2026 June 25-27 Kentucky Trip with Backroads Tours LLC

 Day 1: Thursday, June 25:

We loaded the car after feeding the cats and began on our adventure. We traveled to Gabe's in Madison, arriving a little after eight.

We made a couple of pit stops along the way, one at the Shell Station and one at McDonald's.

Two more couples were waiting for the bus in Madison. (Dawn and Rick) Everyone loaded on the bus by 8:30 AM, and we were on our way to Kentucky. Our driver was Barbara Dudley on Eagle Christian Bus Tours, Rome, GA #3006, and our guide was Angie Himburg.

Our first restroom stop was the newly purchased  Travel Stop by Dolly Pardon. Their grand opening was June 24, the day before. Where Dolly Pardon was present to cut the ribbon. 

The travel stop has fuel pumps, EV charging stations, a general store, a truck driver's lounge, and a restaurant.  Hanging from the ceiling is a chandelier featuring guitars. 

Outside is a muralled bus next to a mural, and leading away from the bus is a painting of musical notes. You are greeted with a smile and warmth, which makes you want to stop and rest awhile. 

Our next stop was Farmwood's Dutch Bakery & Deli for lunch, where hubby ordered a steak sandwich and fries, and I ordered potato salad.  Just a few days before the trip, I had three teeth pulled and two implants, so I could only eat soft foods. $25.00

This was another great place to stop with warm hospitality, fast service, and homemade food. 

Their country store was filled with homemade items. We purchased a bottle of lavender lotion. 

We arrived at Tru by Hilton Lexington, Kentucky, room 417, to freshen up before going to Churchill Downs, Lexington, KY for a buffet dinner and to watch the horse races. 

From the Chef's Table, I mostly ate Mac and Cheese and a small brownie, with a Diet Coke. 

A storm blew up, so the last few races were canceled. Everyone walked to the gift shop before heading to the bus in the rain.

It was late when we arrived at the hotel, and a long day of traveling, so we both went straight to bed.

Photos:

7794-7809 Dolly's Travel Stop Centerville, TN @ 9:18 AM

7810-7814 Farmwalds Dutch Deli and Bakery Horse Cave, KY @12:12 PM

7815-7817 Tru by Hilton Lexington, KY @4:34 PM

7818-7824 Churchill Downs Lexington, KY @ 5:00 PM

Day 2: Friday, June 26: 

Breakfast at the hotel: Muffin, yogurt, egg, sausage, and kiwi juice. 

Today, we are going to the Louisville Little Slugger Museum. We were a little early, so everyone went to the gift shop. We purchased two baseball bats for two of our great-grandsons for Christmas.

We had their names engraved on each; both boys did very well playing baseball this year. One of the boys made the all-stars. $127.18

Next, we were taken on a factory tour where we were given the history of how the baseball bats were harvested and made. $20.26.

It was now lunch time so everyone dispersed, going in different directions, looking for a place to eat.

We stopped at The Main Eatery, 643 N Main St., Louisville, KY, a quaint sandwich and soup restaurant, where hubby ordered chili with cheese. I ordered a baked potato with butter and sour cream, and we both ordered a soda. The food was delicious, and the service was great. The restaurant had a friendly and inviting atmosphere where you did not feel rushed, and you could relax and enjoy your meal.

Our next stop was Louisville Art Museum which had a gift shop and two upper levels of art display. The cost was $5.00.

On display was art work by Stan Squirell Threads of Infulence on view from March 20th to July 5th 2026.

The visionary art of Minnie Evans on view April 4th through October 4th,  2026. Minnie's art reflects on living and how our own history affect our own lives.

Our next stop was the Frazier History Museum, which cost $14.00. Inside the museum was the Spirit of Kentucky, The Commonwealth: Divided we fall, Stewart Historic Miniatures collections,  Cool Kentucky6, The Lewis and Clark Experience, Prusit of Happiness, Gounder's Gallery, Louisville to Liberty, the Blackburn's jouney, 120 Cool KY Counties, and the Kentucky Show in the Brown Forman Theatre.

We did not have time to watch the movie, but when we returned from our trolley tour, we watched the movie. The curator said once we paid, we could return after our tour.

Next, take our one-hour trolley tour of Louisville with our guide,e Travis. 

