Monday, January 13, 2014

Only in Kentucky

The Bluegrass State Has Plenty of Unique Attractions

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Sep 18, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."



One of the best things about living in a large country with 50 states is, we get to experience 50 unique and always interesting destinations. The Bluegrass State has an eclectic mix of old and new attractions that help make up its one of a kind culture.
Bourbon
A new golden era has dawned for the bourbon industry in Kentucky. As global demand keeps rising bourbon producers are expanding existing distilleries and bringing new ones online. The popular Kentucky Bourbon Trail has recently been joined by the Kentucky Bourbon Craft Tour, a trail made up of seven micro-distilleries that spread beyond the traditional bourbon belt of central Kentucky.The Urban Bourbon Trail is a collection of 27 restaurants with bars that stock at least 50 different bourbons and some have over 150 to choose from.
The Horse
While Louisville's Kentucky Derby is the most prominent aspect of the state's horse industry there are quite a few more pieces to the puzzle for those who would like to learn more about the sport of kings.
In nearby Lexington, you can take a bus tour of the sprawling horse farms that surround the city and make it one of the most uniquely beautiful areas in America. Lexington visitors can also stop in atKeeneland, one of the nation's most beautiful thoroughbred horse race tracks. There's live racing in April and October only but it's open year round and offers simulcast racing, breakfast in the track kitchen and morning exercise sessions on the track.
The Kentucky Horse Park is another Lexington gem that anyone interested in horses would enjoy. It's devoted to all horse breeds from hard working draft horses to the thoroughbred.
Special Places
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is one of the best examples of Kentucky's special places. The well restored village is one of the best Shaker time capsules anywhere and offers the visitor a glimpse into what life was like for the Spartan religious sect. In addition to the large collection of original buildings there are acres of hiking and biking trails on the rolling property next to the village.
The Corvette Museum in Bowling Green is devoted to the classic American sports car that's been around since the fifties. Today, each and every Corvette is made in the nearby General Motorsassembly plant.
The Louisville Slugger Museum in downtown Louisville is a great stop for anyone who enjoys America's favorite pastime.
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Kentucky's Bourbon Frenzy

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Nov 21, 2013 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."


As bourbon's worldwide popularity continues its meteoric rise, Kentucky distilleries are expanding to make the visitor experience even better.
 
This unique distillery, tucked away on a scenic country road just south of Lawrenceburg, recently opened a brand new visitor center where tours of the facilities originate. The center also sells FourRoses bourbons from their popular "yellow label" to premium small batch and single barrel offerings.
Just north and east of Lawrenceburg, Wild Turkey also recently opened a large new visitor center high on a bluff overlooking the Kentucky River making its way through the beautiful countryside. You can buy a bottle of Forgiven, one on the most talked about blends of rye and bourbon created by the fortunate accident of a distillery worker.
This distillery, laid out on some beautiful property in the midst of horse farms, is expanding production by adding more tall copper pot stills and increasing warehouse capacity. They recently started producing a "double oaked" version of their bourbon that includes aging in an additional barrel before bottling. Woodford Reserve is also planning a rejuvenation of their visitor center.
This large distillery in Clermont recently opened the Jim Beam American Stillhouse that functions as a visitor center and gift shop.
Now you can experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in downtown Louisville. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in now part of the rejuvenated Whiskey Row section of downtown where you can experience a working artisanal distillery actually making bourbon. Tours conclude with a tasting and the gift shop offer an array of Evan Williams bourbons like the small batch Evan Williams 1783 bourbon.
The Urban Bourbon Trail is made up of over 25 bars and restaurants around Louisville that serve between 50-150 varieties of bourbon. If you want to experience the more traditional side of Louisville you can visit the Old Seelbach Bar. On the more modern end of the spectrum is Proof on Main part of the 21c downtown hotel.
Seven smaller boutique distilleries make up the Kentucky Bourbon Craft Tour and they spread beyond the traditional central Kentucky bourbon producing area. Old Pogue is located in Maysville, Barrel House is in Lexington, Corsair is in Bowling Green, M.B. Roland is in Pembroke, Limestone Branch is in Lebanon, Silver Trail is in Hardin and Willett Distillery is in Bardstown.
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Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

A Great Place to Hit the Reset Button

Stephen Pinder
Stephen Pinder, Yahoo Contributor Network
Jan 26, 2011 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."
If you've ever wanted to just get away from all of today's constant noise, this would be a good place to give it a whirl. Located just a few miles northeast of Harrodsburg, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is a true Kentucky treasure. How better to describe a place with fully restored and well maintained Shaker buildings, great food and miles and miles of hiking trails. Though it's just a few minutes by car from Lexington's Bluegrass Airport, you could easily imagine you're in a century long before the arrival of air travel. This males for the perfect place to retreat from the TV and Internet and start writing that novel you've been thinking about for a long time, or maybe read that serious novel you've been meaning to get to.
An overnight stay can really do wonders for the psyche as you can push away all those external factors that really don't amount to anything but somehow seem to occupy our waking thoughts way too much. You can really form a connection with the Shaker's philosophy of hard work and simple joys. Yes, the accommodations are a bit on the spartan side, but made very comfy with good mattresses and there's a lot of quiet that allows you to think instead of just react; you can't go wrong.
As it's name implies, the village is perched on a hill and this allows for some wonderful vistas of the surrounding countryside. You can also venture away from the main village by foot via several well marked hiking trails and take in the natural beauty of the Shaker property comprised of huge wide open fields, thickly forested areas and water features in the form of streams and ponds. If you don't wish to venture too far afield, you can still get plenty of exercise walking around the paved and graveled paths of the village.
The snug and cozy Winter Kitchen is open till February 9Th and offers up some great regional fare for lunch and dinner. The red wine braised lamb shank is worth a trip in and of itself. A great place to savor a nice bourbon beside the fire too.
A special treat is scheduled for February 19Th with A Spirited Bourbon Event at Shaker Village.Former distiller, Dave Scheurich, will present Bourbon 101, a seminar on how great bourbon is made and in the evening, Shake Vigorously: A Spirited Kentucky Dinner is a collaboration between the authors of The Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail Book, Joy Perrine and Susan Reigler and the dining staff of Shaker Village that pairs bourbon and food. The ladies will also demonstrate some of their favoritecocktails for the occasion.
Whether you make it a day trip or spend the night; Shaker Village is the pause that refreshes.
Published by Stephen Pinder
Stephen loves travel and travel writing. He also enjoys sports and golf with old friends and new ones he meets on the road.  View profile

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