Over the Moonbow: 19th – 23rd November
Posted on 12. Aug, 2010 by admin in What’s on
Over the Moonbow: 19th – 23rd November
Cumberland Falls, also known as the “Niagara of the South”, is one of the natural highlights of Kentucky featuring authentic lodges and stunning scenes across the hiking trails. It also happens to be the only place on the western hemisphere where you can witness a moonbow. This breathtaking natural occurrence happens by light passing from a full moon, through droplets of water, creating a silvery-white arc in the midst of the waterfall.
The Moonbow takes place from 19th to 23rd November and if you fancy more adventure, then take part in the Moonbow Trail Trek on 6th November – hikers can choose between a challenging 4.5 and 10.8 mile trek through the rugged Cumberland River Gorge.
For further details visit http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/cf/naturalist.
Breeder’s Cup World Championships in Kentucky this November!
Posted on 21. May, 2010 by admin in Uncategorized
Churchill Downs, home to the infamous Kentucky Derby, is hosting the Breeder’s Cup World Championships this year for a record seventh time. Watch the world’s best jockey’s and horses battle it out for two days in 14 championship races, recognised as the ultimate challenge of the Thoroughbred horse’s talent and ability.
Last year’s $25.5 million in total purses earned the Breeders’ Cup the title of richest prize money event in the world and this year it takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on the 5th and 6th November 2010.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE THERE?
On Horse Back: Take a tour around Lexington, the ‘Horse Capital of the World’, and visit some of the 450 Thoroughbred, working horse farms in the area. Horseback riding trails are also available including woodland trails with accommodation nearby, guided trails on horseback or wagon and riding lessons on bluegrass farmland. The Kentucky Horse Park, where the WEG is being held, also offers the perfect chance to get close to the horses with horseback riding lessons, pony rides and live horse shows throughout the summer.
Off Horse Back: Visit the Muhammad Ali Centre in Louisville, take a drive along the Bourbon Trail or sample down-home country cooking to Bourbon Cooking Schools. Take a tour of the National Corvette Museum, the largest and most comprehensive non-profit museum ever dedicated to America’s premier sports car, or explore the longest cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave.
Follow Our Road Tripper Around Kentucky
Posted on 12. Oct, 2009 by admin in News blog
Kentucky Tried?
Hi yall, I’m off to Kentucky: home of the thoroughbred racehorses and American racing, the bourbon capital of the world, the home of Muhammad Ali, the Louisville Slugger baseball bat, bluegrass music, the gateway to the South, Mammoth Caves, the biggest cave system in the US, and Cumberland Falls, the only place save for Victoria Falls where you get “moonbows”. Of vast state parks, sprawling lakes and good old southern hospitality. And yes, the home of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Colonel Sanders!
“How you doing”
The first thing that hits you about Kentucky, is the people. Friendly isn’t the word. Everyone says “hello”, or “morning”, or “hi”, or “how you doing”. They make eye contact. And when they say “have a good day”, it’s as if they mean it – none of this “have a nice day” supermarket checkout faux pleasantry, which can often translate as “Look I have to say this, otherwise I get sacked – I couldn’t really give two cents if you get mugged on the way out and your car gets totalled by a bus”.
“Yep, they’re friendly, very friendly” says Craig, a diver from Wisconsin checking out supports on one of the new river bridges. “And they mean it, it’s not like Detroit.”
I sat next to Craig on the plane from Detroit, perhaps the smallest airplane I have encountered. It figures, Lexington is one of the smallest airports I have encountered, save for the early days of Ryanair flying into one-man flying school aerodromes in suburban Oslo, Norway. On the other side of the coin, baggage pick-up, rental cars and the 10 yard walk from the plane to arrivals is a plus.
Lexington
East Main in Lexington, Kentucky
Now cute or quaint aint the word for this town, the capital of horses. Compared to much of urban America, it’s positively regal. Surrounded by undulating bluegrass fields, horse ranches and stud farms, pockmarked by old wooden barns, lined by pretty green, black or traditionally white plank fences or stone walls, all topped off by the palatial mansions of the “colonels”, the thoroughbred horse trainers and ranch owners.
The city of nearly 250,000 is brimming with Victorian townhouses, wooden arched gables, stone window ledges, clapperboard faciers, with neo-classical collonades on the leading up the covered porches; townhouses all, it’s an America I haven’t seen before. Most of the town seems to be lined with these old homes, save for a part of downtown, where the high-rise banks have sprouted, albeit for only a block or two. Banks such as the oddly named skyrise tower of the Fifth Third Ban”, which makes you wonder what happened to the first four.
Front Porches of Houses in Lexington, Kentucky
Its clear Lexington has history, as befits horse country. Pioneers came here after the Revolutionary War (the War of Independence in this Brit’s book), settling for the vast pastures and naming the town after the battle which sealed victory. The horse farms and breeders came soon afterwards.
