Place to see: Rockcastle County KY, Mount Vernon, Kentucky, United States

About this place:

Rockcastle County is a rural, beauty-filled region of deep valleys and wide-open farmland situated in south-central Kentucky, and is traversed by I-75. The county is named for the Rockcastle River, in turn named for its majestic sandstone and limestone cliffs; a portion of the river has a well-deserved state-level Wild and Scenic designation.

The county seat, Mount Vernon, is a bustling center for government and health services, and is home to the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center and Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum. With a 2000 population of 16,500 the area's low prices and opportunities for solitude make it increasingly attractive for back-to-the landers and retirees.

A focus on living simply is the mission of A-SPI, Appalachia - Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit organization that teaches sustainability practices for farming, water quality, and alternative energy sources. A-SPI's offices are in Mount Vernon, and they have a tourable community on the banks of the Rockcastle River.

Cross the railroad track and bridge on 1004 and turn left on 1912. Wend your way along six miles of the lush and lovely Brushy Creek Valley, past small farms, pastures, and gardens. You'll see Drew's Kentucky Wildflower Honey for sale, and soon after will come upon the King Bottling Inc. plant, tucked away from the road. This is the place where the tasty and fresh Climax Spring Water is captured in the wild and bottled. At the suggestion of part-owner Karen King, I wandered over to take a photo of the cool spring as it spilled down a waterfall toward the creek. The owners maintain a public spigot where local folks can fill up jugs with this refreshing, top-of-the watershed nectar.

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