Visiting Angela in Kentucky

The weekend before last, I went down to Lexington, KY to visit my good friend Angela. We first met when Mark and I moved to BG; Angela was teaching in the ESOL Program here at that time, and she took me under her wing both at work and outside of work. So many of the people I know in BG are thanks to Angela's introductions. And she's better than anyone I've ever known at keeping in touch, so even though she moved to Lexington a few years ago, we still catch up regularly by phone and see each other at conferences. She stops by BG at least once a year to visit everyone she knows here, but it's been several years since my last visit to Lexington...it was long overdue, and I'm so glad we made it happen!

I drove down on Friday, timing my arrival to miss the worst of the traffic in Cincinnati (mostly successfully, I think). So I got into town a little before Angela would get home from work. She recommended a local coffee shop just a few minutes from her house, and when I looked them up and discovered they sell loose leaf tea, I knew I'd have to check it out. Their in-store selection was even bigger than what they post online, so I was basically in tea heaven (not to mention the fantastic prices!). 

tea latte

an abundance of loose leaf tea for sale!

After my tea shopping spree, I met Angela at her place, and also met her roommate (a grad student from China). We three chatted for a bit, then went to dinner at the Pasta Garage, a super cute local place that makes their own pasta and sauce. It was so delicious! 

we all shared a bit to taste different dishes;
Angela's was the best

From there, we went to Broadway Under the Stars for a medley of Broadway tunes and dancing. Unfortunately, we didn't know most of the songs, which weren't listed by name in the program either, but it was still fun. The performers did a great job, especially considering how warm and muggy it was that night. 

On Saturday, we started out with a visit to Old Friends Horse Farm, where they take care of retired racehorses. I don't know anything about horses (or horse racing), so it was interesting to take the tour and learn a bit. Also, I got to feed a horse (and not just any horse, but a multi-millionaire!).

our tour guide

me with a couple of horses

what a beautiful sky!

one of the other workers talked to us about this horse

feeding a millionaire! 

selfie w/Angela and another famous horse

the whole place was so scenic...

For lunch, we went to Farm Market and enjoyed their famous tamales. Angela had taken me to this place on my previous trip, and I requested to go back. It did not disappoint!

the last bite of guacamole and
two smothered tamales

In the afternoon, we toured the historic Mary Todd Lincoln home. I didn't really know that much about her or the details of her time in the White House or after President Lincoln's assassination. So I learned a lot, and it was cool to see the old house which had been very well restored and refurnished. 

our tour guide in the parlor

in the dining room
 The broom looking thing was used to shoo away flies
(our tour guide mentioned shoo fly pie at this point,
which made me think of Mom and her delicious pies!)

in the ladies' living room, talking about the china on display

a massive canopy bed

I fell in love with this little desk

it was too hot to sit out on this cute porch!

After the tour, we did a bit of shopping, cooked dinner at home, and spent more time hanging out and catching up (and a little bit of talking shop).

On Sunday, we spent most of the day at the Pleasant Hill Shaker Village, where we learned all about the Shakers of Kentucky. This was another place that's done a great job preserving, restoring, and sharing some important US/local history. We did have a big rain shower in the afternoon, but mostly were able to do what we wanted to do. We also enjoyed a late lunch at their restaurant, splitting everything so we could try a bunch of stuff. Not pictured: the main meal--fried chicken with mashed potato cake and green beans (whoops!). Although we didn't, you can actually stay on-site in renovated historic buildings. Sounds fun!

When this was built, it was the biggest building in KY.

waiting for a tour to start, hanging out in rocking chairs

the Shaker music program, in the meeting house

coleslaw and corn muffins

summer salad with lots of corn, avocado, and goat cheese

Shaker lemon pie

in a gift shop

There are also miles of preserve with hiking trails on the property.
We didn't hike, but did drive around a bit--beautiful!

Later, Angela took me for a drive-by tour of the University of Kentucky campus and a lovely stroll at their Arboretum. 

We wrapped up the day with pizza and ice cream. The ice cream was from Crank & Boom, which seems to be super popular--we waited in a pretty long line, but it had doubled by the time we finished. It was really tasty!

We split this giant slice and bread stick.

inside the ice cream place

my s'mores sundae
(with house made marshmallows!)

Angela went back to work on Monday morning, and I drove home shortly after she left. It was so fun to visit and do some touristy stuff together, but mostly just to have lots of time to hang out and talk. I need to make sure it's not so long again before my next visit. 

Thanks, again, Angela for your friendship and hospitality!