My Old Kentucky Home

Ya'll, I'm starting to get sad about the idea of leaving Kentucky.  Though it started out rough, it has been a great year.  I was impatient when my friends told me that it takes a year to feel comfortable in a new place, build a community of friends, and feel settled in your niche.  Turns out, everyone was right.  And after a year, I'm really going to miss this place.

Why the Red River Gorge is the BEST climbing in the world

I've traveled the world to pursue one of my greatest passions: Climbing.  

I've been to Peru, New Hampshire, Washington, Colorado, West Virginia, Virginia, and many places in North Carolina (Looking Glass, Ship Rock, Ashboro, Pilot, Rumbling Bald)... But of everywhere I've been climbing, there is no place I love more than the Red River Gorge in Kentucky.  This is why...

For starters, it is serenely beautiful.  I have been climbing in every month but January in the Red and each month showed a changing season and beautiful weather.  Even mid-July had its perks because there is a great swimming hole right off Mountain Parkway just a few exits down from Slade.  If you know how to plan your trip right, you can find a face with morning sun and afternoon shade so that you stay cool in the warm months.  Likewise, knowing the rainy day locations is crucial.  My personal favorite rainy day spot is Chica Bonita in Pendegrass (plus it has my favorite route: Brown Eyed Girl 5.10b slab).

The Rock.  The Red River Gorge is varied depending on what area of the gorge you are climbing in.  There is wonderful sandstone with huecos, plates, cracks, overhangs, and my personal favorite, slab.  With tons of trad and sport climbing ranging from 5.4 to a 5.15a (Southern Smoke Direct) that was placed last fall, it doesn't matter what kind of climber you are, you can find a classic five-star route in the Red.  What's more is that each area is very different.  Muir Valley has the greatest access to the most variety and the Webers have done a wonderful job of protecting the land.  The local Access Fund has done a tremendous job in maintaining the area and keeping developers out.  New routes and first ascents are still being tackled every year so the area continues to grow.

The Red River Gorge climbing guide by Ray Ellington is phenomenal.  The map, directions, and ratings are for the most part spot on and he gives you the important details of any climbing trip in the Red like the top 10 classic routes, a checklist of routes, stats on the approach/weather/ratings at each crag, and quality pictures that make you want to be a model in the next volume.  It is totally worth the $35.  And yes, there is an app for that.

 Ale 81: Kentucky's take on ginger ale is a staple to the end of any good climbing day.  Rehashing the day's journeys through cruxes and red points would not be the same without sipping on an 'Ale eight' with your buds.  Part of the gorge is in a dry county so Ale 81 is all you can get at some places, but right down KY 31 from Miguel's you'll find the Beer Store with a giant "Welcome Rock Climbers" sign on the roof.  Eastern Kentucky is very economically depressed so the locals know that climbers bring revenue to an otherwise poor area.  They have embraced the climbing community and you feel the warm welcome as soon as you exit Mountain Parkway.

Miguel's Pizza.  The BEST camping, company, and cuisine in the Gorge!  Miguel opened up his little pizza shop a few decades ago and welcomed climbers to eat and sleep climbing on his property.  The make-your-own pizza hits the spot at the end of a hard day of climbing.  When I started coming to the Red in 2007 it was just a small house with a big backyard of tents.  Miguel has since expanded into the adjacent field and built a large bath house complete with token showers (Hallelujah!), an industrial kitchen, washer/dryers, and dining area.  You'll meet new people from the world over that heard about this climbing Mecca and are looking to share the beta.

Kentucky is good people.  Let me explain.  On my first trip to the Red, we met some "good ol' boys" who were climbing with us at The Shire.  They prayed prior to climbing and were very friendly and welcoming.  When my buddy left his brand new $100 shoes at the crag, the G.O.B's drove all the way to Miguel's to deliver them because they knew that's where we were staying.  Their generosity saved the trip.  Likewise, after moving to Louisville, I met my new climbing partners when chit-chatting with strangers in Muir Valley and come to find out that one guy lives three blocks from me.  Instant friends.  Last week I just met some guys from DC who gave me the skinny on the climbing community in the city.  And the cherry on top of the cupcake was when a stranger approached me and asked if I was Becky... Err, yes, I am.  She was from NC and reads Local Townie.  Small worlds collide in Kentucky.

So you see, there is a reason that climbers flock from all over the world to experience the Red River Gorge. It's because it feels like home.

Sunday Funday

Instead of saying goodbye to the weekend, push through and keep the party alive before succumbing to the inevitable workweek.  Here are a few pics from a few of the most recent Sunday Fundays and the New2Louies I enjoy them with.

 A round of frisbee golf at Iroquois Park means 18 holes of me getting par* for the course while the pups run out their energy in the woods.
*Becky rules: Simply finishing a hole is a good showing for my frisbee skills so I figure that it counts as "par" to get my frisbee in the metal bucket.

 Brunch with a menu consisting of my classic scrambled eggs, Johnny's XXX coffee, hibiscus sweet tea & bourbon, summer berries, and a good Sunday morning playlist.  Mobilize to Cherokee park for a hike on the trails while Lulu chases chipmunks.  And finish off the day with a local artisan festival.

