We’re all looking for a little trip now that we’re getting through the pandemic. We’ve told you of many places far away but today let’s stick closer to home with our neighbors to the North. Here are some fun weekend trips we suggest to visit Kentucky.
It sounds kind of old-school tourist but we can’t help but suggest Mammoth Cave and even Lost River Cave. Kentucky is home to the world’s longest-known cave system. OVER 400 MILES OF THE Mammoth Cave’s interconnected passages have been surveyed since Native Americans first began to explore it between 2,000 and 8,000 years ago. The world’s longest cave system, Mammoth Cave is 100 miles longer than the planet’s second and third-longest cave systems. A National Park worth exploring and learning about the land surrounding us.
Before you get to Mammoth Cave a fun stop for the whole family would be Lost River Cave.
Bernheim Forest Giants are just up I-65 south of Louisville. Seeing the Forest Giants in Giant Forest sculptures is free. A $10 donation is suggested per car for non-members. In conjunction with the 90th anniversary, Bernheim welcomed Danish artist, Thomas Dambo, to construct three giant sculptures throughout the arboretum using recycled wood from the region. Bernheim Forest is thrilled to be the home of Mama Loumari with her children, Little Nis and Little Elina, and her third baby Giant, who is currently living in Mama’s belly.
Our 16th President’s presence is easy to feel when you visit the Birthplace and Boyhood home where he almost died at a very young age. Thankfully he was rescued by his friend and neighbor Austin Gollaher. Experience the land and the story as it began for one of our Nation’s most important Presidents, Abraham Lincoln.
The famous creek
The Great thing about going toward the Bourbon Trail (which is very hyped so we won’t really suggest it) is that you can visit these wonderful Lincoln historical sites. You can also visit the home of the only fruitcake (made with Kentucky Bourbon) we’ve ever liked from The Abbey of Gethsemani. Instead of our own pitch take it from the makers themselves:
Next week we’ll dig deep into the foods of Kentucky we believe are worth driving to go experience for yourself.
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This may come off as very “Educational” and it is exactly that. The side of Virginia we think you should check out once in your life are some of the Historical properties where our Nation’s first Presidents lived as well see how they lived. You will see how some have embraced the total history (both the good and ugly) and how we should tell the story of the men who owned the homes and how their enslaved people helped build our country. Don’t worry, we have some places to go that won’t be so heavy.
1. Visit former President George Washington’s Mount Vernon home. Mount Vernon was the plantation of George Washington, the first President of the United States of America. His home sits on the banks of the Potomac River, directly across from Maryland. This house was built in 1758 and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1960. However, Washington’s great-grandfather owned the land since 1674 and Washington’s father built the original home around 1734. George Washington expanded the house twice. The current property is 500 acres and consists of the Mansion, over 30 outbuildings, gardens and a whiskey distillery. Inside the mansion, the rooms have been restored to their appearance at the time George Washington lived there and include many portraits and possessions of the family. You even get to touch an original artifact….the staircase that you climb to reach the second floor. If you love trees, as Washington did, don’t miss several different types of trees that Washington planted along the edge of the Bowling Green in 1785 that can still be seen today. For an even more in-depth experience, take a tour. We took the National Treasure tour and learned about the filming of the movie at Mount Vernon. Sadly, this home does ignore (for the most part) the history of the enslaved people who built and maintained Mount Vernon.
2. Visit our third President, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello home. We purchased the Monticello Day Pass and enjoyed a tour of the home. You can also opt for other (free) walking tours, such as the story of the enslaved children of President Jefferson and their mother Sally Hemings at Monticello tour. This is easily the best we’ve witnessed addressing the original sin of our nation. Jefferson’s home was also full of his new inventions (for that time period) and decorated with Parisian style (noted Francophile). Be sure not to miss the garden pavilion. Jefferson loved gardens and this one is vast and impressive. We were even able to purchase heirloom seeds so that we can experience the same vegetables from his garden. As we said, there is a Life of Sally Hemings exhibit that is a collection of recollections drawn from the words of her son Madison Hemings. Visit the Griffin Discovery Room. This room is designed to touch history as you hold replicas of toys, games, and tools that Jefferson owned and developed. President Thomas Jefferson wore many hats and they are reflected in his Monticello home. This farmer, architect, leader, lawyer, inventor, slave owner, and diplomat led an interesting life, flawed life and it makes a visit to his estate well worth the time. Be sure not to miss his “clock.”
The Home
The Land Enslaved People worked tirelessly
The Kitchen that so many enslaved worked
The property is filled with beauty and complex history
The best gift shop. They sell heirloom seeds
3. James Madison’s Montpelier. This is the lifelong home of our fourth President, James Madison, and his wife Dolley. You can tour his mansion, impressive gardens, historic buildings, and exhibits. You can also stroll the over 8 miles of walking trails, visit the archaeology lab and active archeological dig sites and explore the galleries. The staff here does an excellent job of telling stories about Madison and his family and well as the realities of slavery. This is a must-see to learn more about Madison’s most powerful idea: government by the people.
