Part 15 IN summary of Mammoth Cave

IN summary of Mammoth Cave – it is not as live as some other caves I toured. I found sections were not that impressive if I compared it to caves such as Luray Caverns. BUT - please don't get me wrong, it is still something to see.


 On the way to the Mammoth Cave it started to lightly drizzle and by the time the bus brought us back to the welcome center it was raining and never really stopped until late Monday. Before that it was picture perfect weather for the entire trip.

The welcome center has a really nice exhibit set up showcasing the early history of Cave Country and the discovery of the caves. Even if you don't tour the caves the exhibit is worth it. We spent some time looking at the exhibits.

Paul found us. He looked refreshed and ready to go. What ever happened to him it was nothing serious. We were all hungry so it was time to leave and head back for supper.

 Sorry but here is another sad commentary on America.
 In years past one thing you could usually find was quality meat in the little town. The reason is many of the local stores got their meat from the local farmer. For instance when I use to frequent Rocky Fork in Ohio I would always go to this gas station food mart. They had the best little meat counter. All the meat was local. Today it is hard to find the little independent place as in this trip so we found a Save A Lot and went there.

 I was fooled at first by their steaks because they were really cheap. I was about to grab a couple until a closer inspection revealed the meat was from Mexico and it really didn't look the best. I am shocked that in America where we use to have the best beef it has gotten to this point.

We quickly left there and located another grocery store in town that was a little better. I found something in this store that brought a smile and a remembrance of past travels to down south. It was fun to see something left from yesteryear – a hanging smoked ham. Most grocery stores or like places in the Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky region, maybe other states also – I don't know, usually had and I guess still do netted or bagged smoked hams hanging from the ceiling or a pole.
The one I found at this food store was hanging on a pole by laundry soap. In the location it was at it did not look that appealing. Unless the tie is an ad that promises - For that clean smoked ham taste try...




During our search for a grocery store we came upon Tepee Village motel. Talk about a throw back to the old roadside America days. According to their website there was a chain of them. Only 3 now exist. The one in Kentucky dates to 1936.

Because of the time and rain we decided to put our groceries on ice and have
 our last supper at Look Out restaurant.

 I will leave you hanging like a smoked ham and finish this later.

                             Gotta GoGo!!
                                  Carey


caves closed

 John from wounded warriors

 rain and rain and a siren

 Lincoln

State rep

gas cap

Part 11 - Gospel Time

Part 11

We are almost drawing to the conclusion of the trip; I sure do know how to drag out a story. 

We found Rocky Hill Baptist church which wasn’t too far from our hotel but definitely out in the country.  Sunday service had already started when we arrived. We entered and took our seats as quietly as possible.  The preacher was in the middle of preaching up a storm.  

 His style was a throw back to the tent revivals of years past, loud and animated.  The church itself was also reminiscent of years past even though it was recently built.   It had wooden pews, piano and they still used hymn books. 

We enjoyed the service but what we found strange was the weird manner of how someone joins their congregation.  A woman stood up and gave a lengthy testimony about her struggles and how she drifted.  She went on for some time about how she repented and will stay committed to God.  Then she said I want to become a member of this church.  The pastor said OK lets take a vote.  But before he said anything further someone else spoke up and verbally gave his support to the lady saying he feels she is sincere.  The pastor then said alright lets take a vote all in favor say aye.  The small congregation gave a loud aye.  Anyone against?  It was silent so her membership was approved right there.  

To be continued...

Gotta GoGo!!

Carey

Nashville to Park City

Part 8

After our run around Nashville episode the drive up to Park City was smooth.  We drove through Bowling Green and probably could of saved time and found a better meal if we ate there.

Park City is actually a small town and a small town that time has forgotten.  Near the freeway exit a corporate dollar store has sprouted but little else in the town from the old days has survived like so many others in America.

