Category: Travel

Posts about my Chapter 5 travel adventures

Kentucky Horse Park: Two thumbs up!! My photos don’t do this gorgeous facility justice! The Horse Park, with its retired champions, variety of breeds, and spectacular grounds, surprised me! “A treasure to our state and a facility unlike any other in the world, since 1978 the Kentucky Horse Park’s mission has been to celebrate our relationship with the horse through education, exhibition, engagement and competition. Owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, each year we welcome over 500,000 visitors from around the world.”
Mary Todd Lincoln House: More engaging than the house itself, the self-guided tour signage and readings presented insight into this First Lady and her family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China from Lincoln’s first term. Since I prefer to post no more than 10 pics and I loved my horse photos so much, this is the only photo I’m uploading from Mary Todd Lincoln’s home. 🙂

A surprising day! Gorgeous scenery with rolling hills, tall trees, and green lawns. Crazy thunderstorm while driving on the interstate! Lasted for only a few minutes – phew!
Needed a trim and found a Supercuts next to Trader Joe’s, and Hernando, the stylist, had just enough time to cut my hair.
While checking out at TJs, I complimented my cashier for his authentic friendliness, something I have found to be consistent at every TJs I’ve shopped at on my journey. He then gave me a souvenir from TJs – a Kentucky reusable bag!
Tonight, I’m camping at the Kentucky Horse Park – beautiful. I’m going to wander tomorrow morning and look at the horses.
Split ends: gone!

 

My Kentucky souvenir!

 

Miss Addie 🙂

The Smokies surpassed my expectations! Beautiful, green, scenic – and less traffic than I first imagined. After a slow morning (binge watched all available Season 2 episodes of Ted Lasso last night!), Addie and I headed over to Great Smoky Mountains.
We drove up to Clingmans Dome and, while Addie rested her tired bones, I hiked to Andrews Bald. There is something about hiking in a forest, my friends, that fills my soul and lifts my spirit.
After that five mile hike, I headed up to Clingmans Dome, a steep climb. Surprisingly, the only people to pass me on the climb were four twenty-somethings (and they hadn’t just finished the Andrews Bald hike!). Years ago, a wooden tower allowed visitors to partake of a 360 degree view. Now, a concrete tower looms over the highest point in the park.
Although I seriously considered a hike to a waterfall after Clingmans Dome, a sign on the road to the trailhead said narrow, single lane, no RVs…and it was already after 5pm…so I made the choice to come back to my campground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s explorations: Grand Ole Opry, Centennial Park/Parthenon, Vanderbilt University, and the Gulch District. 🙂
Grand Ole Opry: Intriguing to learn about the Opry and see the building. Although enlightening and fun, the building itself is nowhere near as magnificent as the Ryman!
Centennial Park/Parthenon: The full size model of Athens’ Parthenon grabs one’s attention. The museum with its artwork and stories failed to hold my interest, but the 42 foot tall gold plated statue of Athena mesmerized me. Out of many statues dotting the park’s lawns, I especially appreciated the tribute to Tennessean suffragettes.
Vanderbilt University: Across the street from Centennial Park lives Vanderbilt University with unique buildings and gorgeous grounds.
The Gulch District: A hipster area of Nashville called me for dinner. There’s something wonderful about a salmon salad that I don’t have to cook! Oh, and the Cucumber Collins cocktail – yum yum!
One of many dressing rooms at the Opry.

 

In 2010, torrential rain pounded Middle Tennessee and drowned the Grand Ole Opry in ten feet of water. The Cumberland River spilled over its banks, floodwaters engulfed the stage, the pews were ruined, and the floors were demolished. Rescued under the water: this mural and the circle on the stage.

 

I stand on the circle where many artists and performers have stood.

 

Centennial Park and the Parthenon.

 

Tribute to suffragettes.

 

Athena – the Nike she’s holding is six feet tall!

 

Vanderbilt University.

 

Framed view of the campus.

 

The Gulch’s pub.

 

Wings Mural by Kelsey Montague https://kelseymontagueart.com/nashville-whatliftsyou-wings/

OMG! What an amazing day! First, I went on a terrific hike in Percy Warner Park – green, lush, hills, meadows – perfect!
This evening, I hung out with Kristen and her singer-songwriters group. There is NOTHING like listening to musicians share their original songs – the vulnerability, the creativity, the power of music. Y’all know me. At one point when one person was singing and the others jumped in with their guitars and voices, I couldn’t help it. The connectedness of it all…I cried. So friggin’ fabulous!
Mossy Ridge Trail, Percy Warner Park

 

With Jeffrey and Kristen

 

Bear, their very sweet big doggie!