It claims to be the Horse Capital of the World – and why not? Nearly everyone here has links to the trade, be they the marketing manager of a horse-feed firm, jockey or a trainee vet. Well, nearly everyone: in downtown Lexington, law practices abound, and it’s clear quite a few people are majoring in criminal justice or work at the nearby law firms. Perhaps there are major disputes between ranch owners (“hey, that’s my horse” … “no it’s not, it mine!” “Prove it!”)
Basketball
Don’t mention the word basketball; it’s Kentucky’s major sport and the team, UK (University of Kentucky, based in Lexington) has just lost in the quarter finals to Oklahoma). Still, they don’t seem too upset at the Sidebar grill, a funky indie-style bar serving value for money burgers and steaks on 147 North Limestone (www.sidebargrill.com). It’s $5.99 for a ground sirloin patty burger with cheddar, onion, pickle and lettuce, with fries. The bottled Kentucky Ale, a lively brew, and tasty, rocks in at 5.4%. “Yeh, don’t mention the game,” says Anna, the waitress. “It sucks.” If you want a more fancy meal, try La Deauville bistro or La La Lucy’s on East Main.
You won’t mention the game at Mia’s, either, a lively bar this Monday night. Everyone is too busy getting drunk. It’ the only bar buzzing this night on the edge of the downtown area; McCarthy’s is dead, as is Molly’s, and Cheapside, next to the being-renovated old market is quiet too. Well, it is Monday, and 10pm. so why is Mia’s throbbing? Karaoke. or, to be precise, gay and lesbian karaoke.
You do know it’s a gay and lesbian bar, ask Brian? I kinda figured, a casual glance of the student clientele and the karaoke playlist gave it away (Neil Diamond, for your future reference). And who else, on a Monday night, before the start of the annual spring race meet at nearby Keeneland racetrack, would be whooping it up on a Monday night.
Oh, my God, I just love your accent….
Kentucky doesn’t get many visitors from across the pond (well, not just across the pond – across the Appalachians, and West Virginia, then Virgina, and then the pond). You can tell, ‘cos when you speak, many people look, well, if not exactly awestruck, at least phazed or non-plussed. “Oh-my-God, I just love your accent!” You can never tire of that phrase. I might even get a t-shirt saying it. I was gonna get a T-shirt with the design I Heart Kentucky, in the same design as HK or NY, but with KY being the abbreviation, well, perhaps not.
- Gratz Park Inn in Kentucky
The Gratz Park Inn
I’m staying at the Gratz Park Inn (http://www.gratzparkinn.com/photoGallery.html), a converted old Victorian mansion home in deep downtown, a refurbished grand Victorian property with a classical piano taking pride of place in the lounge/reception. The bedroom is vast, dominated by perhaps the comfiest double-poster bed I have slept in. After the missed connection at Detroit, I need some shuteye. A lush four-poster bed kinda helps.
DAY TWO
Come on, when in America, it’s best to track down some little corner of Americana, which is kinda hard to find in refined, Victorian Lexington. Take one step forward, the Parkette, a fabled old 50s drive-in diner just off the junction to Winchester. Hidden in a sea of drive-in shops, motor malls, fast-food joints and other assembled anomalies, sits the Parkette. The huge towering sign shouts Shrimp boxes and fried chicken.
Sign outside Parkette
You simply pull in, drive up to a bay with a speaker and menu and order, the waitress will then come deliver. Sounds simple, but it aint – for starter, you have to make sure you park driver-side next to the meNu and ordering machine. Secondly, you have to make sure that particular bay machine works. On the third attempt, my face as red as burger ketchup, I succeed.
Gloria rolls out with my “poorboy”, a $2.99 Big Mac double beef ground sirloin, with red onion, tomato, special Parkette sauce and mustard and pickle. It’s not bad for $2.99, redolent of a Big Mac, but less processed, which kinda figures, cos apparently, the Parkette used to be an original McDonald’s. Hee they offer shrimpbozes, tender shrimp, deep fried, or chicken, deep fried, apparently it’s famous, it’s deep fried in lard.
Parkette Owners
Nowadays, the Parkette host 50s retro nights, where, I guess, people in long ra-ra skirts bobby socks, ponytails and pluco-quiffed guys in baseball jackets re-enact the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies in their old cadillacs.
Photo of Yellow Plymouth Duster
Next up, the drive to Louisville, through Georgetown, Frankfort and Shelbyville …
(“Oooh, there’s a cow!)
Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum
Posted on 12. Oct, 2009 by admin in Places to visit
Located at Gate 1 of historic Churchill Downs, the Museum presents the traditions and excitement of the “greatest two minutes in sports.” Highlights include 2 floors of interactive, horse racing-related exhibits, a 360-degree high-definition video presentation and a walking tour of Churchill Downs. On the first Saturday in May, the sports world’s spotlight shines on Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, known as the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.”
The World’s Biggest Beatles-Inspired Festival – Ever!
Posted on 12. Oct, 2009 by admin in What’s on
It’s Louisville, not Liverpool, which hosts the World’s Largest Beatles-Inspired Music Festival.
