Berea Kentucky

I don't know if anyone cares, but I thought I would put some pictures up of Berea to go along with the postcard pictures I am putting up on this blog.

I am going to have to get down to Berea again soon, and take some pictures of the buildings in the postcards and do a side by side comparison.

In these photos:

The newly renovated Boone Tavern. I would call this the backside of Boone Tavern, but I guess that depends on how you are looking at it. To me, this is the exterior area that looks the most different. It looks a lot nicer than it did while I was working there.

Mario's Pizza. When I was going to Berea, the good people at Mario's would DELIVER a Grizzly to you WITH a two liter for $10! Let me explain "The Grizzly." It was bigger than their large. It was BIG. It was thin, but it was big. 5 guys could pitch in $2 each and pig out. God bless Mario's. I still crave their pizza, and I make it down for their buffet every few months. I will have to get an honest review up of the place soon.

The big brick building is Blue Ridge. It was my freshmen dorm. I had a lot of fun there. It was a hike from all of the other buildings on campus.

There is also a picture of my buddy (and fellow Berea grad) Rick in Main Street Cafe. This was Fast Eddie's place when I was a student. I know Sune who worked with the Berea College Country dancers got this place going and he did a great job. I had a Reuben here last time I was in town, and I want one of those Reuben's right now! I have been stopped here pretty much each of the last few times I have been to Berea and I left happy.

Old Postcard: "Ashland" Home of Henry Clay

I don't have a date on this one, and there is no description on the back.

This is a bit of a personal favorite Lexington landmark. Old or new pictures all look amazing. It is very photogenic, and the last couple of times I have been there I have noticed photographers taking portraits, using Henry Clay's home as a perfect background.

Old Postcard: My Old Kentucky Home

"THE HOME was built as a summer home in 1795, over 135 years ago, by JOHN ROWAN, Sr., a young lawyer of Louisville, Ky. The bricks came from England, were landed at Newport News, Va., and brought to Kentucky on sledges in winter along the Indian trails, drawn by oxen, driven by slaves."

It is postmarked 1943.

Old Postcard: Wigwam Village

"At the Gateway to the Mammoth Cave Region

Insulated Indian Wigwams- Each with complete bath- Hot and cold water- Innerspring mattresses and solid hickory furniture- Cool in summer and warm in winter"

Old Postcards: Cumberland Falls

Two more beautiful old Kentucky postcards. Take a moment to stare at the scans.

The top card gives this dated (but fun!) info:
The Falls are located in Cumberland Falls State Park and can be easily reached over a State-maintained road recently finished.
Cumberland Falls is sometimes called "Kentucky's Niagara." The Falls are about sixty-eight feet in height, average width about 125 feet. The tremendous volume of water that passes over the falls at times creates a roar and a mist of a young Niagara. The moonbow seen from the falls during full moon on clear nights is a natural phenomenon occurring in only two places in the world- Victoria Falls in Southern Africa and Cumberland Falls in Kentucky.

The bottom postcard is postmarked 1943.

Old Postcard: Mammoth Onyx Cave

The back of this postcard note:
The ease with which the visitor steps directly from a cedar-clad hillside, with blue sky and waving tree-tops overhead, into this gloriously tinted underground world, suggests that one has used the magic "Open Sesame" to gain admission.

Horse Cave Kentucky. See the cave or the museum, and catch a play by professional actors. This is a very cool and a very underrated area.

Old Postcards: Mammoth Cave

The color photo of the historic entrance reads on the back, "The old historic entrance to Mammoth Cave is the only natural entrance. It was discovered in 1799. There are also five artificial entrances."

The black and white card is actually postdated 1907!!! It is over a century old.

Random thoughts on Friday- Nashville

We recently took a little trip through the Carolinas and Georgia. I will get some posts up on those great areas later, but we had a great time. This was more of a baseball trip, so most of my posts will be on my baseball blog.

The Highlights were the Biltmore Estate and Savannah. We had a great time at each place.

It was very rainy on our trip. We drove from Augusta to Savannah with rain coming down fast and hard.

I am sure many people were thinking about Nashville and the rest of Tennessee this last week. My jaw dropped at some of the footage I saw on TV.

I know the Opry Mills Mall really got hit (I was thinking about it specifically because I kept seeing video of it underwater). Their site notes that they are still trying to get the place cleaned up and ready.

I love the entire city of Nashville. It is a good place, and I hope people will take a day or weekend trip down there as soon as they can to spend some money and support those guys.

http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=1259

Old Postcards: Covington, Ky.

