Day 3

We were up early again and on the move. Our first stop was Churchill Downs... Home of the Kentucky Derby.

This is the final resting place of the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro.

We went through the museum, and then out to the track where the races happen.

The current triple crown winner American Pharaoh.

My favorite jockeys...

and the hats... OH MY!!!!  

Trying to horse race

And then the grounds... such beauty

Luckily the day we visited, some horse were practicing.  We also caught two of them racing.  Just the sound of those two was amazing.  I can just imagine how it sounds when 20 horses are racing.

The guide told us lots of history about the Kentucky Derby.  It makes us want to go there during the Derby.

So glad we decided to tour the race track.  If you are ever in the area, it's a must see!! 

Then we were off to our next adventure.  First stop was lunch in Cincinnati.  We tried a local joint called Skyline Chili.  It has a slightly different taste than Texas chili,

 There is a hot dog with chili under all that cheese.

We decided to camp for the night and stayed in an amazing KOA campground.  The weather was beautiful for camping.  Once we were set up, we headed over to the next town for a fireworks show.

We will be up early in the morning and off to our next adventure...

Day 2

We were up early and headed to the Grand Ole Opry for a back stage tour.

One of the first things we saw was the special entrance that the stars come through that are there to perform.  This was a gift that was given to the opry by Minnie Pearl's family after she passed away.

Next we saw studio A where Hee-Haw was filmed.  Parts of the TV show Nashville is also filmed here.

Next we saw the "wall of fame" that lists everyone who is a member of the Grand Ole Opry.  There are also mailboxes where the stars can receive fan mail.

 This is hard to read but there is some amazing talent in this order of stars... Garth Brooks, Clint Black, Vince Gill,  Alan Jackson... man they made some great music...

The stars really do get fan mail here!!!

Up next were their dressing rooms.  They were awesome!!

Here are just a few of our favorites...

Notice that the pictures make a smile.... this room is for the "funny" guys or gals.

This room is used very often by Trace Atkins and those part of the Wounded Warriors program.

When a performer is at the Opry to be officially inducted, there is a special room for them to stay in.  Apparently the door to the room was closed, cause this is all I got....

 You know.... just hanging in the green room waiting to go on stage!!

Carson didn't want to stand here becasue of the sign... but it is actually referring to the bench you can't see behind them.

Here it is!!!!  The famous circle and microphone used by so many amazing singers who perform on the sage.... including David's dad...   It was cut from the floor at the Ryman Auditorium where the Opry used to be performed.

Harmonicas for souvenirs.... what were we thinking??

We found this cute soda shop for lunch....yummy burgers and shakes.. up next Louisville

We went to the Louisville Slugger museum and toured where they make bats.

Holding the bats used by some famous players...  Mickey Mantel and Derek Jeter

Babe Ruth

They made their own trading cards

Here is view inside the factory where bats are made.  No cameras were allowed on the tour.

We had a great day seeing the sites.  We are here for the night and up early to see where the Kentucky Derby takes.

Road Trip 2015

Day 1/2 and 1...
We got off to a late start but that didn't stop us from getting to our destination we planned.

They were ready for a break when we crossed the first state line.

Once we were settled in our room, Carson went looking for the bible. 

He found it with an unfamiliar book..  AKA.. phone book.

He also investigated an empty refrigerator, only to find another thing that he had no clue what it was..

He filled them with water, so he would  have ice in the morning.  We tried to make our trips both fun, and a learning experience.  He did some learning before bed time.

We were up and going early the next morning.  Carson was excited to use his ice. 

Our first stop was the capital in Little Rock.

Before heading out we took a detour and added a stop to our trip. 

We gave the kids a history lesson, and they completed some activities to earn their junior ranger badge.  We arrived too late to go on a tour of the school, so if we pass through Little Rock again, we would like to do that. 

 Central High School

Taking the Junior Ranger pledge

Next stop TENNESSEE...

 Memphis has a neat visitors center as soon as you enter the city.

Next stop.. Memphis Zoo

Some of your favorite animals...

We left the zoo and headed to the Peabody Hotel to see the ducks.  Well.. our GPS took us to the wrong place, so we barely made it before show time.  Luckily the kids were able to get closer to see and were responsible for taking pictures....

Not the  best picture but at least they were able to see the duck parade.

We try to find local places to eat at when we travel.  

If you like spicy chicken, then  this is a place for you.

This chicken was so yummy!!

After dinner, we were on the road again... up next Nashville..