Backyard barbeques with steaks, grilled veggies, PBR beer bread, and a shotgun... or two.

Sunday Funday INDEED.

Why yes, I'll Have Another.

The Water Tower

Louisville Neighborhoods

Buy Local First

Today's Buy Local First festival was a great way to meet the locals and feel like I should quit my day job and be a crafty artist.  It was like real-life Etsy with creativity bursting out of every tent.  If you missed the event and want to see the local artisans at work, just check out the list of vendors.

Smile Friday

Found on Petersen Ave in Crescent Hill.

I like my coffee how I like my friends...

LOCAL!

Here's the best places to get a good brew in town:
-Vint: my personal favorite due to their exotic selection of fair trade coffee from around the world and fantastic outdoor seating.  They also give Lulu a treat every time we come!
-Nancy's Bagels: a great quick breakfast option.  Lu and I walk by every day and wave at the bakers in the window.
-Heine Bros: a Louisville staple.  They're a great local company dedicated to sustainability and outreach.  Try Ronda's blend named for one of the sweet daughters of a Kosair nurse-- it's a little spicy, just like her.
-Highland Coffee Company: a great cafe to sit and work in, whether you're trying to be productive or just want to people watch in the Highlands, you'll definitely find something to do.
-Cafe Classico: perfect for the after dinner cafe.  The Roma is a favorite and it comes with a little cookie.
-Quill's Coffee: the best take home beans
-Day's: good luck getting an outdoor seat, but it's worth the wait if you can score one.  Day's is the perfect launching point for a day on Bardstown Rd.
-Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe: The heart of Crescent Hill and the best fresh baked goods in town.  Don't even think of JUST ordering a coffee... you'll want a scone to go with it!

You know you're from Louisville if

-You chuckle at people that pronounce "Louisville" the way it's spelled.
-A fleur de lis decorates any part of your car, home, or body.
-Your beverage of choice was produced less than an hour from your house.
-Your living room floor is littered with out-of-townies for the Derby who are unaware that they will not actually see any horse races that day.
-You know the shortcuts downtown to avoid Bridge traffic.
-You avoid Indiana altogether.
-Seeing men that look strangely like 'The Dude' is commonplace.
-You have made an insurance claim in the past year due to softball sized hail or fallen trees.
-You laugh at the puny Fourth of July fireworks in comparison to Thunder Over Louisville.
-The excuse of "I got caught by the train!" has ever worked to get you out of a work tardy.
-You stay at home when the University of Louisville plays the University of Kentucky.
-91.9 WFPK stays on your radio at all times and you use the station to make your weekend plans!
-Asking "Where did you go to school?" refers to high school.
-Restaurant week means you've cleared your evening schedule for the next 9 days.
-Deciding to meet friends at the park means a ten minute discussion of which in town park to go to.

But most importantly, you know you're from Louisville if any of these things (or ones not mentioned) give you warm, fuzzy feelings inside.

Happy Nurse Appreciation Week!
xoxo, your friendly Louisville Peds ER nurse practitioner

Derby in Review

In case you didn't know, horse racing is a big deal in Kentucky.

And despite the warnings about the chaos in the Infield, I dressed impeccably.  Nothing but class.

The Oaks almost didn't happen because of a torrential thunderstorm.

But NOTHING could spoil our fun.  

Derby at the Downs is the biggest event I have EVER seen.  Two hundred thousand spectators from the world around and I barely even saw a horse the entire day.

New2Lou ladies representing Louisville's finest twenty somethings.

And the men.

Stay around long enough and there's always a door that opens... Sometimes it's the door to the track and you get to stand on it.  Apparently Muhammad Ali was the last one to make it happen... Until ME.

And even if all your horses come in last...

At the Derby, we're all winners!

DERBY

Derby.  Synonymous with all things horses, bourbon, julep, gambling, hats, and Kentucky.  My year in Kentucky is culminating with the most classic Southern phenomenon that pulls together traditions that span 3 different centuries.  In the 138 year history of the Kentucky Derby, there has been less than 5 hours of actual racing because it is the fastest two minutes in sports.  The energy in Louisville has been palpable for weeks and is drawing hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life to witness the Race for the Roses.

From the jockeys to the Twin Spires, the juleps to the Infield, the Kentucky Derby has got to be one of America's most iconic events.  It has been on my bucket list for years and I feel even more worthy to be on the Infield because I am a true citizen of Louisville... In fact, I'll say it, I'm a local.

The Oaks

Deemed "Louisville Day" at the track The Kentucky Oaks is the race where 3 year-old fillies (girl horses) race the 1 1/8 mile track to win the coveted "Lillies for the Fillies" garland.  It's a local holiday, on par with Thunder and Christmas, and the town will be painted PINK.  The Oaks also has a huge effort for breast cancer awareness and celebration of survivors.

Check out the parade and the pink out that will certainly have the Infield tickled.  I'll be on the Paddock with the rest of my New2Louies.

Ladies first!