Talk Derby To Me!

                     Tuesday, July 29 to Saturday, August 2, 2014

It was an 11 hr drive to Louisville, Kentucky from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. We began our journey on Route 30, Eisenhower's path of travel many years ago.

Route 30 signs, in order:  

Thaddeus Steven's Blacksmith Shop (it's a museum)
Totem Gallery road sign "What the hell is happening to our America?"
Michaux State Forest
Greenwood Hills Bible Conference and Camp
Scottish Inns and Suites
Baptist Church sign "Old Fashioned Preaching"
St. Mary Orthodox Church
Dollightful Things
Ox Roast
During our three hour drive through Maryland, we drove through eight different mountain ranges.   Each sign detailed its' name and elevation. The highest elevation was Big Savage at 2800 feet. The highest elevation that we recorded, from our truck, was 848 metres/ 2782 feet. Several times we saw signs that read "freeway subject to adverse weather conditions" and "runaway truck ramp 1 mile". Watch out for wildlife, also:

Then,  "Wild and  Wonderful West Virginia"...

Convenience Store

     Sale sign: 9 acres for sale, 3 acres level 

West Virginia Mountaineers
athletic teams of West Virginia
University

Welcome To Kentucky sign on the right & an oil refinery on the left

Winchester, Kentucky, gas station
--online image b-c there was too much traffic to discretely take a photo!







                                                                                           I also spotted turkey vultures taking care of roadside cleanup.

                               Louisville South KOA                                                                                                                         

Tuesday, July 30: I met Mississipi Mike and his dog Beep. "She's a trailer gator. She ain't got a job and she don't know who her daddy is".

Wednesday, July 31: Muhammad Ali Centre

Next to front entrance of centre

Muhammad Ali's handprint

View from Muhammad Ali Centre, Ohio River

Architecture near Muhammad Ali Centre, top of parking garage!

I discovered Thornton and Lucie Blackburn's story here in Louisville.  Imagine the trials of their journey to Toronto from Detroit. I am eager to find out more!

http://louisville.edu/uofltoday/campus-news/civil-rights-markers-project-progresses-downtown 

 Some of the art we spotted during our walk through downtown Louisville.





 

We ended our first day in Louisville with a drive through Bardstown Road. It has lots of locally owned businesses: tattoo shops, yoga centres, cafes, skateboards, rockabilly gear and record stores. Earlier in the day, I saw a bumper sticker with "Keep Louisville Weird" near the Ali centre, which is not near Bardstown.  Just beginning in our explorations, I wondered if that sticker referred to Bardstown! It definitely did. Bardstown Road was, at times unusual in its eclecticism, but so refreshing. It seemed to all work!  I was falling in love with this dynamic city before Bardstown Road-- I'm looking forward to repeat visits! 

 http://thingsyoushoulddo.com/what-to-do/dining/eat-drink-and-be-merry-on-bardstown-road-louisville-kentucky/

     Thursday, July 31, 2014: Maker's Mark Distillery

It was an hour's drive from our campsite. We drove through Bardstown, then through countryside.

Where the barrels are aged, rotated over 7 floors for heat

 Different stages of fermentation
Our guide encouraged us to poke our fingers in and compare the tastes between barrels. We declined, but others participated!

http://www.kentucky.com/2014/03/26/3162577/makers-mark-unveils-chihuly-glass.html

      We met Henri and Bobby and their car club buddies on the tour.
They shared some of their bourbon with us at the tasting.
     Then, when we were in the gift store, Bobby then Henri approached
Jonathan and me, and handed us a bottle of bourbon so that we
     could seal the bottle in wax, and have a bottle to take home with us.
      They explained they both live in Kentucky and have been on the tour.
They were really interested in our cross-America tour. 

Friday, August 1, 2014: ART and HISTORY

The following photos are all from our visit to 21c Museum Hotel.

http://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/louisville/

In front of 21c

http://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/louisville/museum/exhibits/text-rain/

21c's current collection is provocative, thought provoking, and, at times, disturbing.

This one...? Well..., it was all fun.

Louisville Slugger Museum 

These photos are from a walking tour organized  by the Louisville Tourist Centre.

Ohio River 

George Rogers Clarke "Father of Louisville"
His brother, William, was in the Lewis-
Clarke expedition. 

Ohio River

         

Humana Building
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humana_Building

 

York, Pacific Northwest Expedition

http://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/275#.U937PlZH1FI

From July 31 to August 3, Louisville hosted the 45th Annual Street Rod Nationals at the Kentucky Exposition Center. All the stylin' cars who wanted to be seen (and heard) motored to Kentucky state. Our neighbours from Ohio: Connie & Tim, and Diane & Gary traveled to Kentucky for the car show.  They introduced us to Mint Juleps and Ohio wine as we shared notes about our day. On our travel day, Tim & Gary joined JD in the hitching of the trailer. I joined the ladies at their breakfast table! Meeting the Ohioans was a highlight of our Kentucky trip. Making these personal connections with fellow travellers is a wonderful element of our Road Rave journey.

William "Frank" Mader, was the fire chief of Bucyrus, Ohio for 65 years from 1888 to 1953. He holds the record of being the longest-running fire chief in the nation. Tim portrayed Mader in a historical recreation in his hometown. Tim stepped back into character for us, and recited all of his lines, providing a fascinating glimpse into Mader's life. 

These are photos from the same newspaper. Each article is written by an Amish woman. It gives a glimpse into her life.  

Louisville completely enthralled me with its' mix of old and new!  Tons of personality, at times edgy, but always charming!

Welcome to St. Louis, Missouri!

Welcome to Barbecue Country, Kansas City!

We miss you, Kentucky.