After finishing Parcours Trail, it was such a pleasant day, Allen and I decided to hit another hike in Winton Woods. I looked up our options on AllTrails and we headed a 5 minute drive around to the other side to explored Kingfisher.
After the first night arriving to this mountainous area in Tennessee, I wanted to hike. According to AllTrails, the closest near me was the Triple Falls Trail. So I headed there first thing in the morning, as George taught me, morning hikes beats the crowds.
I figured the posse sleeping back at the lake house was not going to miss me, so I took off solo.
The changing of the leaves last year was spectacular. I couldn’t figure out if it was me, having not witnessed it for a couple years and now with new appreciation, could stop and wonder at it again? Or if the colors truly were more magnificent than years past. Whatever the reason, I am excited about the changing of the seasons this year.
My Cambly students, whenever we speak about the environment as a topic, say education is the best way to approach change. If that is true, which logically makes sense, why didn’t the Native American advertisement that I grew up on tv work? Or possibly it did for my generation, and then it became politically incorrect.
I have never been to Frankfort, Kentucky before. I’ve known its name for years, memorizing it as one of the strange capitals that didn’t logically make sense to me when I was a kid. Seemed to me back in elementary school that there were better city options in Kentucky.
As I was driving south to Tennessee for a girls weekend at a lake house, I decided to swing into this capital city to check it out. Grabbing a cup of coffee may also be helpful, so I set my goal to find a local coffee shop instead of contributing to Starbucks’ already made millions$.
My friend Stephanie bid on a weekend lake retreat for charity and won The Lighthouse at Norris Lake. She graciously invited friends and I was one of the fortunate ones that was able to go this weekend.
Any opportunity to sit near water or be in nature, I welcome as most of you know.
As I was paddling back, I saw a bald eagle swoop down and catch a fish from the water. He took it to a nearby tree where the crows then gathered and yelled in their annoying tone. It was so cool to see.
Joyce and Stephanie were checking out the local marinas to see what the activity was like there. They swung by and picked me up before going to the second one.
The next morning I woke up early again, not hungover thankfully, and decided to go on a hike up a mountain to catch a spectacular 360 radius view. I was alone and loving the ability to clear my mind to start the day in nature. (see next post regarding)
Upon returning 3 hours later the others were just climbing out of bed. Perfect timing for me to get some amazing quiche for breakfast which was in the oven waiting.
It was such a gorgeous night out weather wise Sunday. I texted my neighbor Nancy to see if she was interested in a going on a leisure, not all sweat induced, walk with me. She agreed and said I could pick the route. (she tends to take me up and down steep hills that I cannot manage without stopping….yet)
So in typical Tonya style, I decided we would walk our way to a brewery that had outdoor seating. It was just 1.5 miles from our house.
The stories I could tell simply on the drive down, let alone once we hit lakeside and late night. What a fun filled 24 hours at Elk Lake, Owenton, Kentucky!
Upon entry to the Lakehouse properties, there was a security guard at the gate. He was a handsome 60 something buff man with sparkling Santa like blue eyes and a firearm packed in his holster at his side.
Obs. Probably a paranoid Republican still thinking Trump should be in the office. We passed a lot of those yard signs and flags on the drive through the hills.
Rebecca wanted to ask him why he had the gun. I was like, NOOOO— just keep driving. But she knew her blond hair and long lashes would easily win her favor.
She rolled down the passenger window and innocently asked if he was wearing the gun due to any trouble inside the lake compound, as if thanking him for his protection.
Sporting his ARMY hat, he proudly said that he generally carries it due to all the crime. Mind you- we are out in BFU Kentucky. There are no drive by shootings or break ins. Even the Amish moved out to these parts to escape civilization.
And just like that I saw The Handmaids Tale flash before my eyes as a realistic future.
After hiking for several hours, surviving off coffee and a single sprinkled donut, I was in need of some solid pub food and a craft beer. We headed to the NULU section of Louisville to start our brewery hop at the Ten20.
The East Market District, colloquially referred to as NuLu (a portmanteau of “New” and “Louisville”), is an unofficial district of Louisville, Kentucky, situated along Market Street between downtown to the west and the Highlands neighborhoods to the east. (according to Google)
Unfortunately their food was having its grand opening the following day, seemed odd, skipping a weekend and launching on a Tuesday, but nonetheless.
We decided to stay for a drink and then later find grub.
Monday morning I insisted we get back out in nature. I need to be covered by trees and ground myself again to appreciate what the Universe offers and is whispering. George decided we would hike the Otter Creek Trail and we managed to get there by early afternoon.
On our way there, I was desperately in need of some coffee but it seemed the closer we got to our destination the more remote the area. Then George stopped at Fort Knox.
Being a terrible historian (I refused to take a college prep level history class in highschool) I had never heard of Fort Knox except for vague references of something being locked up as its name references. I didnt know there was an actual Fort Knox, which is a military base known to hold America’s gold.
Fort Knox Facts: Amount of present gold holdings: 147.3 million ounces. About half of the Treasury’s stored gold (as well as valuables of other federal agencies) is kept at Fort Knox
George went into their visitor center to see if we could cross the security gates to get to the coffee shop. I originally thought he went into the visitor’s center looking to pick up more pamphlets. 😛
After background and ID checks, photos were taken, then we were issued a barcode that got us onto the base, with comments on my pass stating reason for visiting, “Starbucks”. Was hilarious. I wasn’t allowed to take any photos on base as per the signs posted. George is more a rule follower, but God knows if I was by myself I would be snapping some.
The base was desolate and made me feel like we were in the “Twilight Zone. Nobody was out. No cars. All the stores were closed due to Labor Day. My first military base experience and probably my last. But I scored some Dunkin and now I could properly enjoy the trails ahead.
This Labor Day Weekend was as fun filled as it could be! The weather was perfect. When all my plans cancelled on me Friday, I really did not want to stay inside and binge watch another Netflix series. I debated on whether to just head to a roof top bar on my own, but instead I texted my friend Kevin, who is always out and about in Cincinnati, to see if I could join him in whatever he had going on.
He agreed it was too nice of a night to waste and mentioned that there was a ‘First Friday” event that is held in Bellevue every month. Most places have a ‘Final Friday” but this cute town was starting its own tradition.
We headed across the river and explored this small town which was filled with an eclectic, diverse population. I have never been out in this city before, even though I’d driven through it several times on my way to my friend’s Anne’s during covid bonfire nights.
I highly recommend you check it out, whether its Friday or any other random night!
On our search for food, we stumbled by a Mexican restaurant that was closed but were enticed down an alleyway by the cute strand of white lights strung above it. It led us to an open square with another brewery at its base. So of course we had to go in.
According to George, West6th was a brewery that originated in Lexington and just opened a Louisville location. According to their website, they also have a location in Newport, Kentucky which is across the river from Cincinnati.
George is a native to Louisville and knows all the ins and outs regarding the history of this riverside city. Its great hearing his stories of what was and how the city is developing here.
After devouring some much needed BBQ and mac and cheese we headed back to his place only to pass by another local joint named Apocalypse. When I was told it was a woman run brewery, I insisted we stop for one last one.
Unfortunately it was starting to get dark and I didn’t take any better photos. They had a large outdoor seating area with some Jumbo Jenga and Connect Four games. I swore I would never play Connect Four again with George, as the last time I did, I had two turns to his one and he still beat me.
Tonya Takes Thailand 