Getting off the freeway we guessed at the right way to go but that dead ended into 31-W not to be confused with 31-E which I never did figure out how you could be on 31-W and head east or west and on 31-E you could go north and south, anyway on 31-W we went the wrong way.  There was an old style motel that had a car jacked up with regular table  lamps around it; someone at 1 am was working on their car.  I decided to pull in and ask for directions. 

Well it hit me and hit me hard, I had a laugh time.  Anyone that knows me real well knows that a laugh time can come on without notice.  I just sized up the situation of this car, tools all around, lamps plugged in with a man under it.  What were his neighbors thinking?  It occurred to me this must be my twin and I started to laugh and laugh. 

The man crawled out from under his car to talk to us but it was no use.  No matter what he said a loud BAH HA HA came out.  He had to think I was doped up.    It was bad.  Dan listened as best as he could.  I quickly pulled out with a tear in my eye and vague directions. 

Laughing is always good before a fright - time to find Park Mammoth Resort.

   Gotta GoGo!!

    Carey

gloominess of place  eerie driving up

time warp smell

woke to oldies on the radio

look out restaurant asked waitress if its the name because of the lookout or because the food is so bad you need to look out

 both, scenery and food is bad

rain and rain and a siren

shooting range

Paul asked for church waitress said go to my dads church

Rocky Hill Baptist church, fiery preacher

weird manner of joining

off to mammoth cave

caves closed

World heritage site

Paul got sick

John from wounded warriors

Lincoln

2009 - My year in review

Hey Gang,
2009 - My year in review.
How do I sum up 2009? Lots of stress, uncertainty, tragedy, a few personal triumphs and quiet. I guess that would be correct. Some of you are probably thinking besides the quiet sounds like a typical Carey year. Not really.
The year started off with way to much stress from my deranged nephew, an on going battle with Euclid, and financial difficulties that lasted until mid summer. My travel wings remained for the most part clipped and ventured out only a few times. And as usual the revolving door of friends appearing and disappearing was present but not as much as in years past, as I said it was relatively quiet.
The tragic was the passing of Marks daughter that is still hard to think about and accept. I will never forget the phone call from Jamie informing of what happened. So very sad.
The triumphs were Euclids case against me being thrown out, maintaining ownership of my houses and business rebounding, lets hope these three continue into the years ahead.
Met a few interesting people. I had the pleasure to meet Mayor Murray and his wife Sylvia of Somerville, Texas, Carey Coleman radio personality and ex weather forecaster for channel 43, John Kasich former representative and TV host of In the Heartland and now governor hopeful for Ohio, George Sleigh a 911 survivor, and a host of councilman, representatives and others in elected positions.
Like I said I didn't do much in the way of travel but made the most of the opportunities that were granted to me. Dov and I picked up Millard in Kentucky in July and he stayed for about a month. That was a fun trip. A couple of the evenings down there were unseasonably cool. For the return trip Jeff came along. It was a fun filled adventuresome four days. It seemed as if we were gone much longer. I have been to Kentucky more times than I can remember but I am still finding new things to see. On the way to take Jeff and Millard to see Natural Bridge we went through the Nada tunnel. What a sight! It looked like something out of Jurassic Park.
I also went to Texas with Walt that stretched not only our patience with each other but also our nerves. I still don't know how Walt managed to perform in a grueling jet ski race after a 1,300 mile plus trip with very little to no sleep in 104 degree heat. I could barely function doing nothing.
Looking back though the trip was still worth it as I got to see places I have never been before. Heading to Texas we did take one short break in Parkers Crossroads, Tennessee site of a civil war battle. Barbara Warhurst who works at the bookstore & gift shop found out after she got the job there that her great great grandpa James Madison Allen fought at that battle. I really enjoyed my conversation with her.
While in Texas we went to College Station home of Texas A&M and historic downtown Brenham. On the way home we stopped in Hope Arkansas home of President Clinton and Governor Huckabee and Hot Springs, Arkansas which I hope to return to see the rest of the historic sites.
The Winter Cookout resumed with about 12 in attendance as well as the Christmas Spaghetti Dinner/gift exchange. But 2009 was the first year I didn't have a backyard cookout.
Went to the beach only once and didn't even enjoy it. Poor Millard. Every year he comes in June the weather isn't warm enough for a beach outing. So I told him come in July and what happens? The day we made plans it was unseasonably cool with cold water temps.
I took a few day trips. One was to the Pemberville Free Fair with Jeff B., it was unplanned and turned out to be a very good time with free vegetables for me. Took Mom, my sister Cindi and Jeff M. to the Painesville Town Square car show and ended the night in Geneva on the Lake and yet again it was cool. Other than that car show didn't attend any others.
A couple of the more exciting things I did was spend the night in the Mansfield Reformatory with my sister and Jeff M.. A very memorable eery experience. Also sort of along the same lines of being in an abandoned place I went to Detroit Superior Bridge Festival held in the lower level where the streetcars use to run. What a fascinating experience. And again almost along those same lines was being inside of Euclid Square Mall which is just about completely vacant.
As for the Christmas season it was quiet and besides the major disappointment of Ruth being denied after we spent months planning her visit it was nice. It started early with my Christmas Spaghetti Dinner/Gift Exchange. After that Cindi planned a Christmas outing to see the Christmas Story House and then had friends over her house. Christmas Eve I spent playing Santa with Jeff B., dropping off gifts to my tenants, spending some time with Walts family and then ending the night with Bruce and his Mom for coffee and laughs. Christmas just the family, the first time no one dropped in on us. For New Years Eve Cindi invited me to a singles night at her church, Willoughby Friends. Met some interesting people there. It was fun.
Well that about sums up my year 2009, if I forgot mentioning something I did with you, sorry! Just send me an email and say what about.....
Happy New Years Friends
and may 2010 be prosperous and healthy for all of us.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

