Vacation 2014

Louisville skyline
 

This year, for my vacation, I decided to take a week and head back home to Kentucky to spend time with friends and family.  With all the overtime at work and my other obligations, here in Texas, I ready for a break.  I could literally feel myself fraying around the edges and needed to get away. 

Needless to say, it was an enjoyable trip.  Since my grandmother's passing in April, I wanted to spend most of it with my folks, but I did take some time to spend in Louisville, and walk around downtown and Bardstown Road.  And I did get to spend some time with some old friends.

Since time wasn't factor, I decided to drive home this year.  If I really wanted to, I could make the drive in one day, but why?  I stopped in Forrest City, Arkansas and got a hotel room at a Holiday Inn Express, where coincidently, I met some other people from Kentucky.  Pleasant conversations ensued.

The hotel was nice, clean, and had plenty of amenities to ensure a pleasant stay.  It had an indoor pool, which I made good use of, fitness center, snack shop, laundry service, and a nice free breakfast in the morning.  The décor had a hip modern feel which made you feel like you staying in a more luxury hotel than it really was.

Heck yeah! Flat screen tv, free cable, microwave, and refrigerator.  Do I have reason not to stay in?

After breakfast, the next day I hit the road and got home later in the afternoon.  I purposefully timed my vacation around the Kentucky state fair, which I have always loved.  I went with my parents and had the best time. 

Being in town gave my a chance to try a couple of new restaurants and visit some of the familiar places that have meant so much to me over the years, like Day's Coffee, Drakes, and Flanagan's. 



The Holy Grail

Taco Luchador

Kentucky State Fair

Flanagan's

Fourth Street Live

Maker's Mark Lounge

KFC Yum Center

Me and Gina.  One of the dearest people I know.

Nothing like a Kizito cookie.

Day's

Me and James at Drake's

Pork chops

Doc Crow's Southern Smokehouse



I visited my old church, Valley View.  Kinda digging the new set up.

When it was time to head back home to Texas, I stopped one night in Nashville.  Two of my favorite bands, Red and Demon Hunter were playing at Rockettown and I really wanted to see them.  I bought my tickets before I left for my trip.

I stayed at an Embassy Suites in a really nice part of Nashville.  It was located in the middle of a business park with manicured streets, low rise office towers and rolling hills.  It was a few minutes from downtown, which was perfect for me. 

I had never been to Rockettown but always wanted to go.  The show was awesome! Demon Hunter and Red did not disappoint.  They put on an awesome show of melt-your-face-off hard rock and metal. 

Restaurant at the hotel

Rockettown

Demon Hunter

Lead singer of Red.  Wish my phone took a better pic.

I don't know when I'll be in Kentucky next. I think for the next couple of years, I'm going to focus my vacation budget else where.  There are plenty of places around the country that I'd like to see and places I'd like to visit again.  One day though, I'll find myself back there enjoying the beauty that is the Bluegrass state.