I know I should cull tonight’s photos more – I try not to post more than ten a day – but, oh well! 
I had so much fun exploring Nashville today! While Kristen worked, Jeffrey dropped me off in the heart of Nashville with a list of “must see” items in my pocket. I made it to four! 
First up, The Ryman Auditorium, where many famous artists have played (including Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, and Paul Thorn!). 
Next, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Although I am not a super-big country music fan, there were MANY artists I recognized. And it was fun to hang out and create my album cover during a torrential thunderstorm! 
Then I went to a couple of honky tonks. My favorite, with great music, a veggie burger, and beer: Robert’s Western World. 
Cherry on the top of the day: happy hour and dinner with Kristen and Jeffrey! 
Cumberland River – started the day with a walk around town before venturing inside.

 

Cool old building

 

Church

 

Named for Rep John Lewis about a year ago

 

Country legends mural. Recognize anyone?

 

The Ryman Auditorium, managed by a woman for 50 years.

 

Ryman

 

Dolly Parton: not only an investor in Moderna but also a music star!

 

I’d say, “Don’t quit your day job,” but I don’t have a day job anymore!

 

Country Music Hall of Fame: a fun and interactive museum!

 

Thunderstorm out the window of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

🙂

 

🙂

 

Now to create the album to go with this album cover…

 

Haha!

 

Tootsies Orchid Lounge

 

Robert’s Western World

 

Nashville, we have a problem.

A day in three fabulous parts!
Part 1: I met my friend and colleague David at his house/farm so his kids could show me their animals. I had so much fun petting the dogs and feeding the goats and cows! Then, I followed David to Indiana State University for a tour of the College of Business building, which previously housed the federal courthouse (I saw the room where Timothy McVeigh was tried). We also toured some of the rest of the campus before having YES a zoom meeting for next year’s National Conference in Sales Management. Then, David took me and Ricky, another Sales professor friend and colleague, to lunch. What a nice visit! 
Part 2: Drove 4.5 hours from Indiana through Kentucky to Nashville. Uneventful – which is a good thing on a long drive. 
Part 2: In Nashville, Addie and I are staying at Kristen and Jeffrey’s house for a few days. I had a fantastic evening with Kristen and Jeffrey! Ate, drank, and talked for hours!
Goat #1

 

Cow #1

 

Cow #2 – this one was skittish but ultimately warmed up to me.

 

Goat #2

 

David and Sarah with their three sweet kids.

 

The Magna Carta room, now a classroom, previously the courtroom where Timothy McVeigh’s trial was held.

 

Indiana State University

 

Hanging with Ricky and David

I’ve been having a bit of trouble with a couple of things in Addie – water pump and kitchen light fixture. Planning on being in the area for a few days, I reached out to my Chevy Roadtrek Owners Facebook Group for a RV shop recommendation. Someone from the group recommended Alexander’s in Bloomington; they’ve serviced her RoadTrek for 15 years. I called, made an appointment for today, and brought Addie in for service. I’ll spare the details…water pump is fine, water systems all look good, water heater may have a small leak (not urgent, will handle back in SLO). Light fixtures are on back order everywhere, so the mechanic switched two light fixtures so I have a working one in my kitchen. Very friendly and comforting to know that Addie continues to be in safe and relatively good shape.
After Alexander’s, I wandered to the village of Nashville, IN. Think Cambria, CA, with cute shops and galleries. Very darling!
Finding produce in this area presented a conundrum. There is a bit of a “food desert” here…

 

 

 

 

Although I didn’t go to sleep until after 1am central time (had to finish my book!), I slept well – refreshed and ready for the next stage of my adventure!
First, I walked around Babler State Park, location of last night’s campsite. The park, named after Dr. Edmund Babler, a Missouri physician and surgeon, encompasses many acres of natural wonders.
From Missouri, I traveled through Illinois, mainly on country roads. I saw many corn fields, farmhouses, and grain silos. Getting hungry and still in Illinois, I stopped in Casey for lunch – and viewed the world’s largest…wind chimes, rocking chair, barber pole, mailbox, and pencil! Around 2011, this small town reinvigorated its downtown with the wind chimes – and the kitsch statues snowballed from there.
For the next few days, I’m staying at Shakamak State Park, between Terre Haute and Bloomington and only two miles from a National Conference in Sales Management friend and his family. After hearing about his wonderful wife and kids for over a decade, I enjoyed meeting and dining with them. 🙂
Dr. Edmund Babler

 

Happy to be refreshed and driving with blue skies!

 

Wind chimes, the first of many “World’s Biggest”

 

Rocking chair

 

Barber pole

 

You’ve got mail!

Crazy storm last night! So much heavy thunder, lightening, wind, and rain – nearly 5 inches just over night. Needless to say, I barely slept, although Addie help up well.
I spent today on the road, buying groceries, napping, reading, and relaxing. Exactly what I needed after last night’s chaos.
Relatively clear sky!

 

A trail by my campground. Thought about hiking it – and turned around to go back to Addie and read my book.