Southern Byways

Train rides just may be one of the best ways to experience the mountains, especially if you want to see as much as you can in a short amount of time.
In Georgia, hop aboard for a trip on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad . Departing from Blue Ridge, this three- and-a-half hour ride includes a layover stop in McCaysville, Ga., that provides enough time to explore the town as well as nearby Copperhill, Tenn.
The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Dillsboro and Bryson City offers a number of trips throughout the year, many are scenic, such as Fontana Trestle and Nantahala …read more

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All kinds of festivals and fall fairs are coming out of the woodwork over the next few months, but the minute I spotted this one, I thought that a lot of you just might be interested in knowing more!
“Jim Rutledge, master distiller at Four Roses Distillery, knows all about the art of Kentucky bourbon-making and its distinctively American heritage. “The people of Bardstown, Ky., have been making bourbon since 1776,” Mr. Rutledge says. “Today, because 69 percent of the world’s bourbon is made in and around the Nelson County area, it is believed Bardstown is the …read more

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This month our theme is … Best of. I thought about everything that the south had to offer and it was hard to pin down one thing. And then I thought about something that I have always loved and people are instantly familiar with… 
I don’t think that there is a person alive who hasn’t eaten Kentucky Fried Chicken, and I certainly had my share during my university days, but have you ever tried it in a little town called Corbin?? You will see the turn off right from the I75! I haven’t been there in a while, but I …read more

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So You Think You’re Smart: 150 Fun and Challenging Brain Teasers
I’m always looking for ways to pass the time on the long trip down and found this book. Yes, I do get extremely antsy (is that really a word??) And it just might be the answer to those long hours stuck in the car! The winner gets to choose the next stop!
*And I had better win!
And I thought that I would throw in a must see for the way down.
The entire family will enjoy a stop at Big Bone Lick State Park , Kentucky.
“During the …read more

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Any outdoor lovers in your family?? If so, they are going to love the Newport Aquarium. It features 11,000 animals representing over 600 species. That seems rather impressive to me! It also contains one million gallons of fresh and salt water. Sounds as if you could spend a lot of time there!! Here’s just some of what they have to offer…
“Explore our 70 exhibits and 14 galleries, including five seamless acrylic tunnels totaling over 200 feet in length, featuring an amazing variety of aquatic life from around the world. Just look at what awaits you on your …read more

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I don’t know about you, but a lot of amusement park rides… quite frankly, scare me. Granted, most of the time, the rides are well serviced and nothing goes wrong, but then you read about rides when things DO GO WRONG. All I can say is that I hope that this horrible accident will bring about the necessary changes. These things just shouldn’t happen!
Here’s what took place.
“ Six Flags and another company shut down eight more thrill rides Friday around the country, including a ride at a North Carolina amusement park, after a teenage girl had her …read more

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“LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The owner of an upscale steakhouse in Louisville said he asked O.J. Simpson to leave his restaurant the night before the Kentucky Derby because he is sickened by the attention Simpson still attracts.

  ”I didn’t want to serve him because of my convictions of what he’s done to those families,” Jeff Ruby said in a telephone interview Tuesday. “The way he continues to torture the lives of those families … with his behavior, attitude and conduct.”
According to the report, diners applauded Ruby’s actions..
Although Simpson left quietly, he has decided that lawyers need to get involved. As the story unfolds, …read more

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Just a little something for those of you who really don’t care for fruit cake… although I can’t imagine why?? Anyway, here are the ingredients. Looks pretty decadent to me. Not that I’m giving up fruit cake any time soon, but when it comes to the holidays, I don’t think that you can have too much of a good thing. And just in case you are interested, this recipe won a contest!
2 cups Kentucky bourbon (no blends)
1 pound candied red cherries (whole or chopped is fine)
3/4 pound golden raisins
1 cup crasins (dried cranberries)
2 cups white sugar
2 cups brown sugar
3/4 …read more

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Well, they certainly don’t play music like this where I live, so if I want to get a feel for all things… Kentucky, this is certainly a good place to start. From what I can gather, this music has been traced back to the 1600s and you will never guess, but the music has roots in the “dance music and ballads from Ireland, Scotland and England, as well as African American gospel music and blues. (In fact, slaves from Africa brought the design idea for the banjo–an instrument now integral to the bluegrass sound.) ”
I think that I’m going …read more

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Not everyone is up for squeezing into tight spaces 150 feet below the surface, but for those who are, a day at Hidden River Cave in Kentucky is the place for you. Strap on your minor’s helmet and climb your way through a dark, undiscovered world, it begs the question, who needs the sun?
The Hidden River Cave Adventure Tour takes you on a mile long trip into the earth to explore an underground stream, discover unique cave animals and trek through Hidden River Cave. Experience caving like never before as professional, well-trained guides take you 150′ underground and off the …read more

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