Sheepless in Kentucky

Well, the weather has been somewhat inclement during this trip, and as forecasts were not favorable, we decided to forego the Owensboro BBQ fest. Ultimately, we thought that, if we were going to drive two hours to end up eating indoors, we could do that with a shorter commute. So no mutton BBQ for us. Next time, perhaps. At least we haven't had to cower in the basement this time.

Not that the trip has been without its moments. Highlights so far include:

• Dinner at the aptly named Overlook, overlooking the Ohio River in Indiana. The food was good enough, typical of the area, but the view was to die for. One of the helpful servers showed us photos on his cell phone of the twister that blazed across the river just two days before. Yay.
• Lunch at my beloved Doe Run Inn. I finally got the fried trout again, which I've dreamed of since I first had it several years ago. It lived up to the memory. Doe Run Inn remains one of my favorite spots anywhere for its quaintness, romance and off-the-beaten-track charm. This time we inspected the rooms upstairs, which further support the rustic, down-home atmosphere.
• The obligatory and always welcome trip to Glendale, KY. This perfect slice of Mayberry is an idyllic picture of small-town Americana, with gingerbread-laden houses and copious antiques and Kountry Kraft stores in a postcard-perfect town. It's a little self-aware, sure, but endearing nonetheless. We purchased a substantial collection of appropriately worn mid-century kitchen utensils (yes, including an eggbeater -- interested, Shuna? There's about a hundred where that came from.) with handles in cherry red and seafoam green. We plan to compose them oh-so-artistically on a wall in the kitchen or dining room.
• Yes, we got our barbecue. Being Mother's Day, we trekked down to Bowling Green, to DPaul's grandmother's place, where we were treated to a mountain of the stuff from a local favorite joint. (I don't know which ... stay tuned, I'll find out.) Pulled pork, smokey-sweet-hot sauce, fluffy buns ... mmmm. Good stuff, Maynard.

Here on the northern edge of the state across the river from Indiana, the news reports refer to the area as Kentuckiana. DPaul, being from south central, mused last time we were here why they don't merge Kentucky and Tennessee, to which I replied, because it would then be Tennessucky, which is just not pretty.

Truly, Kentucky is a diamond in the rough, a touristic destination largely untrodden and undiscovered. Each trip I try to find something new, some hidden gem that is taken for granted by the locals. And without doubt, whether this trip or the next, I will get my mutton.