It started off slightly inauspicious. We planned to borrow Dave’s parents' car for the trip, so he went to Boston earlier in the week and picked it up. On Saturday, we loaded it all up, planning to drive about 6 hours and get a hotel room, then continue the drive on Sunday and have dinner with my brother and sister-in-law in Cincinnati, then after dinner, go to Mt. Washington. So, we drove a block and then realized we forgot to lock the apartment door. We looped around (Dave driving), stopped at a sign, looked both ways, inched forward and stopped again, looked, and were all clear. Then out of nowhere, a huge SUV came barreling down the road, right into the front passenger corner of Dave’s parents' Subaru, totaling it. No one was hurt and Basil didn't seem to care one bit, but our Kentucky road trip turned into a two block drive and an afternoon full of contacting insurance, dealerships, tow trucks, etc. But then we rented a car the next morning and headed out, and Dave's parents have already bought a new car!
So in our fancy Elantra, Dave, Basil and I drove thirteen hours and made it into Mt. Washington at 2 in the morning. Overall, we had an awesome visit, hanging with Grans, the whole big family and some old friends. We all got together on two separate occasions, but instead of being overwhelmed and like, get me out of here (which is how I usually feel when we get together on holidays, but I think because there's a different level of pressure with the holidays), it was really relaxed and fun. The first day, we hung out with Mom and Granny, then drove to Cincy to have dinner with my bro and sis-in-law. They just bought a huge house with a yard and porch, and it's awesome! We had a great time chilling with them. Each time I hang out with those two, I feel happier that we're related... I think it'll be great when they have kids and Dave and I have kids, and we'll have this cute little family visiting in our different cities. I look forward to it!
Anyway, the next day we went hiking in Bernheim State Forest and let Basil off leash for the first time, where he proved himself the perfect pup. He stayed right with us except for a few occasions where he would run ahead and then wait. Perfect. That night was a family dinner, and then the rest of the trip involved lots of Granny time, including going to my aunt/uncle's farm to pick fresh veggies. Granny couldn't get down and pick so she stood above and pointed out things for us to get, and her eyesight was incredible! She’d be standing completely above us, point at a patch of greenery and be like, "There's a big one right there!" Dave and I would be on our hands and knees and unable to find the cucumber, then finally we'd see it, Granny laughing all the while at us for taking so long. After picking about two dozen cukes and dripping our insides out as buckets of sweat, I suggested going home and Granny responded with, "Why, there are still a lot of cucumbers!" It was then I realized we weren't leaving until every one was picked.
Dave and I dripped away in the Kentucky sun while Granny directed us, and Basil gleefully ran through the fields. Mom even left picking the green beans and joined us with the cukes to satisfy Grans! Man, I can't imagine what it must have been like working under her on a farm. My shirt was literally soaked through.
Later that night, after showers and snacks, Dave and I went for a drive and saw four deer, then went out to visit an old teacher of mine, Kari Stewart. She was really amazing for me during high school, and I babysat for her kids (who are now six and ten, whoa!), so we kept in close touch when I left for school. But I haven't seen her in two or three years because her husband developed serious bladder cancer that almost killed him. But now, after many operations, he is cancer free! Woo!! So, the past two years were obviously very stressful and difficult for her to fit in visits during my brief days per year in Kentucky. But now that things are more relaxed, they seem very happy and comfortable, and made a wonderful dinner and white sangria for us. And the boys were so hospitable!! They are both very handsome and such polite, capable, smart kids. Dave and I were very impressed! They are also quite goofy... we had a blast.
A highlight from this night was meeting their new chickens and roosters. They recently set up a chicken coop full of 3-4 month olds, so we got to go hold them and pet them, which they apparently love. One of them burrowed into my arms and I had to drop her because she wouldn't jump off my lap on her own (even with some serious hints). One of the roosters was mean though and pecked at us a lot, so the younger kid, Cole, protected us by gripping the rooster while he violently pecked the air until we left the coop. The image of little Cole, wearing swim trunks and cowboy boots, holding this crazy rooster, shouting, "This one is named Quasimodo!" was unforgettably hilarious and adorable. Those boys got such a kick out of introducing us to their birds and telling us all their names and reasons behind the names. Then, they let us name one! We dubbed it Brooklyn so that our legacy will carry on. :) We also got to play with their horse a bit, and their 100 pound German Shepherd befriended basil with such gusto that we had to bathe him afterward to clean off the drool.
The next day, Granny taught us how to pickle and we made nine mason jars of pickles out of the assload of cukes she made us pick, with all kinds of spices and garlic added to them. It was sooo much fun. Then the family came over for dinner and we had an awesome meal, with gluten-free cornbread, chicken dumplings, fresh corn with fresh tomatoes, portabella mushroom sandwiches with pesto, cheese and roasted red peppers, three different types of cake for dessert. Amazing. After that, we drove to Paris, Ky, where James, the only friend from high school I keep in touch with, and his wife live. They have two cats, including one with only three legs, an awesome yard and a very cute, cozy house. Seeing all these new, cute houses definitely made us question New York City! But where else can you get genuine polish vodka for $10 a liter? We brought a bottle with us from green point to share with James and Rebecca, and the four of us got drunk. It was really great to catch up and hang with him, and Dave really enjoyed it, too. But the headaches the next morning were not so enjoyable.
With Advil and plenty of water in tow, we piled into the car and drove another 14 hours back to the good ol' BK where our cats and Fuzzy greeted us with lovely excitement. Then the next day, Fuzzy lay down and died, but you guys know about that already.
I'll leave you with the words to our state song, written by the saintly Stephen Foster in 1893.
The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home
Tis summer, the darkies are gay
The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in bloom
While the birds make music all the day
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor
All merry, all happy and bright
By 'n by hard times come a-knocking at the door
Then my old Kentucky home good night
Weep no more, my lady
Oh, weep no more, today
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home far away.
They hunt no more for the 'possum and the coon,
On meadow, the hill and the shore,
They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,
On the bench by that old cabin door.
The day goes by like a shadow o'er the heart,
With sorrow where all was delight.
The time has come when the darkies have to part,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night.
The head must bow and the back will have to bend,
Wherever the poor folks may go
A few more days and the trouble will end,
In the field where sugar-canes may grow.
A few more days for to tote the weary load,
No matter, 'twill never be light
A few more days till we totter on the road,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night.
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