May 19

Saturday May 19th, 2018

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

Savannah

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History

Savannah Cotton Exchange

Savannah Cotton Exchange

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George Washington was here

 

in Lexington

in Lexington

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Woodford Reserve entrance

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One of many sculptures at the horse park

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a German heritage breed

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Mustang

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Alltech distillery

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Woodford Reserve gift shop area

 

6 Responses to “Saturday May 19th, 2018”

  1. John and Deb says:

    Sounds like a wonderful trip home. Glad you made it back safe and sound. Give us a call when you can get together.

  2. Jackie Hornada says:

    Happy to hear you made it home safely. Sounds like a fantastic trip. Savannah is one of my favorite places to visit & Woodford Reserve is my choice of bourbon. Have a safe summer and looking forward to seeing you next season. Hopefully, we will have a new ocean residence by then. I love reading your blog and hearing of all your wonderful adventures. You should have been professional writer, Randy. You have so many interesting things to share with everyone and present it so well.
    Our best to you and Chris. Take care.

  3. Audrey Rosso says:

    Sounds like a wonderful trip back. Just like I like to travel, drive less and see more. I’m sure you are happy to be home for the summer. Enjoy it all! See you the end of the year! You are not missing anything, just lots of rain.

  4. Mary Koss says:

    Glad you had a good trip back. Sounds like you traveled the way I like to do it. Drive awhile, stop and see the sights, drive a little more, have dinner and relax for the evening. Nice that you met so many interesting people on the way. I was going to send a note warning about driving through Indiana. My least favorite state. Roads were horrific our last drive south. When we came back we drove back through Illinois. Turned out to be beautiful, nice roads, few cars and trucks. See you soon.

  5. Homer and Judy says:

    Wow, nice trip. You should be writing for a trval magazine. We’ll seriuosly consider Savannah on our way back next year. Glad to hear you made it home safe. Say hi to Chris for us.

  6. Ron & Verna says:

    Glad your home safe and sound. Great trip as usual. Good for you guys..Hope you have a wonderful summer. Keep in touch

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