rajafacesbothways

Mini visit

Am off to spend a weekend in Louisville with a friend--a chance to visit Kentucky's largest city, take some photos and wander about,  possibly exploring The Falls of the Ohio (River) in Indiana.

I hope Louisville won't seem boring after being in exciting Georgetown all winter.

 

Breakfast At Keenland

First Friday group made the annual visit to the Track Kitchen for breakfast--best place for breakfast around, designed to feed those who work at Keenland so portions are huge--the photo doesn't include the bourbon bread pudding which was delicious.

Afterwards walked to the track, now open for racing season of three weeks before action moves to Louisville Downs for the big Kentucky Derby. Steve, who is one of the finest horse photographers in the country, had to eat and run. (but not with the horses)

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Some horses are boardered at the track for their daily workouts. After the three weeks of Keenland, racing moves on to Louisville-- a few will make it to the Kentucky Derby.

 

 

 

A Capitol Experience

A friend from N. Indiana is here for a visit and the grand local tour which began with charming Midway and Frankfort, with several stops along the way, including the State Capitol.

Inside a statue of Abe Lincoln who was detested in this state while President. However, he is the best product ever out of Kentucky and that incudes all the bourbon and thoroughbred race horses. And Now! We offer you--- Mitch McConnell. Awwwk!

 

 

Young and Old Make the Scene

Volunteered at the KY Horse Park to help herd over 5000 4th and 5th graders from all over KY to watch  enactment of scenes of the book, War Horse, which they were requred to read.

The yelling and screaming will be rivaled tomorrow in bars and homes all across KY when in-state rivals, Univ of KY and Univ of Louisville  meet in basketball's  NCAA final four. A fight at the local dialysis center between two old guys may have been a forerunner of the day. Reportedly it was over an argument about the game, which they denied. Fought with rude gestures and fists until police were called, one has now been suspended from the dialysis center permanently.

Oh well. Maybe the game will result in their having heart attacks and dialysis and basketball playoffs will no longer be their concern.

 

Magic Mystery Tour

A road trip through the back roads of Kentucky, following the Kentucky River up into the hills until it led to the Ohio River was a great way to spend the day, exploring and enjoying the beauty of the landscape. Saw many wild turkeys, hawks, vultures, among the woodsy hills lined with wild red bud and dogwood trees everywhere.

Port Royal, Wendell Berry's hometown was only a couple of stores, cemetery and scattered homes, but Madison, IN, once a busy river town, had beautiful old architecture.

Of course there is always something for everyone in  this former hippie hangout, also home of actress Irene Dunn:

The bridge crossing the Ohio is being replaced, build in 1929, it now  limits only cars and light pickup trucks to drive across. It has taken 10 years of haggling between IN and KY to agree where to locate the new bridge;  finally they settled on building it on the same location. The Ohio River actually transports more materials, using barges, than the Panama Canal.  (or so I was told, however I did see 4 huge loaded barges going down the river during the brief time we stood on shore.)

 

 

 

Beter Belated Than Never

Received my last 3 weeks late birthday card today--the message:

"Coffee, Chocolate, Men  Somethings Are Better Rich"

Can't argues with that. Rich coffee, chocolate are available here in Gerogeburg. For a rich man--with appeal--I'd have to go to Maysville and hope that George Clooney was back in town.

 

Weisenberger Mill

--the ultimate answer to adult easy bake ovens for over 100 years.

Gunnin' It

If I was ever going to buy a gun, there would have been no better opportunity than Court Days.

I saw guns on tables, in the back of strollers and even in "Junior's" wagon.

Guns to admire, trade and sell--in the shadow of any "junk food" one could ever wish for--this is what makes America great. What could possibly go wrong?

Will the South rise again? Don't rule it out-- I noticed some Confederate flags and they are prepared to fight for their rights and their women.

 

Unique Weekend

A busy weekend here with Catman in town. The  beautiful back roads we drove Saturday morning were in sharp contrast to the masses of people who were already at Court Days in Mount Sterling. The size of the crowd appeared equal to the mass marchers on Wall Street, just as peaceful but with a lot less teeth.

Saw someone pushing a stroller with two guns propped behind the toddler so knew we were in the right place. Worked our way past streets lined with booths of extremely cheap and trashy "stuff" to the areas of guns and knives--tables laden with guns, kids wagons filled with guns, and men walking around with guns over their shoulders to sell, trade and collect. The similarity of Wall Street marchers ended right there. We left shortly after, overwhelmed by the huge and growing crowd and drove to Paris for lunch. (Paris, KY that is)

Thoroughbred racing now at Keenland so went to the Track Kitchen for breakfast, KY's best kept secret of great food, then watched the races.  Returned to party on the rooftop with friends in one of the last beautiful days of the season.

A fun weekend. At not a shot was fired.

Catman Comes to Town

Brother Catman is driving in today, unfortunately missing last night's Fire Prevention Parade, an annual occasion when fire trucks from here and a few distant communities come wailing down Main Street to the delight of little kids avoiding their wheels to pick up tossed candy.

Catman is coming to see Court Days,  another popular event in the town of Mount Sterling. I went a few years ago and recall seeing rows of tables filled with guns and Jesus stuff for sale everywhere.  People walked around gnawing on a pork chop in one hand and carrying a purchased gun in the other.

Anyone wonder why this state elected McConnell and Paul for senators? There wasn't a pointy-headed liberal to be seen--just lots of Bush-Cheney banners.

And me.