Kentucky’s Finest

Kentucky is a state that abounds with beauty from its rolling hills and lush forests to sparkling lakes and winding rivers. Add to that an exclusively Kentucky focus . . . from food, to horses, baseball bats, and history plus the Bourbon Trail and a moonbow, and you have an interesting and exciting adventure that you can only experience in Kentucky. Come join us as we explore Kentucky’s finest.

Wednesday, October 16th – It’s the perfect time of year for a trip. As we travel from Virginia to Tennessee and Kentucky, we should be able to experience the beauty of the peak fall colors. The destination is always our priority but sit back and enjoy the journey for it should be spectacular today as we head to Johnson City, Tennessee for the night. (D)

Thursday, October 17th – This morning we will stop in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to tour the Secret City. The city was built under a cloak of silence by our government during World War II as a major site of the Manhattan Project. This massive wartime effort produced the world’s first atomic weapons. Interestingly, no one except those who lived there knew that the city existed. The entire area was fenced in, with armed guards at every entrance and those inside were sworn to secrecy and only knew about the specific task they needed to complete. A complete city no one else knew about. This is an absolutely fascinating tour! Then we’ll continue on our way to Cumberland Falls State Park in Kentucky. We’ll overnight at the park and drive down to the falls this evening to witness a moonbow – a rainbow produced by moonlight. Get your cameras ready for it is an unusual phenomenon that can be found at only two places on earth: Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Cumberland Falls in Kentucky! We are surely in for a treat tonight since there will be a full moon which is needed for the moonbow to appear. Pray for “no clouds”. Wow, what a way to end a great day! (B, D)

Friday, October 18th – Today is all about Kentucky. We’ll begin by visiting Berea, Kentucky, which is the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of the state. You’ll have time to explore the Kentucky Artisan Center which features over 800 artisans. Interestingly, the center supports hundreds of Kentucky artists and businesses by directly purchasing works from the artists for resale. This in turn boosts individual businesses in all parts of the state and introduces these works to people from all over the world. It’s a great place to see it all! Then we’re off to Pleasant Hill’s Shaker Village in Harrodsburg. Sprawled out over 3,000 acres, it was once the home of the Kentucky Shakers. Here you’ll learn about the Shaker way of life and what has become of it. It is quite an interesting tale! After lunch we’ll continue north, stopping in Versailles at the Woodford Reserve Distillery for an interesting, guided walking tour of the distillery and its historic location. As part of Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, you’ll be able to explore all five sources of flavor from grain to glass. Our tour will end with a tasting for those who wish to try their products. And then we’re off for dinner with Colonel Saunders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. What’s so special about that? Everyone has eaten at KFC. We’re going to do it differently. We’re eating at Claudia Saunder’s Dinner House. Colonel Sanders and his wife opened this restaurant in 1968 after he sold KFC and had grown unhappy with recipe changes at the company. The restaurant continues to flourish and is a great place for dinner. After a delicious meal, we will check into our hotel in Louisville for a three-night stay. (B, L, D)

Saturday, October 19th – After breakfast we will continue our adventures by standing rail-side at the track at Churchill Downs. You’ll experience the sound of hooves pounding the dirt as horses and jockeys train right in front of you! You’ll see horses gallop past at speeds up to 40 miles per hour as you learn about the ins and outs of training world-class Thoroughbreds. You’ll also visit the Churchill Downs Grandstand and see them workout beneath the historic Twin Spires. Then we’ll learn the “art” of betting on horses at the Kentucky Derby, see the “The Greatest Race” on a 360-degree screen, view interactive and stable exhibits. What a morning!!! After lunch we will visit Frazier Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, that focuses on Kentucky history and houses an extensive collection of historical items, famous weaponry, and more. Then we’ll stop at Muth’s Candies to pick up some Modjeskas (a marshmallow dipped in caramel). This famous confection was created in Louisville during the early 20th century and is quite delicious. We’ll end our day with a Bourbon Experience at Buffalo Trace. Again, if you do not enjoy the tastings, you can still enjoy the grounds, the store, and the information they give. We’ll enjoy a delicious dinner while in Frankford and some of Rebecca Ruth’s famous candy (the original bourbon ball) on the way back to our hotel for the night. (B, L, D)

Sunday, October 20th – Since we’ve been in Louisville for two nights, it is only fitting that we take a guided driving tour of the city and learn about its history plus see all of the sights. After lunch we will take a guided tour of the Slugger Museum which showcases the story of Louisville Slugger bats in baseball and in American history. Beginning in 1884, when 17-year-old Bud Hillerich crafted the company’s first bat for a local superstar hitter, this company has continued to make bats for over 125 years. On this exciting factory tour you’ll start with the forests and mills where the bat begins and then walk through the heart of the factory production line. This tour knocks the excitement out of the park! We’ll end the afternoon with Barrels and Billets. The name ‘Barrels & Billets’ is a nod to Hillerich & Bradsby Company’s history and connection with wood. That connection goes back to 1842 when J. Frederick Hillerich immigrated to America from Germany and eventually went to Louisville where he opened his own wood shop. At the time, part of his business included barrel making for the growing Bourbon industry. Two years later the family company jumped into the baseball bat business. “Billets” refers to the thick, cylindrical pieces of wood that are used to make baseball bats. Awh! The connection from barrels for the bourbon to the billets for the baseball bat and all from the same family. Interesting! And so, we will end our day at Barrels and Billets with a tour and if you choose, you can create and take home your own custom-blended bottle of bourbon. (B, D)

Monday, October 21st – This morning we will begin our journey east, stopping in Paris, Kentucky to tour Claiborne Farms, one of the most iconic Thoroughbred breeding farms in Kentucky’s Horse Country. Set among the rolling fields of bluegrass, limestone rich soil, and miles of plank board fences, it will surely be a beautiful setting for a tour. At the horse farm we will walk along the shed rows of their iconic stallion barns, which have been home to world-renowned and breed-shaping Thoroughbreds. We’ll also visit with current stallions War Front, Blame, Runhappy, War of Will, and Catholic Boy just to name a few. Lastly, the tour will end in their cemetery boasting over 20 champions, including the legendary Secretariat. Then it’s a stop at Kentucky Fried Chicken (we just have to!) before continuing on our way. Our next stop will be the cabin where the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” was born and reared. Country music stars from Kentucky, Loretta Lynn and her sister, Crystal Gale grew up in a remote cabin nestled between two mountains. As the guide describers their life in Butcher Hollow, you’ll almost be able to hear the girls honing their musical skills on the front porch or be able to picture their mother rocking one of the eight children at night and heading the Bible by the coal-oil lamp. It is certainly not the life you would have pictured. Afterwards we’ll stop by Webb’s General Store which was used on the movie set of “Coal Miner’s Daughter and is owned by Loretta Lynn’s niece, Connie Webb. What a wonderful way to end our travels in Kentucky. Afterwards we will continue eastward, stopping in Huntington, West Virginia for the night. (B, D)

Tuesday, October 22nd – Today, we travel home still enjoying the fall foliage along the way. Can you believe all we have seen and done in just seven days?!?!! And we haven’t even listed all the Kentucky foods we will have enjoyed on this trip. There’s the Hot Brown, Benedictine dip, Kentucky Derby Pie, Ale-8-One (Kentucky’s original soft drink) . . . Oh, there are just so many interesting and unique experiences on this adventure that you just won’t want to miss this exploration of Kentucky’s Finest!

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