There are two really cool religious landmarks in northern Kentucky. Actually, I can think of a couple more, but these the first two that come to my mind (the replica of Jesus' Tomb comes to mind too).

I know both of these are mentioned in some of my odd Kentucky travel books. I have visited both.

The Little Church card reads- Scarcely larger than a child's playhouse, so small that, including the priest, it can hold but three persons, this tiny church was build by "Black Friars." It is made completely of stone, even the roof, except for its single stained glass window and narrow door. In this shrine, the Friars originally worshipped in perpetual adoration.

It was sent from Newport in 1943.

The other postcard is unused. It gives statistics on the back about St. Mary's Cathedral in Covington. There are many interesting facts about it, so search it out. It is home to the largest rose window in the world.

Old Postcard: Waverly Hills Sanitorium, Louisville

I will have to write more about Waverly Hills in Louisville, probably around October, but I thought I would put up a scan of this cool postcard.

Thanks to the "Ghost Hunters" TV show (and other similar shows) this Kentucky landmark has recently become very famous as a haunted site.

Old Postcards: Frankfort Capitol Building

Beautiful pieces of art, and little historic documents! Click on the image, and get a good look at them. Go ahead, I will wait.

I told you!

The top one is unused and looks amazing.

The bottom one made a trip through the US post. It reads, "The Capitol Bldg. at Frankfort, Ky. is among the finest in the country, the Tomb being a reproduction of Napoleon's Tomb. Stairways are fashioned after the Paris Opera."

If I ended this blog entry here, you would think to yourself, "Hey, that was a nice blog entry!"

Well, there is a bit more. The bottom postcard was sent from a soldier to "Dad". The soldier was on his way to Ft. Thomas. "Free" is written where the stamp should go, and it is postmarked, December 7th, 1943. "Buy War Savings Bonds and Stamps" has been incorporated into the postmark.

Old Postcards: Owensboro Kentucky

I am still on an old postcards kick. I especially like the ones that show some of my favorite places. I REALLY appreciate the old linen ones that look like small paintings. You could frame these with a nice mat and they would look great. Some book stores and coffee shops have scanned old postcards and printed them several times bigger for wall art.

Here are a couple more postcards I found recently (courtesy of the great stamp shop in Louisville on Dupont Circle).

The top one shows the familiar bridge in Owensboro.

"The Owensboro, Kentucky Bridge over the beautiful Ohio River, opened for traffic in June, 1940, has direct connection to Indiana Route 66 and 45 to Evansville, Ind., Chicago, Ill., Rockport, Indianapolis, Ind. and Louisville, Ky. It is the shortest route between Indianapolis and Nashville, Tennessee."

The card showing downtown was sent through the mail. It is postmarked 1955, from Owensboro, sent to a friend in Maryland (I think there is something really exciting about a postcard, bought in the area, probably spending little time in that area, and then, decades later, finding its way back to that area!).

"County seat of Daviess County- was settled as early as 1977 and incorporated in 1817. The present population is about 40,000. Located on the Ohio River, Owensboro is 114miles west of Louisville, Kentucky and 40 miles east of Evansville, Ind. The trading area is about 235,000 people."

Kentucky Aviation Museum Kentucky

I've heard about the Kentucky Aviation Museum for some time. It is one of those places that people talk about, but not that many have really been to it.

I checked it out and I was very impressed. There is something really nice going on in Lexington.

There is a large hanger full of planes and other aviation related items. Outside, there are more airplanes.

I guess I should say that I do not have a rich understanding of airplanes or how they work. My appreciation of flight is as an outsider. It is hard for me to really understand flight

The Kentucky Aviation Museum tries to cater to people like me.

I thought it was great that the place had several volunteers roaming around to answer questions and to help. I think all of these guys are former military.

When we walked through the front entrance, we were greeted by the a staff person selling tickets. It was $6 a person, which was very reasonable. The staff person told us about the museum, the planes around back, etc. I asked about events there, visitors, etc. All of my questions were answered thoroughly.

We went inside to see the planes and displays. I think I was most impressed with the "hands on" feel the place has. You can actually get inside of the planes! It is, to an extent, encouraged.

We asked one of the volunteers if he could show us the planes outside (you can see the planes behind the hanger, but it is required that a volunteer accompany you). Our guide took us outside to show us around.

There is a view of the Lexington airport here. We were able to see some planes come in and take off.

Plus, we got to see the planes.

Steve, our guide, went out of his way to inform us about the planes, and some of the features on the planes. What was great was the fact that he really gave our friends 4 year old son the VIP treatment. He explained the airplanes to him, AND let him stand on the wings for some photos! Steve explained in very easy to understand details how the planes worked. His explanations were perfect for our 4 year old friend (and for me!).