After the trolley tour, we watched the movie at the Frazier Museum, and then we went to Mussels and Burgers for dinner. Hubby ordered a salad, and I ordered their bread pudding. Their motto is: " Who says 'Pub Grub' has to be boring? $24.37.

After dinner, we walked around until about 6:30 PM, when we loaded onto the bus and returned to the hotel. Packed, for we are leaving tomorrow.

Photos:

7825 Breakfast @7:34 AM 

7826-7833 Travel Lexington to Louisville, KY @8:41-9:18 AM 

7834-7896 Louisville Slugger Museum Louisville, KY @9:30-11:10 AM 

7897-7898 Lunch at the Main Eatery, Louisville, KY @11:32 PM

7899-7999 The Frazier Museu, Louisville, KY@12:02-1:41 PM

8001 Trolley Tour @1:47 PM

8002--8005 Dinner at Mussel and Burgers, Louisville, KY@4:39 PM 

8006-8068 Traveling from Louisville to Lexington, KY @ 5:48-7PM

8069-8012 receipts @7:13 PM 

Big Cameras

8736-8755 Traveling from Lexington to Louisville, KY @ 8:27 A.M. 

8756-8786 Louisville Little Slugger Museum and Factory Tour  8:34- 11:07 A.M.

8787-8802 Louisville, Ky    

8804-8806 Art Museum, Louisville, Ky

8807-8814 Louisville, Ky    

8815-8933 Frazier History Museum, Louisville, Ky  

8934-9011 Trolley Tour Louisville, Ky

9012-9021 Churchill Downs, fifteen-minute break and gift shop, Lexington, KY

9022-9062 Traveling from Lexington to Louisville, KY 

9063-9086 Traveling from Louisville to Lexington, KY

Day 3: Saturday, June 27:

Breakfast at the hotel,l I ate a blueberry muffin with cream cheese.

I  was up at 6 AM, took a shower,d finished packing, wrote in my journal, ate breakfast, and was on the bus by 8 AM.

Our first stop was Buc-ee's at 9:19 AM in Smith Grove, KY, for a restroom break and snacks. I was still hungry, so I bought eggs, bacon, cheese biscuits, and some Buc-ee's bites. I only ate a few bites and gave Hubbt half, but he was hungry, so most of it was thrown away. 

Our next stop was in Franklin, TN, to do some shopping and to eat lunch.

We decided to eat at Pucketts, where we ordered a meat and three veggies. We got chicken and dumplings, broccoli, green beans, and sweet potatoes with iced tea. We got an extra plate and shared the food, which was more than enough. After lunch, we walked up the sidewalk to the Williamson Archives and Museum. 

I took several photos and stopped to talk to the curator. We talked for several minutes about the different wars, genealogy, history, and families. 

We had to walk several blocks back to the bus,s so I had to cut our conversation short. I thanked her, and we began our journey back to the bus.

Loaded onto the bus by 1:30 and were on our way to Gabe's in Madison. Eight people got off in Madison; the rest were going to Scottsboro.

We loaded our car and began our journey home. We stopped at Chick-fil-A in Athens for a Dragon Fruit Tea, which was free with their app. 

Our next stop was Isom's fruit stand in Athens,s where we bought a basket of fresh peaches and several banana peppers. $19.00.

Our next stop was Lash's in Elgin for their Low Country Boil, thas consist of Cajin boiled shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn.

We were home by 4:30 PM.

 Unloaded the car, ate dinner, uploaded photos, and worked on the computer until time for bed.

Photos:

8073-Buc ees @9:19 AM

8074-8075 Pucketts @ 11:47 AM $24.09

8076-8164 Williamson Archives and Museum 12:12-1:07 PM

2026 Jun 11-15, Epic Movies Tour Kentucky and Ohio

 Day 1: Thursday, June 11, Corvettes, Racing, and Church Hill Downs 

We left home around 6:30 AM and drove to Gabe's in Madison, AL. We stopped at Hardies in Madison for breakfast. I ordered a chicken biscuit and a Diet Coke. We arrived at Gabe's, loaded onto the bus, and began our journey. Our driver was Steve Kunze on Signature Bus out of Nashville, TN, Bus Number 1013. Our guide throughout the trip was Angie Himburg.

Our first stop was the former Tennessean, now Dolly's in Cornesville, TN, at 9:30 AM.

They were still under construction, putting up new merchandise, displays, and murals of Dolly throughout the store.