James Madison’s Montpelier
4. James Monroe’s Highland. This is the home of the fifth President, James Monroe, and is only 45 minutes from Montpelier. The staff did a wonderful job educating us about this lesser-known president and his family. When you visit, you will hear the story of the lost and found the main house. You’ll learn of the fire that contributed to the name “Ash Lawn” and visit the guest house which contains furnishings original to the Monroe family. This is also a great place to hike. The Highlands has well-maintained trails complete with butterflies and wildflowers. And don’t miss the gift shop. It’s huge and well-stocked!
James Monroe’s Highland
5. Finally, something not so heavy is just a good old-fashioned local/regional chain. Eat at Pal’s. (AKA Pal’s Sudden Service). Pal’s is a small fast-food chain found in northeast Tennessee and southwestern Virginia. The first Pal’s opened in 1956 and they have been doing it right ever since. They have low turnover due to their required 200 hours in training and their customer service is top-notch. Their buildings greet you with eye-catching architecture. And their food is phenomenal. We can vouch for their sweet tea, sauce burger, shakes, Big Pal burger, and french fries. This place is a must-try if you’re in the area.
NEW LISTING AT 2218 White Avenue. Stunning 1930’s renovation located in the historical Woodland in Waverly district that is truly magazine-worthy! Spacious, charming 4 bedroom/3 baths, new hardwoods/electrical/plumbing, large fenced backyard with alley access to the storage building. High ceilings & tall windows admitting an abundance of natural light. Excellent location to I-65/Downtown Nashville, Zanies,12th South, Five Daughters Bakery, Mafiozas, Jenis Ice Cream, and more.Vacant & waiting for you to make 2218 White Ave your home!
Elementary: Waverly-Belmont Middle: John T. Moore High: Hillsboro Comp. This property is listed at $669,900. Consult your local real estate agent to see.
We visited the land of football, Cowboys, Longhorns, and big hats. We found all of that plus an area rich with history, art, and lovely locals. We had our daughter on our adventures so we know even the kids will enjoy the experiences we are going to suggest. We need to travel again after being stuck indoors and in our town since 2020’s pandemic’s start. We want to help by showing you some of our favorite ways to travel and to do it with “Buy Local” in mind. The small businesses of America will need your help (no matter the town) to recover in 2020. So, think of the locals when traveling elsewhere.
Lovely Rooms
Outdoor Pool
Indoor workout facility
Where to stay in Dallas—Cooper Hotel Conference Center and Spa—“Stay Well, Rest Well, Connect Well, Celebrate Well”. This is what the Cooper Hotel Conference Center and Spa strive for and this was certainly our experience. Not only did we get a restful night in their oversized, clean and comfortable guest room, we also took advantage of their complimentary 50,000 square foot fitness center and swimming pools. The Cooper offers a comprehensive approach to fitness and nutrition and is dedicated to helping you live better. You can add a comprehensive physical exam, restorative and therapeutic treatments at their Spa and shop at their boutique which offers nutritional supplements, clothing, and books. We also enjoyed their complimentary continental breakfast, which included the usual fair and homemade healthy options. This hotel was a truly unique experience and one that we would love to repeat if we return to the area.
What to eat—We had plenty of delicious BBQ (beef of course, it’s the Texas way) and steak while we were in Texas. In Fort Worth, there is a steak house on every corner. We chose to eat at H3 Ranch and the steak was superb. Fresh, perfectly cooked, and seasoned. Everything you might expect. So, where do you eat in Texas when you have meat fatigue? Enter Spiral Diner and bakery in Dallas for REALLY GOOD VEGAN FOOD! This small local chain, vegan restaurant offers creative and delicious vegan comfort food in its retro-themed space. We visited the Dallas location and it did not disappoint. Seriously, you could bring your carnivorous friends and family and they would leave happy and satisfied. We tried The Big Stack, Buffalo Nachos with the best vegan blue cheese dressing and shakes to die for. Be sure to stop by for a comforting, animal-free bite if you’re in town.
Spiral Cafe
Head west over the beautiful Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and within minutes you’ll arrive at one of the most sizzling taco joints in Dallas. El Trompo Tacos is that spot in Dallas (outside of Oakcliff) that puts the “There aren’t Any Good Tacos in Dallas” comment to rest. Starting out as a backyard Taco Speakeasy this has become one of our favorite spots to eat in America. You’ve not had some of the best Mexican food in Texas till you’ve hit this spot. Trompo serves a Northern Mexican region style of taco pastor.
