There’s nothing like looking up to an inanimate object.

Since Kentucky is largely a rural state, there seems to be plenty of barns about.

And with housing prices so depressed, a fixer upper like this doesn’t make sense any more.

It looks better in black and white, though.

All we needed was the theme song from the Beverly Hillbillies to feel right at home. This is my idea of a new Kentucky home.

And what good’s a house without a barn for the horses everyone seems to own in Kentucky?

Really, that’s for the horses. The horses live better than I do.

As we approached Lexington, which is serious horse country, the roads were covered by a canopy of trees and a stone fence that stretched for miles.

I could live in area like this.

With no breakfast, Neisan and I stopped for an early lunch. Neither of us had been to Max & Erma’s, so we gave it a shot. I ordered a cajun burger, and Neisan went whole hog with the “Garbage Burger”. It gets its name from everything put on but the kitchen sink. Take a gander:

It’s rather, uh, large at 10 ounces of meat. Neisan had no problem putting it away:

And here’s the last bite.

To reward himself for eating that monster, Neisan ordered a dozen fresh baked cookies.

Our waitress, Stephanie, made sure Neisan cleaned his plate.

Notice his chipmunk cheeks, stuffed full o’ Garbage Burger.

Neisan may not have had trouble with the garbage in, but I was really concerned about the garbage out, since we had two hours to go.

Make it two hours, fifteen, since the highway wasn’t moving when we got back on.

It looks like this Fit isn’t fit any more

The further south we went, the better the scenery.

On the back roads we kept seeing barns with symbols on them. Here’s an example:

Can someone drop me an email and tell me what it is/means?

Neisan was surprised to see Amish in the area. I have 638 horsepower. He has one. I’m sure I could take ’em in the quarter mile.

While California has many unique things, we’ve never seen vending machines for live bait.

The place had two — maybe one for nightcrawlers and one for shiners.

When we were within spitting distance of the venue, the skies once agained opened.

Yes, indeed. Welcome to even more rain.

At least one person watched the forecast and planned ahead. I just hope he doesn’t need that boat.

Even in the rain, cool cars are still cool.

We know of 4 people who were smiling today — these three,

and the guy selling rain ponchos.

Isn’t togetherness wonderful?

At least I’m beading.

When most of the Tourers left,

we followed and made tracks for the hotel. Neisan said he wanted to complete the other half of garbage in. I didn’t ask, nor did I want pix. You know, garbage in, garbage out. Just our luck, though, not ten minutes after leaving the sun came out. Somehow, once again, the sun shined on our little parade of cars. God is a car guy.

Tomorrow, we head for Bristol. While most know it for the short track NASCAR stop, we know it as the terminus of Power Tour 2009. Check back tomorrow and see what Bristol has to offer us.

Your humble and obedient servant,

Forrest Tosie
Mothers® Polishes•Waxes•Cleaners

Addendum

While we were working hard at Touring, Jim and Mark made a side run to Frankfort, and the Buffalo Trace Distillery. They say it’s the oldest distillery in the United States. Here are a few pix Jim brought back. Don’t ask what else he brought.

In the lot, ready to start the tour.

There’s actually history to the name Buffalo Trace. This sculpture commemerates it.

Through these doors...

lies bourbon paradise.

Their filling line works the way ours does. Kinda sorta.

They use a bit more handwork than we do.

After the tour and gift shop visit, a few last pix and back on the road.

And they lived happily ever after.