Bardstown, Kentucky
Season IV - Chapter 6
Mardi Gras to Maine
“Nothing compares to a Kentucky Hug!”
Kentucky is not the first place that comes to mind when you think of warmth, that description is more often applied to Arizona, West Texas, or Cali’s Death Valley! The climate of those locales tend to register three digits often. Kentuckys warmth comes from its people, its landscape, and what it creates. If you have ever been here I think you might agree, The Bluegrass State is special.
This region lies in the heart of our country and it produces some of the finest example of Americana; Thoroughbred Horses, Bluegrass music, and yes... Bourbon Whiskey.
The state of Kentucky is a treat for all of the senses. Your eyes will be opened to the beauty of the horse country as you travel Old Frankfort Pike and its limestone rock walls and dark stained fence-lines. The sound of water, cascading over ledges echo down the Kentucky River in Salvisa. The smell of cooking mash welcomes you at one of the many distilleries that dapple the countryside. The nectar that the mash produces will ignite your taste buds with it’s Spirit... that warm Kentucky hug that we spoke of. And finally, touch; Place a hand anywhere on this land, from its Mammoth Cave to an Amish Village, from a legacy still in Bardstown to the giant bat in Louisville, you can’t help but feel its pulse. The people and the land here are the heart of our country. You will experience something unique, because ...
“Nothing compares to a Kentucky Hug!”
Travel safe y’all and we will see you out on the road.
John and Caroline 🍀
The warm Kentucky hug can also be explained with one of the special selections found above that any distillery offers.
Points of Interest:
1. Hiking and biking was put on hold here to visit the “Bourbon Trail.” Located at the center of the Bourbon Trail, Bardstown and the downtown is a nice place to visit, walk, and dine. Everyone recommends “Mammy’s Kitchen” as a place to get a local favorite: The Hot Brown! Food, atmosphere, and music is served here.
2. Stop in at the Welcome Center, at the center of town, for the current list of activities including music and special events held in the area. My Old Kentucky Home State Park is open for tours and does have special events, including Bourbon tasting events.
3. Follow the Bourbon Trail map and reserve your place on a tour. Plan to visit one or two distilleries to tour in a day. We found that learning the process of making bourbon to be fascinating and enjoyable. Our stops: Heaven Hill, Willit, Lux, Four Roses, Castle and Key, Woodford Reserve, and Limestone.
4. Tour the Kentucky Cooperage in Lebanon, Kentucky. Watching these teams of men making the white oak barrels for this industry is worth the 45 minutes and is worth the $15.00 per person.
5. Visit the capitol of Kentucky: Frankfort. You can plan to tour the capitol building, take the hop-on hop-off trolley for a free tour of the city, or walk through the cemetery where Danial Boone is buried high above the city. We included a tour of the Buffalo Trace distillery that brings the local history all together.
6. Louisville, Kentucky is located along the Ohio River and is worth the drive from Bardstown. We of course, take the back roads when possible. (See motorcycle route below.)
Scenic Motorcycle Routes:
1. Bardstown to Lebanon, Kentucky: Our main event was the Kentucky Cooperage. We did stop at the Limestone Distillery for a bottle of Yellowstone to go. Our ride home was so fun as we traveled the back roads all the way back to Bardstown.
2. Bardstown to Louisville: Who knew there was a Boston, Kentucky? Riding past the small towns along the way is always a joy. Our stop in Louisville included a stop at the Louisville Slugger for a quick photo, a brown bag lunch in the Churchill Downs parking lot, and a stop at Ehrlers’s Ice Cream before taking a few back roads home to Bardstown.
Our view of the morning sunset.
RV Location:
White Acres Campground
3022 Boston Road
Bardstown, Kentucky 40004
502-348-9677
*While we enjoyed our stay in Bardstown due to the convenience of the White Acres CG. This campground is a bit dated but our sire was large, easy to park, with a relatively flat gravel surface. To note: There are no other amenities are available at this campground.
