Saturday, October 4, 2008

KENTUCKY...

Here we are... in Kentucky.... Fast horses and beautiful women...
Jim thinks he is in Heaven...
It is so beautiful... the leaves are all turning, and it is cool at night. What more could you ask for, right?
One of our stops was in Berea. It is a college town. Not just a normal college, but it is what they call a "working college". The campus is beautiful, and spreads out all over the town. We found it to be quite unusual and unique. Their word seems to be.. "To lend a helping hand". Thus, all over town you see these big hands. All painted and decorated. Some are quite striking. We took pictures of lots, but this was my favorite..



Our main purpose of visiting this part of the country was for Pat to visit places of her roots. The line descends from the Hanks line, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, Abraham's Mother, and family. To say that it was quite a leaning experience would be a understatement. The following pictures are self explanatory, so there is not a notation on each one. We hope that you enjoy them...




































This is believed to be the original cabin in which Abraham Lincoln was born. It is housed in a beautiful structure, which protects it from elements of nature.






Tomorrow we will be off again, to Indiana. Seems rather strange to being headed North in October. but it just worked out that way.
We are looking forward to seeing lots more neat places... stay tuned....

As always..... Walk Softly.....

Monday, September 29, 2008

Our "home" away from home

Our vacation is starting out in our most favorite place... The Blue Ridge Parkway. It has been very cool but that is ok--- lots of sleeping bags take care of that..
We had a very special visit this week end.... Beth and Jim came up to the mountain to spend a day with us.. We all had a wonderful time, and we all lost our voices, from so much talking and laughing all day. But it was a great time, seeing them again!



The leaves are all starting to change and turn..... and such lovely colors, you have never seen! It will be even more pretty in a very short time. But, thankfully, we were able to be here to enjoy the preview of the great show..



It is near impossible to choose just a few pictures to show you of this beautiful place.. but we have narrowed it down to a few. Hope you enjoy them..





When we are out traveling, I always seem to be on the lookout for houses that have been left behind, so to speak. They some how seem to all have their stories to tell, that they seem to be begging to be told. I find myself wondering who lived there, and loved this little "home". Even tho the house is nothing but brick and motor, they seem to die when no one is there to love them any more. This little house that we came upon in the hills looked so sad, even the tree some how seems to have its arms around it, comforting it--- The paint is peeling, the little porch is falling down.. but don't you wonder who loved it at one time?


Bridges, of all kinds have interested both of us for years.. we take pictures of bridges, when others around us are taking pictures of the flowers and people... but during our travels we have come upon quite strange ones... the ones along the Parkway, we found deserving of our attention and photography. They are quite striking... we found quite a few of them along the drive...












While sightseeing we found this beautiful waterfall. It was so beautiful and peaceful... almost makes you want to pull off your shoes and go wading. but, it was too cold for that, so we just had to enjoy it from a distance..


While leaving the Parkway this morning we just had to stop and take a few last pictures .. The fog was starting to lift up from the mountains, and it was breath taking.. We always find it so difficult to say good by to our favorite place..














We are now on the next leg of our trip. Our next entry will tell you about our stay at Raccoon Valley... isn't that some name? Then, we will be off to Jim's ol' stomping grounds...Kentucky.
We will be checking in again in a few days with more news and pictures... Till then... take care.. and as always.... Walk Softly......