Last year we loved going to Kentucky so much we decided to go back again. Well, we didn't decide. Rob decided because it was his turn to pick. Rob actually announced as we drove past Louisville last year that we would be back. Instead of just hitting one place, Rob wanted to hit Kentucky Derby Museum and the Louisville Slugger Museum in the same day.
The day began just like last year. Deja vu you say? No just a little redundancy. Anyway, Jay, Rob and Tom met in Indy and then they met me in Edinburgh, Indiana outlet malls. Good deals. I highly recommend it. Now, I am not a punctual fella by any means, but these guys were 30 minutes late. Just plain rude. I get in the car and off we go to Louisville...again.
We arrived at Churchill downs and much to my surprise there was horse racing that day even though it was November. We walk into the museum and let me tell you it is nicely done. Just look at the pictures below. It's gives you the history race, an understanding of what it takes to have a winning horse, and the splendor of the day. It's interactive and educational. But at the end of the day, you're either a horse person or you're not. I am not a horse person and was done with the museum in 30 minutes. My brother, Rob, is a horse person and ate up the whole experience. I believe Tom and Jay are in the middle.
We exited through the gift shop, I bought some mint julep syrup, and we were off to the Louisville Slugger Museum.
Louisville Slugger museum is located downtown two blocks from the river. Downtown Louisville is nice but the street plan is not very well laid out. Fortunately we accidentally fell into a parking spot across the street from the museum/factory. Rockstar Parking! You can't go into the museum without stopping for a picture with the giant 5 story hight bat outside. Honestly, I dare you!
The place is very nice. We buy our tickets and we go into the museum and wait for our factory tour. The museum was just a room. Just a bunch of bats and some mannequins of former players. Again, see pictures below. Then the tour was called and we got in line to begin.
The tour is actually interesting. You get to see how the bats were made in the very beginning and how they are made today. It's a small factory that fits into the small building. An interesting fact we learned is the workers as a part of their union agreement come in and perform their jobs, not actually do, on the weekends for the tour. I'm glad they do. The tour ended and our guide was very generous with his time. Everyone else was gone and we peppered him with questions for another 10 to 15 minutes. Again, we exited through the gift shop.
We left and went over to Bellerman University and visited Jay's daughter. She recommended we go to Mark's Feed Store for BBQ. There are several and we went to the nearest one. The service was good and patient. Our waitress put up with our BS and the food was good. We all bought BBQ bottles, so that says something about their sauce.
After dinner, we piled into a car and headed back home. As always it was a good time. Looking forward to next year. It's Jay's turn to choose. We will keep you posted on the next choice. Stay tuned.
