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Published: September 22nd 2010
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Tobacco in the Field
Tobacco growning in Kentucky August 30--I said goodbye to Betty and Louisville and drove for a little while by the Ohio River on the Kentucky side. I noticed several things while driving in Kentucky: One, I didn't see any blue grass. Yes, I know the grass is really more of a blue-green than blue, but I didn't see any of that either. Betty said that grass was usually brown by this time of year, so I guess I missed it. Two, although I didn't see bluegrass, I did see tobacco growing, harvested and drying. I hadn't realized that Kentucky grew that much tobacco. Let's see, bourbon, horses and tobacco. A pretty rich combination for pleasure, I'd say! Third, I noticed that many barns had paintings of quilt squares on the sides. I liked that. Later on at a museum, I read how quilts played an important part in the underground railroad for escaping slaves. The women made a code out of certain quilt patterns to signify when there was danger, available food, safe places to hide, etc. Pretty interesting, I thought.
After a bit, I crossed the Ohio and entered Indiana. I stopped for lunch at Vivay, a town that had just completed a
Tobacco Drying
Hanging tobacco leaves to dry in the barn. week-end celebration of wine making. Swiss county in southern Indiana claims to the the first site in the U. S. To bottle wine. I thought it a curious claim, since I saw no vineyards or wineries anywhere around the area. First bourbon, now wine. These people know how to have a good time here! I stopped to camp in Rising Sun. I liked the name and the campground which was right on the river, as was my RV site.
Later, I was told that if I hadn't crossed over into Indiana quite so soon, I would have driven through Rabbit Hash, KY. Its claim to fame? It has a dog for a mayor! That could be taken as a comment on politics! The small town, however, actually raises some money instead of spending it on the election.. Pet owners put their animals up for office, campaigning on their behalf just like a real political race. People vote for the candidates by giving money to the town in their favorite candidates' name. The animal who raises the most money wins! Pretty cool, huh! Too bad I missed that town!
August 31—By mid-morning I was in Ohio, headed to see
Tight Parking
This is the spot I backed into behind Jana's house. I had only a narrow alley way in which to maneuver, too! two more cousins. Jacquie Clingan and Claudette Thomas are the daughters of Leta Nette, the oldest girl of the Davison family. As with so many of my cousins, I hadn't seen them for years and looked forward to getting together with them again. They live in two suburbs north of Cincinnati which are very close together. By the middle of the afternoon, I was very snugly parked behind Jana's house. (Jana is Claudette and Gene's daughter. Have I confused you enough now?) When I say snugly, I mean it! It took me several tries, but I squeezed my baby in that space with inches to spare! Then, I forgot to take a picture of it in there, darn! I did get a picture of the empty space however, so you can marvel at my talent!!! Jana was not only generous enough to lend me a space and electricity, but also a truck to drive around it. What a gal. So, since I had wheels, I drove a few miles to have dinner with Jacquie at her retirement home. She has a spacious two room apartment in a lovely building next to a shopping center which has all the stores she
Miami River Bridge
The bridge and the river are right down-town Hamilton. needs within walking distance. She still can drive, however, if she needs too. The dinner was delicious and we had a wonderful visit catching up with the years.
September 1—The days keep flying by, taking the months with them! This morning I drove over to Claudie and Gene's so I could visit with them. It is so good to see Gene up a little bit since his surgery. He had a radiation treatment earlier this morning. He will not start chemo until next week. So far he seems to be doing well and looks good.
After a couple of hours Jana came by to pick me up and we went to Jungle Jim's. This “grocery store” is a must for anyone who comes to the area. It is huge, covering several city blocks. It contains anything anyone could ever think of to eat or use to cook, including items from all over the world organized by countries. It also has animal/animated statues which make all kinds of noises. I was captivated, fascinated and over-whelmed and almost had to mortgage the house just to get out of there! Photos inside the building are discouraged, so I was nice
The Civil War Memorial
I took this at night because I thought it was so pretty all lit up. That is a union soldier on top of the monument. He is celebrating the end of the war. and only took a couple of pictures outside to give you an idea of the place.
Jana dropped me off back at the RV so I could put groceries away and get ready to go back to Jacquie's again for dinner. This time the whole family came. It was good to meet Mike, Jana's new husband of just a few weeks. Jacquie and Claudie are very close, like I think all sisters should be and I'm thankful she moved from Illinois to be close geographically as well. The whole family is typical Davison, as I very at home with all of them as they areI loving and gracious. Dinner was a pot luck kind of thing. Jana and I enjoyed fried dill pickles which I forgot to mention eating for the first time in Kentucky! Very different! I like them, but wouldn't want them everyday. I brought stuffed grape leaves and California (vegetable) sushi from Jungle Jim's. Jana and I ate most of that, too!
September 2—Today I wandered around Hamilton, where Jana lives and I am staying. The town bills itself as “The City of Sculptures” and it is. One statue in the middle median of the
Jungle Jim's
This is only a portion of the entrance to this huge grocery store. main street is of Alexander Hamilton, after whom the town is named. On the sidewalk, there are tiles with sayings of his. I knew he was one of the founding fathers and a financial genius, but didn't realize he was witty and pithy, too.
The city was originally a fort on the Miami River and grew from there. There are park areas and more sculptures all up and down the river. The old courthouse is being restored while still in use. It is lovely. There are many gorgeous old churches and 18th and 19th century houses all over. A tourist and photographer's paradise.
Later this evening, Jana came by and we walked around the town a bit. I took some evening pictures with lights on the river and the Civil War Memorial. She and I share many interests including photography and art. I certainly wish we lived closer to each other!
Bootsie—While Marty runs around and leaves me alone in the RV, I have to find different ways to occupy myself. This time I had a little fun moving around the dashboard by the windshield. There were some dogs in the yard in front of me and Hamilton Courthouse
The old courthouse. They are restoring it and still using it also. they went a little nuts each time I moved! That kept me interested for a little while, but I eventually got bored and went to sleep.
September 3-4—I got out of the parking space a little more easily than getting in, but it still took some maneuvering. So now we are on the road again. I crossed Ohio and spent a couple of nights in Jackson Lake State Park. It's a pretty place in southwestern Ohio.
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Roberta Carpenter
non-member comment
My Bootsie is so happy
I have never seen the states you guys are traveling in and I'm so happy you share them with me. The things you really never think about being anywhere. Marty you have opened a whole new world for me and I'm so glad that Bootsie has such a loving home.