Random Thoughts on Friday

Thank you for stopping by my blog!  I wanted to take a moment to say that I am dealing with some blog maintenance issues at the moment.  It seems I have gone over my allowed storage space for photos!  I THINK I can resolve this pretty easily but I am tweaking a few things here and there.  I notice that I have accidentally deleted a few photos in some of my older posts, but I do have them saved on disks, so they should be replaced and back up in the next couple few weeks.

I might be a bit slow on posting while I am taking care of this.......

Basket Meteorite

Hey, do you know the story on this one?

This piece was stolen from the Meteor Crater site in 1968!

It was returned in 2006. I heard a story that a guy bought it at a garage sale thinking he could scrap it, but ended up keeping it to balance a basketball goal! After a bit of research, he found out that it was a significant piece of the Crater- and he pretty much just gave it back to the museum there.

Jim Beam

We finally made it to the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont Kentucky!

This was the sixth stop for me on my Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour, completing my passport book (a seventh one has since been added).  It felt good getting my final stamp!

The tour was similar to some of the other ones we have taken.  It lasts about an hour and 15 minutes.  You walk through some of the production area, hear about the history of bourbon, etc.

Jim Beam's visitor center and tasting area did have a newer feel than some of the other sites on the Bourbon Trail.  I liked the selection and variety of merchandise in the gift shop too.

In the tasting area, you are given a card similar to a credit card to use on samples.  The sampling system they use is automated.  You are given a card that tells about each of the various drinks you can sample.

As I have mentioned before, I am not a drinker, and I didn't do any sampling on this day but the system seemed a bit impersonal, though I did notice some people seemed to appreciate the easiness of the process.

With the newer visitor center and the automated sample dispensers, Jim Beam is one of the more modern tours we have taken.  it is very polished.  Among our group, some felt this was very nice, while others appreciate an aged feel on a bourbon tour.

The tour was a reasonable $8, and you do get a VERY cool souvenir ticket.  They had a very good crowd on the Saturday we went, and it might not be a bad idea to call for a reservation before going!



http://kybourbontrail.com/index.php/jim_beam/

http://kybourbontrail.com/

Heine Bros. Coffee Louisville

It just hit me....  I don't think that I have ever mentioned Heine Bros. Coffee on this blog!

I really like what these guys are doing in Louisville!  It is a great local chain that feels very local.  ANY trip to Louisville for me MUST involve a stop at a Heine Bros.

Unlike the chain coffee shops, Heine Bros has a nice and large local info area.  The free Louisville magazines are readily available, as are flyers about local plays, concerts and other events.  I really appreciate that.

I like the vibe at all of the Heine Bros shops I have been to, AND they have great coffee.  A co-worker here in Lexington comes in from Louisville sometimes.  I have bribed a Heine Bros coffee delivery from them in the past.

The shops have a very relaxed atmosphere.  I liked the old one on Shelbyville Rd a lot, and I have been hanging out at the one on Frankfort Ave. lately.  I love sipping coffee and watching a train go by!

http://heinebroscoffee.com/

Random Photos of Louisville

Hopkinsville, KY- Random Photos

Ferrell's Hamburgers- Hopkinsville, KY

My pal Brent recently took me to Ferrell's Hamburgers in Hopkinsville!

Have you been to this place?  Get down there if you haven't!  Great traditional places like this are scarce!

The place has been around for forever (I believe since 1929)!  It is great that some of the bigger chains haven't forced this legendary institution out.

It is small, there is enough space for maybe a handful of people to enjoy their burgers inside.  I did notice a couple of people standing as they enjoyed their burgers.

If you are travelling through Hopkinsville you have no excuse for not stopping here!

Also, little businesses like this deserve your business simply for keeping a local tradition going.  You can get a chain burger anywhere!

Windy Hollow Matchbook

Another matchbook, this one from the old Windy Hollow Restaurant- near Owensboro.

Executive Inn Owensboro Key Card

Here is another cool Executive Inn item I found recently!

 

This room key card looks great and I love the non-working web address listed on it!

Executive Inn Matchbook

I found this at an antique shop not long ago and I had to pick it up.  Owensboro doesn't seem the same without the Executive Inn, and I have been picking up related items when I can find them!

Daviess County Court House, Owensboro

here are various photos (and incarnations) of the courthouse in owensboro.  The top two photos I took this year.  The black and white postcard is probably from the 1910s, and the other one I am guessing is from the 40s.  I have 2 versions of the color postcard, one spells Daviess D.A.V.I.S.

City Hopsital, Owensboro

Sent in 1915!

B.P.O.E. Clubhouse, Owensboro

Postmarked in 1918

Bridal Altar, Mammoth Cave Kentucky

This undated postcard shows an actual marriage ceremony in Mammoth Cave!

Odd Fellows Building, Owensboro

Postmarked 1918!

Cincinnati Gardens 1951

 

This is still a great venue.  I found this postcard of it from 1951 recently.

St. Stephens Cathedral, Owensboro

This is a great landmark in Owensboro.  By the way, it is hard to get the whole place in one photo!

I took the two pictures this year, and the postcard is probably from the 40s or 50s.

Main St. Owensboro, KY

One postcard was sent in 1910, the other 30 years later in 1940!

Carrousel Inn Cincinnati, Ohio

The back of this card mentions that the Cascade room (shown) is one of many fascinating meeting rooms.  It was rated 5 stars by Mobil Travel Guides for four consecutive years.