We have returned to Wisconsin.    Our ride home was a good one.   The usual traffic issues but nothing terrible.  We took our time so most days were fairly short rides with a relaxing morning and we stopped by cocktail hour.    Before we left we had a plumbing project that ended up lasting until the morning we left.   We had our main water valve in the condo changed and had issues with turning off the water to our building.   But our plumber was very helpful and moved appointments around to help us out.   So when things went well that morning we packed the car and left in the afternoon for a trip to Savannah Georgia.  Driving through Florida and into Georgia you see the trees and terrain change and it was a pretty ride.   We had booked a hotel in downtown Savannah that worked out wonderfully.  When we arrived in Savannah we checked in and found a great diner right around the corner.  Lot’s of good food and drink in Savannah.  And everyone will give you a to go cup to walk the streets!  On the next day we took a trolley tour and were amazed at the amount of history.  We had not realized their history went back before the revolutionary war.   The historic district is quite beautiful and lots of interesting places to see.   More days could be spent there.   It also lies along a river bank and shipping is still the number one industry.   The river walk has lots of shops and restaurants in what were originally the buildings where cotton was bought and sold and the world wide price of cotton was set through the 1800’s.

We had a good time walking the town but only had a couple of nights planned for Savannah, then drove on to Asheville NC.   Driving into the Smokey Mountains was again a beautiful ride.   Although it seems people in the Carolina’s are taught to drive in the left lane no matter what their speed!  But we found our way to our Holiday Inn which was not right downtown but had a free evening shuttle.   Our shuttle driver gave us a tour of the area and was very helpful.   Asheville downtown is well taken care of and Asheville claims to have the most breweries per capita of anywhere in the US.  Our first night stops were high quality in food and drink!  The next day we had a super southern breakfast in town and spent the afternoon walking the citie’s shops and a couple of breweries!  Out for supper that night we found ourselves talking to a couple from Madison WI and a bartender who was born in Fon du lac WI.  Small world always.

A couple of nights in Asheville and then back through the mountains and on to Lexington Kentucky.   Kentucky is an especially pretty state I think.   Eastern Kentucky is a mixture of the mountains and rolling hills and we could tell Spring had recently been in full bloom.  We stayed just north of Lexington and found a great restaurant in a historic building, and Chris says she had the best Mac and Cheese ever (American and smoked gouda).  Our full day near Lexington was mostly spent at the states Kentucky Horse Park.  Dedicated to the history of the horse and taking care of many breeds and retired champions.  They have many presentations daily and meticulously maintained, it was a lot of fun.   We left only because I wanted to see a couple of distilleries.   We were actually too late in the day to get on the tours but made it to Alltech which makes some very interesting Kentucky beers and also Town Branch distillery.   A little tasting and then left Lexington for the rolling Kentucky countryside and the Woodford Reserve distillery.   A very nice ride and we did get a personalized tasting!

After a long time away from Oshkosh we were starting to get anxious to get back home.  So after a couple of nights in the Lexington area we headed out for home.   Indiana is not the prettiest state but it is spring and green, and we saw some freshly planted fields.  It seems for a number of years we have had traffic problems in Indiana and this time did not disappoint.  My theory is that the State of Indiana does not care about how their construction affects traffic and closes down traffic lanes during the busiest time of day.   So a half hour of stop and go traffic (for nothing going on) I guess was not too bad, and surprisingly Chicago traffic went well so we decided to continue the trip all the way home.  Through Milwaukee just before rush hour and home to our apartment.  Unpacking and some cleaning to an apartment that was empty for 6 months made us hungry and thirsty.  But now settling back into our northern home and will visit our favorite places.  A couple of problems with the car we left behind but those are taken care of already.   Now on to our next phase of the year and adventures ahead!

Savannah

History

Savannah Cotton Exchange

George Washington was here

in Lexington

Woodford Reserve entrance

One of many sculptures at the horse park

a German heritage breed

Mustang

Alltech distillery

Woodford Reserve gift shop area