlier. Settlers of the area after the start of the 1st millennium AD were of the Mississippian culture, a Native American civilization that flourished from approximately 800 AD to 1600 AD. The area that is now Henderson County was later inhabited by the Yuchi, Shawnee, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee.
Henderson has its roots in a small, block-wide strip of land high above the Ohio River. A village on this site was called “Red Banks” because of the reddish clay soil on the bluffs overlooking the river.
In 1775, North Carolina judge Richard Henderson (1735-1785) met with the Cherokee to purchase over 17,000,000 acres of land between the Ohio, Cumberland, and Kentucky rivers.  The sale was voided by the Virginia General Assembly, since the land was part of
Virginia’s royal charter. However, the commonwealth granted Henderson and his Transylvania company an area of 20,000 acres to develop. Henderson hired Daniel Boone to survey the country and select favorable sites for settlement, but Henderson died before the town was developed.
By the early 1790s, Red Banks had a tavern and several European-American families coexisting with the local Cherokee. During this time, Red Banks became a haven for westward-moving outlaws. In 1797, the outlaw element was driven out of the village, and plans were laid for the future town of Henderson, which was formally established by the Kentucky legislature the same year.
By the mid-19th century, Henderson County had become a major producer of tobacco, and the area was reported to be the largest dark tobacco producer in the world. Shortly before WWI, Henderson was said to have more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world.

The Viking Daily newsletter described Henderson, KY as follows:
"Located along the Ohio River in the western part of Kentucky, Henderson offers a blend of historical charm and cultural richness. It was established in 1797 and named after Colonel Richard Henderson, a prominent early settler and land speculator. The city played a significant role in the tobacco industry during the 19th century and was an important river port. Henderson is surrounded by natural beauty, including the John James Audubon State Park, named after the famous naturalist who resided in Henderson for a period of time. W.C, Handy, the 'Father of the Blues,' also once lived in the city. Henderson celebrates his legacy during the annual W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival."

At 8:00, we went to breakfast at the River Cafè/Aquavit Terrace (Deck 1).

At 9:45, we went to the Living Room (Deck 1), the meeting place for the (included) shore excursion Audubon State Park Henderson.

The Viking list for our choice of shore excursions included the “Included: Audubon State Park Henderson,” which it described as follows:
“Embark on a captivating journey through Henderson, KY, where history and nature intertwine. Our guided tour begins as we drive through the well-preserved 19th-century homes in the historic center; we’ll make a stop at the iconic Rotunda Library. Next, we’ll travel to the state park, home to the John James Audubon Museum and interactive Bird Sanctuary. The park’s lush landscape and wildlife preservation provide a serene backdrop.

 

The following are excerpts from the Viking Daily newsletter’s article on “John James Audubon State Park”:
“John James Audubon State Park is a tribute to the renowned naturalist and painter. The park spans approximately 700 acres. Audubon, who lived in Henderson during the early 19th century, is famous for his detailed illustrations of American birds. The park was established in 1934.
“The John James Audubon Museum is a central feature of the park. It houses one of the largest collections of Audubon’s works, including original prints, oil paintings, and personal artifacts. The museum also offers exhibits that explore Audubon’s life, his contributions to ornithology [the branch of zoology dealing with birds], and the natural history of the region.
“The part features an extensive network of hiking trails that wind through scenic woodlands."

MT Tuesday, July 8, ‎2025, 9:52 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - sign for "Artist - Naturalist"; text reads as follows:

"John James Audubon, 1785-1851, was one of America's most famous ornithologists. From 1810-19[,] he lived in Henderson[,] roaming the woods in this area, finding and painting birds in their natural habitat. While here[,] two of his children, John Woodhouse and Lucy, were born. Lucy is buried in Samuel Hopkins cemetery. Audubon State Park [is] named in his honor."

MT 9:55 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - unusual bird feeder.

MT 9:56 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - painting of Audubon near entrance to "Audubon Museum and Nature Center." The following photo shows more of the sign at the right.

10:00 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - text of that sign reads as follows:

"The John James Audubon Museum and Nature Center gives you a look into the life of Audubon, a life devoted to art and nature. Audubon combined the science of ornithology with the beauty of the fine arts in a way no artist before him had ever done. His ideas flew in the face of accepted methods of scientific illustration, but they resulted in the incredible four-volume work known as Birds of America.

