On Friday morning we left the Beaumont Inn in Harrodsburg.  We had a wonderful breakfast in a room full of history and then set out.  Only 20 minutes away is my favorite Kentucky Bourbon distillery, Wilderness Trail.  I have a soft spot in my heart for them since we went there in their early days, before bourbon was ready.   They have done a wonderful job, witnessed by selling 70% of their business last year for 420 million.  Good for them, the American dream.  They are still making great bourbon so we picked up some bottles to go!   From there it was an easy country ride to Four Roses distillery.   One of the well-known bourbon brands with history back to the 1880”s; we had been there some years before when there was a lot of construction going on.  They have added to their facilities and front and center was their visitor center which still has the large Kentucky front porch.  We browsed the gift shop and had a taste at the bar.  An enjoyable stop.  From there on to Louisville for the next night.  We have been there before and enjoyed it, so even though it was close it was a perfect stop, making our next rides after that perfect for our number of hours riding range (4-5).  We visited the Frazier museum which has an in depth history of Kentucky and includes a specialty area on bourbon.  I had hoped for more on the early 1900’s but we can search that out a little more on a future stop.  Of course leaving the museum we needed to have a seat and find something to eat.  Being Louisville a good restaurant offers flights of bourbons for tasting in addition to their food menu.  We found a perfect stop in the Bristol Bar and Grill.   They drew people in with their $5 old fashions and followed up with other selections and tasty food.  Then back to the hotel, we are usually in the room at a reasonable hour.  Watch some TV, catch up on some emails and news, and relax.  The next morning was breakfast at the hotel and then about 4 ½ hour drive to Bloomington Normal Illinois.  We had not been there before but it was the perfect distance and I found a good restaurant at that distance.  Destihl Brewery and Restaurant had great reviews online, and I was familiar with them having had their beers a number of times before.  They were one of the first breweries to widely distribute ‘sour’ beers and are doing a great job at it.  So arriving in Normal midafternoon we took a relax break and then headed out for Destihl.  We were there before the crowds so took some bar stools to relax and leisurely taste some brews and sample some food.  All were good.  Then back to the hotel to relax and prepare for our last night on the road.  No need to transfer clothes to the carry in for the next days.  We had hotel breakfast the next morning and looked forward to a 4 hour drive to be home in Oshkosh.  That went uneventfully and we were back at the apartment on GPS scheduled time.  Then uncovering furniture and bringing in our belongings, unpacking and getting reacquainted with the apartment.   Thanks for Mark and Terry for bringing over Chris’s keys and watching over the apartment the last 6 months.  It took a while to open up the cable boxes and get everything working (and needing more items) but we have worked through that (I think Chris is happy).   Weather here in Wisconsin is in the upper 70’s so feeling good.  Although later in the week it will be a struggle to make 60, heavy coats will be out for us.  Chris’s favorite Mexican restaurant has been on her mind for weeks so that was our first stop after we had everything unloaded.  There has been a lot more putting things away, finding missing things, loads of wash and a trip to the grocery store.  More to come.  Looking forward to seeing more old friends and catching up, while visiting favorite haunts of ours.  We live a blessed life to have so many good friends in different places and we try not to take that for granted.  Thanks to all of you.  I golfed this morning so summer has officially begun. 

On The Road

Love the Mountains

Chris at the Beaumont

Loading the grain at Wilderness Trail

Four Roses visitor center

Flights at the Bristol