Saturday, May 24, 2008

Bardstown, KY

Arrived around noon.  A quaint little town.  Had lunch and headed for the Maker's Mark distillary.  Nice little tour that ended with a tasting.

Sunday morning we visited the Rowen estate which was the inspiration for Foster's My Old Kentucky Home.  Drove through Throughbred country and headed for Sharon, PA

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Magnolia Blossom Festival

Sunday: We bought and planted azaleas.
Monday: Wayne spread mulch.
Tuesday: Wayne put in a ceiling fan.  Took Mom to have her hair done.
Kindergarten graduation.  Wednesday: Dorothy came and brought okra, peas, etc.  We had a nice supper. I toured Columbia Lake with John Ed.
Thursday: left for Kentucky

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Helena, AR

The poor town is almost dead.  Ate at Oliver's and then stayed in.  Took a quick tour of the cemetary before we left on Friday.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Walkin' in Memphis

Arrived at Peabody and immediately went to Rendezvous for ribs and beer.

Wed went to the Gibson Factory for a tour and a Riverboat Cruise on the Mississippi.

Toured the set ups for the BBQ festival...left early for Helena.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Nashville Cats

Friday arrived around 2 and walked the downtown district.  Had a great BBQ sandwich on a roof.  The sun and weather are terrific.  Went to Ryman Aud and bought tickets for Jon Stewart.  What a hoot.  He was so funny.  Ate at the Merchant's Grill.  Great ravioli.

Saturday went to The Hermitage and did laundry.  That night went to the Opry Land Hotel for a TERRIBLE sandwich and to the Grand Ole Opry. Saw Carrie Underwood, Vince Gil, Mel Tillis among many.

Sunday went to Parthenon and Blue Bird Cafe.  The music at the cafe was by about 8 songwriters...great.

Monday went to Franklin to the Carter and Carnton homes.  That night went downtown for food and music at the Wild Horse Saloon.

Tuesday:  Went to Shiloh on the way to Memphis.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Townsend Richmont Inn

In the morning toured downtown Jonesboro then left for Townsend.  Found the B&B late in the afternoon and drove through Cades Cove. Saw 2 black bear and 2 cubs, turkey, and deer.   Ate at the River BBQ

Tuesday we went  back to Cades Cove and hiked to Abrams Falls.  Whew. That took about 5 hours.  THEN we went up Clingman's Dome and almost killed ourselves hiking up 332 feet in 1/2 hour.  But the sites were glorious, a 360 of 5 states.

Tuesday night ate in Gatlinburg at a BBQ place.

Wed we shopped in Gatlinburg and bought some pottery and wooden bowl.  We ate at the local steak house.

Thursday we took another ride through Cades Cove...came back to the room and read.  Went to the Back Porch to eat and found ourselves entertained by Bill Middleton. He was a great singer.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Jonesboro, TN

Morning: toured Appomattox historical grounds.  Long drive to Jonesborough afternoon.

Sat on B&B porch, read at night.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Appomattox, VA

Met Adam, et al at Georgetown for breakfast.  Drove to Appomattox.

Stayed at Longacre B&B.  The Kentucky Derby was running when we arrived.  We watched for a while with other guests.  Then ate in the room from Subway.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Washington, D.C.

We are staying at the Lombardy Hotel, which is on Pennsylvania Ave and just a block from the White House.  Adam got us tickets to the Kennedy Center to hear the National Symphony play Copland. There were readings about Copland's life and from Lincoln's writings.

During the day went to the American Art Museum and saw a great exhibit on Avant Garde jewelry.

On Friday we saw a Butterfly Exhibit at the Natural History Museum.  Then visited the new Newseum.