Kentucky at last!

Saturday 21 July 2012

      My husband JC and two sons and I were so exhausted from the trip. If we had only had one stop on the way, it would not have been as bad. And the gates were so far apart.  My husband found himself traveling by wheelchair throughout the airport because of his healing foot from the past surgery's. The Delta service was great!
     We spent most of Saturday morning, sleeping in our hotel.  We went out for a while, traveling around to get our bearings.
The Eco Lodge was not far from where the Family reunion was to be held at Pride Park. This was just a few miles from the CVG - Cinni/Northern KY International Airport. Pride Park was off the Taylor Exit, and I wanted to make sure we knew the day before where it was.
     In the hotel lobby, was a pamphlet on many sights of interest.  One was the Kentucky Horse Park down the freeway.
Spontaneously we headed that direction. We ended up driving into the most lovely grounds. White vinyl fencing for as far as you can see. Thoroughbred horses grazing everywhere! It was a peaceful and pleasant drive around the grounds.
    We kept seeing "Bryer Fest" signs. I had no idea what this meant?  We stopped near a large building. It had a sign "Concert tonight."  Two ladies came out with a Texas accent. They explained that Bryer were small model horses, like the kind I use to collect as a girl. They are very collectible and can go for thousands. People come from all over the world...once a year for days of trading, and other activities.
    They reached in and handed us three tickets to the "Beatle" concert that night.  They were not going to be using them.
They gave me a pin to get into all the remaining attractions, and I paid for three more tickets at 2/3 off for my husband and sons.  We saw jousting and other shows in the main area.  They had a benefit raffle, giving away 25 Bryer horses. I found out later they were the only 25 to be made, and the mold was broken. Those who's names were drawn found themselves the proud owner of a model ( Toy)  horse possibly worth in the hundreds, if not close to $1000 from what I was told.
     We went into the Horse Museum. "Man of War," and other famous horses are honored here, with their owners and managers. Famous Hollywood Horses are also displayed in pictures and other art forms.
     That night we went to the concert, where a couple of ladies from up north, gave me an extra ticket they were not using.
    We found ourselves at the "British Invasion," Fest.

Five men in their thirties, from Chicago Illinois, are known as the "Brit Beat."  They dress up in various costumes and sing all the popular Beatles Tunes. They have taken on the names of Paul, John, George, and Ringo.  They have one other gentleman,  who plays with them.
  I felt like I was 10 years old again, their music was so good. You could shut your eyes, and feel that it was really the Real Beatles you were listening to, accents and all. Afterwards I spoke to them....the accents were gone.

     Met some great people from around the country and the world.....enjoyed the live band, and drove back to our hotel, ready to sleep; and head out the next day, for the family reunion.