Our next stop was the Corvette Museum & Restaurant in Bowling Green, KY. 

We were given the museum's history, then we dispersed, some going to the restaurant and others to the museum.

In the Stingray Grill, we ordered a Stingray Burger with lettuce, tomato, and sweet potato fries and Diet Cokes, which we split. Spent $21.50

After lunch, we toured the museum and stopped at the gift shop. Hubby sat in the lobby while I walked outside to take photos. Had my photo taken in a booth where adrenaline meets tradition in a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2005-2013. Spent $12.00

Our next stop was Tru by Hilton, room 421, Lexington, KY, to freshen up to go to the horse races @ 5:30 PM.

We have seating at Millionaire Row where we can watch the races and enjoy a buffet-style dinner.

Tickets for the Twilight Thursday at Churchill Downs Racetrack, first race at 5:00PM. Row 1 seats 5 & 6 tickets 757825119019& 482678777643. 

Watched a couple of horse races, then ate dinner. I enjoyed pulled pork, green beans, slaw, roll, and mac and cheese. We left Church Hill Downs around 8:30 PM, headed back to the hotel. 

I was so tired that I fell right to sleep.

7102-7116 Dolly's Cornersville, TN @ 9:30-9:46 AM

7117-7141 @11:58-1:41 PM Corvette Museum Bowling Green, KY

7143-7144 Tru by Hilton Louisville, KY @4:57 PM

Big Camera

8402-8492 Corvette Museum Bowling Green, KY 

8493-8509 Church Hill Downs, Lexington, KY 

Day 2: Friday, June 12: Train Car, Miss Ohio Festival, and the world's largest bubblehead.

Breakfast at the hotel, Tru by Hilton, Lexington, KY

I ate a blueberry muffin, cream cheese, bacon, egg, and apple juice.

At 8:30, we loaded onto the bus and headed to Mansfield, OH.

We traveled through Cincinnati, stopping at a rest stop in Lebanon, OH, for a restroom break around 10:55 AM. 

We traveled through Columbus, stopping at Buckeys Express in Bellville, OH, for lunch.

Buckeyes is a restaurant located in an abandoned B & O passenger railroad car, with a playground area for kids and a very tall bobblehead in the middle. Lots of retired machinery through the yard. They serve a variety of different foods each week. 

Hubby ordered the fish and onion rings.  I ordered the fried shrimp and onion rings with a Diet Coke. 

About the statue:

Jacque now stands outside of a diner that was formerly an abandoned B&O passenger railroad car, restored by Terry ("I like fixing things instead of throwing them out," he said). The statue, which was built to lean at a gravity-defying 69 degrees, is anchored in tons of subterranean concrete. Jacque's hands -- like those of his Marblehead twin -- were destroyed when he was taken down, so Terry replaced them with giant sliced-meat sandwiches, repainted as cheeseburgers, a specialty of the diner.

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/78876#google_vignette 

We arrived at the Hampton Inn by Hilton (room 221)to rest before going to the Miss Ohio Festival in Mansville, OH.  

At the festival, we were greeted by our host and given the history of the festival and the history of the Richland Carrousel and Park in Mansville, OH.

We were free to roam the town, enjoy the festival, ride the carousel, and browse the gift shop.

The first thing everyone loaded onto the Richland Carousel that includes 52 figures of horses, lions, zebras, bears, ostriches, cats, and hippos. 

I picked a horse to ride. 

We walked around the downtown area, which was partly under construction. I saw old churches, murals, statues, and historic markers. 

Bought a pink pony vanilla ice cream with whipped cream and fresh strawberry slices. 

We returned to the hotel around 8:30 PM. Another early night to fall asleep

7172 Tickets to Twilight Thursday horse races 7:33 AM

7173 Breakfast 7:42 AM at Hampton Inn by Hilton Ontario, OH 

3752-3771 Cincinnati Traveling Ipad 10:16-10:22 AM

7174-7181 Rest Stop Lebanon, OH 10:55

3772-3774 Travel Columbus, OH 12:17 PM 

7182 Columbus, OH Traveling 12:19 

7183-7215 Buckeye Express Belleville, OH 1:09-3:33 PM

7216-7217 Lexington, OH 3:31 PM

7218 Hotel 5:23 PM 

7219-7269 Mansfield, OH 5:42-7:53 PM

Day 3: Saturday, June 13: Famous Movie locations 

Breakfast at the Hampton by Hilton.