More of my July

Hey Gang,
Forcing myself to finish this July story even though I am quite busy right now. If I don't it will never get finished and I will be off on another adventure which will be happening shortly as I may be leaving for Texas this Wednesday with Walt.
Trying to figure out what to do with some of my articles/stories. I use to send out just about daily emails titled Hey Gangs but it seems interest has waned. These emails covered all the bases, politics, religion, travel, human interest and everything and anything in between including prayer requests. But its hard to write anything personal when you don't get the necessary feedback to do so. I have been receiving less and less responses and when I do they are less then flattering. So I have started blogging more. But how many blogs will Carey need? I have my Carey On blog strictly politics, the ....whats on Carey's Mind Today mostly travel and fun stuff. What about the rest though, the human interest, prayer requests, what do I do with them?

WHOOPS! Sorry for that tangent.

Now getting back to my July story.
I have already wrote about how business picked up and about the Brownstone and the Jeremiah Ensworth house I cleaned. Why would I include a job in a travel blog? Because even though it was work related, getting to clean those properties was a treat. Almost like a paid tour but instead I got paid.
Now.....
I feel when you don't really make plans and just go on the spur of the moment things almost always work out for the best. Expectations are different and when you do find something fun or interesting its a nice surprise or deviation from what you would normally do. Thats how the Saturday after court went.
The day was gloomy, threatening rain on and off but my friend Millard was in town from Kentucky so I didn't want to waste the day. I went on line and did a search for Ohio cruise ins. I found a place called Wink's Drive In in Barberton. I called my other friend Jeff and told him we would pick him up about 5. Thats all the plans we made, head towards Barberton and find Wink's.
If you get the chance you should go to Winks. When I write reviews I am honest. If you are going to Winks just for the food you may be disappointed, we found it to be average at best, we didn't try the ice cream and shakes so maybe those would be better, don't know. But the ambiance for an evening of fun and entertainment for a cruise is perfect. Its an old style diner with the long over head where you park under and the waitresses come out to you, not sure if they still do that as a band was set up under it playing oldies. On top of the overhead was an old cop car in back of a hot rod. Very cool. Inside, the front and back of the booth to eat was an old Chevy.
The threat of rain was unfortunate because it was suppose to be Chrysler night, the GoGo Bus is an old Dodge so it would of really of been perfect timing. Instead the weather chased away a lot cruisers so it was cancelled. I was told on a normal weekend the place gets mobbed.
After Winks we headed to Akron for the 62nd Annual Summit County Italian-American festival that was listed in one of the travel pamphlets I had. Akron is right next door to Barberton so it was a nice tie in to where we were.
Again I am being honest with my review, IF your exceptions of finding a true Italian-American festival you would of been disappointed, most of the ethnic festivals in America are now watered down. BUT if you're looking for a free festival in a great location, with free entertainment, plenty of food stands, and a LARGE crowd to people watch, this is perfect. We had an excellent time.
The main stage is located in what they call Lock 3. They had impersonators of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.. Pretty good act. On the opposite end of the festival they had a smaller stage set up with a band playing, yes you guessed it, Sinatra and Martin songs.
We grabbed something to eat and sat down in the Lock 3 area just in time for the ending of the Rat Pack tribute and the fireworks. The firework display was great. Akron had them set up on a tall building. It seemed as if the building was on fire. It was a fun night. I recommend it.
OK that brings us up to almost the second week of July. But will I finish this before the Texas trip.... stay tuned.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

