London, Kentucky, that is. We have enjoyed looking at the names of some of the small towns. Shoulderblade is near Turkey. Soft Shell is close to Dwarf, Fisty, Mousie, Dice, and Rowdy. Egypt and Mummie are just a few miles apart. But I digress . . .
This morning's alarm clock went off about an hour before the sun came up: golf course maintenance equipment, headlights on, rumbling along the cart path 10 feet from our tent. One of us got up and made coffee, the other somehow managed to sleep for another hour.
Before leaving town, I went to see the actual house referred to in the song and the name of this state park: My Old Kentucky Home. When Stephen Foster was a young man, he often visited his cousin, Judge John Rowan, at Federal Hill. In 1853, he was inspired to write the song
My Old Kentucky Home. He was also the composer of
Oh Susanna, Camptown Races, Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair, and many others.
The surrounding grounds are beautifully maintained.
It was really HOT! again today so Dick did all the riding while I took a side trip to visit
Shakers believed in devotion to God, working hard, and communalism.
Today, in the United States, there is only one remaining active Shaker community in Sabbathday Lake, Maine, and only has three members.
A waitress in a restaurant told me about the Kentucky delicacy "pickled bologna." We drove to London and camped at Levi Jackson State Park, the first park we've been to that is almost full, but maybe that's because the Labor Weekend is about to start.
Miles = 2753
I'm so enjoying discovering the USA countryside through your travels and am in awe of your enthusiasm and energy for your particular mode of travel. Would you believe, the songs you mentioned were part of my childhood even here in Australia.
ReplyDeleteMarion, is that you? I'm so glad you're enjoying the blog. ~Arlete
ReplyDeleteSorry Arlete, failed to identify myself. What you and Dick are doing is so far out of my comfort zone, indeed realms of possibliity, that I find it extremely fascinating. I recently visited Denali NP and Fairbanks in Alaska as well as Rocky Mts Canada with my sister - a 28 day tour by coach, train and ship. Fantastic trip though we were zonked by the time we got home. Meeting up with D&H in Vanuatu on 19-28 Sep. That will be different.........Marion
ReplyDeleteMarion, I wish you had a blog so I could see your pictures and gain your insights. I will be thinking of you as you have your Vanuatu adventure. ~Arlete
ReplyDelete