Steve was great, even giving our friend a flying copper type toy that was very appreciated.

The museum gift shop is well stocked with books and souvenirs. I picked up my usual patch.

Check out their web site. I will have to attend some of their events. I know they have had astronauts, innovators, and the Doolittle Raiders reunion in the past! WOW!

http://www.aviationky.org/

Lincoln Family wedding chapel

I am still on a Fort Harrod kick. There is just so much there!

Here are a few pictures of the Lincoln Marriage Temple.

Honest Abe's parents were married in Springfield Kentucky in 1806. The chapel has been transferred to this site. A bigger building has been built around it to protect it.

It is amazing that it is still around, and still in good shape. The park allows a good amount of access to the building.

BOOK: Mammoth Cave and the Kentucky Cave Region

This is another fun "Images of America" book that is easy to reading in one sitting. In fact, I would almost consider this a fun picture book, with some interesting facts added.

I appreciate this series of books, they usually offer a good intro to a topic, and they give the most significant points to a topic.

Personally, I like a little more info in general. I like a detailed history.

Then again, sometimes you read a book, and you feel overwhelmed with facts, figures, stats, and technical information.

This book gave a great overview of the main facts of the cave and area. The cave wars, Floyd Collins, tourism, and mummies found in the cave are all covered here. If you know all about those facts of the cave don't worry. There are some photos here you have likely not seen before.

I learned some stuff too. I was totally unaware that some of the early tour guides might give signed postcards to those on the tour! I think that is a neat idea!

I love reading about the early tourism. Now, if I want to see the natural wonder, I can just hop in my car, go there, take a tour, and be back home in a day. Heck, I could probably visit Big Mike's and even take in a Hot Rods game in that day trip! Travelers just a few decades ago did not have the luxuries we have now when it came to transportation. Simply getting to the cave might be an adventure.

Osage Orange Tree- Old Fort Harrod, KY.

According to the Old Fort Harrod web site, this tree is taller and broader than the national champion, but it cannot claim the national champion title because of it's split trunk. The tree is in the park area, and it is between the Fort structure and the Mansion Museum in the Old Fort Harrod Park.

Old Fort Harrod State Park, Kentucky

Old Fort Harrod might be a new favorite day trip for me. This place is very cool, and I am already looking forward to my next trip there!

The Fort itself is a reconstruction of the original 1st settlement in Kentucky (the original settlement was established in 1774). They have done a great job on the replica site.

It looks like what you would expect an old fort/settlement to look like. It is gated, with animals, and houses on the inside.

They give you a map when you buy your ticket explaining the rooms, relics, etc. The original fort was built around a spring, and there is a spring here!

The person in the gift shop told me that the original fort was located across the road, where a parking lot for the park is located now.


That is just the start of this park. There are several other things here that are worth a separate entry on their own. All of the attractions are within walking distance of each other!


The oldest cemetery in the state is in the park area. There is a very large Federal Monument on the property that honors Kentucky Pioneers

The affordable ticket into the Fort includes a admission to the Mansion Museum. We had a lot of fun in the museum too! They have SEVERAL hand written items from Abe Lincoln. Many historic artifacts, letters, and musical instruments stood out to me. A piece of a tree with "DB" is on display from an area where Daniel Boone spent a lot of time. The museum house itself is a spectacle, and all of the A list type museum items are icing on the cake. This is not a museum to be missed.

In the park area is the church where Lincoln's parents were married. More on that one later, but they have built another building around it to protect it!

http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/recparks/fh/

Harrodsburg has an a great downtown area with some fun shops and places to eat.

The Fort's namesake, James Harrod is an interesting and mysterious character too. He kind of disappears from the pages of history. In fact, I am trying to research him a bit right now, and I simply cannot find enough information on him!

June 19th and 20th the park will be hosting the Fort Harrod Settlement and Raid. I will have to make a note of this, because it looks great.

Book: "The Golden Lamb" by Hazel Spencer Phillips

I don't know how common this book is, but since I posted about the Golden Lamb I thought I should mention this recent find.

My copy is a second printing from 1958, and appears to be signed by the author. I picked it up some time ago.

It gives a history of the tavern and it is about 50 pages long.

If you are not familiar with the Golden Lamb, and you don't care about historic B&Bs, this book would be very uninteresting.

I love the Golden Lamb, and I really love the idea of finding a 50 plus year old book about it. Even then the Golden Lamb had a lot of history too it and it is pure joy reading about it from a late 50s perspective!

