Kin-tucky??

Finally made it to the land of . . .

. . . "Unbridled Spirit"

Son Paul moved to Lexington a few months ago, and my Mom's favorite cousin Chuck lives in the little town of Taylorsville near Louisville, so we'd really been looking forward to spending some time with "kin" . . .

Paul (an analytical chemist) recently started a new job with the National Show Horse Association! I think it sounds glamorous and exotic, but he assures me it isn't! 

Trixie was happy to see Paul!

Last time we saw Paul was Thanksgiving, so we had plenty of catching up to do. 

Our first day with Paul was spent on a fantastic little hike! Driving southeast out of Lexington into the Daniel Boone National Forest, we hiked a trail to a really cool natural stone bridge over a tributary of the Red River. It was a beastly hot day, but the shade along the trail offered a refreshing reprieve, so in spite of the sultry weather, it was a most enjoyable afternoon!

Paul & pal at the trailhead

That's the natural stone bridge behind us there! Pretty cool, huh?

On down the trail is this little waterfall
and pond where Trixie enjoyed a quick swim!

Back at the RV after our outing, we relaxed with a couple rounds of Scrabble (for old times sake?).  Paul (no surprise) won both games!  What a fun and memorable day.  THANK YOU Paul!

On Sunday, we all headed for Taylorsville.

The Kentucky River

Starting out on the Blue Grass Parkway, and then turning off onto the two-lane, we sure saw some pretty Kentucky scenery along the way . . .

Chuck is 92 years young and lives on a beautiful piece of property in rural Spencer County, about 5 miles outside the little town of Taylorsville.  He has a lovely house, the typical Kentucky manicured acres of lawn and a charming gazebo overlooking a little pond which, incidentally, has lots of fish, where neighbor kids enjoy a little angling now and then! 

Chuck's house from the road - with company!

Saying good-bye as Paul leaves to go back to Lexington!

Harold inspects a tobacco field down the road from Chuck's.

As I said, 92 years young!

In his "office" with his new Mac!

Chuck may have a few physical frailties, but he is sharp as a tack! We had just the best time, chatting non-stop, about family, friends, books (he's an avid reader!) and a zillion other things. This guy still has an astounding zest for life!

All too soon we were having our farewell breakfast and saying sad good-byes. Well, I'm already making plans to return to Taylorsville (not sure when!) to pick up where we left off . . . 

Bye Chuck!  Thanks for a truly wonderful visit!  We both love you lots and hope to see you again before long . . .

And then we were (imagine Harold singing:)  "On the road again . . . . . "

Our last stop in Kentucky was at the Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown.  After all, we were traveling The Bourbon Trail and decided we should pull over for at least a taste!

Barrels & barrels & barrels of (kindred?) spirits . . . 

We took the Heaven Hill tour of an incredible bourbon storage building.  Well I'll just say, there's a lot more to making bourbon than meets the eye!!

And in the Tasting Room . . . 

. . . I learned that I like the 18-year-old good stuff!!
(No, we didn't buy any.)

And then we were off again, rolling on down the highway, headed for -

            Nashville!!

Time to be lookin' for some grand ol' country music!!