El Trompo
Another local bite you don’t want to miss are the kolaches. Often located in unassuming gas stations, these little fruit-filled or meat-filled pastry pockets are a must-try. They have been perfected by generations of Czech’s and Slovak’s and are plentiful in this part of the country. We stopped at Little Czech Bakery and Slovacek’s to compare and contrast and the verdict? They were all delicious.
If you’re a beer lover, there is no shortage of local beer from micro-breweries as well as local Texas beer brands made to pleasantly wet your whistle. Being part of our family was in the Texas Top Hands we prefer Lone Star.
Texas Top Hands Classic Lone Star Bus.
What to do—If you’re in Fort Worth, you’ll want to watch the daily longhorn cattle drives as the Texas cowhands drive the herd into the Stockyard National Historic District. Sidewalks get packed but there are lots of viewing locations. Best of all, it’s free! There are also livestock and horse shows as well as exhibits and museums. These are must-do family-friendly activities that will give you a great Stock Yards experience. There’s also plenty of shopping in the area for cowboys and cowgirls alike.
Tourist Trap, Yes. Fun in Fort Worth, Also Yes!
If you’re in Dallas in late September or October, you’ll want to visit the famous State Fair of Texas. This annual fair celebrates everything Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community through fun, entertainment, and everything deep-fried.
We also visited the Dealey Plaza and the X in the road where JFK was assassinated. Stop by The Sixth Floor Museum, which chronicles the assassination and legacy of JFK. This is a great place for a history lesson and space to explore the memory and effects of the events surrounding our President’s assassination.
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We took a trip recently out west and what did we find in Colorado? Glorious scenic drives through mountains, babbling brooks, tasty treats, trains, swift rivers, and even a little bit of Disney Magic!
#1. Our first must-do of Colorado is to look out of your window!
This is a road tripper’s paradise with a new view at every turn. We loved looking at the changing scenery of the gigantic mountains and perfectly soothing rivers below. The Rocky Mountain National Park is full of spots to pull over and take in the epic views. A favorite of ours is Lily Lake. This lake offers gentle trails, beautiful scenery, wildlife, and perfect areas for a picnic. While driving the winding roads, keep an eye out for Bighorn Sheep!
#2. We also stumbled upon the Colorado Cherry Company. This small, local shop has all things cherry and all things delicious. We enjoyed Black Bing Cherry Juice, a fresh cherry hand pie, and homemade chocolate cream pie. The Cherry Juice was our favorite of the drinks.
#3. Don’t miss seeing the Idarado Mine Red Mountain Mining District. The surrounding creeks are contaminated from mines with metals such as zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead. This leaves a bright orange stain on many stream beds. Through the Red Mountain Project, these lands are now permanently protected and are undergoing restoration. The views are breathtaking and give you a glimpse of mining efforts in the mid-1900s.
#4. We made some quick stops in Durango and Silverton but would definitely spend more time here on a future visit. Durango is full of cute shops and quirky art pieces that are placed throughout their downtown district while Silverton boasts quaint shops and restaurants on the main strip with epic views of the surrounding mountains. This area is most notably known for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad which offers train ride journeys through some of Colorado’s most rugged mountains that are not accessible by roads. Both time and COVID did not allow this adventure for us but we’re adding it to our future travel plans.
#5. Another scenic not-to-miss area is Telluride. This city is best known for alpine skiing and the annual Telluride Film Festival but there’s so much more to do in this picturesque city. We visited during the summer months and enjoyed people watching on busy Main Street. There you will find loads of galleries, boutique shops, and local restaurants. We enjoyed Detroit-style pizza at Brown Dog Pizza while gazing upon the San Miguel River, which freely flows throughout the town. The film festival and other concerts and social events were canceled due to COVID when we visited but that didn’t stop a lot of tourists from enjoying this destination.
#6. We did not expect to find Disney on this trip, so we were quite surprised when we found ourselves on the street that inspired Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A. History tells us that Harper Goff, an art director from Fort Collins and employee of Disney, showed Walt Disney postcards of his hometown and told vivid stories of his childhood there. Walt liked what he saw and used parts of the imagery to create Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A., including the courthouse and red brick fire station. In addition to finding Disney magic, Fort Collins is a large city with loads of shopping, restaurants, museums, and history and nature exhibits and should not be missed.
#7. Our next must-do is to find the obscure. There are plenty of things that make this area unique and we’ll share some of our favorite finds. The Baldpate Inn, in Estes Park, is on the National Register of Historic Places and really is a must-see. Off of the lobby, they gave a room FULL of different keys from all over. Lots of the keys are hanging from the ceiling while others adorn the walls. Each key has an information tag attached to it let you know where the key came from. There are over 20,000 keys to look through including keys to the White House, Frankenstein’s castle, and Hitler’s bunker. The keys are the focal point here but we also enjoyed watching numerous hummingbirds sneak sugar water from feeders on the porch as well as a family of chipmunks scurrying at our feet.
