Author: kimspathway

Wednesday 1 August    –  6712 Steps
Songs: It’s raining again… by Supertramp and Red River Valley sung by my mom and dad, not sure who sang it before them.

After doing laundry, we packed up and headed off to Breaks Interstate park, on the border of Kentucky and Virginia. Apart from the rain, it was a pleasant drive, through beautiful trees in the Red River Valley. I wanted to go through a 900 ft tunnel that was blasted out the rock in the Daniel Boon Forest. It said the clearance was 13 foot and we need 12 so I figured it would work. However, when we got there the board said 12 ft clearance and 11 foot wide. Our RV is 10.5 foot wide. Also, it was not smooth walls or ceiling, but bare, uneven rock face. David did not want to take a chance so we had to make a 10 point turn and go back. Fortunately, it had only been a short detour along a very interesting road.

We stopped for lunch at Campton. All along the Mountain Parkway through Kentucky, are houses, barns, settlements, towns etc and they range in terms of size and finishings. There are some stunning houses, all neatly kept, but many look like they are hillbilly shacks. Understandable as we were in Appalachian territory where the word originates from. We drove onward through Elkhorn City to our destination. The towns are all long and narrow, following the river.

Then there were major road projects all along the way. Huge sections of mountain being moved. The layers of rock were quite fascinating.

The campgrounds were very nice, but no alcohol is allowed. Luckily, the RV has blinds and it was raining so we couldn’t sit outside anyway. David hopped on his bike and went to find the mountain bike trail.

Chuckle of the day: We have listened to a lot of country music, today was no different, we were listening to Coal Country radio and we can now sing along to the choruses at least ( which make up most of the songs) to “Take a drunk girl home” and “Sunrise, sunburn, sunset, repeat”
What I learnt: You find people living in some odd places in America. Be it a little shack right next to a highway, or a beautiful house in the valley, it makes you wonder why they chose that particular spot. Where do they work? Do they drive to work every day? Why is there always at least one house that has a yard full of broken down cars? I think one could make a good living with a portable car crusher that goes along collecting scrap from these yards.

Tuesday 31 July  No idea how many steps, my battery died while cycling about 45km
Song: Whiskey in the jar by so many, but for those of us from SA- the Blarney Brothers

It rained all morning, which gave us an excuse to lie in. Finally, the sun came out and we went for a cycle. It was an awesome cycle path that takes you through a green belt into Lexington. The path runs through University of Kentucky grounds and has signboards along the way pointing out historic and geological points of interest. It is so well maintained, we rode past a guy  blowing away the leaves and sticks after the rain. At one point at the University Club, you can stop for a glass of cold water. The club was a mansion of an oil baron.
My imagination started working. Imagine a similar trail, linking Joburg, Pta, Krugersdorp and Magalies…..

We were following David’s cycling trails app to a bourbon distillery, but when we got there it was a brewing company in a rather old run down area of Lexington. We went in, but oddly enough, all they had was beer. The girl behind the counter was very sweet and offered to give me samples of what they call sours. I nearly gagged on the first one, it is worse than beer. It reminded me of the sorghum beer our Rosie was once brewing under the table in the ironing room in Pretoria. I explained we had thought we were coming to a bourbon distillery and she explained that there was one on the other side of the building.
We found it!  I was expecting something like the Glenfiddich tour we did in Scotland. This was nothing like that. It was a small bar through an insignificant door and there was a “gentleman” sitting on the only barstool, engaging the hostess in a serious discussion. We drew attention to our presence and enquired about the advertised tour. He left. She said the tour was every half hour, but as it was 2:33 we could go ahead and she would catch up the time. She took us into back rooms where they mix the grain, ferment, distill and age it in barrels. They bottle it and each label is filled in by hand. It was actually very good to see the process on a small scale. We then tasted their products. I think I prefer the Woodford Reserve which I discovered in Chicago.

We then cycled through historic areas of Lexington and found a restaurant called Saul Good, for late lunch. I reckoned with a name like that it had to be good and it was.
We cycled home again, passing old houses, sports fields and Art?. I turned my battery assist on and rode as fast as I could because I had been on a saddle way too long.

David’s chuckle of the day: I asked the hostess who the “we” was that actually does the mixing, distilling etc as she was there alone, and she replied that it was the master distiller who had been sitting at the bar when we walked in. I could not help myself. I proceeded to teach her on marketing strategy. I told her to tell her boss how impressed we would have been, had he greeted us and promoted his product.
What I learnt: To be a bourbon, it has to have at least 51% corn in the mixture of grain and it has to be aged in a new charred oak barrel. Once a teacher, always a teacher!

