Big Kentucky Fun

Robert left for Iowa yesterday.

He'll work there thru August while I stay in Kentucky for

Dad's back surgery and recovery.

Before he left we visited a few places in

The Bluegrass State.

 

Sand Cave, Mammoth Springs National Park

In the early 20th century, Floyd Collins spent ten years exploring the Flint Ridge Cave System (the most important legacy of these explorations was the discovery of Floyd Collins' Crystal Cave and exploration in Salts cave) before dying at Sand Cave, Kentucky, in 1925. While exploring Sand Cave, he dislodged a rock onto his leg while in a tight crawlway and was unable to free himself. Attempts to rescue Collins created a media sensation: the resulting publicity would draw prominent Kentuckians to initiate a movement which would soon result in the formation of Mammoth Cave National Park.

  Cave Entrance

Cave Trail

  Tranquility

Although this was a beautiful trail, it was a bit eerie knowing 

Mr. Collins died here. 

No, I didn’t feel or hear anything spooky but I did look over my shoulder a couple of times…

Wait…did you hear that??

 

The Shaker Museum at South Union

The Shakers in America lived a communal life based on common ownership of property and goods, celibate purity, and confession of sins. The Shakers did not believe in procreation and therefore had to adopt children or allow converts into their community. Besides leading a simple but comfortably self-sufficient existence from the fruits of their land, the Shakers came to be known for their architecture, crafts, and furniture.

I’m sure you’ve seen this style of furniture.

and sat in a chair like this…(I need a chair pad please) 

Excuse me, but do y’all have any pillowtop mattresses???

Gosh, where’s the part about not playing “Seafood…See food…?”

please tell me y’all played that~

 

http://www.shakermuseum.com/

 

Jefferson Davis Monument, Fairview, Kentucky

First (and only) President of The Confederate States

http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/histparks/jd/

Photo taken from the top of the monument overlooking Davis’ birthplace, now marked by the church.

 

351 feet tall

Well folks, that’s it for Big Kentucky Fun…

I’m sure I’ve bored you out of your minds and I just can’t think of anything goofy to say today.

I’ll try to capture some crazy pics for tomorrow’s post

but for now I’ll leave you with

 

“Lil Fattie, eater of peanuts

can be found in Noble Park

waiting for the humans to throw him his daily requirement of salted delicacies.

Blessings Y’all!

Thanks for stoppin’ by!

Quilt City, USA ~ Paducah, KY

We’re visiting my parents in the charming city of Paducah, KY.  Here are a few reasons  you should include Paducah in your travels.

The City of Paducah is located about halfway between St. Louis, Missouri and Nashville, Tennessee at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. Paducah is often called the Four-Rivers Area due to the proximity of the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, and Mississippi Rivers.

http://www.paducah.travel/

~ It is the home of the Museum of the American Quilter's Society, the Paducah Railroad Museum, the River Heritage Museum and much more.~

If you’re a quilter, this is a MUST SEE!

   Simply Stunning!          

http://www.quiltingpathways.com/paducah/city.html

 

 

Now, if you’re ready for something to take your breath away

(paramedics are standing by)  check this out!

These hand painted MURALS span several blocks along the Ohio River floodwall and depict the history of Western Kentucky. 

It's worth a visit just to see these beautiful murals!

 

 

 

 

 

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  These are works of ART and I don’t mean “paint by number!”

 

The "Wall to Wall" murals are by muralist Robert Dafford.  The murals have been painted over 11 years by Robert Dafford and a team of artists who work with him.

We were lucky enough to watch the painter in action. He was really nice!

 

~My personal favorite~

…because of the man painted into the bottom right corner, “walking” along the curb.

 

Be sure to circle Paducah on your roadmap.

It’s a MUST-SEE!

Blessings Y’all, Kathy

Giant Step

Last Sunday more than 150 friends, family members and strangers gathered at our house for

THE AUCTION!

After months of sorting and weeks of packing, all our possessions were scattered across the yard.

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Hey you, yea you…You’re sittin’ in MY rocker!

THE AUCTION was a huge success and it did NOT rain, although storm clouds gathered.

(Mom made sure God knew how grateful we would be if the rain held off…He must have heard her requests…)

We’re so grateful for the many friends that chose to stand for hours in intense heat to show their support and love for us.

