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 A.M., 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, a muralled bus sits next to another mural, and a painting of musical notes leads away from the bus. You are greeted with a smile and warmth that make 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 it had been a long day of travel, so we both went straight to bed.
Photos:
7794-7809 Dolly's Travel Stop Centerville, TN @ 9:18 A.M.
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 P.M.
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 learned the history of how baseball bats are harvested and made. $20.26. Our guide was Owen.
It was now lunchtime, so everyone dispersed 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, inviting atmosphere where you did not feel rushed and could relax and enjoy your meal.
Our next stop was the Louisville Art Museum, which had a gift shop and two upper levels of art display. The cost was $5.00.
On display was artwork by Stan Squirell, Threads of Influence, on view from March 20 to July 5, 2026.
The visionary art of Minnie Evans is on view April 4 through October 4, 2026. Minnie's art reflects on living and how our own history affects 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 Blackburys ' journey, 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 did. The curator said once we paid, we could return after our tour.
Next, take our one-hour trolley tour of Louisville with our guide, Travis.
After the trolley tour, we watched a movie at the Frazier Museum, then 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 P.M., then boarded 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 A.M.
7834-7896 Louisville Slugger Museum Louisville, KY @9:30-11:10 A.M.
7897-7898 Lunch at the Main Eatery, Louisville, KY @11:32 PM
7899-7999 The Frazier Museu, Louisville, KY@12:02-1:41 P.M.
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 @ 5:48–7 P.M.
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 A.M., took a shower, finished packing, wrote in my journal, ate breakfast, and was on the bus by 8 A.M.
Our first stop was Buc-ee's at 9:19 A.M. 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, which consists of Cajun boiled shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn.
We were home by 4:30 P.M.
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 A.M. $24.09
8076-8164 Williamson Archives and Museum 12:12–1:07 P.M.
