Kentucky Bound on a Saturday morning before the break of dawn, this Gypsy loaded with camera and a good friend headed over to the state where many of the top thoroughbreds are bred and raised then go on to become champions. With a cup of coffee and good music on the radio, we drove towards the blue grass state. First we stopped at the Bean Station Overlook in the Cumberland Gap area to photograph the Veteran's Overlook. This is really a spectacular view and I highly recommend it to anyone who finds themselves in the area. The view of the Cumberland river below and the rolling mountains in the distance made for a great shot. Next we made our way to the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park to get the National Park Passport book stamped and tour the visitor center. Unfortunatley, I left my digital camera in the car and had only grabbed my iphone which I had slipped into my front pocket. Ah ha, wouldn't you know that right outside the side door on the edge of the forest stood a beautiful doe and her new fawn. At that moment that I promised myself that I would never leave my camera in the car again on one of my short stops. There was no time to fetch it before the doe decided it would be best to lead her young fawn deeper into the woods. I always try to find the silver lining in every disappointment in life and in that moment I considered that I had the opportunity to "really" look at the scene in front of me and not worry about composing the shot. Although I did snap off a few shots with the faithful iphone, I spent more time "downloading " the moment into my spirit than I would have if I had my canon DSLR in my hand. That is the silverlining of that situation. Life is full of those moments and it is just as easy to look for the good as it is to focus on the missed opportunity.
The rest of the trip went off without a hitch. My travel partner and I made our way through Daniel Boone country, toured the Wild Turkey Distillery, ate Cajun Cuisine in Lexington, Marveled at the beautiful horse farms, toured Claiborne Farms, visited the gravesites of Secretariat, Bold Ruler, Man o War and many other great champions in the horse racing world. We spent the early morning hours that Sunday trackside at the Keeneland Racetrack, photographing the young colts and fillies being trained and working out on the track. That is where I was able to practice my shutter speed and action shots. What great fun it was to focus on a galloping thoroughbred and freeze the shot. I am growing in my camera settings and knowledge with every adventure. I could not wipe that grin from off my face for hours.Later that afternoon, Nat and I nearly passed out on a one mile hike up a mountain trail to the Natural Bridge in Kentucky's Natural Bridge State Park. The humidity and summer heat nearly got the best of this gypsy, but overcome I did and made it to the top of the natural bridge to photograph the geological wonder.
Oh yeah, I nearly forgot to mention that, no trip to Kentucky can be complete without a stop at the original Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant. "Sander's Cafe" is where the Colonel Sanders set up shop to give us what we all have come to love..well most of us that is.. my compadre does not eat bird but she enjoyed the museum as much as I did. She is a great travel and adventure buddy! It was a hoot just to be in the store and walk through the museum that is set up in the original building. If you go, do not forget to sit next to the Colonel Sander's statue inside the store and get a photo with him......lean in close and maybe kiss him on the cheek..... makes a very funny photo.
At the tailend of the trip into Kentucky, we drove through coal mining country. It was my first exposure to a coal mine and the countryside where the coal is found. There was a stark difference between the "horse country" of Lexington and the "coal miner" town of say Harlan, Kentucky. The Appalachian area of Kentucky reminded me alot of North Carolina in many ways but it had a much more isolated feel to it. Driving through as an "outsider" into the deep hills of this part of Kentucky makes one very aware that there is so much of the United States the many in the poplutated cities have no clue about. The cell phone service was very scattered and the tight roadways that wind through the mountains make one feel very small and vulnerable. Did I hear any banjo music ???? Actually no, and jokes aside about the backwoods, it is a place everyone should experience. Just bring a paper map and don't venture off into the woods on unmarked roads. This was just the adventure I was looking for. I shall return again. This time I will spend more time in the coal mining towns. It is like stepping back in time. Until the next adventure, the gypsy will continue to photograph and share with all of you.