A special thanks to my wonderful parents

who drove for hours just to help us.

Above: WONDERFUL PARENTS

Now it’s late in the afternoon. The sun’s rays cast shadows thru the tall pines, a soft breeze whispers thru the empty porch and all is quiet.

The sounds of the bidders buzzing around as they search for treasures and fast talkin’ auctioneers have been replaced by sweet birdsongs and the soft hum of the resident hummingbirds.

This moment is bittersweet. Sadness in saying goodbye to precious friends and to our “Little Piece of Heaven in the Woods”, yet jubilation that we’ve taken another GIANT step toward our new adventure. When I climb into Pepe’ our ‘lil grey mule, with camera in hand, my spirit leaps with excitement!

Oh, the places we’ll go…the people we’ll meet…the sites we’ll see…the time we’ll have to learn new things like…

10 Penny and my new BANJO!

How incredibly blessed we are to have the opportunity to say, “Yes!” to this rewarding lifestyle!

Watch out road, here we come!

Blessings Y'all!

will someone pinch me?

Will someone  please tell me that it’s NOT crazy to put all your stuff

in your front yard

and let people that you know and don’t know choose and buy what they want to take home with them? 

I know, I know, it’s just stuff I don’t really need anyway…

Really, who needs 5 pie plates?

(Uh, someone who MAKES pies?)

 

Breaking news!

Robert’s truck has been named…

PePe’, The ‘Lil Grey Mule

(Not PeePee but Pep ae)

Appropriate for an ‘ol hillbilly huh!

(Mark you know Robert all too well!)

 

I can think of another name …Heehee

 

Enjoyed lunch today with great friends who PROMISE to comment on this BLOG

EVERYDAY!

Someone save me from social withdrawal…

You know who you are…

 

 

Even though this has been gut wrenching work, we just can’t wait to start our new adventures on the road.  We’ll miss our wonderful friends here but we’re so excited about making new friends along the way and spending more time with our crazy family.  With parents in Kentucky, a son in Texas, a daughter in Florida and a son in Missouri we’ll keep the tires hot!

 

 

 

Matthew 6:19-20 (NIV)  Treasures in Heaven

¹⁹"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Blessings Y’all!

Robert’s New Toy

THE NEVERENDING LIST

    will we ever get this all done?

Seems like for every one I cross off I add two more.  AAARRRGGGHHH!

So, the NEXT BIG STEP  was to buy the pickup.  For months, Robert had researched, talked to full-timers, and visited forums trying to decide which one to buy. A dealership two hours away had the one he wanted so we MOSEYED is that a word?  on down to Arkansas to make the big purchase. I did snap a few photos along the way in Cave City, Home of the Sweetest Watermelons, including this one of the largest watermelon I had ever seen! hmmmmm…. (puzzled look on my face)

 

      REALLY…it’s not real…did you already have that figured out?

 

AND NOW MEET  DRUM ROLL PLEASE…

.

 .

 .

 

 Robert’s New Toy

2008 Silverado 3500 Duramax

What do you think we should name it? It’s Gunmetal Grey Metallic

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Next thing on the list?  let’s see…

finish packing, clean the frig, take the dog to the vet, organize the storage boxes,

and

CHOOSE A FIFTH WHEEL!

stayed tuned…

Blessings Y’all!

Nitty Gritty

Well, we’re down to the NITTY GRITTY! (and I don’t mean the Dirt Band!)

Bittersweet farewell...Said goodbye to friends at church Sunday morning but encouraged everyone to follow our blog so we can stay in touch. (I think I'm having socialization withdrawal) I'll miss y'all but also excited about the new friends God will place along the way.

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Sold the Highlander Boohoo…I loved that vehicle!

 

~~~Changed our address/Bought a mail-forwarding service~~~

We have a seriously interested buyer in the house Yay!

 A dear friend of ours surprised us by spreading gravel on the driveway

~~~the recent downpours had created ruts…I hate ruts… and it was sooooooooooooo bumpy!~~~

Thanks Mark!  You’re the greatest!!

 

     We DID NOT have an argument (surprise-surprise) 

AND…

I think I’ve lost my marbles...

                     If anyone finds them, please contact me immediately

Buying the truck tomorrow. ARE WE CRAZY????????? 

YES! but we just can’t wait to get on the ROAD!

Blessings Y’all!