Lexington, KY Aug 10-15

Nice stop in Lexington, KY to visit Jeff and Peg Meece, dear friends that we haven't seen in many years. Below we are all happy at the Woodford Distillery (Woodford Reserve Bourbon). Woodford is the "Kentucky Derby bourbon", famous for its copper pot distillation and small premium batches. Very nice. Took an intersting tour of the Toyota, Georgetown, KY plant (no pics), 7.5 million sq. ft., 7,000 employees (none union), just in time manufacturing, car rolls off the assembly line every 55 seconds, annual capacity 500,000 cars. Won many JD Power plant awards. The plant and the other 20,000+ jobs they produced in support roles significantly helped the economy here. 80+% of the parts for production are produced domestically. Business is picking up.

Lexington is also the home of U Kentucky, basketball powerhouse and known for its world famous horse farms. Next month, this area will host the World Equestrian Games, held every four years; first time in the US. This area has been gearing up for them for the past four years; everything is in great shape. Centerpiece for the games is the Kentucky Horse Park, home of the International Museum of Horse, retirement home for John Henry and many other famous horses. Took a tour of the museum, very extensive.

Tribute to Secretariat, triple crown winner, at the Horse Park; buried near here in Keenland.

Lastly, interesting place below; Martin Castle, now Post Castle, a B&B here with 8 guest rooms. Martin couple started the building, got divorced; the Posts eventually purchased it, spent beaucoup bucks renovating/restoring it. Looked nicer up close.

Cleveland Aug 1-9

How can you go to Cleveland and not see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? If you love that kind of music, it's a must see. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation (started in 1983) was considering a small museum in NYC when Cleveland showed up with big financial plans for a formal museum. They won the bid and in 1995 the 150,000 sq. ft. building below (architect I.M. Pei) opened. It is filled with great memorabilia, great videos and, of course, great music. If you get to Cleveland, check it out.

Primary purpose of stopping in Cleveland was to celebrate wedding of my nephew, James and his lovely (now) wife, Alex. Picture of the beautiful bride below.

Wonderful to see so much family and so many friends. Beautiful venues for the events, including the church below. Wonderful detail work on the ceiling and over the altar. Picture doesn't do it justice.

Below, the back deck of the bride's parents' home; kind of reminds you of HH doesn't it? Her mom, Mikee lower right of the picture.

Had a great live band at the reception; they could do Etta James, Chicago, Louis Armstrong, old and new rock. Two videos of some dancing. Enjoy.