Performing in Louisville
Held from May 27th to 31st 2010, Abbey Road on the River comes to the Kentucky city of Louisville, also famous for the Kentucky Derby and Muhammad Ali.
Join 50,000 other Beatles aficionados at this five day festival of everything ‘Fab Four’, including 50 of the best international tribute bands. Other acts include Hal Bruce and the Hard Dazed Knights performing all 214 Beatles songs and in the order they were originally released – a feat no other artist has accomplished. Food and drink are available throughout, and festival goers can even participate in the biggest Beatles song singing contest ever, free guitar lessons and a ‘Summer of Love Day’.
A Five-Day Best ticket costs from £132 per person and includes all outdoor shows, a Single-Day Best ticket costs from £43 per person. Book now at www.abbeyroadontheriver.com, for a Louisville equivalent of the ‘Summer of Love’.
Kentucky Films
Posted on 12. Oct, 2009 by admin in Highlights
Kentucky has been been captured many times in the movies, on both the small and big screen.Most notably the scenes in Seabiscuit, the film about perhaps America’s most celebrated racehorse ever.
And don’t forget the Bond film, Goldfinger, where the baddies steal the gold from Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Fabled BBC traveller and ex-Python, Michael Palin, visited Burlington, Kentucky, in his classic documenatry Around the World in 80 Days.
In all, Kentucky has featured in 365 films, one for almost every day of the year. Here’s some of the more notable titles:
Elizabethtown
Demolition Man
Fahrenheit 9/11
How the West Was Won
Lost in Yonkers
The Asphalt Jungle
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Posted on 12. Oct, 2009 by admin in Highlights
Discover the rich history and proud tradition of America’s official native spirit on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which showcases eight signature distilleries along a scenic drive through the rolling Bluegrass hills.
You’ll experience the time-honored process of making fine bourbon, and learn why only Kentucky has the perfect natural mix of conditions and climate for producing the best.
For further details visit http://kentuckytourism.com/thingstodo/bourbon.htm.
Bluegrass Kentucky
Posted on 12. Oct, 2009 by admin in Highlights
Kentucky is as home to the rolling bluegrass hills as the footstomping bluegrass beat, a kissing cousin of country music with roots easily identified in old-style English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish folk and even west African music.
Sound kinda odd? Well then let the founding father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, explain it better:
“Bluegrass is Scotch bagpipes and ole-time fiddlin’. It’s Methodist and Holiness and Baptist. It’s blues and jazz, and it has a high lonesome sound. It’s plain music that tells a good story. It’s played from my heart to your heart, and it will touch you. Bluegrass is music that matters.”
Got that? No? Well, just refer to the Coen Brothers’ movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?, an apparent homage to old time bluegrass music, starring Kentucky local boy, George Clooney.
Or check out Bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs on iTunes, Grammy awardwinning Alison Krauss, or even comic actor Steve Martin, a big convert to the banjo and bluegrass, mastering the instrument on his first solo album, called The Crow, with guest vocals by music legend Dolly Parton.
Martin loves the banjo, to him it’s a “high lonesome sound … generated nostalgia for experiences I never had, joy I was yet to experience, and melancholy that was yet to come”.
Thousands of devotees agree, flocking to the annual bluegrass celebration known as the River of Music Party (aka ROMP) in Owensboro every June, at the genre’s dedicated centre, the International Bluegrass Music Museum.
http://www.bluegrass-museum.org/riverofmusic/. Or if you have a phone, dial 1-888-mybanjo
Outdoor Kentucky
Posted on 12. Oct, 2009 by admin in Highlights
At 40,000 square miles big with just 4 million people, there’s a vast natural landscape out there for you to explore and enjoy, all captured in superb, sprawling national parks. Kentucky is home to the greatest length of navigable waterways and streams in the Lower 48 states, some 90,000 miles, host to the highest per capita number of deer and turkey in the US and home to the largest free-ranging elk herd east of Montana.
With all this space, visitors can choose from myriad fun activities, ranging from whitewater rafting to ATVing on quad bikes, from caving to kayaking, hiking or horseriding. If you prefer to drive, just roam the scenic driveways. Or if wildlife is your thing, take an organised spotting tour; watching for elks and eagles. There’s really something for everyone.
One unmissable experience is Mammoth Caves National Park in central Kentucky, the longest cave system known in the world, a World Heritage Site with a confirmed 365 miles of passageways. Take a lit-up tour of amazing natural phenomenon such as Grand Avenue, Frozen Niagara, and Fat Man’s Misery, or venture on your own paraffin-lamp tour or really get adventurous on a “wild” tour. Gawp at the bats but don’t eat the indigenous cave shrimps. Well, you can, but where you gonna cook ‘em!!!
There’s the Red River Gorge, full of fast streams and towering sandstone cliffs, best sampled by kayak, and don’t miss the mysterious Moonbows at Cumberland Falls, the only place in the western hemisphere to admire regular lunar rainbows above the waterfalls spray. It’s best seen near a full moon. The only other place on earth just as good is Victoria Falls in Africa.
