Beyond the Back Door: Kentucky & Tennessee

Though we had taken the camper out on a test run, we really had not spent much time in it when we begin to make plans for our first long trip.

Like most young kids when growing up my sis and I always loved horses. We made scrapbooks full of horse pictures, read books about the great “Dan Patch” and “Man o War”, and took great interest in the Kentucky derby. We kept track of newspaper clippings that told of the horses that would be entered. We eagerly awaited race day and would set by the radio to listen, and even as kids we would make bets on who we thought was going to win putting our penny’s in an old hat and drawing out a number. As adults we continued to call each other on race day every year to discuss the horses, owners & jockey’s. Since she had just retired and was turning 65 that May, it just made sense to turn our first trip into a retirement celebration and head for the races. I got on the internet and made arrangements for tickets, researched RV parks where we could stay and started making all the plans. She was more than thrilled when I called to ask if she had any plans for the first Saturday in May and told her what we were going to do.

We decided to stay in Frankfort which was between Louisville and Lexington, then run around from that area because there were so many places to visit. We left home on April 22 allowing ourselves 3 days to drive. The park in Frankfort was beautiful and was the perfect place to tour from every day.

The first full day we ventured out to visit Bardstown and the nearby “Maker’s Mark” whisky still.

Jeanne in front of the "Whiskey Creek" Bridge

Inside the bottling area of the "Maker's Mark"

The following day we set out to "tour Churchill Downs" in Louisville and make sure we knew where we would be going the following week for the races. We took a full day to just wander around the grounds. We visited the museum, had lunch there, walked the track, seen the barns and paddock area, and went into the stands to find the seats we had tickets for on race day.

Happy Retirement Sis!

The standing Paddock area at Churchill Downs
the Paddock Parade circle is in front of that

We Found our seats and had to try them out!

The next day we took a drive, got lost, wandered around the countryside and found a neat little road along side the river, found our way again and visited the "Shaker Village" where we had lunch and the best piece of lemon pie I've ever eaten, the tour we took of the village was very interesting, then we took a paddle boat ride.

As a side note, unlike a regular lemon merigue pie, it was made between a double crust. I have the recipe and have since made it at home many times. If I get time some day I'll come back and add the recipe.

Took a ride on this river boat near the Shaker Village - beautiful and relaxing we seen a lot of pretty folige and spring flowers in bloom along the banks.

Just a pretty little water fall coming out of the side
of the rock along side the road

We also took a day to visit the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. A huge acreage devoted specifically to the care and education of horses. Their exhibits include the Hall of Champions, where the excitement of the racetrack and show ring is brought to life by the elite group of champion horses that reside at the park’s Hall of Champions. Here Thoroughbred legends Cigar, champion American Saddlebred CH Gypsy Supreme, and Standardbred Pacers Western Dreamer and Staying Together are shown in daily presentations. We got to watch as "Cigar" was being shoed. When Jim and I had been here in 1970 we got to see the famous "Forego" as he was still living at that time. I will never forget leaning against the fence and watching him slowly walk across the field towards me. As he made his way up to me and nuzzled my hand it brought tears to my eyes. He was one of the most beautiful animals I've ever laid eyes on.

At the entrance to the park is a bronze statue of the great

Man o' War

I had learned on our first visit to this area that one must make an appointment if they want to visit any of the famous thoroughbred farms, so I located a lady who owns a broodmare farm near Lexington and she agreed to take us on a tour of some of the more famous farms. Below are a series of pictures of that day. We had a wonderful time and it really gave us an up close and personal look at what that life really is all about..... The Horses.

These pictures are a little dark as it poured down rain most of the day.....

Many of farm managers brought the current residents out to say hello

Miles upon miles of beautiful white fences

One of the homes we were allowed to tour

Just standing and gazing and dreaming

Gorgeous Mansions, some are occupied full time
but most are "part time" residences for their owners

One of the champion Barns, the horses in Kentucky
live better than most folks I know

The famous Claiborne Farm

Where Secretariat is buried

Secretariat's Grave

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And finally the day of the races........ We got up very early that morning, dressed appropriately in our best garb (and hats of course) to make the drive to Louisville. Upon entering we were scanned and they went through the bags we carried with us full of our rain poncho's, binoculars, water, camera's and anything we thought we might need. There are 12 races on Derby day, and "the Kentucky Derby" is race number 10. It was the year of "Smarty Jones". and it poured down rain that afternoon totally drenching everyone and making for a very sloppy track! Nonetheless, it was the epitome of excitement! We were amazed at the crowds, the dress, the celebrities, the horses and the over all experience of actually realizing a dream coming true. The Kentucky Derby is everything you hear about and more, and everything you would want it to be.

The crowd

Getting through the
entrance

The Parade of horses, Singing of "My Old Kentucky Home" and the
Starting Gates

Our daughter gave us $100 before we left home and told us to put it on Smarty Jones....Jim called her right before the race to ask if she wanted to place it "win, place, or show".....She said put it all to win.

Jim, talking to our daughter on the cell phone right before the race started

The winning ticket.... We took home and presented our daughter $480 cash! The rest of us weren't so lucky..... :)

We had a wonderful, fun, and exciting time and were totally exhausted by the time we got back to the camper that night. We rested the next day, then nearing the end of our trip we had one more stop to make. We drove to Nashville, Tennessee to attend the Grand Ole Opry

We found another nice RV park there on the edge of town and spent a few days seeing the city. We went to the old Ryman Auditorium, Ernie Tubb's record shop, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the new Opry, took the dinner cruise on the Admiral Jackon, got lost again and ended up in the Titan Staidium, and toured the old Bell Meade Mansion