Makers Mark Distillery, Kentucky

Traveling south from Indiana into Kentucky where we planned to see one of the famous Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries. We selected Makers Mark which is located about 40 miles off the main Interstate over to Loretto.

The road is a two lane winding ride through the hills of thick trees and tall corn growing in all fields. We knew this corn is will end up being basis of a good Bourbon.

This little barn announced the local "Coon Hunters Club."

After lots of corn fields, we come to Whisky Cree.

While there at Makers Mark, we learned no Bourbon's are made outside the U. S.

and most come from Kentucky. Why? The state sits on a limestone bed which produces very pure water which gives the mellow flavor to their craft. I never knew that.

Makers Mark is the oldest continually running distillery in the world is based in a tiny Kentucky town. Its product? One of the most loved liquors of all.

The name declares it to be a Bourbon Distillery's Mark to beat.

Click to see video.

The bottle was designed by the owner's wife as was the idea to hand-dip each long neck into red wax.


A boring job? I'd say so.....better like your co-worker very much. Perhaps they rotate. There were a total of six bottle dippers working the line.

From the wax, they went directly into the box to be shipped out. They gave us a sample of "White Lightin'" although they didn't call it by that name...and a sample of the smooth amber colored whiskey after being seasoned in wood kegs. I don't see how ANYONE could drink that white lightening. WHEW!!!

Click to see video.

The weather was perfect ...I couldn't resist getting a couple decks of cards and their Cookbook, which is a Coffee Table Book of over the top ideas.

Clowns and Cast

Not such a clear photo, this guy is real...

93 years old.

Seems most of these guys were around in 1938

for the making of the movie

"The Big Top. "

Ford is in this shot...can you find him?

In front is the fabulous elephant trainer.

Good bye Cast and Crew

Members of the International Circus Hall of Fame

plus one Air Force Colonel, Retired.

International Circus Hall of Fame, Peru, Indiana

Our latest road trip took us from Virginia through scenic West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio into Peru, Indiana. (Had an email from a friend who mentioned we HAD TO HAVE traveled through Maryland, South Carolina and North Carolina...I sent her a map of the Eastern US. )

Arriving in Peru, we decided to find a nice restaurant for dinner. Much to our surprise the little town rolled up the sidewalks at 6 PM. Everything was quite, no cars, no activity and very unlike what we had expected. It was on the outskirts of town that we added yet another of the fast-food chains to our list of places to avoid.

The following morning we drove out of town to the large open fields, barns, museum and office that once where the circuses of the past wintered until they left in the spring for a new circus season. Now it is home of the International Circus Hall of Fame.
Less than 100 people were there this year. Sad to think the Circus is quickly becoming an entertainment of the past.

Each July, these people...ex performers and current performers and supporters come together to relive the past by putting up a tent and present an old fashion circus.
We dined under the Big Top. Naturally, amongst performers, ex-performers, model builders and supporters. Sadly there were less than 100 people there. Ford had been motivated to support them when we were there last year, thus the invitation.

We really didn't fit in with the entertainers there, however, it was so interesting to have a inside view into their life.

This was my favorite lady. At age 97, she didn't have a wrinkle in her face and the sharpest mind of anyone I've met and talked with at that age. She is very extroverted and never talked about herself unless asked a direct question. Her conversation was about people she's known and wonderful experiences she shared with them...

I overheard her talking about days gone by and some of the young girls "killed by a cat" and others she admired so.

She was involved in the making of
the movie "The Big Top." They all were on the set to double as the stars, of course. One of her favorite friends was Mickey King. She told me Micky doubled at the aerialist for Betty Hutton in The Big Top movie.

Mickey was born 1905 and died 2005.

MICKEY KING, One of the Greastest Lady Aerialists.

MICKEY KING, AERIALIST SUPREME

Circus fans world wide consider Mickey King to have been one of the all time great aerialists.

I could have talked with her for hours. She was born to circus performers and spent her life traveling, training and performing with elephants, seals, etc, she happily told me.

The elephants were the BEST I have ever seen.

We LOVED the show...more photos tomorrow.

Lunch in Leesburg, Virginia

Lunching in historic Leesburg at Lightfoot Restaurant couldn't have been better.

I love these antebellum homes that are now upscale trendy shops, taverns and resturants. They are reminders of a grand society of days gone by. I enjoy seeing what has been so elegantly preserved and loved.

Only the company and conversation topped the food.
So~ What did we talk about? FOOD!

