September 6, 2022 – Ssptember 22, 2022

Arrived at Swan Bay RV Park after a nice drive south along the St. Lawernce Seaway from Burlington, Vermont. Of course, Ron has us booked at the two best spots in the park right on the waters edge overlooking the marina and the channel where all the cargo ships pass by. Just amazing watching these giant ships, some as long as 740 feet cruising right in front of us. Some are heading to Lake Ontario and some going up the St. Lawrence Seaway going to the Atlantic Ocean. They had a nice pool area with entertainment on Saturday so Pat, Kathy and Glenna spent the afternoon at the pool enjoying the live music, cover band playing 60, 70 and 80’s and drinks from the Tiki Bar. Magical Mystery Tour around the area and a drive out to Tibbetts Point Lighthouse. This is where Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway meet. Lunch at Sacket’s Harbor on the patio was delicious. Played a round of golf at the Thousand Island Country Club that started in 1894. Took the Uncle Sam Boat Tour along the river and into Canadian waters to see the beautiful rolling estates along the shorelines of both Canada and the USA.

Geneva on the lake RV was a one night stand right on Lake Erie but well worth the stay. We drove into Cleveland and visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. WOW, this was fantastic seeing the generations of music that helped shaped the world. The Beatles exhibit with a few video’s of the group writing and playing songs like “Let it Be” was one of the many highlights of the day. From Prince to Elvis to the Rolling Stones made for a great time reliving our past concerts and memories of these music Icons.

In Lexington, we stayed at the Kentucky Horse Park. We went to Keeneland racetrack where they hold the annual Yearling Sale that attracts horse buyers from all over the world. The Sheikhs from the Middle East to the small town horse owners in middle America, were all here to purchase a future Triple Crown Winner. One Yearling sold for $1.7 million with many in the $400,000 to $800,000 range. Watching the auction and seeing how they handle these one year olds was quite exciting. We did make sure that we didn’t wave to anyone and accidentely buy a horse!!!!! They also hold the Rolex Horse Show and the Kentucky Three Day Event and one day we hope to see our Grandaughter Abby compete in these shows. The horse museums, barn of champions and the overall park was well worth the visit.

Lexington is also the home of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, so off we went to visit few of our favorites. First a Triple D lunch spot called Wallace Station gave us some substance to make it thru the day. Wordford Reserve was the first stop, started in 1812 this is Kentucky’s most historic Distillery. Had a wonderful Old Fashion cocktail in the Distillery bar. Stopping in the gift shop buying some surprises for our friends and family back home, are you one of those? Now, off to Bulleit Distilling Company, no tastings available but they had a great bar with Angie making us a Smoked Rosemary Old Fashion and a Hibiscus Mojito to wet our whistle. The next afternoon we had a tour scheduled at 3:15 (because we don’t day drink) but this is close enough, HA HA. Buffalo Trace was on our bucket list and we finally made it there for a tour and tasting. Our tour guide Caleb, who was celebrating his 30th bday was a fantastic host. The tour included walking thru the warehouse full of barrels of bourbon that sits for 3-20 years before it’s bottled and ready to drink. We tasted five different liquors they make on site including a Wheatley Vodka, Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Colonel Taylor, Buffalo Cream and their Freddie’s Root Beer. Until next time, here’s to you Kentucky!!!!!

The next day we headed west past St. Louis to Grants Farm, this is the home of the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. They train these majestic animals to be able to join one of their Hitches staged around the country. Amazing to see how gentle these horses can be, standing at least 19 hands. Groomed everyday and posing for pictures are a daily event. Our tour was called the Clydesdale Close-Up Tour if you want to go in the future. Who knew the tour started with a free Budweiser as we watched a few of the commercials from past Suberbowls. The next day we went to the Warm Springs Ranch where they breed the Clydesdales. Again, the walking tour started with a free Budweiser and learning all about the process to ensure they have enough horses for future generations to enjoy. We had a special treat, a newborn fowl was born the afternoon before and we were the first tour of the day to see this new baby Clydesdale. Little Rooster was born on 9/17/2022 and momma and baby are both doing fine. Rooster weighed 150 pounds at birth and will grow to 1800-2300 pounds at full adult size. Two great tours if you are in the area.

Manhattan, Kansas to visit some friends and play golf. Jan ( Michelle Fawcett’s Mom) and Bob were the perfect hosts. Dinner at their house on Sunday followed by golf on Monday (Colbert Hills) and Tuesday (Manhattan CC). All good except the heat, tempetures of 101 and then 100 made for some hot days but didn’t stop us from playing. It did make the beer taste better after each round. Dinner with some of their friends at the Manhattan Country Club was the perfect way to say goodbye and head west to continue our journey.

The five hour drive to Pawhuska, Oklahoma was easy heading south then east into town. This is the home of the Pioneer Woman ( Ree Drummond) from the food channel. Another bucket list item for me and Kathy, we stayed at a local RV park only 3.6 miles for the town. This is a foodie tourist town with a small Boarding House Hotel, Mercantile, Bakery, P Town Pizza, Charlie’s Ice Cream shop and many small shops along main street. We went straight to the Mercantile to have lunch and were surprised to see the wait time was only 35 minutes, just enought time to browse the gift shop. Homemade lemonade for 25 cents seemed to be the drink of choice with many good food items for lunch. We all enjoyed our lunch selections and had great service from the friendly staff. The tomato soup was a velvety, sweet and savory, rich and a little creamy with basil and small bits of parmesan cheese on top. We bought some cinnamon rolls that my sister Kathy had requested I bring to her on Friday when we arrive in Pagosa Springs, CO. Walked around town a bit but the 101 temperature cut our walk short. Back to the RV to cool off and spend the last night with the four of us together. After 131 days traveling together, Glenna and I are heading to Colorado and Arizona, Ron and Kathy are heading back thru New Mexico before we both get home on September 30th. One last meal together in town at the Mercantile, the breakfast was over the top delicious. From the appetizer cinnamon roll we split to egg dishes and the belgium waffle hit the spot. Back to the RV’s, hugs around and off we go………

Stay tuned for more updates from Pagosa Springs, Creede, CO and Scottsdale over the next 9 days.

Take Care,

Pat and Glenna