Summer Trip XII

"...its about the journey, not the destination...":

A view of Kentucky Lake from the Kentucky Dam.

    "...its about the journey..." The fastest way to Lexington Ky, where I was staying for a few days, was to take the Western Kentucky Parkway to Elizabethtown KY, and the the Blue Grass Parkway into Lexington; but this trip was not about the fastest. This trip was about the journey, the best ride. I decided to take US 62 out of Paducah all the way to Lexington.

Just above the dam.

     US 62 out of Paducah is a great motorcycle road. It has lots of curves, much of the road is tree lined, some of it so that you feel you are riding through a "tree tunnel." In and out of small towns, little traffic, wonderful rolling countryside, and then the Kentucky Dam across the Tennessee River.

The Kentucky Dam is part of the Tennessee Valley Authority providing power, drinking water, and recreational opportunities. 

     I took my mid-morning break in Greenville Kentucky. What a nice town. Well tended houses and lawns, some nice shops downtown that locals frequent, and the requisite town park. I found some picnic tables under a "gazebo" to sit and work on my blog. Peaceful, quiet spot.

Mid-morning break in Greenville Kentucky.

     I continue along US 62 through Beaver Dam KY (no kidding!), towards Leitchfield and then on towards Elizabethtown and Bardstown. Near Bardstown I pass (I did not stop!) the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History and ride on towards Versailles KY.

Old Frankfort Pike, still a wonderful ride.

     About 20 miles from Lexington I turn onto Old Frankfort Pike. This is a road that I often traveled when I lived in Lexington and its as wonderful as ever. The road surface is great, trees line both sides of the road in many places making the late afternoon ride a little cooler. This brings back many memories.

Tree lined roads around Lexington make it easier to deal with  the afternoon heat.

     Once I get close to Lexington it is clear that much has changed in the 35 years since I lived here.
Lexington is much larger, more spread out, and there are many more people, cars, and stop lights. It takes quite a bit of time to get from the western side of Lexington to the eastern side where my motel is. I check in and then decide to go to dinner at a  restaurant I worked in for a few years. The Chevy Chase area has changed a lot also, but there are still some of the old restaurants there, including the one I worked in. After dinner I ride back towards my motel, stopping by some friends house on the way back. We make arrangements to meet for dinner the next night. Then back to the motel for some TV. Tomorrow will be "...a trip down memory lane."