Historic Louisville Landmarks

This will be my third and final blog about our time in Louisville. However, very soon I'll be posting about our stayovers at Carter Caves Resort State Park on the way to and from Louisville.

A lot of folks probably wouldn't get as excited as we did over visiting a water treatment plant and an old cemetery. But Judy and I (plus Charlie and Liz) could probably author a book on how to build a whole vacation around free or cheap thrills.

I think it takes a city with a lot of imagination and pride to see a water plant as historically significant. But they do a great job selling that concept. The Louisville water works is celebrating its 160th year of operation. I wonder how many cities even dreamt of providing city water in those pre-Civil War days.

This photo is inside the Gatehouse, where the flow of water from one area to another was once controlled. Charlie and Liz told us that even though they had frequently walked in the area, this was the first time the historic gatehouse was open to the public. Judy and Liz examine one of the displays explaining the design and function of the waterworks.

Places like this always inspire Liz to revive the Romeo and Juliet balcony scene. Actually, a retired water plant employee gave us a personal presentation on the whole operation, history and all. He told us every step the water went through from the Ohio River to our own household plumbing. The smart aleck in me couldn't resist telling him how amazing that was-- since we lived in Pinehurst, NC. He was unperturbed, though. He reached into a cooler and handed each of us a bottle of Louisville Pure Tap water. It even had fluoride added! And 0 grams of fat! I didn't try any more snappy comebacks.

We then proceeded across a walkway separating the two giant holding pools. From there, you get the best view of the Gatehouse, which was designed based on French architecture on the Rhine and Rhone Rivers. Our guide was the person responsible for saving the original blueprints and drawings for the construction of this architectural and historical wonder.

Many people were walking laps on the perimeter of the holding pools.

As we departed, these roaring waters being pumped into the holding tanks from pipes 40 feet underground once again reminded us of man's ingenuity. Us modern folks have no right to feel superior to our predecessors, who achieved astonishing technological success with far fewer resources than we have access to.

From the waterworks, we proceeded on to Cave Hill Cemetery, easily the most sprawling and interesting graveyard I've ever seen. I fell in love the place, even if none of my relatives are buried there-- as far as I know.

But some famous people are buried there. The most famous is probably Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. The guard at the gate directs people to follow the yellow line to this site almost before you can inquire.

Both the colonel and his lady (as the tombstone calls her) were laid to rest here. But these are by no means the largest or most flamboyant monuments in this cemetery.

The gate guard also directed us to "The Magician." I won't go into the details, but this was a beloved performer whose family honored him with a life-size sculpture.

No, he didn't reappear while we were there. A eulogy on his monument were a testimony to how he had endeared himself to his audiences over the years.

Geese and swans were everywhere as we continued on to this picturesque pond. Across it was the cave the cemetery was named for. It is closed to the public, so we didn't walk around to get closer.

Here, Judy and I are posing under one of the largest Chestnut Oak trees I've ever seen. There were ancient trees throughout the grounds. And greener grass you'll never find-- thank the geese, I suppose. Don't spend too long trying to decide if it's Kentucky bluegrass.

Uh oh. It's a faceoff between humans and geese. The humans freeze. Will there be fowl play? Finally in a tense scene worthy of Hitchcock, the birds let the humans pass unmolested. "But watch your step," they cautioned menacingly.

Obviously not worried about similarities with "Night of the Living Dead," Judy and Liz posed beside this lovely bench, which was inscribed with some sentimental and inspirational quotation.

Now if this blog has put it into your head to visit your local water treatment plant or cemetery, I hope you're not disappointed. Louisville is a hard act to follow. But on the other hand, most of our communities do have some pretty impressive local landmarks and special places. Next chance you get-- when the temperature is below 90-- why not do a little exploring of the place you call home!

Louisville Parks and Trails

This is my second in a series of four blog posts chronicling our recent trip to Louisville, Kentucky. In my opinion, one of the things that makes this an All-American city is its emphasis on parks and family recreation. It was great that the entire time Charlie, Liz, Judy, and I were catching up on things, our conversations were taking place in beautiful, fresh-air surroundings. We only used a car when a destination was clearly out of walking distance. And when Charlie and Liz don't have company, they use a car even less. They're about as green as green can be. And as Charlie can tell you, it's not easy being green. : )


Tom Sawyer Park in the Anchorage section of Louisville was typical of the many city parks. Plenty of winding, shaded trails, beautiful natural settings, and friendly, healthy, active citizens.

