Museum day

  On Monday, May6th, we decided to brave the weather and visit a museum. After the craziness of Derby week had died down seemed to be a good time to visit. More information H E R E.

 It is a very nice museum with interactive exhibits, surround movies and plenty of history. One can only imagine how crazy it was on Saturday when they ran the derby. In case you don't know, a photo finish with 3 horses neck and neck at the finish line.

 While we are here for one more day, leaving on Wednesday morning, this puts a wrap on Kentucky. Must say Kentucky is a beautiful state, at least the areas we traveled in. If I was a younger man thoughts of relocating here might enter my head. Hope you have enjoyed a brief foray into the great state of Kentucky.

Drink a mint julep and live vicariously

Informative

  I have thought a lot about what to say on this post. I try to make these post entertaining for the readers, but also reflective on the day. Mary uses them for her stuff, (lack of a better term!)

 Time goes by and we forget the details, trips or stops run together. Yes, sad to say the older we get, the worse this problem becomes. How to describe what we learned, the most important part about what we do, in a way to jog our memory yet not be a total bore to the casual reader.

 Yes, we travel to learn, to experience, to see things we might not see otherwise. We don't travel just for the hell of it. I have seen the mighty Columbia river where it meets the Pacific ocean. Big deal you say? Well Lewis and Clark expedition thought it was a big deal. I have learned where the Mississippi river begins, and in fact have waded across it. Many men struggled to find the source, time effort and money expended. The history of the pioneers as they crossed the great plains on the Oregon Trail on their way west. When they reached Scotts Bluff they knew relatively where they were on their journey. Those uneroded towers stood then as a mile post of sorts. They stand today as a beacon for modern travelers. We have learned things at all of these stops we did not know. We have been to the Grand Canyon 4 times, twice staying for a week in trailer village in the park. We have yet to fully "see" the majesty of that place. I laugh at tourist who come out, look over the rim at Mather Point and leave 5 minutes later. "Well we have see the Grand canyon, time to move on". Not the sharpest crayons in the box.

 We have been tormented by rain on this trip. This has caused us to modify plans or forgo certain places we had planned to visit. On Sunday May 5th, (cinco de mayo back home, here not so much...) we caught a break and enjoyed a beautiful day. We traveled 60 miles one way to see something. We had heard most of our lives about such places, but never seen one. We walked from building to building, floor after floor, reading as many placards of information we could. Learned names and places and activities of the residents. They made this place home for a long time. I took many, many pictures of what we saw and read. How do i begin to retell the story? Flood this blog with photo after photo? Few photos and the ramblings of an old man, {pretty much what I have done so far!).

 How about a few photos to try and capture the serene beauty, pass along a little history and a link to more information should you desire.

 Guess i should tell you what and where

Link HERE

There is a quotation slightly hidden in the grass on the top of this blog. That quotation is our motto/driving force.

Information is out there, you just have to let it in

Bourbon Trail, or at least part of it.

  As previously stated, Bardstown is in the heart of the bourbon trail. TRAIL You can visit a lot of distilleries if you choose to do so. They all, or most, offer tours of the facilities and production areas. They of course have visitor centers and information on their products. Having toured distilleries previously, we saved ourselves money and did not do the tours.

 First stop was Jim Beam, LINK A long history with this distillery which they showcased. Like others they have more than one brand or flavor or version. A good place to learn about all of their offerings.

 The place was very busy but people watching is always fun. Remember it was derby week so the ladies were strutting and mint juleps flowing.

 The next stop was Heaven Hill. Largest family owned distillery in the country. They had the usual things but also something called the Bourbon Experience. More info HERE. A lot more detail and information about bourbon in general, not just their product. Very nice. They had a devastating fire that burned down most of their rick houses, buildings where bourbon is aged in oak barrels, and the distillery. rick houses are everywhere, each one containing thousands of barrels in various stages of aging.

 Our last stop was Makers Mark, HERE. It is located out in the middle of nowhere. When we decided to drive out we discovered we had left a tour guide back in trailer. Never fear we will just use map lady or GPS directions. Something I NEVER use except in rare situations. That dang thing took us down backroads so narrow it did not even have center stripe. After about an hour we said the hell with it and turned around. That was about the time I saw a toothless boy playing dueling banjoes on his banjo...

 We came the 20 plus miles back to trailer to get the directions and set off again. Turns out we were within half mile or so from our destination. Moral of the story is don't trust the dang GPS to pick the best route. The best part was the scenic setting of the facilities. And the beautiful homes, both large and small, along the way.

