To St. Louis to Louisville, KY, to Nashville, TN, to Thomasville, Ga & Home
Leaving Omaha it was a long day’s drive to St. Louis, Missouri, where we spent the night at the Hyatt Regency by the St. Louis Arch. St. Louis is relevant to us as we spent a few days of our honeymoon there, along with Lake of the Ozarks and Las Vegas. As those are somewhat unlikely places to spend a honeymoon, they make more sense when you know that the company had a convention at Lake of the Ozarks just after Steve and I got married. Being young and less than affluent, we incorporated the company convention into our honeymoon.
Carmine’s was the choice of restaurants for dinner. I, being the lucky one, had the most delicious filet mignon that I have had in a long time. Steve, opting for a healthy dinner and the unlucky one, was served an almost lukewarm fish (it was closer to cold than warm). Since you all know Steve, you know how happy he was about that, but, he was gracious, and, his fish was replaced with a hot one, along with profuse apologies. Following dinner we walked back to the hotel, and, I got the following picture of the Arch. For those of you who have not taken the ride to the top of the Arch, it is both exciting and claustrophobic (and worth it). Having done it previously, once was enough!
From St. Louis it was on to Louisville, Kentucky, to explore the “bourbon trail.” We stayed in a wonderful historic hotel in downtown Louisville, The Brown Hotel. Our first order of business, however, was to visit the Willett Distillery near Bardstown, KY, where Steve made his initial bourbon purchases (there were more to come). I opted for the bourbon chocolate and chocolate fudge sauces.
We were truly impressed with the Kentucky landscape. It was rolling hills with lots of green trees. The distilleries were located in beautiful settings. There were beautiful homes with lots of surrounding countryside. And, of course, there were horses.
The next morning we were off to the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Never would we have guessed that the distilleries would be so popular with Buffalo Trace being one of the most popular. This was one of Steve’s priority distilleries, so, even, though we had to wait in line for over an hour, we waited. Actually, I stood in line while he sat in a chair in the shade, but, after all I have subjected him to during our travels over the years, it was a small price to pay. With his purchases there completed, it was on to the Woodford Reserve Distillery, which, thankfully, did not have a line.
Almost always, sometime during our longer trips there is a point that I just want a short break from handling all the arrangements. Steve seems to have a sixth sense when that time arrives and takes over, handling the next detail. On this trip it was dinner plans that evening. He researched, called and made reservations and got us to a very good (and popular) restaurant in Louisville called Volare. This time we both had an excellent meal!
From bourbon and horse country to country music country and Nashville, Tennessee. Again, we stayed at a downtown hotel (Hyatt House on Broadway) as I wanted to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. I am a serious country music fan! We spent several hours at the museum, and, I could have spent several more hours there (Steve actually enjoyed it, too).
Following our visit we returned to our hotel to meet another long-time friend and his wife with whom Steve had worked with in Omaha. We chatted for several hours, catching up with our lives. Then, Steve and I headed out to Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Bar for dinner with the bar definitely being interesting.
And, then, after a fairly long day’s drive, we had one more night away, this time in Thomasville, Georgia. We had stayed in Thomasville on our Georgia trip a few years ago and found the town to be charming. They added a new Marriott Courtyard, which was really nice and made the stay even better. We again enjoyed dinner at the Chop House on the Bricks, where we had dined previously, and, had an excellent meal. Then it was off the next morning for our final day of driving to Naples.
From the time we left Naples to our return, we drove 13,000 miles. We both immensely enjoyed this trip and loved catching up with friends we had not seen in years. However, we decided that this was a one-time trip. . .from now on, we’re flying.
Fun, Fun, Fun! My Mom and Dad lived in Bardstown when Jilly was born. He had taken a job as an OBGYN for the hospital there, and they both loved the area. I visited many times in the 8 years he was there and truly learned to love KY. They weren’t far from where Jim Beam is made and we could smell it on occasion! Mom and I would go to Louisville to the ballet and they had many fine restaurants there at the time. We went to the “My Old KY Home” outdoor concert once as well and I love Churchill Downs! Many fond memories. My Mom also had two horses at the time that she moved from Massachusetts, so much riding was done as well! Thanks for the memories that are flooding back!
We were a little surprised at how much we liked Kentucky! We definitely want to go back and spend more time in the countryside and visit some of the smaller boutique distilleries as they all seem to be in such picturesque areas.
Welcome home! You will both need a good rest. Thanks again for the journal. I really enjoyed reading it. Caroline
Thanks, Caroline! Coming home means unpacking and lots of mail, but, we are still happy to be home!
Welcome home! You will both need a good rest. Thanks again for the journal. I really enjoyed reading it. Caroline
Sorry to see your commentaries end, but completely understand. As they say, ‘All good things must come to an end’. Who ever said that must not know that good things should never end. Well, I guess we need to stop to rest.
As always, enjoyed the details in your story and the wonderful pictures to make it come alive. I would have enjoyed this leg of the 13,000 mile trip with you.
I didn’t realize you (Donna) liked country music. That’s all that Lisa listens to.
Welcome back home.
Thank you, Jerry! My father was a country music listener, and, I absolutely hated it when I was young! However, I guess all the exposure “tuned me in” to it, and, I listent to it lots, although it is not Steve’s favorite!
Thank you also for your comments along the way, much appreciated!
Thank you so much for sharing your cross country experience. You know the United States better than many of our fellow citizens and inspire us with your travel stories and stamina!
Looking forward to hearing more about your future trips already!
Thank you, Maria! The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know about this country! Steve and I both that this trip did take some stamina, and, we were definitely ready to be home in spite of the fact that we would have loved more time in Kentucky and Nashville.
Thank you so much for sharing your cross country experience. You know the United States better than many of our fellow citizens and inspire us with your travel stories and stamina!
Looking forward to hearing more about your future trips already!
You look great and you both survived.
Hopefully Europe awaits! Wishing you health and many more journeys.💓
Thanks, Kathy! Although we loved the trip, we were really ready to be home. As might not surprise you, I am already thinking of the next trip (Asheville in December) and the trip after that, which will be Malta and some of Europe!
Thank you for always making our Tacoma time fun!!
I hope that you and Steve are taking time for some much needed rest!
We will be back in town on Monday.
Donna, I want to thank you for taking all of the time that you do to create your wonderful posts and pictures!
Thank you, Esther! We were ready to be home, and, we’ll see you when you get back! But I admit I am already thinking of the next trip!
Looking forward to seeing you in Europe next year!!!
Ulla
Steve and I are both ready for a European experience!
I so enjoyed hearing about your extensive road trip. Thanks for the travelogue! Wow, 13,000 miles is a lot! We will be coming to Naples late next week but are flying.