Grand Victoria Inn in Park City Kentucky

We JUST heard about the Grand Victorian Inn in Park City recently....  We found a flyer for it and knew we had to visit!

It has only been open as an inn for a few years now, but it has a great history going back over 100 years.

So we checked in the other day before spending some time at Mammoth Cave.  The Inn is not too far from MCNP, and it is in the very secluded town of Park City.

We relaxed in our room in the evening and enjoyed rocking in the rocking chairs on the porch.

Through the night we did hear the trains going through town.  AND, make no mistake, this old inn, which once catered to those riding the trains in to visit the caves, is right next to the tracks.  You will hear trains often.

For me, that is a bonus.  When I was a student going to Berea, we would often hear the train going through town.  I remember hanging out near the tracks just to watch it go by.  For us, we were pretty excited about the trains.

So we did hear the trains through the night, but we enjoyed it.

The next morning we got up early and walked a bit around the area.  There is a VERY interesting old ruins site right next to the Inn.  Walking along the tracks was pleasant too.

We took seats in the nice rocking chairs around the porch.  Others came and rocked too.  We talked to a very sweet couple from Ohio who just finished up some missionary work in Papua New Guinea.  When we asked how long they had been there, they said 26 years!

After enjoying some time on the front porch, we went in for breakfast.  It is served at 8:30 family style.  We had eggs, bacon and waffles, and a small dish of fruits.  OJ and coffee were available.


During breakfast, co-owner Karin Baldwin-Carroll gave a short history lesson on the building.  If I remember correctly, the Inn went up first as an inn for people coming by railroad to see the caves.  later, it was used as a boys home/private school and a nursing home.

Again, we had a very brief stay here, but we really enjoyed it.  I am sure we will be back!

Cracker Barrel in Cave City Kentucky

I know that I usually try to avoid mentioning chain places here, but I wanted to say that we had a GREAT meal at the Cracker Barrel in Cave City.

We actually went to the Front Porch, Coffee Shop and Social Eatery nearby first....  It looked like an interesting local place.  I don't have much to say about that place, except that it was bad.  We left.

BUT, the Cracker Barrel in town was great....  And I have to admit, Cracker Barrel is always a safe bet when we travel.



Countdown Games in Lexington KY

I wanted to give a quick mention to Countdown Games in Lexington.  We went there for a friends birthday recently and had a lot of fun.

We did their "Castle" game, and it was pretty crazy!  I wasn't even really thinking about taking pictures of the game itself, as we were hustling the whole time.

I actually didn't really want to do this sort of thing, but my friends made me.  But, just hearing about it I didn't feel excited.  It sounded like a large board game.

That wasn't the case at all.  It was fast paced and exciting.  We all had to solve puzzles and use clues to eventually get out of a castle.  There were five of us, and we had to work individually, as a group, and as split groups at times.  One task involved some musical talent too!  I don't want to say too much about that one in case you go, but it was a fun and odd experience!

The Castle was 3 levels tall, and we would find ourselves having to backtrack for some clues and items.  Especially towards the end we were running back and forth scrambling to finish within an hour.

AND...  we did finish with 58 seconds to spare!  We were given some clues here and there, but we still felt like we had accomplished something!

There was a person watching us (by camera) in case something was needed.  He was a very friendly fellow and added to the fun of the whole experience.

Caves of Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains by Larry E. Matthews

I've really enjoyed reading about caves recently.  AND, I have really appreciated it when I find a great book about caves in a specific region.

"Caves of Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains" by Larry E. Matthews is a fun book to read that covers caves in that specific region.  It covers a little over a dozen caves that are currently or have been show caves at some point.

Each section gives a bit of history on the cave, including some of the 1st documented accounts.  There are photos inside of and around the cave.  Buildings on the properties associated with the caves are pictures.  Postcards and old brochures are shown in the book too!

At the end of each section, Matthews discusses the cave today.  He gives info on hours and that sort of thing.  He also tells when you can visit (some of these former show caves are no longer open to the public).

This is just a nice guide to keep around if you are interested in this area's caves.

Scene in Tuckaleechee Caverns, Tennessee

This postcard went through the mail in 1968.  The back tells- Scene in Tuckaleechee Caverns- Eastern America's largest.  Located on State Highway73 halfway between Gatlinburg and Maryville near Townsend, Tennessee.

Harden Coffee in Campbellsville, KY

Campbellsville is VERY lucky to have a great, small indy coffee shop- Harden Coffee.

This has really become a place to look forward to on our roadtrips.  Its nice to drive a little while out of Lexington, stop here for a nice little break, and then get on with our drive.

Harden is in the very nice downtown area of Campbellsville and so far, there has never been an issue with finding a parking spot.  The shop does seem to get busy at times, but the line moves along, and there are lots of places to grab a chair once inside.



The breakfast food has been nice here.  I had their Autumn Latte recently, and it was great, but I REALLY like their regular coffees here.  They get it right.  Their coffee doesn't taste old, off or burned.  I had their Woodsman blend the other day and really liked it.

AND the inside of Harden Coffee is just so perfect.  it is in an old building with nice old wooden floors, but the rest of the place is very clean and modern.  It is very light and well lighted- making it a perfect place to read while you sip coffee.

Druther's Restaurant in Campbellsville Kentucky

So, while we were in Campbellsville, I saw a Druther's Restaurant! 

I hadn't even thought about this chain in a LONG time.  Owensboro had one, I think briefly in the early 80s.  I want to say it was in front of where Big Lots is now....  but I might be way off.

I remember it though.  And I remember hearing the jingle, "I'd rather go to Druther's Restaurant."

Well, I had to stop in and check this one in Campbellsville out!


I bought a very nice bacon, egg and cheese on toast sandwich that cost less than two bucks!

Here are a few photos.  I am glad to see a place like this surviving!

Campbellsville, KY

In an effort to do more back roads driving, I have found myself spending more time in the Campbellsville area!

We have routed ourselves through the town several times lately, mostly as we travel to the Mammoth Cave and Cave City areas.  From my area, it only adds an extra 10 minutes or so to the trip, but the drive is so much more scenic!

Campbellsville is a pretty town too, definitely worth a stop.  I walked around downtown some, and I drove through the campus.


I did try to patronize the college post office, but I got the impression that they weren't really sure about much of anything (I know...  its a college post office, but I have always had good experience with the Berea CPO).  I ended up driving to the community post office, and had a nice chat with the fun guys working there.

I really like the downtown area though.  VERY cozy and some fun businesses.

Baxter's Coffee South in Somerset Kentucky

I've been to one of the Baxter's Coffee locations in Somerset several times, but I recently got to visit the South location.

Baxter's definitely gets coffee right and I really enjoy the taste of their java.  Plus, both of the locations are perfectly cozy.

If you are near Somerset skip the chain places and support a great little local place!

Hank Hill at Eastern Welding Supply in Somerset Kentucky

I wanted to post a couple of cool pics we took in front of Eastern Welding Supply in Somerset Kentucky.

That's a goateed Hank Hill letting us know that they sell propane and propane accessories.