Thursday, February 26, 2009

Oh The Places I've Been and The Things I've Never Seen

We've been here in Shepherdsville/Louisville for a month now. Rick has worked at least twelve hours a day almost every day. The weather has been mostly cold with some rain, ice, snow, wind, and more rain. All that has limited my excursions. In the last month, I've been to the grocery store, Wal-Mart, and the mall one time each. We went out to eat a couple of times. I've walked across the highway to get a jug of milk at the nearest convenient store, and I've walked around the campground (it's a small place) a few times. We poked around the flea market that is just behind our camper for a few minutes one day, and I've scratched the lama that lives across the road.

Do I have to tell you that the walls of my tiny home were starting to close in on me in a big way? When winter refuses to end and I'm confined to a small space I start to get grumpy, frumpy, slumpy... I needed to get out!

Rick needed a few hours away from the computer too! Thankfully he had a light load last Sunday so he took me into Louisville for a little sightseeing.

Now let me see...

I've been to Carlsbad Caverns when the bats were not there. I've been to San Juan Capistrano while all the swallows were some place else. I've been to Charlot, NC when all of NASCAR was running in Texas. I've been to New England before the leaves turned, and now I've been to Churchill Downs. While snow flurried around my face I gazed upon the track where the horses run--a couple of months from now. I bet if I go to Rome, all the Romans will stop doing whatever it is that Romans do! That's how it is when you don't get to plan your trips.

I thought I'd share my pictures with you anyway. Now you know what beautiful Churchill Downs looks like in the dead of winter.See the big concrete vault inside the chain link fence? The 2006 Derby winner, Barbaro, will be buried here soon.These spires and the original center part of the buildings is well over 100 years old. The first Kentucky Derby was run in 1875.The walkway by which the horses make their way to the track. How cool would it be to sit at one of those picnic tables and watch them go by!Here you see the dirt track, the turf track, and beyond the bare hedge, the board where the postings are shown, and beyond that, the infield. For $40 you can stand or sit on the ground or lawn chair, along with several thousand people, and "watch" the race. (Though I can't imagine you could see a whole lot. Especially as short as I am.) I'd rather have one of the very uncomfortable bleacher seats in the foreground. We did get to go into one of the "cheap" suites. It goes for a piddly $25,000 on race day.
And the white post you see marks the finish line.
And the winner's circle! It's not much to look at with snow and dry stubby twigs where beautiful red geraniums and begonias grow in the spring and summer.

And here's my Thoroughbred standing in the starting gate! We were freezing cold after our tour. We were thankful for the Kentucky Derby Museum--a place to warm up and see the history of the Derby, jockeys, horses, etc.

Yes, I've had many unplanned trips--been many places. And I've missed seeing many main attractions. I'm sure I'll have many more unplanned trips and who knows what I'll see--or not see. But I know of one trip I'm going to take some day that may be somewhat unexpected or unplanned, but I'm certain I won't miss the main attraction!

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:1-3) Whoo Hoo!!

10 comments:

Cindy said...

I so love the colors. These are actually my favorite colors put together. I have loved all the clothes in these colors the past couple of years. Even in a bigger house when you don't get out the walls began to close in on you as well as not having anyone to talk to. My girls and Jon think there is something wrong with me lately as I have found a few people to talk to and I talk all the time to them. Ok, You know me and I don't do that often but sometimes I just have to. You are so right about not missing the one unplanned trip. I am so glad that I get to go on that trip as well and there are days that I can hardly wait until that trip happens. I think of you often when I take the girls to school and go past the RV park that is just about a mile from my house. I think how awesome it would be if you were to get to come here and I could see you while you were here. If you ever come to SA maybe that will happen. Have a wonderful weekend. Glad to see pictures like these. I have heard of this place all my life but didn't know a lot of that and I certainly have not seen pictures.

Lavonda Pflug said...

Cindy, You KNOW that if I'm ever in SA I'll be knocking on your door!! Glad to know there is an RV park on your daily route. I don't hope for a natural disaster in SA, but if there is and we are lucky enough to get deployed there, we'll share a pot of coffee and hours of onversation!

Karen said...

Wow...these bright new colors make me long for spring! So bright and cheery...

Your travel adventures resemble some my family has experienced...and I thought we were the only ones that had those things happen...except for Clark Griswold!

I am with you on that final trip! What a day that will be...

Tricia said...

Natalie says, "Mommy look. A picture of Pawpaw!" She likes the new post. :o)

Edie said...

You've seen more a lot places than I have. I loved the tour.

I cracked up at your Dainty Lady's Diet too. HaHaHa!

Brittney said...

You make me laugh. I have planned many trips and still miss out on "the sights". I know what you mean about the walls closing in on you. I feel that way during football season. Saturdays and Sundays feel so long when the ones you want to spend time with are doing ( watching) the things that just bore you to tears. Don't get me wrong I want them to enjoy their football....but my goodness do we have to watch the pre-game shows, the post-game shows....then an hour long games takes 3 and 1/'2 hours to watch......But I digress.....hopefully before long the weather will clear up and you can get out and about.

Lavonda Pflug said...

Brittney, For me it's not NFL, it's NASCAR! A rain delay can make 500 miles @ 200 mph last all day (or so it seems!)

Brittney said...

I always think of Jeff Dunham when I think of NASCAR.....Another LEFT turn. Easy to follow!!!

Travis said...

It still seems like a great place to visit! If only it were in Texas...

Lavonda Pflug said...

Edie,
I am glad to see the places I've seen even if the main attraction is not there at the moment. And it is my pleasure to share my trips with you all.

Travis,
I smile and nod. It is great getting to travel the country and see the sights. But as far as hubby and I are concerned, there is no place we'd rather call home than Texas!