The Sun Shines Bright . . .

on my old Kentucky life!

Cumberland Falls, July 2009

The kids and I scooted down to Corbin Kentucky on Friday afternoon directly following Hannah's last day of basketball camp. We 'jammed' to one Beatles album after another (I know they are CD's now, but they'll always be 'albums' to me) with the kids playing DJ and part-time navigators. We had fun and sang songs most of the way down. We opted to pass through Cincy, rather than to travel through Louisville. My uncle, Bill, suggested that it would be much easier and it was a very enjoyable way to travel. We went through, rather than around, the city and I had not been in downtown Cincinnati since I was a girl, so it was neat to see the large buildings and historic parts. Because it was well before rush hour, we had no trouble whatsoever passing through in a timely way, either. We arrived in Corbin around 6-ish which allowed us time to unpack and head off to the Williamsburg Donkey Races. :0)

I just have to say that it was quite funny watching those donkeys throwing people right and left all over the track! (ha) I am sure that belies a real lack of character of some sort on my part, but I don't care - IT WAS HILARIOUS! I won't bore you with every detail but I wanted to share a couple of things. Firstly, there were heats to eliminate contestants to the best of the best, and yes, even the worst of the worst. I didn't see the pathetic little bobble-head trophy for the worst donkey rider, but I agreed entirely with the poor kid who won the prize for worst ride. Let's suffice it say, he's probably still very bruised and battered even today! (ha) What still amazes me is that there are so many people willing to humiliate themselves and pay such a price (for I guarantee everyone leaves this thing with some sort of battle scar) that they have to have heats. People there are tough!

The donkeys are not all created equal. Some have a real attitude! I don't know what this one donkey's real name was, but he will forever be dubbed "Diabolo" in my mind - NOBODY could ride him. I would watch each little heat and shake my head when some poor schmuck would choose HIM for their ride of choice - poor fools!!! He would throw them so fast they didn't even know what day of the week it was, then he would step out of the way every time someone attempted to jump back on, leaving the leaper to a muddy fate, face down in the dirt. Or, when someone did manage to get atop of him, he would run really hard and then come to a full stop in order to throw his 'rider' (a term I use loosely, for 'victim' would be far more apt) right over the top of his head, so that the ridee would be catapulted onto the dirt, again, face first. He was a viscious one, that donkey!

Anyway, the final race was by far the best. One guy was actually doing very well riding the ol' donkeys and in the last race for the championship had his ride all the way around the track and was well ahead of the pack. However, that's when the donkey decided to have the last laugh. Trotting as fast as he could towards the finish line, the crowds cheering them on and the rider thinking he SOOOO had this race in the bag, the donkey locked his front knees 2 feet from the finish line and threw his almost-champion head first across the finish line! Too bad the only way you can win is if both you AND your donkey cross the finish line. (Ha) Oh, man! I about fell off the bleachers laughing! Anyway, the guy I had picked, #3, ended up slowly trotting on by and won the race and championship for this year. Who'd have thought donkey racing could be so entertaining?

The attitudes and behavior of the people of Kentucky are actually very refreshing. People take their time to do things, and each person who waited on us in stores (big or small, privately owned or in national chains) was patient, friendly, helpful, and kind. I guess I didn't realize what a big rush we are all in here until I experienced how much more patient the people we met are. I have to say that I find that pace and approach to life much preferable. Friendliness goes a long way! There were a lot of smokers, though and the kids were in shock! They aren't used to seeing people - all kinds of people - smoking. Once I explained that this is tobacco growing country however, they took it in stride.

After the donkey races, Bill took us to a little carnival and the kids had a ball riding the rides. Joseph was very reluctant at first to ride one that went up fairly high into the air, and since he's had a fear of heights all his life, I doubted he would get on. But, Uncle Bill did manage to coax him on and once he got a few times around on that thing, he was an 'old pro' and totally into it. I think the kids rode that same ride 4 or 5 times!! (ha) While there, we ate some yummy, very spicy french fries. I still don't know what they made them with, but they were great - very spicy! Bill bought the kids lighted necklaces which were very cool. They blinked with multiple colors and patterns. At night, there are something to see. It's remarkable how much fun you can have with a $2 lighted necklace! However, I wouldn't suggest heading into a port-o-potty with one as a sole source of light. Let's just say that I nearly had an epileptic seizure in there before I could finish doing my business! (Ha Ha)

What was in those french fries, anyway? :o)

On the way home we grabbed some 'real food' and had a nice dinner with Otella before heading to bed. Of course, we had to regale her with stories of donkeys, dirt, and daring rides on daunting carnival delights.