 That pretty much concludes our Bourbon Trail. Weather permitting, something very different tomorrow...

Maybe there is bourbon in those bags, maybe not. Ain't saying....

time to gather more rosebuds...

History and 6 degrees of seperation

  Might be prudent to review the concept behind the movie "Six degrees of seperation" starring Kevin Bacon.

 I provided a link to the Talbott Tavern yesterday. In case you overlooked it or missed it, try AGAIN. Now that your memory is refreshed we decided to try again and enjoyed lunch there today.

 What prey tell are we eating you might ask. Fair enough question, it is a Kentucky specialty called a "hot brown". More info HERE. It was tasty

 Now for the history and six degrees of separation. No, we are NOT related to the following individuals but likely to have been in the same rooms at this tavern.

 Impressive eh? We chose NOT to shoot up the bedroom as Jesse did one night.

"Destination people", flying high overhead to miss the rain to some exotic locale would have MISSED this entirely. Just saying...

Next up distilleries tours...

While we enjoyed hot browns, we have yet to try burgoo, but plan to.

carpe diem

Rain and Derby week

   Coming from a place in drought conditions, rain is not common. Unfortunately this trip is not under drought conditions. We were under severe weather alert way back in Purdon, had heavy rain in Tyler. Rain in Paducah, rain in Cave City. Now in Bardstown we are facing rain delay/cancelations. Pays to be flexible. Long term forecast are not reliable but rain is forecast to follow us to Gettysburg. Such is life.

 Bardstown is about 50 miles south of Louisville. Guess what happens first Saturday in May? You guessed it, the Kentucky derby is held. Even down here the ladies have been dressed up, shops offering finery for your hat. We plan to tour Churchill downs next week when us poor folks are allowed in.

 In spite of the rain we are glad to be on the road. Do and see what we can.

gathering soggy rosebuds...

Not as planned

  Today did not go as planned. During the night our camper decided it would be fun to sink into the ground. The side that sunk was on a 2x10 board I use for leveling as necessary. As several days of rain are in the forecast, solving this problem became a priority. After unhooking power/water/sewer I pulled the trailer out and moved it to higher ground. Once we felt confident about new position I began setting up utilities. New position required additional section of sewer hose. Luckily i carry extra, plan ahead...

 That got us off to late start so we decided to do walking tour of historic downtown Bardstown. While it is not one, it has the feel of a college town. Many historic buildings to be seen. Small little cafes and coffee shops located along the streets and alley ways. We planned to have a meal at one but will reschedule for later as no reservations and extended wait time. Details can be found H E R E

 

 Will be sure and post update of our meal and drinks later.

 Bardstown's claim to fame is Bourbon. it is indeed the heart of the Bourbon trail.

 Never one to pass up a museum, we toured one in downtown.

Well if you are surrounded by distilleries, might as well visit one. Mary does not and has not drank Bourbon. Never fear I have drank her share, my share and probably your share. For years my bourbon of choice was...

 We are here till the 8th so many more photos and stories to come. I am trying to stay current but internet is spotty so posting can be a challenge. We seem to find places where cell service and data go to die...

nonetheless we be gathering rosebuds...or bourbon bottles...

It's all about the unknown, the surprises along the road

  My good friend Tom calls us process people. We enjoy the planning and the driving getting to places. He is a destination traveler. Point A to point B the fastest way possible. Stay at point B enough time so the value equation works out. (cost versus perceived value received).

 He has no concept on what he is missing out on.

 On Wednesday May 1st we left the peaceful confines of Singing Hills campground to make the short drive (~60miles) to Bardstown, and White's acres campground. In my planning I discovered a National Historic park just a few miles off the direct route. I am ever so glad I did and that we visited. Learned a lot about our 16th president. Never too old to learn and appreciate our history.

 Here at what was/is known as Sinking springs farm, Abraham Lincoln was born. We learned more about his family and his ancestors. Saw table built by his father, viewed family heirlooms.

 The main monument was built in 1909, what would have been his 100th birthday. President Teddy Roosevelt came and helped lay the cornerstone.

 Stop to read and consider the irony of these two documents in the following photos.

 56 steps representing his age, 16 windows in rotunda representing his term as our 16th President.

 Get out of the airplane, take the road less traveled. There is a lot to see, experience and enrich your life out there. You just have to let it in.

...gather ye rosebuds while ye may...