Kentucky - Friends, Food and Foals

We had a wonderful two days in Shepardsville, Kentucky.  We arrived at Grandma's RV Park and found our friends, Bruce and Patsy parked in the site behind us.  It was so nice to see familiar faces and friends.  Our friends, Dale and Donna Short live here and came and picked the four of us up for dinner.  We dined on great food at Cattlemans and then went back to their house and enjoyed good wine and delicious Derby Pie.  Their southern hospitality was so appreciated, they made us feel so at home.  

The following day we all went out to breakfast to Cracker Barrel and then went to Churchill Downs.  The museum had so many exhibits about the Kentucky Derby, from hats worn to the race, outfits worn by the jockeys, race horse simulators etc.  They also showed a movie covering the entire day of the Derby.  

Before going on the historical tour, us girls stopped in the gift shop.  While we didn't purchase anything, we had so much fun trying on all the Derby hats they had for sale.  We all found one we liked but they cost anywhere from $40 - $140.  And Ray had fun taking pictures of us in them.

We then went on a tour outside of the stable area and track.  The tour guide was very informative and has attended the Kentucky Derby since he was 6 years old.  The track is very close to Louisville Airport and we learned that on Derby Day they actually reroute all planes away from the track.  In Kentucky they have no professional sports so the Kentucky Derby is their sport.  From what we were told, when the horses enter the track, the University of Louisville band plays and the crowd sings "My Old Kentucky Home" and there is not a dry eye at the track.  

After we left the track, we went to an eclectic restaurant for lunch called Lynn's Paradise Cafe.  Again, great food, great friends and great conversation.

Grandma must have been down for a long nap.  Never saw her the whole time.

An awesome track

There was a sign "no climbing".  Of course, Ray couldn't resist!

Bellying up to the bar in the bourbon room at the track

Pretty in  Pink. Yeah, right!

Only $140.00 at that!

Matches the cowgirl shirt perfectly

The winner's circle is under the tower.

We are so glad we decided to make this our stop on the way home.  We would hate to have missed out on seeing Churchill Downs but more importantly, we would have hated to miss out spending time with good friends!