Week 152-154: A Trip Back to Kentucky

For 10 days, I was in Kentucky seeing all my people and doing all the fall touristy things Louisville has to offer. The nostalgia of being back, the joy of seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones, and the excitement of catching up on each other's lives was exactly what I needed.

Thursday

Eric dropped me off in Attnang-Puchheim to catch the train heading to Munich. This journey started out smooth and easy but quickly became a frustrating and anxious experience. Somewhere in the middle of lower Germany the train came to a halt and did not move for an hour. The intercom announcements were all in German and the train conductor was nowhere in sight to ask what was happening. We finally started moving, but at a glacial pace. It completely skipped my stop and would not let anyone off until we reached the main Munich train station.

Once I got to the train station I didn’t want to risk another train delay so I taxied the last 35 minutes to the airport. I made it through with moments to spare and walked up to my gate right as the plane was boarding.

A wonderful perk of living abroad is getting business-class flights whenever we go back to the States, courtesy of Eric’s company. So I was able to take my seat and completely relax in my own space without being elbow-to-elbow with another passenger.

*Our airplane shadow somewhere over Germany*

The flight was 9 hours to D.C. and then another hour to Louisville. I think it is a lot easier to fly back to America than it is to go back to Austria. By the time I landed, it was time for a late dinner and off to bed.

Friday

I woke up and started to make my rounds. My first stop was seeing Allie and Travis and meeting Eleanor at their brand-new house!

Allie and Travis came to see us in Austria in Week 53. Then we went back to America in Week 110 to see them get married. Now to be back and see them become parents was a special feeling and my heart was so happy!

We spent a couple of hours catching up, taking family photos, and then went out to lunch!

After lunch, I got to meet the second baby girl of the day and baby #2 for Shelby and Tyler–Monroe! We were all smiles. There is something so special about meeting your best friend’s babies. It’s like they are genetically obligated to like you and be friends with you too, and I love being Aunt RaRa to all of them.

Since spirits were high, we headed to the park to do a quick family photo session!

Saturday

Went to the UofL football game with the girls and husbands, minus Eric and Tyler, and got to see old friends while tailgating before the game.

*Shelby, Jessica, and I at the UofL game*

Another day, another baby! This was the first time I got to see Jess and Matt since we moved to Austria and I got to meet their baby girl, Taytum. She was a champ at the football game.

Sunday

This started out as a semi-slower-paced day at brunch with the girls, but ended with me completely out of breath playing with the Farris kiddos! William turns 11 this year and was the one who made me Aunt RaRa. Hard to believe how fast the time has gone by.

Monday

Crossed the river to Indiana and spent the afternoon out on the farm at Huber’s Orchard and Winery.

Huber’s Orchard and Winery
Address: 19816 Huber Rd, Borden, IN 47106
Hours: Daily, 10 AM - 6 PM

I have been coming to this farm since 1992. It is also where Eric and I were at the day before we got engaged back in 2016.

Tuesday

I found out Louisville had a cat café called Purrfect Day Cat Café. According to their website, the café has joined forces with the Kentucky Humane Society to focus on increasing the number of cat adoptions in the area and making an impact on homeless animal populations. If you’re in Louisville, be sure to check this place out! They get new kittens every day.

Purrfect Day Cafe Café
Address: 1741 Bardstown Rd. Louisville, KY 40205
Price: $15/Person to enter the cat lounge.
Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM Tuesday-Thursday & Sunday / 10 AM-9 PM on Friday and Saturday

After playing with the kitties, I went with Jessica to surprise the Farris kids at school pick-up and then we were back at the park for another spur-of-the-moment family photo shoot. Here are a few of my favorites:

Since everyone cooperated during photos, we went out for ice cream afterwards.

Wednesday

Had a lunch and shopping day with my mom and visited Allie again before picking up my dad to go to the movies. Since we just got back from Greece in Week 149-151, we thought it would be fun to go see My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. It was short and sweet and it was cool to see some familiar film locations from our travels.

Thursday

I spent the morning at the Louisville Zoo with Shelby and the kids.

The Louisville Zoo is home to more than 1,100 animals across 130 acres and we had it almost all to ourselves. The giraffes and gorillas are my favorite!

The zoo was preparing for its big Boo at the Zoo event so pumpkins and Halloween decorations were scattered all over.

After the zoo, I drove to Lexington with my parents to watch a UK softball fall ball game where I got to reconnect with former coaches and teammates. Emily visited us in Austria during weeks 137-139!

Friday

Visited with my former high school softball coach for breakfast, had lunch with Jessica, and stopped by for one last post-nap time play session with Fletcher and Monroe.

To round out my need to be a tourist in my own hometown, my parents and I stepped aboard the Old Kentucky Dinner Train in Bardstown, KY.

My Old Kentucky Dinner Train
Hours: Mon - Fri: 8AM - 5PM
Price: $$$

There are over 10 different themed train rides ranging from the traditional dinner train to the Princess Tea Party rides or Polar Express at Christmas time.

The train runs through the Kentucky countryside (which is really just people’s backyards) passing by sites such as the Jim Beam distillery, Jesse James’ safe house, and the Jackson Hollow Trestle in the Bernheim Forest. While the scenery wasn’t as spectacular as I think it could have been, I recommend doing it at least once if you are ever in Kentucky.

This 2.5-hour round trip ride includes a 3-course dinner and is made from two restored 1940s vintage dining cars.

*Mom and Dad on the Kentucky Dinner Train*

Saturday

Before heading to the airport, my parents and I took a walk around the neighborhood as the yearly yard sale was in full swing. We ran into my former high school teacher who just moved into the hood recently.

Sunday

Landed in Munich and took the train to Salzburg where Eric picked me up and was waiting with a sign.

Week 152-154: A Trip Back to Kentucky

Week 155: The Luchs Trail

Week 149-151: Greece