Kentucky

Kentucky November 1

Next on our journey is the Bourbon Trail and other sights in the state of Kentucky.

crossing at Cincinnati into Kentucky

This has long been on my list of destinations for not only the cultural and historical locations but also the fact that my ancestors were from western Kentucky, and I wanted to go to the area where my grandfather was born and raised. Part of the plan is to meet with my cousin Casey and head over to visit the area outside the small town of Sebree to take a look around. But first there are other things to see and do.

We reserved a site in Bardstown at My Old Kentucky Home State Park. The park is located on the grounds of the home immortalized by songwriter Steven Foster, in the heart of Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail. The vast majority of the bourbon is made in this area with many distilleries offering tours.

CJ surveying the campsite

Our first day had us setup camp then go for a short drive to see the immediate area. Heaven Hill distillery is only a half a mile down the road with Willet’s a half a mile beyond that. We planned to make a stop at Heaven Hill later on in the week.

The town of Bardstown is a mile in the other direction and offers a Civil War museum, historic Talbott’s Tavern (check it out to see all the  famous people who stopped there and where we had a fun dinner)and Abraham Lincoln's childhood home not half an hour away.

Talbott's Tavern -famous people have stopped here

 Getting the local scoop is always appreciated on what to see and where to eat and in this case, cousin Casey suggested some great places- Keeneland Racetrack, Woodford Distillery, Historic Midway, the Kentucky Scenic Byway to Frankfort - were all acted upon and greatly enjoyed.
We started by setting an alarm for the first time in months and making the one hour drive back East to Keeneland Racetrack . (Built in the 1930’s, This track provided the location for the movies Seabiscuit and Secretariat). Very cool. We arrived in time for the 8:30 tour of the track and fortunately they were exercising numerous horses while we were there. 

Horse and Jockeys enter track thru this rubber floored tunnel

Grandstand and Winners Circle

Horse workout

Then on the way to historic Midland, a drive through the beautiful Kentucky horse farm area on the Kentucky Scenic Byway to Woodford Distillery.

Kentucky horse country

scenic drive towards Frankfort

Woodford Reserve is a smaller distillery with a very nice tour and sample tasting at its conclusion. (as we are going to visit 4-5 distilleries, I'll include sample pics from each)

mash cooking in 7500 gal Cyprus tanks

tasting room at Woodford - well done

Leaving Woodford around 2PM , we had enough time to continue on to Frankfort, state capital, and Buffalo Trace distillery. This distillery is the oldest continuously operation distillery in the country on is on the National Historic Register. Another fine tour and tasting was enjoyed here. It should be noted that all tours included some overlap of information and some unique info as well.

National Historic Site

The next day we scaled back a bit and drove around the corner (literally) to Federal Hill mansion, more often known as My Old Kentucky Home. Stephen Foster wrote of this site after his visit here.

My Old Kentucky Home - Federal Hill

Being a history buff, next was a 25 mile hop over to Knob Creek NHS and site of the childhood home of Abraham Lincoln. Little has changed since his time there. The cabin is not the original one, but is actually one that Lincoln's friend lived in nearby. The Lincoln birth place is only a few miles farther down the road at Hodgenville, where there is also a National Historic Site and memorial which includes a replica of Lincoln's birthplace.

cabin at Knob Creek similar to the one Lincoln lived in

Knob Creek farm land

As mentioned above, there are numerous distilleries in the area, each one unique and worth the visit. Our goal was not to see them all, but a sampling based on preference, site location and weather (as tours take you outside between buildings). Markers Mark, only 15 or so miles away offers a nice tour and at this time is in its final days of displaying some fabulous blown glass artwork by Chihuly.

one of several Chihuly pieces on display

With one of the larger distilleries in sight from our RV, we would have been remiss in not visiting Heaven Hill. Just a half a mile away from MOKHSP campground, it offers a very nice tour and tasting experience. We went over there as our trip was drawing to a close and ended the visit with the purchase of a bourbon Twinkie! ( a bit different for sure, but we ate it anyway)

each rick house has tens of thousands of 53 gallon barrels aging in them

Heaven Hill rick house-stores 50,000 53 gallon barrels of whiskey being aged

The trip to my grandfather's boyhood town, Sebree, (he was a farm kid living a few miles outside of it) was on for Monday. I traveled to Owensboro to meet up with my cousin Casey and we then proceeded to Sebree. (after having some awesome BBQ at the Sticky Pig ). Sebree hasn't changed a whole lot in the 100+ years since grandfather moved away, at least the downtown area. I checked out a few places the he and his family would have gone to, including the bank and drug store.

1890 vintage bank in Sebree. Original teller windows inside

We then cruised the general area where the family farm was located ( house no longer stands) and wrapped things up over at the Shady Grove Cemetery where many ancestors are buried. While there we did find a few headstones of ancestors while the sun was rapidly setting. We headed back to Owensboro where my cousin Amy, Casey's sister, joined us at Casey and Kristin's house for a long overdue family chat and info session. Casey graciously provided adult beverages, including a taste of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon - smooooth! )

Our last day was spent doing the daily things like going to the Laundromat, putting things away for moving down the road to the next site and reviewing travel routes. Last item on the list - Hurst Drug Store Soda Fountain in Bardstown!

yummy!!!

nice soda fountain inside

The day was done and travel tasks begun. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here!

Hope you enjoyed this

Cooper and CJ