 

Mon 30 July – 7619 steps
Song: Kentucky Blues by Lauren Copley. (You have to be more or less my age and from SA to know this one)

We had a short drive to Lexington. I slept for most of it. We arrived too early to check in so went to the adjoining Kentucky Horse park. It is a beautiful park, loads of lush grass land and wooden fences – typical horse country.

They have an extensive museum with displays of how horses were first domesticated and how they have evolved; their relationship with man and their role in man’s development around the world; as well as the different breeds, etc.
They also put on daily shows, where you get to see retired racing champions and learn their history. For some reason, it was a bit of a tear jerker for both David and I. Not sure why, they have lived a good live and are now well looked after – perfect retirement job.

After that, you move to an arena where riders come out on different breeds of horses and put them through their paces. It was very interesting, particularly if like David, you have grown up with a dad and grandfather who bred thoroughbred Arabian race horses. After the show, David returned to the museum and I returned to the RV for time out.
We drove into Lexington, found a Walmart, stocked up and returned to the campgrounds to check in. The campgrounds are spacious, beautiful lawns with loads of trees.  A real treat after being packed in like sardines in Louisville.

Chuckle of the day: I want whoever made these hooves shine like polished wood to do my nails!

What I learnt: One of the closest living relatives to horses is the Rhinoceros and I prefer camping in the countryside.

 

Sun 29 July   –  9754 Steps

David sarted off with a(nother) short cycle and after we packed up, we went to the Cracker barrel for brunch.
Crackerbarrel  is one of our favorites. We have been to 3 and have not been disappointed. They have a winning formula. The décor is nostalgic, with wooden rockers (for sale) on the porch. Then you walk through the gift shop, which is arranged in themes. One for the state/town you are in, Halloween, seaside, etc. Then there is loads of ‘old fashioned’ candy. They have souvenirs, books even audio books. The clothes are all seem to be made in China, but look good. In the back corner is the entrance to the restaurant, you give your name and browse through the shop while you wait for your table. It is very busy. You get a huge meal of good food for comparatively little. I have taken a ‘to-go’ box after each meal. I love it because I also get a moral boost. Every time I have been, I have been thin by comparison to the majority of the customers and staff. I guess I won’t be if we keep going to eat there.

We drove through to Louisville, Kentucky and crossed the Ohio river into Indiana where we were camping. The campground there is closest to the concert venue even though it is in a different state. They did not get good reviews, which were accurate, we were packed like sardines in a tin, but it was only 1 night.
Later, we went into town and spent an hour at the Mohammed Ali Centre. It is an awesome museum and I learnt so much about him, his attitude to woman and whites in his early years (not great); conversion to Islam; his refusal to go to Vietnam and his subsequent ban from boxing and his comeback. They also have a wonderful interactive display of a village in Zanzibar set up to teach people more about Muslim life. Unfortunately, they close at 5 and we had to leave. We could easily have spent more time there.

We walked to the KFC Yum arena, stopping for drinks and a bite on the way. I had chicken wings. I am quite certain they have crossed chickens with turkeys here, because those wings must have come off a very large bird. They were yummy.

As for the concert, it was epic. Cyndi Lauper opened. I admit, when she came on, it was a bit of a shock. She looked old, with a messy, grey bedhead and a little stoned. I was worried she was going to fall over. But she warmed up and took charge of the stage. She was able to shake her body, get up and down on to the speakers and chairs when she came down into the audience and her voice is still amazing. She brought tears to my eyes. (Ok, I know that is not hard) I was lucky to have an aisle seat, so could dance away. I loved it and the years just melted away.

Then the ever young Sir Rod Stewart came on. His warmth and sense of fun fills the stage. He had us eating out of the palm of his hands. He did a good mix of his songs, both rock and acoustic. Also had quite a few costume changes, it was very hot. More tears and dancing. Incredible performance.

Chuckle of the day: So many churches in the area and some adult entertainment as you leave town.

What I learnt: Retirement is something many yearn for, but it did not always exist. If you were alive you worked. In 1881 Otto von Bismarck, of Prussia, presented the radical idea of government-run financial support for older members of society. In other words, retirement. Manadotory age for retirement is the real issue. Some people do their best work after 60, but then should they step aside for the younger generation?  Apparently not if you are a president.
For someone like David, if you can afford to, it is essential to leave the stress behind before it kills you. For Rod Stewart (and Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, etc), imagine if they were told you are 65, you must now retire! I can’t imagine these guys are performing because they need the money. Rather because they still can and they still enjoy it. I believe it keeps them young. So 2 of my beliefs I have reaffirmed:
First prize is to make a living doing the thing you love, then you can slow down as you get older, not stop.
Second, if you do retire, don’t stop completely. Find something that you enjoy doing that gives you purpose other than relaxing. It will keep you young.

