Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Lexington, Kentucky


The sign welcoming me into Kentucky advertised the place as the birthplace of Lincoln, almost like a big "Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Illinois!"

I pulled into Lexington tired and utterly bewildered. I'd never been to Kentucky before, and suddenly here I was, alone, and with the added pleasure of having no place to stay. I drove around downtown Lexington, which took all of three minutes, drove the wrong way down a one way street, and swung into the nearest parking space when I realized my mistake. Saw this sign next to my car:



Coincidence? I think not.

I was now getting antsy as to how I was going to kill all this time before heading out in the morning. I walked into a Starbucks and asked the girl what there is to do for fun around here.

"Have you tried the Mary Todd Lincoln house?"

Of course she didn't say that. She instead told me there is nothing to do in Lexington. Being a college town, the place all but shuts down during the summer, and aside from your average horse enthusiast, tourists don't make a habit of stopping here.

Realizing I needed food like Paris Hilton needs a punch in the kidneys, I stopped into a local pub and ordered a burger. When I finished it was still only eight o'clock. Suddenly I had an idea.

"Can I get you another drink?" the bartender asked.

"I'll take one bourbon, one scotch and one beer."



I've always wanted to do that.


After walking around town for a bit, I returned to my car, brushed my teeth using a nalgene full of water, and fell alseep in my car under the watchful eye of crazy old Mrs. Lincoln.

7 comments:

Kirsten said...

It was great to talk to you last night. Have a safe trip as you move on to Tennessee - hopefully it's more exciting there!

Kirsten
(Scott's sister)

Anonymous said...

hey scott...
I can totally relate with you about kentucky, not the most exciting place in the world (my grandparents live there)

Although the flea markets are unintenional comedic gold, nothing but weapons, bootleg dvd's and animals stolen from pet shops. It confirms EVERY sterotype one would have about the south.

-Mersch

Anonymous said...

As we were talking about last night, I didn't see much in Lexington when I went there on business a few times about 15 years ago. It's the university and that's about it. I didn't even see the Mary Todd Lincoln house. From what I was told back then, all the excitement (?) in the state is over in Louisville, or "Lou-ville" as they call it there.

Ben said...

Hey Scott,

That is one crazy image of you with three drinks at 756AM. Wow. It makes for a very funny photo.

Good luck as you head west. If you plan to cross through Iowa, let me know and I could connect you with my cousin, who lives near Des Moines.

Scott @ I Thought They Said Rum said...

Actually the picture was from the night before. I just posted it the next morning. I don't think bars are allowed to serve alcohol before a certain time.

I hope to make it to Iowa to see the field of dreams. I'll definitely let you know if I make it there.

bgibs said...

Anybody know exactly where the field of dreams is?

Scott @ I Thought They Said Rum said...

The field of dreams is in Dyersville, in eastern Iowa.