2019
A coach trip requires that the tour find things to do while getting to a from their destination. In this case, we took a trip to Tennessee to visit Pigeon Forge and the great Smoky Mountains. On our way there we stayed in Kentucky at the historic Boone Tavern Hotel where we had a wonderful dinner while being entertained by a delightful group singing bluegrass tunes while playing fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bass.
On our return from Tennessee, we visited a Bourbon Distillery (a must while in Kentucky), and Churchel Downs where we were treated to a tour of the process that the horse owners go through to prepare their horses for major races.
We also visited the Kentucky Horse Park where well known racing horses retire and later buried.
(More about the trip on the Tennessee Page)
2015 
Now retired, Ramona and I chose to take a few days and drive to Kentucky where we could visit Bourbon Distilleries and see why horses are such a big thing in that state. We visited the famous Woodward Distillery where we toured their plant and sampled their bourbon and – of course – bought some bottles of their Double Oak Bourbon, their finest and not available for sale in our state of Minnesota. It cost way too much and I would buy again any chance I get.
But – our trip was not all alcohol. We also visited ranches where racing horses are breaded, studded, retired, and where we could ride them ourselves. We also visited a museum where we saw the historical evolution of the horse and learned about the different breeds of these fine animals.
1998
My son Tom, his wife Laurie, and their new son Kyle, lived in North Carolina at this time. Tom was working toward and getting his doctorate there. Ramona, our youngest daughter Sarah, and I chose to take a rode trip there to visit and see our new grandson. On the way we chose to book a room at the wonderful Lodge that we had visited many years ago. Again we enjoyed our surroundings, ate more wonderful meals at our memorable restaurant, and took advantage of walking more of the area than we had before
1978
Our first experience visiting Kentucky; was while traveling by car to visit Disney World in Florida. We chanced upon a campground in the beautiful Cumberland Falls State park. After setting camp, having a nice dinner we made using our provided fire pit, and then retiring to our cramped tent, Ramona and I rose early the next morning to walk the area while our children, who liked to sleep in – slept in. We stumbled across an attractive stone and log building, a lodge that beckoned us to enter and investigate its interior. In back, overlooking the majestic Cumberland River and in view of its massive water Falls, was a restaurant displaying a tempting array of breakfast foods along its buffet. We could not pass this up. The food was great. The coffee was incredible, and the view from our table was incredible. Not only did we see water falls and wonderful landscape, we saw many birds and animals enjoying this space just beyond our window. The lodge has numerous bird feeders and feed areas that attract a nice array of animals.
Having neglected our children much to long, we arrived back at camp to find them busily cooking breakfast. We gave them our share as well. It was hard to leave this place.