| Most native south-central Kentuckians are familiar | | | | floating on a tube? Launching a water craft of any |
| with the benefits the Indiana and Ohio Navy bring | | | | kind off of one of Lake Cumberlands many boat |
| to the small towns surrounding , Lake Cumberland. | | | | ramps is for any summer-time enthusiast. |
| Typically as soon as the mercury hits the | | | | During the summer months Lake Cumberland |
| mid-eighties, they start rolling into town with their | | | | sees no shortage of watercraft or shortage of |
| classy SUVs and fantastic speed-boats. If you ask | | | | variety. In the course of one voyage on the lake |
| some of the old-timers if the area has always | | | | one might see luxury houseboats, runabouts, |
| been such a tourist hot spot, they will tell you no | | | | speed or powerboats, jet skis, pontoons, and the |
| for sure. They might even tell of a relative who | | | | lone fishing boat anchored in a quiet cove. A |
| aided in the sequence of events that lead to the | | | | passerby might encounter any number of vehicles |
| impressive lake. | | | | while on the lakebe prepared to wave! There is |
| Costing $80.4 million in 1950, Lake Cumberland | | | | something about being on the lake that brings out |
| was constructed to not only alleviate flooding but | | | | hospitality in visitors both local and tourists. The |
| also as means to produce hydroelectric power. | | | | lake is notorious for its scenic beauty, do not be |
| With a shoreline like none other of 1,085 miles, the | | | | surprised when a bright speed boat whizzes by |
| lake spans 50,250 acres. Temperatures from June | | | | with a skier pulled by rope who appears to paying |
| to September are perfect for a variety of | | | | more attention to the green hills and occasional |
| leisurely activities. At the start of summer the | | | | hawk. It is all part of the atmosphere of Lake |
| water is the mid-seventies and tops off in August | | | | Cumberland. Then there is tubing! Tubing is a sport |
| at around eight-four degrees. Imagine taking the | | | | all in itself. A nice long rope tied to an inner tube |
| pontoon out in July on a classic Kentucky summer | | | | then secured to a powerboat will provide any |
| day. Will you sit in the captains chair and cruise | | | | dare devil the ride of their life. To obtain the |
| the lake or is it more your speed to anchor | | | | greatest high of all, choice in driver (of the boat) |
| somewhere and enjoy the soft waves while | | | | makes all the difference. |