walking vacation, day 5

We got a late start on the day. The kids need to finish their barn chores before we can go. Then we had to stop for gas, and things snowball. Before you know it we are leaving at 10. In Kentucky. In July. Thankfully it wasn't humid.

We head out to the farm to collect the kids, and off we go. We get to Rt. 64 and head to the state capitol, Frankfort. Sixty-Four  is pretty much a parking lot. Swell. The backup turns out to be an accident involving two 18 wheelers and a large tree.

We arrive at the Frankford exit and the kids see a sign Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory Tour.  At this point I have no idea what this is, but I love a factory tour. Sure, we can go when we are done walking.

We find the Y, check in, and set off. First stop is across the street at the huge mural on the railroad tracks wall. It went a couple blocks.

Finally we are off on the Frankfort Volkssport walk. Kentucky history abounded at every corner.

There were a lot of streets to cross, and the girls took turns pushing the button to wait for walking man. We were at a corner near the train station, the walk-man comes on and we start to cross. The person making the left onto our street stops. The guy behind her hits her. Thank goodness no one was gong more than 2mph. Bonnie stayed to make sure everything was okay. The girls and I found shade to wait in.

There isn't much shade in Frankfort.

Our next discovery was a beautiful garden next to the original governors house (#1-33). Clearly it wasn't open because all the gates were lock. But looking for an opening we found another park with a fake liberty bell. They painted the crack on it. Foxy said "I wish I could see the real one with the crack."

[No more pixs. Bonnie's camera battery died.]

One thing on our route was a "singing bridge". An old metal open bridge that hums when you cross it. The girls thought I was crazy when I told them we had to sing on the singing bridge. But they did. And at the end of the bridge was a park to play in. Suddenly they were not tired or hot anymore.

Final stop before heading back to the Y was the capitol building of course.

Our final check point was "What is the name of the candy shop of the corner of 2nd and" whatever. "Oh look, they sell Rebecca Ruth candies. Can we go in." Us, being logical said, we're going on the factory tour. Let's get back to the car and we'll go. So we did.

We get back to the Y and head to the Steak and Shake (girls pick), then backtrack to that sign at the interstate exit. We make the turn, then another, and where the heck are they taking us? You guess back into town. To the candy shop on the corner of 2nd and whatever. We laughed so hard. The girls mentioned that if we had stopped earlier we could have gotten cool. When it comes to candy, listen to the children.

We were gone so long that Bonnie called Maria and told her we had not left the state with her children.

Back at the farm we loaded the car with baby stuff. It will be interesting going home. Hope there's enough room for our stuff.

No walking today. Just driving.

walking vacation, day 3

This morning we headed to downtown Louisville to do the Border Crossing Volkssport walk. Had I realized it was 12K I probably would not have had Maria drop off Foxy and Kitty to come along. We shaved a bit off, but it was still about 6 miles.

In Louisville one bridge is under construction, so they are down to one bridge. To get to the YMCA logic would indicate using I65. But that's right in the heart of the chaos. We took I64 and the longer route. Avoided all of the traffic.

 After signing in at the YMCA we headed off with the children reading the instructions. When we arrived at Main Street, we cut off the loop that went down to the Slugger museum and back. 1K gone. We headed up the Belvider thru the fountain, and up to the river walk. Then down the stairs and thru River Park and the wharf. I was at least a mile thru the park to the pedestrian bridge. The children were tiring so we took a break in the park. Then before heading up the ramp to the bridge, we rain thru the water sprinklers. That, and the breeze, cooled us off.

 Then it was over the bridge to Indiana, and back. We stopped at the same park for ice cream from the truck. Then headed back to the car. It was a good mile and a half away.

In the car the children were talking about a troll restaurant.  But didn't know the name. We ended up at O'Charleys near Barb's house. I looked it up online when we got back—We walked past it within a half block. Crap. It sounded cool.

Next Volkssport walk is Friday, maybe. In Frankfort.

Tomorrow will be spent on a short walk, then doing some running around with Barb.

Oh, in case you are curious, Bonnie was attacked last night by her father's dresser. Aparrently it was hungry.