"The museum provides a glimpse of Audubon as artist, naturalist, writer, and family man. The nature center allows you to explore the life of birds and their relationship to the rest of nature."

MT 10:44 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - museum worker; her name tag said "Kayla - Assistant Naturalist," and her shirt was for "Team Kentucky - Kentucky State Parks"; MT took this photo for the Ninja Frog tattoos (to send to her cousin who has a phobia about frogs).

In the Nature Center, we saw a presentation called "Everything Owl."

10:08 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - Opening slide of "Everything Owl" with photo of presenter Lisa Hoffman, Parks Program Services Supervisor.

10:10 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - first slide of "Six Owl Species of Kentucky," showing Barred Owl.

10:10 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - second slide of "Six Owl Species of Kentucky," showing Eastern Screech Owl.

10:11 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - third slide of "Six Owl Species of Kentucky," showing Great Horned Owl.

10:11 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - fourth slide of "Six Owl Species of Kentucky," showing Saw Whet Owl.

10:12 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - fifth slide of "Six Owl Species of Kentucky," showing Short-Eared Owl.

10:13 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - sixth slide of "Six Owl Species of Kentucky," showing Barn Owl.

10:14 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - slide for "Two Extremely Rare Owl Species in Kentucky," showing Snowy Owl and Long-Eared Owl.

10:18 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - slide for "Can an owl turn its head all the way around?" showing that the answer is Yes.

10:22 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - slide for "How does an owl capture prey?" with Lisa holding an owl (telephoto 93 mm).

MT 10:17 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - Lisa holding an owl (telephoto 133 mm).

MT 10:26 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - the owl Lisa was holding (telephoto 114 mm).

While MT went out to walk some of the hiking trails, Don further explored the Museum building, climbing steep stairs up into the turret, from which he took a photo.

10:51 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - photo from window in turret down across a small grassy  courtyard toward the parking lot.

11:32 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - across a small grassy courtyard back toward Museum building with turret.

11:32 AM (Cropped) - Henderson: Audubon State Park - cropped to show the one larger window in the red-brick top of the turret, through which Don had taken his photo.

MT 10:47 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - hummingbird sculpture.

At this point Don joined up with MT, who wanted to show him some of the hiking trails she had been exploring.

MT 10:51 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - sign for Warbler Road - 0.5 Mile to Back Country Trail."

MT 10:57 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - mushrooms on hiking trail.

Then we had to go back to the museum, where we had to meet our bus for the trip back.

MT 11:11 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - Don pointing out another side of the turret he had climbed.

MT 11:13 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - Don on steps on front side of museum with the entrance and turret.

MT 11:32 AM - Henderson: Audubon State Park - unripe avocados.

After lunch back on the ship, we went to Pop's Bar because MT wanted to try a mint julep, since it is particularly popular in Kentucky. When we asked what is in it, the bartender said it included mint, bourbon, and sugar. MT asked him to go light on the sugar. When we first tasted it, it was terrible with less sugar, and we asked him to put more sugar it it. Then it was OK.

MT 3:20 PM - Viking Mississippi: Don reacting to first taste of mint julep.

MT 3:20 PM - Viking Mississippi: Don after tasting mint julep with more sugar.

At 4:45, we went to the Living Room (Deck 1) for Trivia with Cruise Director Travis.

At 5:30, we stayed in the Living Room (Deck 1) for the Daily Briefing.

At 6:00, we went to The Restaurant (Deck 1) for dinner.

At 7:15, we went back to the Living Room (Deck 1) for the Evening Entertainment: The King's Highway, with Mark and Zeb Hargis, for an evening of authentic "Kentucky Bluegrass."

King’s Highway is a traditional bluegrass band from Western Kentucky specializing in traditional Monroe style playing. The whole band consists of Mark Hargis (vocals and mandolin), his son Zeb (vocals and guitar), plus a bass and fiddle.
The name of the band comes from a wagon road that was completed in 1735, linking Charleston, South Carolina and Boston, Massachusetts and including a bridge from 1697. It was called the King’s Highway because it was built on the order of King Charles II of England.  The road still exists, although most of it has been widened accommodate larger vehicles. It is known as the oldest road in America, and the bridge is the oldest stone bridge still in use in the US, although it can only accommodate a motorcycle.

MT 7:32 PM - Viking Mississippi: King's Highway, Zeb on guitar and Mark on Mandolin.

MT 7:49 PM - Viking Mississippi: King's Highway, Zeb on guitar and Mark on Mandolin.