Although the Ohio River has been polluted by two centuries of industry, it's still one of America's most majestic waterways. We viewed it several times from different locations.

On our first evening in town, we visited The Falls of the Ohio State Park, famed for their natural beauty, geological uniqueness, and historical significance.

The ubiquitous layers of stone are known as fossil beds, and are the well-preserved record of a huge ancient sea which once covered a vast area of the midwest. This is on the Indiana side of the river, my and Judy's first steps on Indiana territory.

These statues honor Lewis and Clark, who, on their famed exploration in 1803, sent fossil samples and many other amazing specimens back to President Jefferson, who had a keen interest in all things scientific. Captain William Clark was the younger brother of George Rogers Clark, a hero of the American Revolution who later founded the town of Louisville.
If you can't read this plaque, I suggest you just go to Wikipedia or do a Google search on Lewis and Clark. If you're really interested, I've got several books and videos on them. Plus, their on United States nickels in recent years.

From the fossil beds you can view four bridges, two for autos, one for trains, and one an uncompleted pedestrian bridge.

Some of the fossils showed up surprisingly well in photos.

Some were even kind enough to pose for us. (That wasn't very nice of me, was it?)

(Alternate caption: Charlie says, "Marry me, and someday all of this will be yours, Liz.")

There were many people meandering about on the fossil beds, and I imagine at times they attract scholars from elementary age right up to university students.

Another family-friendly park we went to back on the Kentucky side was Cherokee Park. There were several others with Indian names such as Iriqouis Park, Shawnee Park, Seneca Park, and Algonquin Park. And that's not even mentioning those that were not named for Indians. (See Google Maps if you have a burning interest).

The trails, rock formations, and tumbling waters made this city park feel like it was far from a city. That was something Louisville was very adept at doing.

We have a tradition of photographing Liz in seemingly dare-devil scenes. This one is posed, but that's not generally necessary. We never know which photo may be her last. But Judy worries more about me having heart failure watching Liz lean over high cliffs and such.

Charlie pointed out this huge chunk of rock which had, at some time, broken off from a wall of rock and tumbled into the stream. Nowadays risk-takers sometimes jump off it into deep water. There were three of us to dissuade Liz.

Liz took two pictures of me and Judy in Cherokee Park. This is the one she took at a slant. Two reasons, I believe. 1: She photographs with the eye of an artist. 2: To get back at me for all my teasing. : )

We visited a local art gallery right beside the Ohio River and I spotted this tugboat moving a load of coal downriver (I think).

Back in the vicinity of all those bridges was an impressive multi-use riverwalk that you could follow almost endlessly. There were restaurants, benches, gardens galore, and of course, a view of the Ohio River. But one of the things that made it so special for children was the combination playground and waterpark, where kids could climb, swing, and slide until hot and sweaty, then run through the fountains, sprinklers, and sprayers to get cooled down. All of this was FREE.

I think you'll agree, that for a city of over a million, Louisville succeeds at retaining some small-town appeal. I saw a number of things I'd love to see in our community. The water park ranks right up there. We're moving in the right direction on having lots of greenways and trails. I haven't quite figured out how we're going to have a riverwalk, but you can't have everything!

In my next post I'll focus on two highlights of Louisville that may surprise you: a cemetery and the city waterworks. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised, as well!

Destination: Louisville

Ever since our dear friends Charlie and Liz moved to Louisville, Kentucky four years ago, Judy and I have hoped we'd be able to visit them there. Finally, everything fell into place and we made the long-awaited pilgrimage to see our soul-mates. And in every respect, the trip lived up to our expectations.