 

 

Sat 28 July  – 3203 steps (not sure where, I don’t think I left the RV)
Song: I want to ride my bicycle by Queen
David had a great trining ride, cycling over 70 kms and I gave the RV a good spring cleaning. Then I went to the “office”.  I caught up on emails, and made some decisions about where to go next, as well as booking flights home, and what things we should do in New York. I never ever would choose to be a travel agent by profession. Although it might be easier if you have already been somewhere before.

When David returned, he made a fire and we had a little braai, with Sunday salad, sweet potatoes with onion in foil and steaks which they call New York Strip. I am not sure how that relates to what we call sirloin or rump, but it is very good. Apart from being handed the tongs when I made a comment about the fire, it was a very peaceful evening, and the steak was as good as any steak we have had in any restaurant.

What I learnt: After nearly 33 years of marriage, David still overreacts when I comment on any detail of his braai. I still haven’t learnt to keep my mouth shut.

 

Friday 27 July  –  8291 steps

We packed up and returned to finish our tour of the Country Music Hall of fame. Even if you are not into Country music, it is well worth a visit. So much to see and absorb.

We needed to be in Louisville on Sunday. It is a short drive, but the RV parks near Louisville have very poor ratings, so we decided to spend a night in Cave City.
There was not much to see along the way. As these photos show, it is farmlands that all look pretty, but also pretty much all the same.

We drove through the town. There were antique shops everywhere and rocks/cystal shops. The campground is on a beautiful farmland and is very neat, with relatively good wifi. I was actually able to load photos onto my blog site.
David found some awesome bike trails so we decided to stay an extra night.

Chuckle of the day: While making tea David chirped, “These darn Americans must fiddle with everything!” Expecting something profound I enquired what he was talking about. “They have added lactose to the milk, it is sweet!” While returning the milk to the fridge I noticed it was called “Lactaid” and they had added lactase to enable lactose intolerant people to drink it. It is, however, sweeter than normal.

What I learnt: David is right to an extent, we have really battled to find unmodified fresh whole milk and natural full fat Greek Yogurt. There are plenty of fat free, 2%, etc, which have added sugar! Whole milk seems to be sold with added Vitamin D. Maybe people need to think it has to have something added or removed to make it healthy.

 

Thursday 26 July  –  9658 steps, 30.5km cycle
Song: Brand new key by Melanie
We went on awesome cycle through the green belt that David had discovered. We had to go through some traffic at first and that wasn’t great. We were hooted at, a first in USA and David was furious!
Then luckily, the rest of the way is on awesome bike paths through woods and past golf courses and a school where the marching band was out practicing even though it is still school holidays. Just outside Nashville, we saw a deer in the woods. There is a pedestrian bridge over the Cumberland river, which was being adorned with shrubbery. Apparently it was for a music video for Blue Man Group. We stopped short of the city and cycled back along the same path. About 30 kms in 2 hours! – I love my new bike.

We then Ubered into town to do some market research. On Thursdays, Nashville closes  a block downtown to traffic to allow for food trucks to operate there. We went to see if there were any ideas we could pass on to our sons for their new business at home,  the Good Food Truck.

There was very little shade and less place to sit so we decided to get back on the famous hop on hop off trolley – we had a 2 day pass – and went off to a popular mall in the old Marathon car manufacturing builldings. The whole place is decorated with old machinery and tools from the factory. It appealed to me and reminded me of the many happy hours I spent as a child in both my oupa’s and my father’s workshops. We found a deli that made amazing sandwiches. We also did some moonshine and whiskey tasting there.

We still had tickets for Country Hall of Fame, so hopped on the next trolley. The tour guide on this one was a true delight. A 4^thgrade teacher, earning extra money, she was informative and funny. The same circuit we had done in the hot blue van, was far more enjoyable. We saw Nashvilles’s Parthenon and Taylor Swift’s Ferrari parked outside her recording studio, other more familiar recording studios and some of Nashvilles murals.

We got to the Hall of fame at 4:30 and they closed at 5, so we did a brief look and decided it was so interesting we would have to return in the morning. Luckily our tickets were valid for 2 days.

We walked to a trendy area called The Gulch, where we had drinks and supper, while listening to jazz, at a bar/restaurant called Sambuca. I am going to miss these restaurants  when I get home. I know this is not a food blog, but I have to mention, I had blackened fish with shrimp etoufee for dinner. Now I can tick off Cajun food. David had ribeye as usual. Both were excellent.

David’s observation of the day:As we were waiting for an Uber to take us home, there was a younger crowd, (young money) mingling. David observed that this was the first area in America where he had only seen thin people.

What I learnt: Nashville has a subsidized housing programme, where people can stay if and only if they have a job. If they lose their job, they have 3 months to find another, otherwise they lose their house. Jobs are plentiful, even if it is something you don’t really want to do, you keep working too stay in the house.