We started off the day on Saturday heading into downtown Corbin for a block party being sponsored by a local telecommunications company. There was live music, mural painting for the children, and free food! The thing with the mural was sort of funny to me. Some of the adults were joining in but were taking it all very seriously, carefully keeping their paint in the lines. What made it humorous to me was the fact that not 2 feet away on the same mural, 2-year-olds were slopping paint everywhere, using the wrong colors for everything, and making the mural look more like it had been covered in mud than paint! The adults didn't seem to mind too much, so long as nobody messed up their section. Adults are really nothing but kids in bigger bodies I think.

The live music wasn't exceptional, but I loved one guy who played the mandolin and sang. The others were obviously trying to be somewhat professional and taking turns singing songs. There must have been 4 or 5 guitarists. But this last guy sat on the stage, barefoot, with an old baseball cap on it and sang with a deep Kentucky accent. That is in no way a case of denigrating him. His voice was wonderful, and he did the best song by far. Love John Prine!! Anyway, I really enjoy live music so that was treat!

We popped into a music store there and enjoyed looking at the very pretty guitars. Hannah salivated over several she wouldn't mind having! (Ha) We like to never got out of there, the owners were super sweet and very chatty!

After that, we headed to Cumberland falls (see picture above) and were impressed with its beauty and power. Initially, we attempted to walk along the water down to the falls but a kind woman informed us that they had just spotted a water moccasin. Therefore, we implemented Plan B - walking back on the path! We walked through a small portion of the grounds/park that surrounds the falls and then hopped into the car to see the mountains and forests from numerous other perspectives. We stopped back at a rather well-known lodge and the view from the patio is breaktaking, frankly.


I have a number of pictures, but I really like this one. Bill, who is a very good photographer, took some fantastic pictures - much better than this one!

When we returned to the house, Bill fired up the grill and we had very delicious hamburgers (Angus Beef!) and then a large bonfire. We listened to music to firelight and tiki torches, and played along with guitars and a keyboard. It was awesome! We had a nice bonfire the next night, too, and I think Bill and I finally made our way back into the house sometime after midnight. It's hard to go in when you're enjoying such a beautiful night with the chorus of bugs and frogs and Van the Man playing. Ah, this is summer at its best!

Sunday afternoon we headed out on a pontoon Bill had rented and the kids had a ball driving it all over the lake, inlets, coves and so on. Laurel Lakes is expansive and breathtakingly beautiful. We stopped at a small, secluded beach area and ate lunch. This was no ordinary little lunch, however. Did you know that Corbin is the birthplace of THE Colonel Sanders' Kentucky Fried Chicken? Well, neither did I! But, apparently, it is and we bought food for our big day on the lake in the KFC museum/restaurant. It was something to see. Great care has been taken to reproduce elements of the original kitchen and dining area. I don't know. Maybe it was just in my head, but eating that chicken Sunday afternoon from that particular place just tasted a little better than usual.

Anyway, after lunch the kids swam a bit. We headed further down into the lake system and found a swimming spot. It was chilly but the kids and I swam for a good while as Bill and Otella sat in lawn chairs and enjoyed the view - very relaxing! We came home and ate a sandwich and had our second night around the fire.

Monday was our last full day and we made the most of it. Bill and I ran to Wal-mart to get our photos developed. It took forever but the pictures are such a treasure! We decided to head back to the same swimming spot we had visited the day before. However, the temperature was nearly 10 degrees warmer so the swimming was not just nice, it was ideal! We spent much of the day in the lake.

Bill and Otella got in there with the kids and were so great all week, playing with and including the children in everything. They are terrific people and outstanding hosts. Thanks to them for their hospitality and generosity to us. We will never forget it!

Anyway, after swimming all afternoon we came home and cleaned up so we could head out to China King, or King China - I cannot remember. It is a Chinese buffet and has to be the best one this lady has ever been to, personally. There was an abundance of delicious seafood dishes, in addition to the regular Chinese buffet fare - and even delicacies like fried frog legs! It was just tremendously good!

When we returned home, we stopped at the new arena cut into a huge mountain in Corbin, and from it you can see for miles. Really cool! Upon returning home, Bill fired up the Goldwing and took me on a 30-mile night ride. If it had been up to me, we'd have kept riding all night! But, the kids wanted a ride, too! :o) So, he cruised on home and took each of them for a nice, long ride, too. Otella and I went through pictures and just had the best talk!

Did I mention how great my family is? :)

Tuesday we packed up and headed back for home, but not before Bill made us walnut pancakes. We sure ate well during our stay! (ha) After a tearful goodbye (for I truly hated leaving knowing it could be months or even longer before I would see this lovely couple again) we got into the car and headed for home. Leaving again about mid-day seemed to afford us ideal driving conditions and we made it home in good and timely fashion.

We greatly appreciated the gracious hospitality of my aunt and uncle and enough could never be said of the true beauty of the state of Kentucky! Maybe, if I'm really lucky, I'll get to live there someday.