Shortly after our mid-day arrival on Tuesday, we ate at an Indian buffet. Outstanding, and I tried several new dishes. Right next door was an Indian market, and Judy and Liz were in hog heaven. Judy's big find was ginger root at fifty cents a pound (compare to over three dollars most places). She splurged and got five cents worth. Liz's was twenty-two cents! Not to be outdone, I got four pounds of almonds for twelve dollars, about half price from our local stores.
Here we are: The Four Musketeers, about to take Louisville by storm. This was near one of the many parks where we would enjoy leisurely walks (stay tuned for a special post about Louisville parks).

Louisville is a town of iconic places, people, and things. We breakfasted one morning at Lynn's Paradise Cafe. It's an eclectic and far-out eatery with outstanding fare. Just right for an eclectic blogger.
Interesting trivia: Maggie Baker, a Farm Life and Union Pines alumna, and classmate of Amanda and Sally, once waited tables here for three months. Wow! Whaddya think of that, girls?

Note the mannequin legs on the wall behind us. There was no end to this sort of decor. At least, not the usual end.

I persuaded Charlie and Liz to cut up a little.

Judy and I needed no prodding to follow suit.

One local personality is Jerry Lotz, collector of all things. Passersby are free to inspect his indoor/outdoor menagerie.

You name it, Jerry's got it. And he came down from his rooftop patio to give each of us a can of the famous Billy Beer. No beer included-- these were cans from a Louisville brewery that was commissioned to market the beer that former president Jimmy Carter's brother made world-famous in 1976.

Speaking of icons, Jerry had several local ones placed in the sidewalk beside his home. From left to right these three are Winchester Rifles, L&N Railroad (Louisville & Nashville), and Louisville Slugger (baseball bats).

This town is full of surprises. You may not know what Jug Band music is, but it started in Louisville. Historical plaques were on every hand.

The Louisville Slugger bat company can hardly be missed by downtown drivers. The town's minor league baseball team is also called the Bats, which has an added significance-- Kentucky is a state of underground caverns inhabited by the leathery mammals (not the ball players).

Evidence of the music scene and other aspects of a booming social life were especially noteworthy on 4th Street downtown.

Bike trails are everywhere, and the mayor and others strongly support the addition of more. Even bikes that are past their prime can express an artist's sense of the open road.

This vet was greeting passersby at the Hard Rock Cafe.

The old-timey trolley-style bus was a reminder of just how old the city is. It was founded by George Rogers Clark in the Revolutionary War era.

Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a favorite son of the city. Other famous residents are Muhammed Ali and Pee Wee Reese. Portraits of them and many others adorn lampposts and faces of huge buildings.

We also dined at a Vietnamese and Chinese restaurant, Cafe Mimosa. Good eating! And a great place to cool off and converse for a while.

We were delighted to get to visit Brent and Jane, Charlie and Liz's son-in-law and daughter. We had a wonderful time with them and did a lot of catching up.

Brent took this one so I could squeeze into it. Looks like Liz posed us, if you ask me.

A town as old as Louisville is bound to be very diverse, and that includes architecture. If you've been to Charleston, SC, does this evoke memories of Rainbow Row? And look at those three "outsiders," with heads bobbing along hedge-high.

Any open space between buildings or houses was likely to be filled with lush gardens, benches, sculptures, or fountains. Very inviting and relaxing.

Local artists have also preserved days-gone-by with murals on the facades of old buildings.

This train track is very near Charlie and Liz's apartment. I know it's not an L&N, but if you know me, you know I can't resist trains. Toot Toot.

Our final meal in Louisville was at a Greek restaurant called The Pita Hut. Not to be confused with . . . well, you know. It was a terrific buffet and Brent and Jane were able to join us since their school had ended for the summer the previous day. I tried Baba Ghanouj (prounounced bah-bah guh-NOOSH). Kind of like hummus, but made with eggplant instead of chickpeas. Very spicy, but I liked it on the crackers or pitas. And yes, I have five witnesses that can verify that I ate it. Gimme a break.

This post barely scratches the surface of all we did on this trip. Upcoming blogs will feature the outstanding city parks of Louisville, a famous waterworks, a famous cemetery, and Carter Caves State Resort Park, where Judy and I spent a night both going to and coming home from Louisville. So we're not saying goodbye to our friends just yet. Stay tuned!