uncommonly feeble and random thoughts

Buffalo Trace is a company that is well-connected to the history and to the community. The workforce (labor) pitched to management a notion to create a park on the grounds, for their breaks in part but also as a beautification move. Once approval was granted, they then donated their time to build it. Talk about sweat equity. There have been a number of floods, over the years, and so on the historical side of the ledger, each flood has been commemorated on Building 61. Note the plaques, starting a ground level: For clarity's sake, here's a zoom on the concept: Throughout the distillery buildings and grounds, there are many small but character-giving touches. Exhibit A, this tap handle for tasting for quality control early in the distillation process: And another bit of information... in case the trivia game at the bar ever poses the question... the answer is "...made at Buffalo Trace in Frankfort!" And behold, the smallest bond...

Saturday was a whirlwind. Sunday, I began with a couple miles of walking in Rob and Wynee's neighborhood. It's a series of cul-de-sacs and... oh wait. Google Timeline to the rescue! The light blue shows my walking path. Well, to the accuracy allowed.. I walked on the streets, not through the yards: That prepared me for a hearty breakfast, delicious, served up by Wynee! Then, it was time to head for our last distillery stop. Have to say, that save-the-best-for-last phrase sure permeated the visit! Rob and Wynee have a great, great, neighbor who happens to work at Buffalo Trace and offered to give us his personal, private tour. What? Spend your time on a Sunday at work??? Yeah, well, he's that kind of guy. Amazingly knowledgeable, witty, and giving. It was truly a gift. So, here we go!! Side note: they have one superlative web site ... a must-see if you plan to go there. Heck, even if you don't, a web site visit will certainly not be a waste of ti...

Same day, just leaving Woodford Reserve. I tried to get Rob to help me and James roll one of these out to the truck. It wasn't like he didn't have the room. But noooo. He said the Pappy Patrol was activated and in plain clothes. I did not believe him. It was getting past 3p.m. and we needed to refuel. Where would one go? Well, if you are savvy, it's a no-brainer: Just head on out Old Frankfort Pike. There it is!!!! And what to order? Again, a no-brainer: Delish, am I right? The Big Brown Burger! Next up... I really wanted James to experience Kentucky. While I've not been to the Derby, I have been to horse country - once to check up on a trotter my dad co-owned, Orcas Flight. He was wintering near Lexington. The horse. My dad, not. I also went to Keeneland with Linda one time. So Rob and Wynee decided to do it up right. Keeneland it is!! Like football games in the South, people dress for the track. Here's a few youth hangin...

After Glenns Creek one-man operation, and just down the road, another reclaim/refurb/renew project, the Old Taylor: Rob says this will be a venue soon... they (Old Taylor) are hoping for winter opening... Right across the street, there's another pretty much abandoned building. The local flora have taken up residence: But, onward we must press. There's distilleries yet to visit! It's a hard life, but we are a hardy troupe. Next stop, Woodford Reserve. By now, the Bourbon Run participants, who have been on every road we've traveled, have come to the end of their event. We had to knock a few of 'em down to get to the tour, but they were tired and weak so it was pretty easy. We really wanted to get inside. There is some lore relative to the bars on the windows... they're not needed above the second or third story (there's some disagreement on that point) because barrels can't survive a drop from that (indeterminate) height. Which still...

My cousin Rob Hecker has been persistently, and graciously, inviting me to Central Kentucky. It so happened that http://www.thebourbonsocial.com/ was slated for Oct. 11-15. Son James was available, Linda chose to enjoy some solitude at home, so the plan was set in motion. James took the train after work Friday night from Chicago to Indianapolis. I picked him up there, and Saturday morning we drove to Frankfort. Yes, the train (and bus) station is right there. You probably missed my Suburban and my plate in the foreground. That's OK, it's dark: The next morning, once we made it through Louisville (less construction than anticipated!) it was freeway all the way to Frankfort. We get off the exit for Rob and Wynee's house, and this is the sign about a half mile from their house: Yo James, I think we hit the mother lode!!!!! Rob and Wynee were ready to go, so we jumped into Rob's awesome F-150 and the fun began!!!! My sequencing is off, as everyon...

For many years, I've driven by the Gilmore just outside of Hickory Corners, MI, on the way to Gull Lake. By many, I mean a lot. Since my dad had his trailerable sailboat, so, had to be in the late 1970s. Back when we had our blue-and-white Chevvy Blazer. With the removable back seat we used in the backyard of our first house on Greenway to watch Magic in Jud's glory season, enjoying an unseasonably warm spring. But, I digress... Every now and again we'd drive by and there would be a "meet" of some sort. These are events at which people show their cars (of whatever flavor: British, hot rod, American icons, etc.) and camp on the grounds. A lot of people camped on the spacious grounds. There were rows and rows of vehicles and campsites. So when Smithsonian sponsored a "free day at the museum" event at member museums across America, Linda's membership at the Smithsonian covered our entry fees. Why not have a free day, and scout it out as a potent...