July 9
Bardstown, KY to Hodgenville, KY
47 miles
Historic Bardstown offered a java joint with wireless for us to linger part of the morning away and continue to eat. Three miles into our ride with the day heating up we pulled off to learn about whiskey distillation at the eight generation owned Heaven Hill Bourbon distillery. Who knew learning about sour mash could be so fascinating? Actually, our Bourbon education helped us understand a significant cultural shift in this part of western Kentucky. The art of whiskey distillation was brought to the region by the large influx of Irish, Scotch, and German immigrants. Suddenly, we were sighting Virgin of Mary statues in place of lawn jockeys and St. Anne’s Catholic churches instead of Baptist.
We decided to forgo the Bourbon tasting given that it was only 11am and we still had 45 miles to pedal. Kentucky is a funny state – you can pedal for 3 days through dry counties where you can’t so much as buy a 5% beer and the next day end up in the Bourbon capital of the world.
We are camped tonight at another town park which we’re sharing with a Little League Tournament. Following protocol, we checked in with the Hodgenville police before setting up our tents, then had a refreshing cold shower at the pool house next to the ball field. It’s hotter than Hades today, so not having hot water was a non-issue. There is another group of Transam cyclists camping here – 3 college-age kids headed eastbound. We’ve traded notes about the Appalachians and the Ozarks, and places to stay along the way. We forgot to mention yesterday that we met up with our first cross-country cyclist. Chris started in Oregon and is headed East on a Surly Extra-Cycle conversion. (Babette, we thought of you.) We are surprised that it’s taken so long to encounter other coast-to-coasters.
Today’s milestone: first flat tire of the trip. Award goes to K.
Hey U 2,
ReplyDeleteI got your text K. It made me really, really happy. Direct communication!
I am off again on Sunday - Friday to Thetis Island up in Canada. Another alonely time. (I'm planning on meditating up a storm.) I don't know what kind of wifi there is up there so I may be not in touch but will of course be in psychic touch!
Hey today I got some Keen sandals just to be more in foot touch with K. I noticed them in the flat tire pic. ML I hope yer feet are not floating around in sweat and/or watermelon juice.
You two look like you are holding up. Nice to see your faces again instead of rolling hills and barns.
I'll be drinking nips of scotch (not quite the same as whiskey) and thinking of you!
XOXO
C
Hi 2 bikers,
ReplyDeleteI am off to Canada tomorrow early and wanted to give you extended hugs and greetings as I don't think I'll be in touch during that time unless the little marina has wifi when I go to get my daily ice cream!
So just in case, I'll be thinking about you and if I have to wait until Friday, I'll have a lot of good reading to catch up on.
K - I borrowed the meditation padded mat because I'm creating my own retreat so to speak - amidst the ice cream. I'll try not to drop any on the mat. You won't even be able to tell it went traveling.
Lots of love,
Carolyn