We left Asheville and had a pretty good ride through North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky.  We hit some rain that day, but still we were able to take in most of the scenery.   A very pretty drive.  We went to Georgetown, which is outside of Lexington in north eastern Kentucky.  I wanted to take a tour at Buffalo Trace distillery near Lexington, and Chris agreed to get up a little earlier so we could make it there in time to take a tour.  It is one of the oldest continuingly operating distilleries in Kentucky and has several tours available.  We took the general tour and it was enjoyable.  They include a video about the distillery and took us in one of the barrel aging rickhouses.  We were able to see the line where less than a dozen people were finishing the bottles of Blanton’s bourbon.  Each bottle hand labeled, wax sealed and cap added.  Of course some bourbon tasting was included!  For Chris we went to supper at Local Feed in Georgetown where we ate last year, and Chris said had the best Mac N Cheese she had ever had.  Great food and drink again.

The next day was off to Indianapolis.  We had never stayed in the city and took this opportunity.  An easy ride from Georgetown, up to Cincinnati then west.  We were both impressed.  We stayed right downtown and were a block away from Monument Circle in the center of the city.  The Monument was put up in the late 1800’s to honor Indiana’s veterans from the Civil War and before and it is beautiful.  We walked the area and took a look into the State Capitol.  Plenty of bars and restaurants in the area and we took a taste.

The next morning off to Winfield Illinois to visit with Jeff and Donna.   Being in Indy made this an easy ride again that day(even though we forgot our I-Pass in Florida).   A little rain again but nothing terrible.  It was good to catch up with Jeff and Donna and share a couple of meals.  From there it was heading home the next day.  We made it back to Oshkosh to some beautiful Spring weather.  We had been able to see the difference in Spring blooms as we came north.  There are still trees we see outside our window that have not budded out.  But the first days of unpacking and getting situated were in that beautiful weather.  It is a chore to remember what is in which drawer when you get home after 6 months (or is that age?).    But we are figuring it out.  Still doing some cleaning and still have local favorites we have not made it to yet.   We did make it to Milwaukee for Judy’s birthday party.  Her family put on a super party, at an establishment some of us have a little history with.  Chris and I enjoyed ourselves.  Over the last 2 weeks we saw many of our oldest friends and life is good.  Thanks Noel and JoAnn for giving us a place to stay, and congrats on being honored for 50 years at St Pius.  So Chris and I are home, MJ comes in later this week for a few days, and Marie the following week.  Then we start our summer travels!

Historic Buffalo Trace

Bourbon barrels

labeling bottles

Monument Circle

Judy’s family