One of the girls asked if we get the instant oatmeal. Of course, one of my favorite quick breakfasts.

"Have you ever substituted apple juice for the water?"
NO!
Who would ever think of that? She leaned over her Ruben Sandwich and declared oatmeal cooked in apple juice is fabulous!
Going to try it. If you do, let us know what you think.

I so enjoy lunching with the bold and beautiful young professionals. They are all so in the know about everything...even talk about something I know ...oatmeal.

Summer 2009

Where are the lazy days of summer? Mine are filled with one activity after the other.

Saturday we took four of the little ones to my brother's Airport where he complied with their wishes to go flying.

You can click on the two photos below to see the photos become a video.
They are off...Madison was up front with Tommy. They are to tap him on the shoulder if they wanted to land. They NEVER do and protest returning to the field. A low level flight takes them over farms which are picturesque from above. I think we have a bunch of little aviators here.
Once on the ground, they were ready to "take off" in the golf cart.
We had a great time visiting with my brother and little the little ones enjoy the wide open spaces.

Inspiration Hits to Capture Scenes to Share

A two-lane road leads us through the heart of Bull Run Battlefield Park near Manassas, Virginia. This is a short-cut to a daughter's house.

What a beautiful trip~

Early morning light touches white mist hovering in low areas over tall grass that now graces the rolling hills. It will soon be bailed making the fields ready for another year.

Trees here and there, many along the creek called "Bull Run'"

The area near Bull Run is the location of the famous battle which was fought July 21, 1861, near Manassas, Virginia. It was the first major land battle of the American Civil War..

Today, it is peaceful and beautiful.

All is under blue, blue sky...filled with puffy white clouds.

The scene catches one's breathe.

One wonders if our Civil War Soldiers saw the same sight on the last morning of their lives.

Am sure they didn't see the herds of deer that now graze near the tree lines...They sleep in the tall grass, making and leaving tell tell circles. When we find one, I always wonder if they return to sleep there again and again.

I want my camera, but alas, no time to stop and on a mission to baby-sit this day.

The following day, my daughter and I went to near-by Leesburg.

WHY don't I travel with camera? Ahh...but today was with friends and no camera.

Leesburg ~ always make me think of when I first knew of Leesburg.

I remember an old TV show sponsored by Lipton Tea.

I was a little girl and he was seen in black and white on a small TV in our living room.

Are you old enough to remember Arther Godfrey?

He was Mr. TV in the 1950's and as I remember, there was not much else to watch.

I remember he talked extensively about his farm in Leesburg. Virginia with an airstrip for his plane. He took the cameras there to share. He knew he lived in a little piece of heaven.

It would be fun to make a trip to the Court House and find which of the beautiful old houses belonged to him. Why? I don't know. Do I have this kind of time?

HUMMMM

Am going back alone to these places for photos.

4th of July in Washington

Forth of July 09
We enter the Grand Hallway of the Kennedy Center
to spend the evening with friends to enjoy the Culinary Arts of D. C. before the National Fireworks.

We are greeted by the bronze bust of President Kennedy which is at the entrance of the Grand Opera House within the Center

What's playing at the Opera House right now?
~The gift shop is filled with marvelous books and great gift ideas~

We go to the top level about 7 PM for dinner before the fireworks.

The event is for Members of the Kennedy Center and their guests.

We overlook the beautiful Lincoln Memorial
The sun is escaping to the west...and notice
Boaters gathering on the Potomac River

We look back to see the famous Watergate Hotel with the circular balcony's.

Hello Mr. Lincoln~

and...Uncle Sam~

Children strike their own pose~

Statue of Liberty gives up her torch

Lady, can you spear a dime?

UNCLE SAM NEEDS YOU!

Night falls over the crowd...people move to the ledge for front row viewing. The flag waving crowd is awed by Big Name and Electrifying Entertainment Aretha Franklin takes the Grand Stage ~ her FANTASTIC voice is heard throughout the City carried by big screens with wonderful speakers singing to flag waving and screaming, standing room only crowds.
She is one of my favorites!

Is there any ice cream left?

Can you reach it?

OH! We enjoyed Dungeness Crab for dinner.

They are the BIG ones that are available on the Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco ~ they come from Alaska and Washington State ~Northern Pacific waters.

Dessert~ watermelon, strawberry short cake with lots and lots of strawberries topped with whipped cream.,

and KEY LIME PIE. FABULOUS 4TH!