Golden Lamb Lebanon, Ohio

I really love the Golden Lamb in Lebanon Ohio. Its just a little north of Cincinnati. I have had the opportunity to go there several times. For those of you that like something a little old and spooky in October, this place is perfect. In fact, it is pretty nice any time of the year.

The Golden Lamb is, by some reports "haunted". I don't know if I can vouch for that, but it does have that kind of vibe. I spent a couple of nights there and I felt safe. In fact, our waitress in the restaurant told me that I was staying in one of the rooms that really creeps her out, but nothing at all happened.

The Golden Lamb is the oldest B&B in Ohio. It was established in 1803 and it feels its age. The floors do creek a bit, but that just adds to the place's charm.

The front restaurant is very nice and upscale. It reminds me of the Boone Tavern Hotel Restaurant in Berea Kentucky, another favorite. The Blackhorse Tavern (towards the side entrance of the hotel) is not as formal, and has bar food. Both places have a great selection, and everything tastes good. Don't be scared off by the tavern. It is very comfortable. Though the menu may look basic, the food is flawless. I have honestly had some of the best soup sandwich and salad meals ever here.

The town is really cozy too. There are some fun shops all around. Staying at the Golden Lamb in Lebanon would be a nice weekend getaway for anyone in Kentucky.

I think I have mentioned before that we were here over their Apple Fest weekend some time ago and we had a blast! We thought it might be a small event, with a few hundred people and maybe 20 vendors selling apples. We were wrong! It was a massive event, with thousands there, selling everything!

The Golden Lamb also reminds me of a movie set. If someone wanted to make a movie about an old, historic, but slightly mysterious (haunted) inn, they would not need to build it on a sound stage, they could simply go a little north of Cincinnati and find the Golden Lamb!

goldenlamb.com

Frankfort Kentucky- Poor Richard's Books & Kentucky Coffee Tree Cafe

I thought I should put up a note about Poor Richard's Books, and Kentucky Coffee Tree Cafe in Frankfort. The two stores are physically connected, which is perfect.

Poor Richard's is the last of a dying breed of book store styles. It is nice, calm cozy and just a great place to browse for books. I noticed a great section of local interest books.

They have a great upstairs attic section, packed with cases full of old books.

The staff is very casual. Signs do direct you upstairs, but you feel a bit intrusive. No staff followed us up there, and there are comfy chairs in front a huge window with a great view of part of the town. The upstairs section does feel like an old attic. It is the perfect setting for searching out old books.

The coffee shop right next door (you don't even have to walk outside to get to it) was perfect. Stocked with more books, and a stage area for concerts, it had a cool vibe.

Plus, I had the regular coffee, and it was perfect. You know how sometimes coffee just isn't right? I did not have a problem here. I had several cups too (I got a bottomless cup) and every cup was perfect. It was fresh and made correctly. If you drink a lot of coffee, you know what I am talking about.

Frankfort is a great, and justifiable day trip from almost anywhere in the state. In fact, I am kind of looking forward to my next Saturday that I can spend in Frankfort. If you like looking for books and drinking coffee, you could spend a great relaxing day at these two shops.

http://www.kentuckycoffeetree.com/

http://poorrichards.booksense.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

Frankfort Kentucky- Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Frankfort is a bit of an underrated treasure. There is a lot going on there, and I think many people really aren't aware of it.

I remember being in elementary school and coloring a picture or the floral clock. I really thought, not really knowing much about it, that there must be visitors there around the clock.

I figured the state capital must always be busy. There must be a ton of traffic all over the area!

Well, if you have been to the capital, you know that my young assumptions were wrong. Totally wrong. The city is as fast paced as a turtle.

Thats OK though. Frankly, I enjoy things moving a little slower, and being a bit more casual. In Frankfort, it is easy to access the landmarks, and to get a good view of everything. Oh, and there is no reason to concern yourself with traffic.

On a visit recently, my dad, a Vietnam veteran, asked that we visit the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Check out their site:

http://www.kyvietnammemorial.net

The Memorial is a large sundial. There are 1100 names of Kentuckians who sacrificed everything serving their country. The sundial is designed so that the shadow from the dial touches the name of the soldier on the anniversary of his death. When I was there, I did a rubbing of the name of one of my dad's best friends, as I am named after him.

Down the road a bit from the Memorial is a very nice nature preserve too! Most might pass this up on their way to the Louisville Zoo, but it is sure worth a stop, as it has a less exotic, more regional feel than the zoo.