Kentucky Pride Stickin'

Louisville, Kentucky is a great spot for a window shop. This time Paige, Hannah and I hit up Work The Metal. 

Disney haunted us like frozen fractals all around. 

Our attempted tour of Churchill Downs shut down by the snow. 

Impressions left in the snow as we explored Fourth Street. 

It appeared I wasn't the only Australian in Kentucky that day. 

Then once again I added something to my bucket list, just to tick it off - bourbon tasting in Kentucky.

The beverage assaulted the nasal passages and murdered a few taste buds. 

This Louisville visit I skipped the grave and saw the man himself. 

We stalked a few estates on the way home while Paige resisted the urge to drive through the snow. 

Following a brief rest stop back home, Mom and Dad Hasson, Paige and I ate dinner at the Silver Dollar. Paige opted for the chicken and waffles. I ate... the ummm... I actually don't recall, which tells me it wasn't particularly tasty or nasty.

Later that night Paige's dreams came true when her, Hannah and I drove over the new Lincoln Bridge. Paige was kind of totally jealous I'd been driven over it before her during my unexpected, interstate hitchhiking adventure. 

We pretended to see the Falls of the Ohio. I hear it's quite beautiful in the daylight. Photos were taken of the Kentucky skyline instead. 

We explored Paige's university and the home of my college football team - University of Louisville. 

I lost half my legs in the snow. 

The UofL library was closed, but I'm Australian, so I got to take a photo. 

You can't tell, but I'm doing the "L" with my hand. It basically just looks like a gun. Because America. Woo!

Then we had a tour of some campus housing. They are living the life. Not a bunk bed to be seen. 

Paige and I finished the night with a little television viewing where Donald Trump spurted out my favourite piece of his garbage. He is convinced he could go to Fifth Avenue, shoot a man and not lose any of his supporters. That night I rested soundly knowing I'd spent my time in America with a president slightly less into shooting the general public. 

For my final day in the great state of Kentucky, Paige, Hannah and I went hotel hopping. We started at The Brown.

This chap had been waiting all day for my arrival. 

This hotel is the birthplace of the hot brown. Not a euphemism for poop, but a dish I was first disappointed by at the Troll Pub. We rode the elevator to the top because sometimes we act like children. 

We moved onto the Seelbach. This place was even fancier. 

The staircase in the lobby was legit. 

Hannah's old history teacher, Mr Sharp, gave us a free, comprehensive tour. We were shown the former Rathskeller in the basement. 

The former speakeasy now welcomes dancing and drinking legally, as a function room. The leather ceiling adorned with zodiac signs. 

Among the many celebrity guests was F. Scott Fitzgerald. Paige and I tested the great ballroom written about in The Great Gatsby. 

My Kentucky time concluded with 11 herbs and spices provided by the colonel. 

Each of my visits to Kentucky was a unique and blog worthy experience. I can't thank my first American adopted family, the Hassons, enough for their hospitality. 

We even coordinated our outfits for my first Thanksgiving. 

And to my first TSPP twin, Paige, thank you for everything. From bottomless milkshake comas, to never ever teasing the way I say, "no". From spontaneous plans to watch the kiss goodnight after conquering 4 parks in one day, 

to entire conversations about filling the can. From accompanying me in our seats on the E bus (even that one time I chundered) to your thoughtful gifts sent in the mail.

From DFEM to eating Twizzlers while waiting in line at Walmrt. Thank you for your unexpected, honest, caring, hilarious and fun friendship. 

Stay curious. 

Stay beautiful. 

Stay you. Xo