Ohio Quilt Sisters Trip --- Days 9 and 10

Everyone is packed up - hugs have been given and check out is done.  Before we go, one memory that Stephannie managed to get --- love this so much.

We are starting the journey home, but our car has a few stops in mind along the way.  Some are unplanned and this is literally somewhere in Ohio.  A restroom break was required.

Thirst was happening as well and we found some vending machines.  Thinking we scored a couple of Dr. Peppers, it's back to the car.  As I was climbing back in - I noticed Sherri's soda was already in the holder and it was eye level.  Nooooooooo!  A quick look at mine revealed that we had been hoodwinked.  Ugh.  It was drinkable, but only barely.

Our very first real stop for today is in Cincinnati.  The zoo and Sherri's beloved Fiona are the goal.  The story is good and here is a LINK to the fun.  Go check us out -- there are some really great pics - some very heart-touching.

Ahhhhh

From the zoo, it was on to Louisville.  Along the way, we watched a pillar of black smoke erupt in front of us.  Traffic slowed, but emergency vehicles had not arrived yet, so we were able to pass.  Stephannie was behind us just enough to get caught behind the emergency providers and was help up for about an hour.  Sherri did get a video as we went by - I've shared it with you here.  Oh, and, yes, we managed to miss the Welcome to Kentucky sign once again.

Since we have some time to kill before Stephannie arrives, we check into our little house and get the car unloaded.  Take a peek --- it's pretty cute.

SUCH a great patio and all set up for a fire.  Ugh --- wish we had more time.

Those special touches --- check it out.  FRESH EGGS

Complete laundry area WITH stuff for SMORES

AND - a working record player.  Oh, it's been years.

Now for gas and some dinner.  We are meeting Irene to deliver the car - that Stephannie is driving - and have a nice meal together.  We're so sad our time was cut short with her at retreat, but this evening is really nice.  Good food, good conversation, good friends.

After dinner --- a little driving around sightseeing.  Look at these churches!  The first one is Walnut Street Baptist Church.

This one is 4th Avenue United Methodist Church.

Next up is the Witches Tree and a few other spots.  Here is our Sightseeing LINK which highlights three spots we visit:  The Witches Tree, Heigold Facade, and Louisville Slugger Bat Museum (Outside)

The Big Four Bridge is a six-span former railroad truss bridge that crosses the Ohio River, connecting Louisville, KY and Jeffersonville, IN.  It was completed in 1895, updated in 1929, taken out of rail service in 1968, and converted to bicycle and pedestrian use in 2014.  I wish I'd know I was so close to Indiana.  I blew it - could have gotten another state marked off.

We are down at the Waterfront Park and they are setting up for a HUGE event.

The Belle of Louisville has been cruising along since 1914.  She looks good for her age, doesn't she?  A National Historic Landmark and an icon of the Louisville waterfront, the Belle is the only remaining authentic steamboat from the great American packet boat era.  ANOTHER reason to return to Louisville.  There are just so many.

Last stop is the Louisville Slugger Bat (in above link).  We're calling it a night now as we are off to Paducah early in the morning.  This post doesn't end -- just our night does.

21st - Good Morning!!!  We are off to Paducah, KY, where we are meeting back up with Frieda and Gwen.  We've got an early start - so we'll stop for breakfast in a bit.  Fields of canola.

Gwen texted that we have rain ahead and it doesn't take long for us to get into it.  Ugh.  Sure hope it lets up or our day in Paducah won't be so fun.  After a bit of driving in the rain, we take a break for some food.  The Huddle House meets our needs.

Once we get back on the road --- the storms are intermittent.  My fingers are crossed that its making its way elsewhere.

River crossing -- Tennessee River

Straight to Hancocks of Paducah.  That's it for me.  I have now been at the trifecta of shopping - Marshall's in Batesville, AR, Missouri Star in Hamilton, MO and now for Paducah.  Check that off the list.

OMG - I have to use the restroom first thing so my first pictures are from the back of the shop.  Precuts and kits as far as you can look.

A bit of the store behind us.

Mr. Hancock even joined in for a picture with the Texas Girls.  While we were there several news people wanted to interview us, but when they discovered we were not here for Quilt Week (which starts on Monday), they left without any interviews.  So sad.

Ramona is enabling me once again.  She posted this while in Ohio and I bit the hook.  Picked up my fabrics today.

Once again, gotta feed the natives.  This time we are off to Flamingo Row.  Isn't the lighting grand?  Something has Sherri's attention.

And off she goes.

Great pic of Stephannie.

Pretty drinks all around.

This is such a cute restaurant.

Anyone else think of Kaffe or Tula with these walls?

Satiated for the time being, next up is the National Quilt Museum.  There is just SO much to share that here is your NQM LINK to all the beautiful eye candy inside.

However, outside there is also some fun stuff.  

Also this:  "As Meriwether Lewis and William Clark wound their way westward, they encountered many indigenous people.  The Native Americans portrayed here represent those who helped Lewis and Clark during their travels to the Pacific Ocean.  The flag that the child is holding and the Thomas Jefferson medal were gifts given to those original people of America.  Taking artistic license, George Lundeen added Sacagawea coins to the ears of the Native American and Paducah to the map held by William Clark.  It is interesting to note that in 1803, Meriwether Lewis paid $20.00 for his Newfoundland dog, Seaman, but in 1827, William Clark paid only a $5.00 transfer fee for the land where Paducah and McCracken County now stand."

My favorite from the museum.  Happy Thanksgiving by Aki Sakai.

THIS is worth going to the link all by itself.  Honest.

Off to our little house for the evening.

These definitely were put to use.

While others chose to relax, my two amigos and myself made a trek to Metropolis.  It's just across the river in Illinois.  Apparently Superman is the big draw here.  Let's go see.

Well, time for some fun pics.

All together now - 

Hmmmmm, I think this car is lost.

We've also found Super Big Boy

On the way back - a few side trips for things that are spotted - 

An entrance into a park entices.

The very park that had something I spotted earlier and wanted to find again.  How lucky.  This is Wacinton (To Have Understanding).  Hand chiseled from a local 56,000 pound Red Oak to honor the Chickasaw Indians who lived and hunted in this area until the Jackson Purchase in 1818.  Crazy cool, right?  Well, that's it for tonight.  We're gonna put our feet up and just chill for the remainder of the evening.  An early night's sleep and another day on the road tomorrow.  What will it bring?