#8. In Loveland, we stopped by the largest heart-shaped love lock sculpture in the US. You can lock your love for one another by purchasing a lock from the Visitors Center, have it engraved, and lock it on the sculpture. So sweet!
#9. And thanks to Atlas Obscura, we took the road less traveled to Calahan, Colorado to see the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. These multicolored wonders of nature are where Native Americans collected clay for pottery 9,000 years ago. These brightly colored bands are caused by oxidized iron compounds and are found throughout the many different layers of clay. To view these natural wonders is well worth the drive.
Whatever you do, take your time. The one thing we weren’t able to do was to spend enough time exploring everything on this trip. Future trips (when Covid is over) we will be able to explore the cities more and take tours of all that Colorado has to offer.
NEW LISTING AT 1134A Cahal Avenue. Incredible location in close proximity to Gallatin Ave. Within 5 minutes of major East Nashville hotspots and 10 minutes of Downtown. Gorgeously remodeled 1920s Craftsman home with an open layout, beautiful hardwoods, stunning bathrooms. and original restored coffered 10-foot ceilings. Large first-floor Master Suite, Breakfast Nook/Mudroom off back. Two-car fenced-in parking pad in the back of the house. Fenced in the front yard with a spacious covered front porch.
Elementary: Inglewood Middle: Isaac Litton High: Stratford Comp. This property is listed at $675,000. Consult your local real estate agent to see.
Always wanted to visit “The Wild West?” You’re in luck, it still exists! When you visit Medora, North Dakota, you will be instantly transformed because this REALLY a quintessential western town. This charming vacation oasis is full of historic architecture and is loaded with Western culture and fun for the family. It’s full of western saloons, book stores, and local stores full of western wear and fun knick-knacks. Theodore Roosevelt called this city and region one of his favorite places, and his presence is still visible all over this town, including names on buildings, shops, and statues of him on practically every corner. Not to mention the gorgeous National Park named after him.
You have to get a sign shot.
Keep your distance from the Bison.
Wild Horses
He was a big boy.
We even purchased a “Teddy” Roosevelt to bring back home.
So soft and cuddly
We stayed at The Rough Rider Hotel, named after the volunteer cavalry unit that was led by Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. Western charm meets comfort at this hotel and included comfortable beds and a large walk-in double shower.
Old-time exterior
modern interior
In the lobby, you can enjoy sitting by a cozy stone fireplace surrounded by tons of books including the private library of Theodore Roosevelt and many books about this former president.
This was the first time we had a dine-in experience since COVID-19 began so we were super excited for this meal at the hotel’s restaurant and it did not disappoint. We had both breakfast and dinner here but slightly preferred breakfast, even though both were delicious. The French Toast and Omelet were standouts. There are also many handwritten letters from Teddy Roosevelt that adorn the walls of this restaurant, making it a most unique dining space.
The next morning, we got up early with hopes of seeing lots of wildlife as we drove through the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This beautiful area is where the Great Plains meet the Badlands. We took the Scenic Loop Drive and enjoyed the landscape as well as the wildlife who live there. We spent time watching feral horses, adorable prairie dogs and white-tailed deer. However, the prize encounter was the behemoth king daddy bison who was luckily just chilling. Don’t miss the South Unit’s colorful Painted Canyon.
The Badlands Overlook is a great way to see the changing colors pf the canyon. Another historic place to visit is Elkhorn Ranch. We traveled through rain and mud and beside a pair of playful donkeys to see the Maltese Cross Cabin, where President Roosevelt once lived. Only the entry gate remains. After Theodore’s mother and wife died on the same day and in the midst of grief, he discovered this ranch where he built a cabin and would sit on the porch to read, write and enjoy nature. Visiting this area makes it obvious why President Roosevelt found solace there.
We visited during COVID-19 and we had a bit of rain, so we missed two popular activities of the region, the Medora Musical and the Steak Fondue Dinner. What is Steak Fondue? Huge steaks are stacked on a pitchfork, dipped in boiling oil and then grilled! Next time….
BEWARE OF LEASE AGREEMENTS BY MERCHANT SERVICE PROVIDERS! Lease Agreements You Can Never Cancel. “Why rent when you can own?” We hear it all the time.
But here is the catch… Instead of selling you a terminal at a fair sale price, they will lock you into a 60-month leasing agreement. Not to mention a 25% buy-out clause and a high-interest rate. By the time you’re done with your lease, you paid thousands of dollars for a terminal worth a few hundred.
Why are equipment leases so common? Because those processors get a very large up-front commission from the leasing company. So leases are in their best interest, not yours. Watch the bigger bank names. These tend to happen from them in our area. If you’re stuck or considering one of these lease agreements send us a message at mepannell@gmail.com
