My My , the old Kentucky home

Sometimes a little unexpected down time can return a person’s spirit to where it needs to be. We stopped at a KY state park (Barren Lake, in case you are ever near there) just over the state line and we happened to be there on their camper appreciation weekend so not only did we get two nights for the price of one but there were many families with lots of kids camping too and many child friendly activities. I think we saw Olivia 3 times the whole weekend. The rangers put on a big feed on Sat night that was terrific and then they had a talent show. We played a little and then tried to get other people to show their talents and it was down right funny when they started doing karaoke. After everyone left it was a very empty campground but we did some catch up repairs, practiced our instruments and rested. Did you know that Bowling Green KY is the home to the GM plant that assembles Corvettes? There is a museum there dedicated to them and you can get a tour of the plant. Modern American car assembly is something to behold. Corvettes are a little different in that there is more hand work than robotics but it is amazing to see 1000 people build 170 cars a day. Henry Ford would have been proud. Olivia couldn’t go in because she didn’t have closed toed shoes. Her first foray into why high heels can be a pain. We had to go back the next day so the kids could see it.
Somewhere in our Nashville wanderings we had heard that the Bluebird Café was the place to introduce new songs so we decided to run down and see what that was all about. Unfortunately, Mariah didn’t get to sing but Mark and I watched singer songwriters. We now have piece of paper that if we ever get back to Nashville, Mariah will be guaranteed a spot. She has written several very good songs and I will be curious to see an audience reaction in Nashville.
I am sitting in Louisville KY listening to the rain and the geese across the road honking while reading all my wonderful emails. It is so peaceful. We stopped at Mammoth Cave Ky on the way north and did the grand tour. It is so fun to compare the various types of geology and tourism associated with National Parks. Mammoth cave is like stepping back in time because it is not so touristy. The hotel and visitor center seems quaint when compared to newer ones like Carlsbad. The park is so big that all the tourist towns are far away so you are shielded from the overt commercialism that is often associated with parks.
We took backroads from Cave City to Louisville where it is so green it almost hurts your eyes. The rolling hills are fun to drive even in a rig our size. Along the way we stopped at the log cabin where Abe Lincoln spent some of his childhood. Lincoln once said “I hope to have God on our side but I absolutely must have Kentucky.” We can see why.
We are staying with our new friends Bruce and Debbie who we met in Florida and helped convince us to re-route our trip through the ‘original” west to see the Kentucky Derby. It is funny to think that after the revolutionary war you were considered a pioneer if you went over the Blue Ridge mountains. When you are here, it is easy to see the attraction. You have to be careful where you spit your seeds because something will surely grow as a result. That is about all the news fit to print right now. I would like to add one small note of cloud on the horizon. A good friend of ours has been diagnosed with cancer and for all those out there who believe in the power of combined spiritual goodness please hope for a good outcome for John Marshall of Socorro. Together maybe we can make a difference. Thanks, Hugs to all from the soggy Meanderthals.
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