The next episode of KET’s Kentucky Life spotlights the joys of rock climbing at Vertical Excape in Bowling Green, the delightful story behind the chained rock in Pineville, and the floodwall paintings along the Ohio River by artist Robert Dafford.

The episode airs Saturday, Aug. 15, at 8/7 pm and Sunday, Aug. 16, at 4/3 pm on KET, and Monday, Aug. 17, at 7/6 pm on KET2. 

First, Kentucky Life explores the booming popularity of rock climbing, which is set to debut as an Olympic sport at the Tokyo games. We travel to the Vertical Excape climbing gym in Bowling Green to learn about the sport and what it makes it so challenging and rewarding.

Then, Kentucky Life delves into the tale behind the chained rock in Pineville, where it has perched high above the city for generations, held in place—at least by all appearances—by a 100-foot chain. But the story of how the chain got there is one more rooted in fairy tale than fact.

Finally, Kentucky Life explores the work of Louisiana artist Robert Dafford, who has turned mundane utilitarian floodwalls into public works of art along the Ohio River cities of Paducah, Covington and Maysville. The art depicts each city’s rich past and utilizes a painting technique known as trompe l’oeil that lends depth to the image.

Kentucky Life is a KET production, produced by Chelsea Gorham. Segment producers for this episode are Tom Bickel, Frank Simkonis, and Jim Voskuhl.

This year is Kentucky Life’s25th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, the program will include special Memory segments, in which each of Kentucky Life’shosts—Byron Crawford, Dave Shuffett and Doug Flynn—will revisit some of their favorite stories over the years. 

KET is Kentucky’s largest classroom, where learning comes to life for more than one million people each week via television, online and mobile. Learn more about Kentucky’s preeminent public media organization at KET.org, on Twitter @KET and at facebook.com/KET.