One more look back

Hey Gang,
This was suppose to be posted last week but I had computer trouble. Sort of my fault. I couldn't remove a CD from my computer so I hit it. Well the CD drawer came open with the CD still spinning at a million revolutions per minute but the computer was knocked off line and I couldn't reconnect. I got it running again, actually Mom did, she has more patience and faith then I do. I was ready to throw the pc away not her, she wasn't about to let up.
Anyways, here are a few of my favorite photos for the year 2008. These are just scenery. Tomorrow I will send out another with just people.
Enjoy!
Gotta GoGo!!
Carey


1.Letchworth State Park
2.Birch Rd. Salt Fork, Ohio
3.Country Road - Kentucky
4. Flats of Cleveland
5. Snowstorm in March, my house
6. Letchworth State Park
7. Mead Park in Cory, Pa.

Shirl talks about Kentucky's earthquake

Hey Gang,
This is a little different for a blog. Instead of rewriting a chat I had with Shirl on Wednesday morning April 23, 2008, I am posting it as it.
The earthquake she talks about happened Sunday April 20Th.
Earthquakes are now happening in Kentucky! This should make us think.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
shirley (4/23/2008 3:58:22 AM): now i can tell you
shirley (4/23/2008 3:59:34 AM): guess what happened here in campton
shirley (4/23/2008 3:59:44 AM): we had an earth quake
Carey (4/23/2008 3:59:48 AM): WOW
shirley (4/23/2008 3:59:52 AM): yes
Carey (4/23/2008 3:59:56 AM): has that ever happened
shirley (4/23/2008 4:00:06 AM): real early sun morn in the wee hours
shirley (4/23/2008 4:00:15 AM): not in my lifetime here
Carey (4/23/2008 4:00:21 AM): wow
shirley (4/23/2008 4:00:26 AM): it was a 4 pointer
Carey (4/23/2008 4:00:34 AM): thats pretty big
shirley (4/23/2008 4:00:53 AM): and then we had an after shock a few hours later
shirley (4/23/2008 4:01:00 AM): my bed shook
Carey (4/23/2008 4:01:01 AM): did ya feel it
Carey (4/23/2008 4:01:05 AM): i guess you did
shirley (4/23/2008 4:01:22 AM): at first i thought heidi my dog had gotten off my bed til i sat up and she was still there
Carey (4/23/2008 4:01:42 AM): where was it centered
shirley (4/23/2008 4:01:47 AM): the news said we are in for another one later this summer
shirley (4/23/2008 4:01:53 AM): a much bigger one
shirley (4/23/2008 4:02:39 AM): not sure but we felt it here in campton and the after shock went clear into the outskirts of jackson
Carey (4/23/2008 4:02:54 AM): they never said the spot of origin
shirley (4/23/2008 4:03:04 AM): i didnt catch it
Carey (4/23/2008 4:03:09 AM): my goodness
shirley (4/23/2008 4:03:12 AM): i know
shirley (4/23/2008 4:03:20 AM): now its getting scarey
Carey (4/23/2008 4:03:26 AM): is this a first for all of Ky or just this area
shirley (4/23/2008 4:03:33 AM): i dont know
shirley (4/23/2008 4:03:43 AM): have to check into it
