Seeing The Sights - 1 -The Bourbon Tour

With a week to see things in KY and no pre-planning, we took the lead of our two friends from GRKO (Myra & Jim) who are also here at Amazon and are traveling the Bourbon Tour. If you visit all six distilleries in the area, you get a free t-shirt! Uh...okay, I know that is fairly lame, however, it is an opportunity to travel the back roads of the state. Bourbon is unique to the United States and the majority of producers are in Kentucky. Today, we visited three: Maker's Mark, Heaven Hill and Jim Beam. I'm sure the last is most recognized by everyone reading this. However, we found the Maker's Mark to be the most enjoyable and with the most historic location...over 200 years old. We enjoyed a tour of that facility with a very friendly and knowledgeable guide who also hosted our "tasting" of the two products produced at Maker's Mark.

Maker's Mark was opened on the site of a former distillery founded in 1805. All of the buildings have been restored and are listed on register of historic buildings. 

The process of making bourbon was interesting and we enjoyed comparing it to the process of wine making.

During our tour, we saw where the corn is ground and where it is cooked with pure, spring water.

Next, yeast is added to the mash and it "cures" in huge vats 
(8 ' high X probably 10' across) for about a week.

We were invited to dip in a finger and "taste" the product in vats at different stages.
The resulting product is distilled twice in a copper housing that is about 20' feet tall before being placed in white oak barrels that are custom, hand-made of white oak and charred to bring the sugar of the oak to the interior surface.

The barrels are placed in huge warehouses with probably 20 levels of shelves where the bourbon ages for around six years before the "tasters" declare that it is ready to be combined with other similar barrels and bottled.

Each bottle from this distillery is double-sealed when the workers dip each full bottle and cap into red wax.

Following the tour, we participated in a tasting of the two bourbon varieties from the distillery...and also some bourbon-flavored chocolates! It was a good way to spend a beautiful morning in Kentucky.

To Kentucky

We left a soggy, Pisgah campground on Wednesday, 10/27 and traveled north and west on I-40.

We arrived in Campbellsville at the Green River Resort where we had reservations. We soon discovered that the word "resort" was severely misused and only spent one night there. On day 2 in KY, we explored the nearby Green River State Park and decided it was the place for us. We went from being 10 feet from our neighbors at the first place to SPACIOUS! We love it here.

We also have the lake, 28 miles of multi-use trails, hot showers and WiFi. All of our camping fees are being paid by Amazon.

Mini-golf anyone?

 Amazon did not get paper work to us when they were supposed to and we now have to wait until our background checks are complete. We drove to Ashville, NC for the drug screening. That was certainly interesting.... Anyway, their screw-up means that we have an entire week to visit Mammoth Cave and other nearby places of interest. We will also enjoy watching the sun on the water, hearing the birds sing and hanging out in the forest.

Until next time....

The Road South

We left Ohio on 10/20, destination - Brevard, NC. Our departure was somewhat delayed and we spent night #1 in the Walmart parking lot in Marietta, Ohio. Day #2 went pretty well. The only problem was a 5-mile, 7% grade on I-26 south of Ashville. We had to pull over on the shoulder to let the transmission cool. The leaves were beautiful!

While in Brevard, we stayed at the Davidson River Campground in Pisgah National Forest. Our real purpose was to visit family in the area. We were able to spend time with my brother, Marvin and sis-in-law, Gwen who live in Boiling Springs, SC. They came to Brevard on Friday and we spent the afternoon roaming around Ashville and Hendersonville before meeting my sister, Rose, bro-in-law, Lee and niece, Tammy for dinner. On Saturday, Larry and I drove down to their house where they surprised Larry with a little celebration for his birthday - #50!

The dining room was prepared for a wake in memory of Larry's youth, complete with candles, black cobwebs and a dark-chocolate cake. They went out of their way to find just the right gifts...including an assortment of pills, geezer foods and a daily schedule for him to follow.

Gwen and Marvin even gave him reading glasses and something to keep his old bones warm!

I especially thought the shawl was a nice touch!
We had a great time with Marvin and Gwen and also got to spend time with my nephew, Nick, and his beautiful bride, Carla. It was also nice to meet Carla's brother, Nathan and her parents as well who are in the USA on furlough from their assignment on the mission field in Africa.


We also were able to spend some time with my sister and family at their mountain home in Lake Toxaway. They live on Laurel Drive...and it is very beautiful. However, THIS is Laurel Drive.

It's really beautiful up here, but I don't think I would enjoy this road in winter!
Both my brother and Lee just love to work on "house renovation!" We admire all the the work they both have done over a number of years. My sister and Tammy really love the new kitchen!

Life Has a Learning Curve!

At last, the blog is back!
 We would like to start by saying "Hi, Lainy!" to our very favorite cowgal.

We miss you, baby Logan and Mommy and Daddy too!
We miss all of our friends and neighbors and hope you are all healthy and happy. We now have internet access, so please feel free to e-mail us.

On the Road Again

Watch for updates on our next adventure here!