November 2011

Our trip is winding down but not before a few great stops …..

In Paducah Kentucky, we went to the waterfront where there was a huge sea wall
that had been painted with the history of the town.
 It was a great tribute to Paducah.

Paducah is where the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers meet and at one time it was a
major shipping port.  We drove over the river and visited
Metropolis, Illinois, home of Superman.

The main reason we visited Paducah was to see the National Quilt Museum.  It was wonderful.  So many beautiful quilts, so much talent … makes me realize I have a long, long way to go.

Next stop, Nashville, Tennessee … home of country music.
We visited the Grand Ol’ Opry Hotel, the Grand Ol’ Opry Theater,
The Ryman Theater and we took a tour of the town.  

Part of our city wide tour was a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame.  It was a
remarkable museum highlighting the history of country music.

One thing I learned ….. I thought the Grand Ol’ Opry was a building ….It’s not, it is a radio show.  We went to a recording of their show.  It’s live every weekend.  The night we were there, they recorded the Grand Ol’ Opry at the Ryman Theater.  

Moving along, we next stopped in Louisville, Kentucky.  We took a great tour of the Louisville Slugger factory.  It was very interesting and a lot of fun!

Churchill Downs was fantastic.  We toured the racetrack and the back side of the racetrack where the horses and their caretakers stay.  The Breeders Cup was happening while we were there and so the stables were full of beautiful horses.  We also went to several races as well as taking time to visit the Churchill Downs Museum.  One interesting point we learned.  Secretariat was an unbelievable horse.  He would run faster and faster the more time he was out on the track.  When he died, they autopsied his body and discovered that although most horses have a heart weighing about 7 pounds …….. Secretariat's heart weighed 20 pounds. 
He was amazing.

Next we traveled to St. Louis Missouri to see the Gateway Arch.  It was gigantic. 
630 Feet high and 630 feet from base to base.  We rode to the top
and also toured the museum underground.  

Branson Missouri – I love that place.  It is located in the Ozark mountains  (they are really hills but to those in the east, they are mountains)  We saw four shows ….. a tribute to John Denver, A tribute to Neil Diamond, Yakov Smirnoff and the Oakridge Boys.  It was so much fun!!

I just had to get this picture.  It was a the most unusual
overpass over the freeway.  Mc Donalds!

Now we are heading south and the scenery is becoming more what we are
used to.  Indio California is getting closer.

Back at Outdoor Resorts, we had a great
Thanksgiving dinner with our friends!

We went to the Palm Springs Follies and had an outstanding time. 
The guest was John Davidson and he had us in stitches!

On our summer trip, I finished hand quilting a motorcycle quilt for my nephew.

I also hand quilted this quilt …… it’s one of my favorites.

We end this month safe and sound – back from a once in a lifetime trip across this great country.  We have so many memories …… we had a fabulous time!
We want to wish a Merry Christmas to all of our dear friends. We hope the holidays
will be a memorable time for all of you.