Kentucky was our second to last stop on the 2019 Midwest road trip before hitting Tennessee the second time and heading back home. For the end, it came back to just me and my friend Charlee. As we ventured into the state, I appreciated all the greenery.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
Since we stopped in the Land of Lincoln earlier, we decided to make a stop at his birthplace. Beyond the steps of the replica Greek parthenon built as a monument, the corners of the grounds invite you to take a moment for reflection.
Mammoth Cave
Our adventure took us next to Mammoth Cave National Park. It’s an amazing experience to walk through such dark and cold in the world’s longest known cave system. We had to take careful steps because we couldn’t see a few inches in front of us. I love exploring these natural marvels, wondering at their ancient formations. To think prehistoric animals walked similar paths as us in that moment.
After the cave tour, we took a drive through the park. Arriving along the banks of one of the rivers that runs through the park, we parked as the ferry wasn’t in service. Here, our rental car’s GPS mysteriously started talking out of nowhere. We decided it was Big Foot trying to send us a message. 😂
Bell’s Tavern Ruins
The Air B’n’B we stayed in Kentucky after the Mammoth Cave day had a wonderful charm during the day. But I admit, at night, so far from city lights and noise, the dark and quiet unsettled me. Even Charlee had a haunting feeling there. Once we turned in for the night, neither of us wanted to leave the bedroom, so I had to run through the dark after turning off the lights.
But before we settled for the night, we made a trek to a Sonic to satisfy our milkshake craving. On the way, we noticed smoke billowing from atop the trees in the forest. We found out the next day that the nearby whiskey distillery had caught fire.
As we enjoyed our sweet treats, we made one last stop at the nearby ruins of Bell’s Tavern. A fence around the premises kept us from exploring closer, but we still admired the stone remnants in the twilight. Perhaps visiting the site so close to sunset primed our minds for ghostly visions once back at the Air B’n’B.
It’s been a blast reliving this road trip through my blog posts. It makes me want to hit the road again with my friends. Next time, I’d like to do a trip heading west all the way to California, hitting up Mesa Verde and other national parks along the way.
What do you all recommend for a road trip? What have been your favorite travel memories? Let me know in the comments!