Carey (4/23/2008 4:04:57 AM): the first one I ever remember happened in Cleveland in 86, the first that I know of for this area
shirley (4/23/2008 4:05:14 AM): this was my first
Carey (4/23/2008 4:05:16 AM): since then we must of had oh maybe 8
shirley (4/23/2008 4:05:24 AM): really
Carey (4/23/2008 4:05:31 AM): all of them are about 2.0 to about 3.5
Carey (4/23/2008 4:05:54 AM): not that big BUT it is an earthquake
shirley (4/23/2008 4:06:00 AM): yes
Carey (4/23/2008 4:06:08 AM): and who knows when it can spring into a big one
shirley (4/23/2008 4:06:25 AM): the one that we are supposed to get this summer is supposed to be a 6 pointer
Carey (4/23/2008 4:06:32 AM): no way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you are joking right?
shirley (4/23/2008 4:06:41 AM): they have been following up on this one they knew we were supposed to get this one
shirley (4/23/2008 4:07:01 AM): no im not joking
Carey (4/23/2008 4:07:08 AM): Shirl do you realize a 6 is MAJOR damage
shirley (4/23/2008 4:07:13 AM): i know
shirley (4/23/2008 4:07:21 AM): this one was a 4
Carey (4/23/2008 4:07:33 AM): they don't jump by a little, the richter scale is strange
shirley (4/23/2008 4:07:39 AM): thats why i said im kinda scared
Carey (4/23/2008 4:07:43 AM): was there any damage
shirley (4/23/2008 4:07:51 AM): not that i know of
Carey (4/23/2008 4:07:58 AM): 4 can cause some
shirley (4/23/2008 4:08:40 AM): but my air unit outside is making a terrible noise when it comes on now and it didnt before this happened
shirley (4/23/2008 4:08:58 AM): i think it moved it out of balance or something
Carey (4/23/2008 4:15:22 AM): but in a way its kind of exciting isnt it
shirley (4/23/2008 4:15:28 AM): sort of
Carey (4/23/2008 4:15:30 AM): yes
Carey (4/23/2008 4:15:33 AM): in a scary way
shirley (4/23/2008 4:15:36 AM): if they dont get real bad
shirley (4/23/2008 4:15:52 AM): patty and rocks were mad cause they slept through it
Carey (4/23/2008 4:15:58 AM): oh my gosh
Carey (4/23/2008 4:16:09 AM): yeah thats what I mean
Carey (4/23/2008 4:16:23 AM): you dont want it to happen but it is an event of sorts
Carey (4/23/2008 4:16:27 AM): something to remember
shirley (4/23/2008 4:16:30 AM): yup
shirley (4/23/2008 4:17:08 AM): gosh the one that we r to get this summer might cause some of these mountains to fall
Carey (4/23/2008 4:17:23 AM): YES 6 IS MAJOR
shirley (4/23/2008 4:17:34 AM): i hope they r mistaken
Carey (4/23/2008 4:17:40 AM): me to
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This should make us all think and if it doesn't this will:

LUKE 21: AND CHRIST SAID TO THEM: NATION WILL RISE AGAINST NATION, AND KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM. AND THERE WILL BE GREAT EARTHQUAKES IN VARIOUS PLACES, AND FAMINES AND PESTILENCES, AND THERE WILL BE........

Hmmmmmmmmmmm!

Gotta Go Go!!
Carey