Kentucky Adventure

It's now late June and we've invited ourselves along on Sue & Bill's trip to Kentucky. One of her nieces is getting married in Lexington, and we're going to make a vacation out of it. Of course, Stan is the tour guide . . .

American & Kentucky flags at a rest stop.

Beautiful Kentucky countryside. This was a beautiful drive along the Bluegrass Parkway.

Stan suggested we stay at Shaker Village on our first night. What a beautiful & interesting place! I'd heard of shaker furniture, but did not realize it was also a religion at one time in America. Read more here: http://www.shakervillageky.org/

Our room was very sparce, but spotlessly clean & comfortable.


Modern, but no-frills bathroom.


No closets, but there were pegs on which to hang our clothes.

This old TV seemed out of place here.


Shiny, clean hallway. We stayed on the second floor, but no elevators here.


This is the building we stayed in.

Stan, Sue & Bill

Notice the two doors on these old residence buildings? In the Shaker community, men & women had to use separate doors.


Stan liked this "smiley" branch.

This country cat followed us during our walk. She reminded us of Baby.


Sue & Margie -- we've been friends for more than 55 years . . . (Yikes!)


Margie on the fence . . . Stan wanted me to climb all the way up & straddle it, but that wasn't going to happen!

Bill & Sue enjoying the shade of a tree.


This is where the restaurant is.


Look at this great spiral staircase!

Walking down a quiet, country lane after dinner. I think this is the most peaceful place I've ever been.

Pegs on the walls are handy for storing chairs.


Lemons on a table in the morning sun.



Beautiful hand-made tiles in the gift shop.

Horse & buggy

Stan's paying for our purchases in the gift shop.

Large magnolia tree




Someone left the barn door open!

Lexington, Kentucky

We're in Lexington for Sue's niece's wedding. This is Pauline & Buddy (Sue's brother) and Sue & Bill. Don't they clean up nice? We're staying at a fancy Marriott Resort. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/travel/lexky-griffin-gate-marriott-resort-and-spa/

Since we didn't want to "crash" the wedding, we went into the bar to have a drink & dinner. We were waited on by Lauren, who was VERY knowledgeable about bourbon. Did you know that Kentucky is the ONLY state in the US that makes bourbon? http://www.kentuckybarrels.com/KentuckyBourbon.html


She actually has her teaching degree, but makes more money working as a cocktail waitress at this resort. She was very excited about teaching overseas, when she heard our story!

Stan decided to try some different bourbons, so here's his 3 choices & the certificate showing each one's proof.


Kampai!


. . . and down the hatch!

Horse & bourbon barrel decorate the bar.


Lots of flowers & trees inside.

After drinks & dinner, we decided to walk around the grounds. There was an antique car convention going on at our hotel.


Look at this sparkly stone . . .


Flower gardens outside the hotel.