I may live across the bridge in Indiana now, but I will always be a Kentucky girl. There’s just something about the Bluegrass state.
Happy Chandler said, “I never met a Kentuckian who wasn’t either thinking about going home or actually going home.”
In honor of tomorrow’s Kentucky Derby, I have made a list of the Top 10 Things I Love About Kentucky. (In no particular order)
My Old Kentucky Home
I get goosebumps every single time I hear that song play. Goosebumps and tears. It’s such a beautiful song (by Stephen Collins) and you can be sure that the sun always “shines bright on my Old Kentucky Home”.
The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby, also known as the “most exciting 2 minutes in sports” takes place on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Ponies, hats, bourbons, and bets. Tomorrow is actually the 144th year of The Derby.
Keeneland
Speaking of horses, Keeneland is another must visit if you love racing. Located in Lexington, Keeneland is absolutely stunning and the perfect place to spend a beautiful Spring (or Fall) afternoon.
The Kentucky Wildcats
Yep. I am a Kentucky Wildcat fan. My love for the blue and white goes all the way back to my Travis Ford crush. I still remember how excited I was to meet him at the Elizabethtown Towne Mall when I was probably 9 years old.
I would dress up in my elementary school cheer uniform (which happened to also be blue and white) and cheer and yell at the TV during basketball season.
Western Kentucky University
My alma mater! WKU is located on “the hill” in Bowling Green, KY. This is the place where I met my lifelong best friends and my husband.
WKU is a BEAUTIFUL campus! The hill is serious business. That hill plus my inability to make it to any 8 am class was the reason I changed my major from Pre-Dentistry to Psychology. (Well, that and the fact that Zoology was super hard, y’all!)
Bourbon
Now, I am not a big bourbon fan, (insert gasp!) BUT I can fully appreciate a delicious mint julep. It is the official drink of The Kentucky Derby, ya know!
Southern Hospitality
Y’all! Kentucky folks are nice people. Once I cross the bridge to visit my hometown, I wave at everyone and everyone waves at me.
They say that at “Cheers”, everybody knows your name. Well, the same goes in most small Kentucky towns. Everyone knows everyone which is both a blessing and a curse depending on who you ask.
Ale 8
One of my sorority sisters actually introduced me to Ale 8 in college. How did I totally miss the boat on that? Ale 8 is made in Winchester, KY and it’s served in the classic green glass bottle.
Feelin’ frisky? Mix it with bourbon and enjoy!
The Kentucky Hot Brown
Now, I love healthy foods BUT there is something so comforting about, well, comfort food.
Biscuits and fried chicken are great, but the Kentucky Hot Brown is amazing! Originally created at The Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY, this dish is, legendary.
Athletics
Yes, I already mentioned The University of Kentucky, but the state of Kentucky has some incredible athletes at all the Universities. Basketball is strong in this state: The Wildcats, Cardinals, Hilltoppers and Murray State just to name a few.
And we can talk about athletic ability in Kentucky without mentioning The University of Kentucky Cheerleaders who are one of the most successful cheerleading programs in the WORLD, winning (to date) 23 UCA National Championships!
So, there is my Top 10 Favorite Things about My Old Kentucky Home!
If you’re from KY, I’d love to know what you love!
