Map Tracks

Trip Summary

Travel Trivia
We drove 2,897 miles (1,593 miles towing) and got 14.4 mpg on this trip.

The total for the past 11 years is 105,455 miles driven (87,462 miles of towing) and 405 trailer set-ups.

This trip was different in that we did more trailer-less excursions than in the past.  The trailer was only connected 55.5% of the time.

Special Sights & Experiences
  * Civil War history throughout Kentucky
  * Grand Canyon of the South
  * Lincoln's birthplace
  * The Bourbon Trail
  * Downtown Paducah and the floodwall

Disappointments
  * None

Problems
  * The heat, humidity and heavy rain resulted in some uncomfortable days.
  * The rear Fantastic Fan didn't close during a rain storm at the Breaks Interstate Park.
  * Had to replace the Kobalt tire inflator.
  * Got locked out of the Durango on the last day of the trip.

Our Next Trip
We have no ideas at this point.

Day 28 - Walton, KY to Columbus, OH

It was sunny and warm, bordering on hot all day.  It was a good day to drive the 136 miles home.

We left Walton, KY at 10:45 am and got to our RV storage lot at 3:35 pm.

The roads (I-75 and I-71) were good in KY.  I-71 north of Cincinnati was really rough.

We stopped at a Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in Mason, OH for breakfast and got a rude surprise when we left.  Our keys were locked in the car!  This isn't supposed to happen with keyless start cars ... but, it did.  AAA was called and we were on the road again in about an hour.

The rest of the drive was uneventful.

Unloading took two trips plus a third for some forgotten things, as usual.

Day 27 - Bowling Green, KY to Walton, KY

It rained lightly through the night and continued (sometimes heavy) most of the day.

The rain misted as we got ready to pull out.  Dick got wet connecting the trailer, but not drenched.

We left Bowling Green at 10:30 am (EST) and arrived in Walton at 3:30 pm (EST).  It was a 198 mile trip, mostly on I-65, I-264 and I-71.  There were no "scenic drives" today.

Oak Creek Campground is large and "a bit rough around the edges".  Sites are close together, the gravel parking pads aren't very level.  There are lots of permanent campers.

Day 26 - Paducah, KY to Bowling Green, KY

The day began clear and sunny.  It ended overcast and cooler.

We left Bern Lake Campground at 11:00 am.  It was a very nice stay.

We drove to Bowling Green, KY by way of the National Geographics Woodland Trace Scenic Drive.  It was a 179 mile trip.

KY-453 and TN-49 combine to create The Trace.  It runs peacefully through the "Land Between the Lakes".  The Trace is in excellent condition and was lightly travelled today.

We arrived at the Bowling Green KOA at 4:20 pm.  It rained lightly as we arrived in the area.  The campground is nice, but costs about twice that of the next highest cost campground.  It's overpriced for the condition of the sites.

We decided it's time to head for home tomorrow.  We should arrive by Tuesday.

Day 25 - Paducah, KY (Day 3)

It's sunny and pretty warm (90 degrees) today ... a good day for more sightseeing.

We started with breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then headed for the downtown historic district.

First stop was at the Market House Museum.

The Market House Museum

It's located on Marine Way

A peek inside

Next, we walked a few blocks to the Paducah Railroad Museum.  It had a model railroad, lots of historical anecdotes, and a train engine simulator.

Dick observes driving a train in the simulator.

We had a surprise and a bit of fun as we headed back to the market district area.  Four separate teams of new Delta Zeta pledges from Murray State University wanted to take a picture of Dick ... they needed a picture of a man with a hat for a scavenger hunt.  He was happy to oblige.

Oh, to be young again!

Carol is a Delta Zeta, so she got to
exchange the secret handshake.

We had a nice conversation with an owner of a fashion shop on Marine Way and then went to the Tilghman House & Civil War Museum.

The evening was dedicated to catching up on college football and watching the Ohio State - TCU game.

Day 24 - Paducah, KY (Day 2)

Yesterday, we couldn't find a suitable campground near the beginning of The Trace (Land Between the Lakes).  We ended up in Paducah by accident.  Today we discovered how fortunate we are to be here.

We drove to downtown Paducah and learned that William Clark (of Lewis & Clark fame) purchased the land for the city (37,000 acres) for $5.00.  We also ...

• Viewed the Floodwall Murals
• Walked along the Ohio Riverfront
• Had lunch at Doe's Eat Place
• Went to The National Quilt Museum
• Went to the River Discovery Center

Each was special and memorable in its own way.  

The Floodwall Murals stretch for blocks along the riverfront.

Each mural was commissioned by a separate organization

The Riverfront

The riverfront was clean and very peaceful.

The Quilt Museum had approximately 150 quilts on display.  They are phenomenal works of art.

This is a carved, wooden quilt.

The River Discovery Center showcases the Four Rivers Region maritime heritage from the 1600's to present day.  The building it occupies is the only antebellum structure remaining in Paducah.  They even have a boat simulator that allows visitors to "captain" a speedboat, a towboat or a Coast Guard vessel in a variety of scenarios.

2nd floor has period decorations.

We may return to the downtown tomorrow.

We ended the day with a visit to the Paducah Laundromat.  It was the nicest we've experienced.