I ate an omelet, sausage, cream cheese, a cookie, and kiwi juice.

We loaded on the bus at 8:30, arrived a little early, and had to wait for the gates to open. 

We were greeted by our guide, Abby, who was very informative about the prison.

The prison was built between 1886 and 1910 by architect Levi T. Scofield with three architectural styles: Victorian Gothic, Queen Ann, and Richardsonian Romanesque.

The Reformatory was intended as a halfway point between the Boys' Industrial School and the Penitentiary, which was intended to house young first-time offenders. The prison closed in 1990.

Several movies have been made here, the most famous being The Shawshank Redemption.

Others included Air Force One, Tango and Cash, Harry and Walter Go to New York, and many others.

We ate lunch at the Scofield Cafe at the prison, hubby and I split a club sandwich with chips and Coke. We ate outside on the porch because all the tables were full. It was a nice day, so hubby stayed on the porch while I walked around outside taking photos.

Inside were a couple of museums, the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum, and the museum that included the props from the Shawshank Redemption Movie. 

We walked through the East and West Cell Blocks. The East Cell Block is the largest free-standing steel cell block in the world, at six tiers high. 

We walked through the Solidary confinement. The prison was full of peeling paint on the walls, rust on the prison bars, and full of asbestos in the floors. The prison rooms had beds with a toilet and sink. The water pressure was not very good and would back up into the room, giving off a horrible smell. 

Now all of that is closed, so no longer a problem. 

Our next stop was the house where the Christmas Story was filmed in Tremont, Cleveland, OH.

We were greeted by our guide, Morgan, who told us the story about how the film was made, and we were free to roam the house. 

The house is home to the Parker Family, restored as when the movie was made. It is interactive, where you can try on the hats, pick up the replica BB Gun, touch the leg lamp, lick the soap, or hide under the sink.

Our next stop was the museum where all the memorabilia was located. She told us more history about the film. Features the props from the movie, including the family car, toys, and the original Official Red Ryder 

Carbine Action, 200-shot range model air rifle BB Gun- one of 6 produced for the movie. 

We walked outside to see the two vehicles parked in the garages that were used in the film. 

We then visited the gift shop where several made purchases. Some bought Christmas presents.

Our next stop was Grump's Cafe, a breakfast-to-dinner diner in Tremont, OH, where we were served breakfast for dinner.

I ordered eggs, bacon, and French toast with Coke. There were art work for sale throughout the cafe. 

https://grumpyscoffeegarage.com 

Returned to the hotel, took a shower, and went to bed after writing in my journal. 

7270- Breakfast @ 7:25 AM Hotel Hampton Inn by Hilton

7271-7419 8:40-12:01 PM Ohio State Reformatory Prison, Mansfield, OH

7420-7469 @3:06-3:44 Christmas Story House Tremont, Cleveland, OH 

7470-7496 3:45-4:12 Christmas Story Museum & Gift Shop, Tremont, Cleveland,  OH

7497-7512 4:40-5:11 Traveling through Cleveland 

7513-7522 @5:11-7:02 Grumpy's Cafe, Cleveland, OH 

big Camera

8510-8585 Shawshank Prison, Mansfield, KY

8506-8597 Christmas Story Tremont, Cleveland, OH 

8598-8654 Traveling Cleveland, OH 

Day 4: Sunday, June 14: Vintage Signs, Nostalgia, and Art Museum

Breakfast at the hotel, I ate eggs, sausage, cream cheese, pastries, and kiwi juice.

We were on the bus by 8:15, beginning our journey home.

Next stop was the Rest Stop in Jeffersonville, O.H 

Stopping next at the Cincinnati Art Museum, located in Eden Park, where we ate lunch and walked through inside, then out.

Inside, we saw Elizabeth Hawes American Fashions,  Ancient Art of the Middle East, East Asian Art, European Paintings and sculptures, Indigenous American art, Photo collection, Prints collection, South Asian  Art, and highlights of fashion arts and textiles collections. 

One of the pieces that stood out to me was the Chihuly Chandelier you see the minute you walk in. It was installed in 2001 and has become a local landmark. It defies gravity and offers a unique perspective on glass.

Outside were several art pieces and lots of beautiful flowers in bloom. 

