Our trip to Kentucky

Back in April Natalie and I took a super awesome trip to Kentucky to visit our BFFs, the Cliftons. They moved to Kentucky last June and had a new baby in the meantime. It was Natalie’s first time flying and she was fascinated and thrilled by it all. It was a long flight but we made it. The scenery was beautiful, the horses were interesting, but the best part was hanging out with our dear friends.

We took a field trip to a horse farm, where they keep race horses and breed them. This is the trophy room where they can show off what races were won by prestigious horses housed there.

These horses were seriously beautiful. The whole place was pristine and meticulously cared for. I would feel totally comfortable eating my dinner off the stable floor. Look at this beautiful shiny stallion. The tour guide took us around to each pasture and we peered over the fences at the grazing horses while she told us briefly of their racing history, their family members who had won races, and their stud fee. The fees ranged from $50k to $150K. It was truly amazing to take a peek into this world that is so different from mine (horse breeding and racing, that is).

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Here are the little beauties in front of a fountain. Can you see what I mean about the breathtaking beauty all around us?

There was a famous horse buried here. Don’t ask me who it was, heh heh.

Here is the one picture of me, proof that I was there. The moister air made my hair extra poofy.

This tower was like, 100 years old.

Aren’t they purty? Natalie’s tall, huh?

It was green rolling pastures and brown and white fences in every direction. I was plastered to the window the entire time. This one time we were driving past some horses grazing and there was one galloping along, its shiny brown coat glistening in the sun, its mane and tail flowing behind it, its lean muscles rippling under its skin. It was a slow motion moment and one I’ll never forget.

Meanwhile, we spent a lot of time leisurely hanging out at Emily’s house, the kids playing to their hearts content and Emily and I enjoying the ultimate chat session. The kids did a lot of digging for worms and centipedes. The weather was a bit chilly and really nippy at night! We were glad we brought our sweaters.

Natalie and Heidi both knew some cute little songs on the piano and did a little performance for us, complete with matching long-john PJs.

We went to the Keeneland racetrack on the last day of the races to see some, well…races. It was a super fun experience and highly interesting. It was at this old, beautiful location with all sorts of amazingly dressed and very attractive people. There were betting stations EVERYWHERE and people milling about studying the race booklets trying to make decisions on which horses to bet on. Also lots of beer and cigarettes were to be seen in every direction. Strangely, people were just smoking throughout the crowd during the races. There was no avoiding the smoke or smell of beer. So different than Gilbert! lol

Jockey statues

So outside of the arena/building/racing area, there were these tranquil grassy areas where the horses were paraded around for all to behold. It was really cool to see these highly athletic and specially trained horses up close.

 

The jockeys were indeed very small men and an occasional woman.

We bought popcorn to occupy the troops between races.

This lil’ fella did great, considering he was only 2 months old, missed a nap or two, and was overwhelmed by crowds and noise. Just wook at his widdle double chin!

We rode a shuttle bus back to our car, which was super exciting for the kiddos.

Natalie was being rebellious for these shots.

The Saturday we were there happened to be Arbor day, so we went to the children’s garden at UK (Univ of KY) and got in for free. It was this really neat area with play structures, a creek, and beautiful plants. There were two little pioneer buildings; a house and a school. Heidi and Natalie pretended they were pioneer kids for a while.

Out fetching the water.

Churning the butter.

“fishing” in the creek.

Cute baby.

Leaf rubbing in the schoolhouse.

Creek jumping. It was such a beautiful day and we just let them play for a long time.

This was a spiffy painted horse statue.

It was such an amazing trip, with oodles of fun had by all. Hoping we can go back a time or two in the next few years!! If only we could fly for free….

Thank you, Cliftons, for an awesome time and all the fun memories!