We loaded onto the bus and rode for about 15 minutes to our next stop.

The American Sign Museum, our tour guide, Art, talked about the owner and his collection. We saw informational signs, promotional signs, identification signs ( channel letters 3d illuminated), and specialty signs. (unique or custom signs tailored for specific needs, such as Neon, and A-framed (sandwich boards).

Our next stop was at a unique restaurant, Nineteen West Main Diner in the heart of LaGrange, KY, the only town in the US where a CSX mainline freight train track runs down the center of Main Street. Up to 20 trains a day. When the train is passing the restaurant, you can watch it on TV. 

Our last stop was Tru by Hilton Lexington, KY, where we got a room for one night. Unloaded all our luggage and went to our room 225 for the night. 

Wrote in my journal and was asleep by 10PM.

Photos:

7523 Breakfast at Hotel Hampton, Ontario, OH 7:27 AM

7524-7535 Restop Jeffersonville, OH at 9:58 AM

7536-7559 Cincinnati Art Museum 11:18-2:15 & lunch 

7560-7571 Traveling in Cincinnati 2:16-2:30 PM

7572-7645 American Sign Museum Valley Park Cincinnati, OH 2:34-4:15 PM

7646-7662 Nineteen West Main Diner LaGrange, KY 5:58-8:10 PM

Big Camera

7536-7559 Cincinnati Art Museum Cincinnati, OH 

7572-7645 American Sign Museum Cincinnati, OH 

Day 5: Monday, June 15: Travel Home, Stonehenge, Cannon Hill 

Breakfast at the hotel Tru by Hilton: eggs, cream cheese, a muffin, and apple juice.

Our first stop was at Stonehenge,  saw a replica of Stonehenge in England and a field dotted with rocks of statues, twisted king, Angels, and other pieces.

Cannon Hill, across the road, was dotted with cannon-like rock formations.

Our next stop was Buc-ee's Smith Grove, Ky, for a restroom break and to buy snacks.

We bought a cup of banana pudding, a cup of cheese, and some beef jurkey.

Lunch was at Brickyard Cafe in Franklin, KY, where we were served a buffet meal. I ate baked chicken, salad, and veggies, potatoes, Lazana, and bread pudding. 

We arrived at the Welcome Center in Elkmont, TN, at 2:12 PM.

We were at Gabe's by 2:30 and home by 3:30 PM. 

Another wonderful journey of adventure and surprises with Backroads Tours LLC.

3784-3834 Stonehenge and Cannon Hill Munsfordville, KY @8:38 AM iPad

3835 Buc ees Smith Grove, KY 9:41 iPad

7664-7668 Travel Munsfordville, Ky @9:15 AM 

7669-7678 Buc ees Smith Grove, KY @9:42-10:21 AM 

7679-7705 Franklin, KY 10:57-12:10 PM Lunch Buffet at Brickyard, Franklin, KY 

7706-7707 Cumberland Heights, TN @12:53 PM 

7708 Welcome Center, Elkmont, TN @2:12 PM

Receipts

Bought a bag of chips in the vending machine for 1.50

Diet Coke at the hotel $4.00

Pink Poney Ice Cream $7

Richland Carousel Park Gift Shop bought postcards and a horse pin for $10.90

Corvette Museum took a photo machine for $12

The Stingray Grill Bowling Green, Ky $21.50

19 West Main pent $26.47

Terrance Cafe Art Museum, Cincinnati, OH $22,63 

The American Sign Museum bought 3 signs for $38.81 

Buc ees, Smith Grove, KY $29.01

Restaurants

The Stingray Grill Bowling Green, KY

Chef's Choice Lexington, KY

Buckeye Express Diner, Belleville, OH

Scofield's Cafe at Prison, Mansfield, OH

Grumpy's Cafe Tremont, Cleveland, OH

Terrance Cafe, Cincinnati, OH

One Nineteen West Main Restaurant, LaGrange, KY 

Brickyard Cafe, Franklin, KY 

Museum

Corvette Museum Bowling Green, KY

Shawshank Redemption Prison, Mansfield, OH 

Christmas Story House, Museum, Gift Shop, Cleveland, OH

Cincinnati Art Museum Cincinnati, OH 

American Sign Museum, Cincinnati, OH 

North Central Ohio Industrial Museum, Mansfield, OH